If I had a nickel for every time I rolled my eyes when I saw that the job I was applying for asked for a cover letter, I would probably be rich by now.

Writing a cover letter is no walk in the park, but writing the perfect one can and will definitely add weight to your application.

Not all jobs require a cover letter, but when they do, you should take your time to tailor it to the company and the role. I would recommend setting aside at least one to two hours to write the ‘perfect one’.

Most recruiters recommend following the structure below when writing your cover letter.

1. Intro;

2. Why the company;

3. Why the role;

4. Why you;

5. Conclusion.

If you struggle to write a cover letter or need to hone your skills, grab a cup of tea and some biscuits, and let’s dive in!

Intro:

The introduction section of your cover letter should be very short, no more than two lines in theory. Use this section to clarify the role you are applying for and the year you will graduate (if the job description mentions it).

Template: I am writing to apply for the <role> advertised on <where you came across this job opportunity>. I am a first-year student studying <your subject> at <university name> and will graduate in 20xx.

The ‘Why the company’ section:

This is your chance to demonstrate to the recruiter why you want to work for that company and not any other company on the street. I personally like to give three reasons to demonstrate my passion for the company. If you can replace the company name with any other company, then your cover letter is not tailored enough. Some examples I like to use to demonstrate my passion for the company are: their ESG practices, DEI initiatives, recent technologies or deals, etc. Remember, you also have to explain why these reasons matter to you.

Template: ‘After reading about your strong Purpose and Values statements, which are grounded in your four keys to success, known as Client Service, Excellence, Integrity, and Partnership, I am confident I can make a positive contribution towards completing your goals and objectives. I strongly believe working for a leading global financial institution with a noble mandate to advance sustainable economic growth and financial opportunity offers a great opportunity to learn fast and grow professionally and personally. In addition, I am passionate about the 10,000 Women initiative launched in 2014 in partnership with the International Finance Corporation. I am extremely proud of the greatest achievements of the WEOF facility so far. However, I am still concerned about the growing number of women who cannot access the capital needed to grow their businesses. This calls for an urgent and immediate commitment to scale up this initiative while expanding it to other emerging countries. I would like the opportunity to contribute to this.’

The ‘Why The Role’ Section

This section is all about your interest in the role. Why did you apply for this role in particular and not any other role? What do you hope to learn from this internship? What can you bring to the team? Having the job description in front of you will be a plus when writing this section. If you have experience in some of the responsibilities for this role, mention them here and clearly explain how you acquired them.

Template: ‘I completed a work experience with a financial services company, where I learned about M&A and equity research. The Global Advisory Women’s Horizon Insight is a unique opportunity for me to learn more about <company name> and gain a better understanding of the industry. I thrive under pressure and see myself working in a client-facing environment long-term. I am excited to meet and learn from <company name's> current employees and learn more about the company’s historical archives. Attending the Insight programme is only a steppingstone towards achieving my long-term goal of securing a graduate role with <company name>.’

The ‘Why You’ Section:

This section is about you!!! Well, actually, it is about your skills. Again, you want to have the job description in front of you when writing this section. More often than not, the job description will tell you what skills the recruiters are looking for. The most common ones are communication, teamwork, leadership, and interest in the industry. You want to use the ‘show me, don’t tell’ technique. Don’t just list the skills you have or think you have. Instead, clearly explain how you demonstrated them and don’t leave the reader unsure about anything.

Template: I have been involved in various extracurricular activities throughout university that helped me develop my soft and technical skills. For instance, I completed work experience with an IT consulting firm, where I applied my critical and analytical thinking skills to tackle a client's challenge. Moreover, as a campus ambassador, I demonstrated a track record of excellence, leading to being named 'Ambassador of the Week' twice and earning 'Most Impressive Effort' recognition. Being the Project Leader of 'Kids Cooking' helped me develop my leadership skills and ability to tailor my communication style to suit my audience. In addition, Powerful Media recently recognised me as one of the Top 150 Future Leaders, which is a true testimony to my leadership skills.

Conclusion:

This section should be two or three lines. You want to keep it short and concise. Thank the recruiter for reading your application and let them know about your availability for an interview.

Template: I would be most grateful if you could consider me for this position. I remain fully available for an interview at any time, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss my application further.

PS: Remember that a good cover letter (and CV) will only land you an interview with the company. Your ability to secure the role depends on how well you perform during the interview.

PS 2: The templates are my work and are part of the cover letters I have sent to companies. While I am kindly sharing them with you, I would appreciate it if you did not plagiarise my work. You can use the templates for inspiration; however, make sure to tailor your work to the job description and companies.

Opportunities of the week:

1. Summer mentoring program with Morgan Stanley Investment Management in partnership with Entrepreneurs in Action. Find out more and apply here. (Deadline: 23rd/June/2024). Open to students and recent graduates in and outside the UK.

2. The Mayor of London’s office is offering internships to graduates or undergraduates from marginalised racial and ethnic communities interested in PR, Marketing, Events or Digital Communications. Please circulate to family and friends in your networks. The closing date for applications is 28 April 2024. You can find out more and apply here.

In the News:

Benchmark 10-year Treasury note yield rose 0.13 percentage points to 4.32 per cent, while those on two-year Treasuries, which are sensitive to interest rate policy, rose 0.09 percentage points to 4.71 per cent.

Happy Wednesday, and until next time :)