Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Recruitment & retention
    • Wellbeing
    • Occupational Health
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • Brightmine
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Free trial
    • Request a quote
  • Webinars
  • Advertise

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Recruitment & retention
    • Wellbeing
    • Occupational Health
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • Brightmine
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Free trial
    • Request a quote
  • Webinars
  • Advertise

Recruitment & retention

Job applicant’s attempts at French leave employer confused

by Personnel Today 8 May 2007
by Personnel Today 8 May 2007

Guru received several e-mails concerning hilarious job applications. But his favourite came from Disciple Laura. She received one that was written partly in English, partly in French, and partly in gobbledygook. Laura’s e-mail was made even better by the fact she appeared to write in at least two of these languages herself. Here it is as it appeared. Enjoy.


Hi Guru!


After reading A testament of work experience this week, which my office this very amusing as we often get similar letters of application, although not as amusing as this. However, back in 2001, my company received the following letter:


Cher Monsieur/Madam!!!


Je parle Francais. J’habite a Londres. J’aime beaucoup manger les pommes de terre(in case you do not speak French, this bit says: I am French, I live in London, I like eating potatoes).


Je suis tres interested in you position of administrator. As I have proven, I have excellent knowledge of both the English and the French ‘words’. Also, I am quick to spot mistakes in the advertisment you have written, ‘…and Excel. French knowledge….’ and Excellent French knowledge…’ Well I know that Paris is the capital of France, Nice is in the South of France and a French kiss a bit rude!


I am free for an interview on Wed 27th June between 2 and 3pm or Mon 2nd July at the same time. Let me know which suits you best. We can discuss the salary when we meet.


Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

OptOut
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

See you soon/A beintot


Keep them coming, disciples. Guru is off for a petit mort… er… lie down.

Personnel Today

Personnel Today articles are written by an expert team of award-winning journalists who have been covering HR and L&D for many years. Some of our content is attributed to "Personnel Today" for a number of reasons, including: when numerous authors are associated with writing or editing a piece; or when the author is unknown (particularly for older articles).

previous post
Personnel Today ‘teasing’ survey finds UK workplace is becoming increasingly ‘lookist’
next post
What did Tony Blair do for HR in 10 years as prime minister?

You may also like

How to employ a global workforce from the...

28 Aug 2025

Indeed launches platform aimed at healthcare workers

27 Aug 2025

Jobs market continued to struggle during July

26 Aug 2025

Petition calls for rethink on NHS agency staff...

19 Aug 2025

British Transport Police first force to hire part-time...

19 Aug 2025

Just a sixth of employers proactively hire ex-offenders

12 Aug 2025

Young people still confident of landing jobs, despite...

12 Aug 2025

Call for more support for young workers, as...

12 Aug 2025

Nurse and midwife ‘graduate guarantee’ launched

11 Aug 2025

Doctors call for training reform to beat burnout

8 Aug 2025

  • Work smart – stay well: Avoid unnecessary pain with centred ergonomics SPONSORED | If you often notice...Read more
  • Elevate your L&D strategy at the World of Learning 2025 SPONSORED | This October...Read more
  • How to employ a global workforce from the UK (webinar) WEBINAR | With an unpredictable...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2025

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2025 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Recruitment & retention
    • Wellbeing
    • Occupational Health
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • Brightmine
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Free trial
    • Request a quote
  • Webinars
  • Advertise