Format/Layout: Block Style

Parameters: This is an exercise in identification, composition, and formatting. You will be required to assume the ‘Jack Turner’ identity. Read and study Jack Turner’s biography and job experience in the attached files: jack-turner-bio-intern-job, and jack-turner-summer-job. Identify your key information and compose the letter in a persuasive manner. Remember, you are Jack Turner trying to secure employment. Do not write as yourself.

• Refer to the spacing illustration in section 6 of the textbook as your formatting guide for block style.
• Refer to the Toulmin illustration in section 6 of the textbook as your guide for placement of Toulmin Elements.
• See the ‘block style’ format in section 5.

Instructions: Compose one ‘response to an advertisement’ letter in block format using information the information provided in the Jack Turner bio and the descriptions of his summer work, and intern positions. You will need to include 4 Toulmin elements in this letter: claim, support, warrants, backing. Be sure to include ‘soft skills’ in your warrants and backing paragraphs. Examples of these paragraphs are located in the attached file on the ‘soft skills’ tab above the RTA Assignment function.

Submission: Save your document as a word document or rich.txt file

JACK TURNER BIO and SUMMER INTERN EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts – International Business, Rice University, Houston, TX

December 2011

Master of Science – Logistics Management, Texas A&M University,

College Station, TX     May 2012

Background and Future Plans

My name is Jack S. Turner. Right now, I live in Houston in an apartment at 1423 Jamison Ave, #222, but not for long if I don’t find a job before I finish school.  My dream job would be to work as a logistics manager for a major international container shipping line.  I can’t expect to walk right into this job, so settling for an entry level management position may be within reach.  I’ll graduate college in December from Rice University with a B.A. in International Business.

Internship Duties and Responsibilities with APL Lines, Houston, TX

Summer of 2008 & 2009

I know my experience is pretty close to what companies might want given I’m just finishing school and haven’t had much direct experience. I did land an intern position APL Lines the summer of 2008 where I worked in export documentation and created international bills of lading for global accounts.  I learned all about shipping lanes, how goods are rated for shipping cost, insurance, arrival times, and even restrictions on goods going to certain countries.  During the summer of 2009, I worked at the same shipping line but as a dock worker loading shipping containers.   It’s a good thing there is a port in Houston, I would not have been able to learn about commercial merchant ships, the speed, the design, the crew compliment, and loading the containers. I even learned how the ships are loaded using cranes that run alongside the ships, how they are secured for storms at sea, and how they are manifested aboard the ship. 

Soft Skills Jack has Learned from his Hands-On Job Experience

I’m hoping my summer jobs will be enough to land a good entry level position because it’s rare to have related skills right after you graduate.  Both summer experiences really helped me to see that international shipping is more than just filling out paperwork. There’s a lot to learn when it comes to the actual physical work that is involved, the ships that carry the goods, and the high risk of shipping over the ocean rather than by air. There are certain soft skills I have learned from just working alongside my coworkers. Things like good communication skills, and problem-solving skills are a must in this industry. Solving problems, particularly safety problems require strong critical thinking skills. Just wearing a tie or nice trousers looks good, but it’s also good to be able to say I loaded the container. I know that being a good leader, being able to get people to work together to complete tasks on time is a must. A strong manger has to be trusted by his coworkers, so he has to behave in such a manner that will instill trust so that workers will fulfill their duties without question. In other words, just getting my hands dirty is not all that it takes to be a good international shipping logistics manager.  

I bring relevant experience to the table so my prospective employer will not have to worry about training me after I get hired.  Besides, I’m disciplined, energetic, and a quick-learner.  Yea, I feel pretty good about myself given the economy. So good, I’ll write to the human resource offices in the states at two major container shipping lines line Maersk and Evergreen. 

JACK TURNER’S SUMMER JOB AS A JUNIOR LOGISTICS MANAGER:  Hapag-Lloyd, San Diego, CA. Summer 2010

Job Requirements for a Logistics Manager

Logistics Management  Logistics management involves the flow of materials and goods through a business. Logistics workers, or supply chain managers, oversee the departments that receive materials and supplies into a business. The manager supervises the warehousing and stocking departments, and shipping operations. Businesses rely on the efficiency of the organization’s supply chain to meet customer demand and deliver finished products on time and within budget.

Job Description and Duties  Logistics managers oversee the movement, distribution and storage of materials in an organization. Managers control the flow of incoming materials and outgoing finished products to ensure customers receive products on time. Logistics managers oversee warehouse, inventory control, material handling, customer service, transportation and planning workers. They hire, train and evaluate employees. Managers prepare worker schedules and ensure warehousing and distribution workers follow safety rules. The manager may prepare reports for upper management; negotiate shipping and supplier costs, and work to improve the efficiency of the company’s supply chain.

Education Required  According to ONet Online, most logistics managers have a bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s degree programs in supply chain management, logistics or business administration can provide the education to work in the logistics industry in a management position. Courses in a supply chain management or logistics degree program include distribution, purchasing, warehousing and storage, and operations in logistics. Degree programs also include business management courses such as accounting, management, business law and economics. Courses such as purchasing or procurement cover subjects such as supplier negotiation, contracts and outsourcing. Students may also complete coursework in lean manufacturing, which is a production practice that minimizes waste and requires an efficient flow of materials into a company.

Work Experience  In addition to college coursework in logistics and supply chain management, employers may prefer job candidates with experience in logistics operations. Some employers select logistics managers with experience in the particular industry, such as electronics manufacturing. Logistics managers with experience in an industry understand the special requirements that may be needed when storing or transporting raw materials and finished goods. For example, electronics manufacturers may prefer job candidates with experience packaging and handling products sensitive to electrostatic shock. Food manufacturers may hire logistics managers with experience in the storage and distribution of perishable food items.

SkillsLogistics managers must have good verbal and written communication skills to direct employees and prepare reports for upper management. Managers have the ability to act decisively to resolve problems. Logistics managers must have the skills to perform any of the duties in the warehousing and distribution department of a business. Managers must have strong interpersonal skills to motivate and instruct employees in the company.