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