Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Investment Banking Cover Letter Examples

To write an impressive investment banking cover letter, I would like to introduce a website InterExec. This website is mainly used by headhunters, so you may not have heard about it. The reason I want you to visit this website is not for you to use their service, but to learn writing an impressive cover letter. Follow these steps.

Click on the website InterExecResources
Click ‘Current Candidates’
Discipline: Choose B – Financial/…
Click ‘Get Current List’

By doing so, you’ll come up with a number of candidates with financial backgrounds. From there I have copied several profiles for your reference. Please note that these profiles are written by highly professional executive recruiters. And the profiles all belong to extremely senior bankers and you may probably at a much junior level. What I want you to learn is the style of writing when writing your own cover letter. They are written in 3rd person, you can write it in first person.

In fact, for mid level executives who do not have a headhunter to represent them may write a blind profile like this just to make it less sensitive at the initial job search process. Until the employer replies and asks for your resume, you can politely demand for confidentiality.

A DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE FINANCE with expertise in leading the execution of public and private M&A, financing transactions and strategic reviews for Large Corporate and Private Equity clients and in materially influencing new business origination.

In the past 5 years has advised on transactions totalling some £20bn, including one of the largest in the UK in 2010. Has significant experience with highly complex and contentious corporate finance issues. Contributes to new business development activities and played a key role in originating two new clients in the last 12 months.
Qualifications: MSc, BSc, FSA Approved.

A CORPORATE FINANCIER / INVESTMENT BANKER with expertise in building Board relations and significant revenues from transactions and mandates with major Healthcare Corporations in Europe and Asia.

An exceptional record of building $60m revenues from corporate finance activity with a leading Global Investment Bank for International Clients with consolidated market capitalisation of +$500bn. Specialist knowledge of the Pharmaceutical / Healthcare sector, building from scratch significant presence and revenues in Europe and Japan with total mandated transaction values exceeding $100bn.

Further extensive experience in Corporate finance and development for a Global, market leading Pharmaceutical company.

Qualifications: MSc, CFA.
Courses: M&A – INSEAD.
Languages: Fluent German, Advanced French.


When you have to write a REALLY short paragraph summarizing your USP (unique selling point), you need to study the ad and see what qualities are most needed by the employer. If you are proactively approaching an employer, analysis what is most important in the role you are interested in. In any case, some words and phrases are highly useful and generally catching the eyes of the hiring managers.

I’ve written a few examples for mid level bankers.

Candidate impresses as a down-to-earth and competent senior banker who has a proven track record in originating Power / Energy transactions.

Having gained over 10 years in Project and Structured Finance in the Power and Energy space, Candidate brings an excellent understanding and exposure to international financing structures with the last 5 years deeply involved in Asian transactions.

Possessing strong industry networks with global corporates and sovereign houses in Asia Candidate can immediately add value to XYZ Bank.

Copy the style of these profiles and re-write with your personal details and make it the experience paragraph in your cover letter. Be short, include your USP and make use of numbers when mentioning deal sizes.

Investment Banking Cover Letters

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Do THIS Before Your Next Job Interview

An investment banking interview is unique in many ways. However if your preparation is focused only on IB, you may overlook some important interview rules that are common to all businesses. Have a 360 interview preparation and minimise the chances to be defeated by someone who is better prepared.

I've recently read a great article from my friend Jimmy Sweeney regarding interview preparation. He has granted me permission to share it with my readers. Here you go.

Marathon runners practice with friends before the big race. Speech contestants practice their speech in front of friends before the competition. Musicians practice with friends and colleagues before a concert. Savvy job seekers do the same.


Never walk into an interview cold. Warm up with a friend or fellow job seeker first.

DEVELOP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Before the practice session study the mission statement of the company you're interested in, the job description of the position you're aspiring to, and the responsibilities involved. Then create questions around that information. Your practice partner can help you there. Next, prepare your answers, including real-life examples from your current work experience so that when you're faced with questions, you have specific details you can refer to on the spot.

DRESS THE PART

Treat the practice session with the same respect and professionalism you would the real thing. This includes dressing appropriately––a suit and tie or sport coat and slacks for men, a pants suit or tailored dress for women. Be sure to polish your shoes and avoid heavy-scented perfumes or after-shave lotions. Select conservative jewelry, avoiding dangling earrings and clunky bracelets that distract. You'll want to keep the hiring manager's attention on what counts—you and your qualifications for the job.

ASK FOR AN HONEST CRITIQUE

Following your practice interview, ask your friend to critique your appearance, attitude, attention span, answers to questions, and to give you his or her overall impression of how you did. In other words, would your friend hire you? This information will be invaluable to you as you can make changes where necessary and keep in place what worked well.

The popular adage, 'practice makes perfect' may not always be true, but 'practice leads to progress' is true all the time. And progress will soon lead you to the job of your dreams.

Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new "Secret Career Document" job landing system. Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, "Job Search Secrets."

Investment Banking Interview