YOUR COVER LETTER

When you send your Personal CV to an employer, you will be expected to include a Cover Letter with it. Not only is this a convention, but it gives you an opportunity to elaborate on some of the skills you alluded to in your Personal CV. Remember, your Personal CV should not be more than one page long, so there is not much opportunity for you to talk about your skills in any depth. Make sure, however, that you have talked about the skills that you consider relevant in the CV. The CV will be read before the Cover Letter and you dont want the CV binned before the employer has even got to the Cover Letter.

NINE TIPS FOR CREATING A WINNING COVER LETTER

1. Keep it short and follow a standard business letter format The ideal cover letter is about half a page long, and never exceeds one page. A concise letter demonstrates that you are focused and have strong communication skills. Aim for two to four brief paragraphs. Try to address the letter to a specific individual, and be sure to use the correct spelling (all the contact details of the on-campus Recruiters are listed on our website). A prospective employer who sees his or her name spelled incorrectly may assume you are not detail-oriented. Once you have determined the hiring managers name, a good general rule is to use his or her first name only if you have been personally introduced and have already referred to that person by first name in conversation. Otherwise, use the persons surname preceded by Mr. or Ms. 2. State the position The opening sentence of a Cover Letter should announce its purpose (even though the purpose may seem obvious) and give the reader a compelling reason to read on. If someone mentioned the job opening to you, be sure to use his or her name in the

introduction: I am writing to you at the suggestion of John Doe, who told me that you may be looking for a Portfolio Manager. If youre responding to an advertisement for a job, say so in your letter: I am applying for the Associate position advertised in and would like to tell you about my qualifications.

3.Demonstrate your knowledge of the company Work a fact or observation about the company that isnt common knowledge into your opening paragraph. Such a statement tells the reader that youve done your homework: I have been following with great interest the success of your company in developing and marketing a new insurance product. That interest has prompted me to send you this letter, along with my CV. You could also say, I am writing because I was attracted by our recent ad in In light of the work your company is now beginning to do in Corporate Finance, I thought my previous research fellowship in this area would make me an interesting candidate for a position. 4. Explain why you want the job and why this job interests you Candidates should always answer the question Why do I want to do this work? Ask yourself how the position fits into your overall career plans and what you find exciting about the particular sector. A genuine show of enthusiasm and knowledge will set you apart from those sending generic letters. Let potential employers know what you have to offer. Do you have any special abilities or knowledge that you could build upon if hired? On a similar note, be sure to research prospective employers and demonstrate that knowledge in your cover letter. Not only does this show that you have a genuine interest in the job, but it also indicates that you have initiative a quality that is highly sought after in entry-level candidates. 5. Clearly describe ways in which you will contribute This is the most important element of a Cover Letter. After carefully reading the job description, write a paragraph outlining one or two specific examples of how your skills and experiences will fit the companys needs. Sell yourself. Dont expect to wow a prospective employer with a lengthy checklist of what youve done in the past. Instead, position your accomplishments in terms of how you could bring the same benefits to their company. Your Cover Letter needs to answer the question Whats in it for my company? Clarify how

your expertise will benefit them directly. 6. Match, but dont repeat, your CV This is an area that many job-seekers find difficult. You should never claim experience in your Cover Letter that isnt reflected on your CV. Doing so makes you look like a liar. At the same time, your Cover Letter should not simply restate your CV. When you explain the ways you will contribute, refer to an experience or skill on your CV to show how you will add value to the company. Briefly elaborate on one or two key points to draw attention to your CV. Give details about the most relevant parts of your work history for this particular position. For example: Prior to EDHEC, I had a successful career as an Assistant Vice President in Corporate and Investment Banking in the U.K., India and South East Asia. I was actively involved in evaluating client needs, structuring and pricing solutions and marketing these to clients. 7. Dont say youre not qualified Even if you think the position is out of your reach, your job is to convince the recruiter that you are qualified. If the recruiter thinks you are unqualified, a confessional letter is not going to get you an interview. Keep the letter positive by focusing on your transferable skills and unusual accomplishments. 8. Keep the tone and content professional Dont be a comedian, dont get really personal, and dont beg for a job. Recruiters are more likely than not to think your attempts at humour or stories about pour personal life are just plain weird. 9. Proofread again Using a spell check is not enough. Many recruiters will dismiss even the most qualified candidate if there is one typo in the Cover Letter or CV. Reread your letter two or three times, then give it to someone who knows a thing or two bout good writing and is a NATIVE English speaker. Even if your letter is free of typos, poor grammar also makes a bad impression. End the letter with Sincerely, Yours Sincerely or Yours truly.

TEMPLATE COVER LETTER Your Address City, Area Code Date of Letter Employers Name Title Department Organisation Street Address City, Area Code Dear Mr./Ms/Dr. Last Name: Introduction (1st Paragraph) Refer to how you learned about employer or the job (previous conversation, meeting, correspondence, or job posting)give specific jobs if possibleexplain why you are writing and what you know in a few lines about the Company. Body (2nd paragraph approximately 1-2 paragraphs) The core of your letterhighlight and explain 3-4 relevant accomplishments (achievements, skills, experiences, attributes etc.) MAKE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN YOU AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB. (3rd Paragraph if necessary) Highlight one special skill or experience that may set you apart from other candidates. State why you are interested in working for this employer and your interested in this type of work.

Close (4th Paragraph) Thank the recipientRestate your intereststate the action you expect from the recipient (an interview, an application, a phone call)reiterate a strength (why you should be selected)indicate your next plan of action and/or offer a specific date of expected course of action. Sincerely, Your signature (Typed Name) attachment) Encl: (Indicates there is an

SAMPLE PARAGRAPHS COVER LETTER 1. EXAMPLES OF OPENING PARAGRAPHS I would like to apply for a position as a Summer Intern on your Fixed Income and Equities programme. I would like to work for Lehman because of its excellent reputation in financial markets. In particular, I am impressed by the top ratings of your All America Research Team by the Institutional Investor magazine. Things such as the 10 Uncommon Values Portfolio suggest to me that people at Lehman think about financial markets in the enquiring manner that I find attractive. Please accept this letter and attached resume as application for a Summer Internship. I am currently completing an MBA at EDHEC Business School. Prior to this, I worked as a Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyer and developed transactional, client management and analytical skills. These legal skills, combined with the finance and management skills I am learning through the MBA, give me a unique and broad grounding, which I believe would make me a valuable contributor to the Boston Consulting Group. I would like to work for Fidelity as I am impressed by your firms passion for fundamental research as well as your integrity and representation of shareholders interests. I have taken the opportunity to get to know more about Fidelity through the presentation you gave on campus at EDHEC on 6th January (where I enjoyed talking to Maggie Rumble and Jean Styles) and by talking to friends whom work for you. All of this has confirmed that Fidelity is where I would like to further my career. I would like to apply for a place on the Associate Programme in your Investment Banking group. I am currently studying for an MBA at EDHEC Business School and believe that my analytical and communication skills, combined with my interest in international

finance, would enable me to contribute quickly to your team. I am eager to develop my career with a global bank that has indepth expertise across a broad range of service areas. I believe that HSBCs geographic coverage and range of services would provide an unparalleled opportunity to work in international markets with blue chip clients and I am keen to learn from bankers who have a strong reputation for developing innovative solutions for such clients. I have recently seen your advertisement posted on-line at EDHEC Business School and I am extremely interested in the opportunities outlined. I believe that my experience in marketing, together with the financial and strategic knowledge developed during my MBA will enable me to provide the range of skills that you are seeking and I am eager to work for a company committed to market expansion. I have been following the performance of your fund in Mutual Funds Newsletter. The record over the last three years shows strong portfolio management. Given my experience working for one of your competitors, I know that I could make a significant contribution to your firm. A recent article in The Economist suggested that you are planning to expand your activities in Latin America. I, therefore, felt that your company might require expertise in.., and that my background might be of interest. The General Manger of your Hong Kong office, xxxxxx xxxxx, has suggested that I contact you regarding the opening for.. 2. EXAMPLES OF BODY PARAGRAPHS With over five years of experience of negotiating and managing large projects, I am well aware of the need to demonstrate committed leadership and for close integration of the project team. Working with a major Retail company has taught me the importance of customer focus. As in your company, we have had to keep our service running while new facilities are built and brought on-line. The skills that I believe would be of most benefit to American Express include: Entrepreneurship. I co-founded an Equity Research service as a university student to finance my studies. I was also one of the founding members of Salomon Smith Barneys IT Services industry research group and sole employee in charge of New York operations.

Teamwork and Communication. I am experienced at working with institutional clients, senior management and cross-functional teams. I am skilled at working and socializing within a variety of cultures through international travel (over 30 countries) and volunteer work (4 countries). Accountability/Decision Making. I made buy/sell decisions at Sterling Johnson Capital Management that directly affected its $600 million portfolio of equities.

Through my five years of auditing experience with Ernst & Young, I have developed strong analytical ability. I have extensive experience of analyzing companies financial information and I have developed a good understanding of operations and practices across a wide range of industries. I have also gained significant experience of managing teams and developing and managing relationships with clients. I believe that my work experience to date, combined with the additional tools I am developing through my MBA studies, means that I have strong technical financial skills, well-rounded management ability and a strategic view of business. My key strengths are: Programme/Project Management I have managed trans-European IT projects and cross-functional teams in India, US and Europe. My structured approach to Project Management has enabled me to deliver successfully million pound projects on time and on budget. Consulting I have a broad consultancy background based on five years experience in various consulting roles. I started in IT consulting and later moved on to business consulting. I thrive in client facing roles and have often been asked to return to clients. Persuasive Communicator My focus on well-prepared communication strategies and presentations, combined with a good understanding of the stakeholders, has proven very effective when managing change projects. Pharmaceutical insight My six years of experience within the Pharmaceutical industry has involved IT projects for Novo Nordisk and QWA Consulting for Ferring. As a result of this experience, I have developed a thorough understanding of FDA requirements.

My degree course and work experience have helped me to develop strong analytical skills and a creative approach to problem solving. I am comfortable with numbers and experienced in research and quantitative methods. In addition, I have developed strong communication skills, which have allowed me to work in a variety of situations with a variety of different people, from employees facing a company shut-down, to policy makers in Westminster. Coupled

with this, I am confident that I work well in a team. My project-based experience, involvement in sports teams and experience of conservation projects demonstrate that I have an ability to work in different types of team in very different environments. I feel that all of these qualities will enable me to perform well in the pressurized and dynamic environment of Investment Banking. I believe that I am well-suited to the Associate role and that I have much to offer your firm. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated many of the attributes that Morgan Stanley looks for in its Associates: - Problem-solving and decision making: As a Portfolio Manager during the 2000-2003 bear market, I analysed diverse information, from historical market records to up to the minute stock reports in order to execute trades and successfully run client investment portfolios - Leadership: As an officer cadet in the Royal Naval Reserve, I excelled in the leadership training programme at Britannia Royal Naval College and led teams to successful completion of single, joint and multi-force tasks during a number of sea deployments under complex conditions. - Commercial orientation and client focus: During my time as an independent Financial Consultant, I spent many hours building a clientele that demanded the absolute best in client service and dedication. 3. EXAMPLES OF CLOSING PARAGRAPHS Thank you in advance for the consideration of my application. Please find a copy of my curriculum vitae attached. If there is anything more you require from me, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time and consideration I hope to hear from you shortly. I appreciate Morgan Stanley's commitment to its clients and its global outlook. I am impressed by the bank's European and worldwide league table performances and I know you will receive many applications as a result. I appreciate you taking the time to consider mine and look forward to hearing from you in the near future. I hope you find the enclosed details of interest and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. I have enclosed my CV for your review and would be pleased to discuss

this in further detail with you. I believe that the combination of my industry knowledge and analytical and strategic skills would enable me to make a significant contribution to your team. If you require further information, please do not hesitation to be in contact with me and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. I look forward to examining any of the ways you feel my background and skills would benefit your company.