Embarking on your actuarial career, you've diligently fine-tuned your résumé and started applying for jobs, only to encounter the pivotal step of submitting a cover letter. Crafting this document is not about echoing your résumé; it's your chance to weave a narrative around your proudest professional moment. Aim for a blend of formality and originality, steering clear of worn-out phrases. Remember, brevity is key—your story should captivate but never exceed one page. Let's begin the journey of writing a standout entry-level actuary cover letter.
- Including all the must-have paragraphs in your structure for an excellent first impression;
- Learning how to write individual sections from industry-leading cover letter examples;
- Selecting the best accomplishment to tell an interesting and authority-building professional story;
- Introducing your profile with personality, while meeting industry standards.
And, if you want to save some time, drag and drop your entry level actuary resume into Enhancv's AI, which will assess your profile and write your job-winning cover letter for you.
If the entry level actuary isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Entry level actuary cover letter example
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- Quantifiable Achievements: Citing specific measurable outcomes - such as the 35% increase in claims processing efficiency and 20% improvement in forecast accuracy - illustrates the candidate's ability to deliver results that benefit the business.
- Relevant Experience: Mentioning previous roles at well-known companies like MetLife and Aon Hewitt provides credibility and demonstrates experience within the industry, signaling a strong fit for the Senior Actuary Analyst role.
- Efficiency Improvements: Discussing the implementation of initiatives that have led to time savings and increased data quality (e.g., revamping data collection processes leading to a 30% time reduction for analysts) showcases the candidate's focus on efficiency and process optimization, which is highly valuable in an analytical role.
The must-have sections and format of your entry level actuary cover letter
When writing your entry level actuary cover letter, keep in mind that it'll only be read by the recruiters and not the Applicant Tracker System (or software used to assess your profile). That's why you should structure your content with a/an:
- Header (apart from your contact information, include your name, the role you're applying for, and the date);
- Personalized salutation;
- Opening paragraph to win the recruiters over;
- Middle paragraph with key details;
- Closing that starts from clichés;
- Sign off (that's not mandatory).
Industry standards dictate your paragraphs to be single-spaced and to wrap your content in a one-inch margin. Designing your entry level actuary cover letter, refer to one of our templates, which automatically takes care of the spacing and margins.
Choose the same font for your entry level actuary cover letter as you did for your resume: the likes of Lato and Bitter would help you to stand out in a sea of cover letters in Arial or Times New Roman.
Export your whole entry level actuary cover letter from our builder in PDF to keep the same formatting and image quality.
The top sections on a entry level actuary cover letter
Header: The header should include your personal contact information, date, and details of the company you are applying to, as it provides a professional and accessible means for the recruiter to identify and reach out to you.
Opening Greeting: A tailored greeting that addresses the hiring manager by name demonstrates you have done your research and are seriously invested in the application for the actuarial position.
Introduction: A compelling introductory paragraph should capture the recruiter's attention and articulate why you are interested in the actuarial role, demonstrating a blend of personal motivation and understanding of the industry.
Professional Experience and Skills: This section should highlight your relevant educational background, internships, and any actuarial exams passed, showcasing your technical proficiency and readiness for an entry-level actuarial position.
Closing and Call-to-Action: In the closing, reiterate your enthusiasm for the opportunity, express your desire for an interview, and thank the reader for considering your application, leaving a professional and polite final impression related to your actuarial candidacy.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Strong mathematical proficiency: Demonstrates the candidate's ability to understand and apply complex mathematical concepts, which is central to actuarial work.
- Analytical problem-solving skills: Highlights the applicant's capability to analyze data, identify trends, and solve financial problems, which is crucial for risk assessment and management.
- Attention to detail: Essential for ensuring accuracy in calculations, data analysis, and financial reporting, preventing costly errors in actuarial evaluations.
- Proficiency in actuarial software: Shows familiarity with industry-specific tools such as SAS, R, and various actuarial modeling software, which are integral to performing actuarial tasks efficiently.
- Internship or related experience: Demonstrates relevant exposure to the field, suggesting that the candidate has a foundational understanding of actuarial responsibilities and the insurance industry.
- Communication skills: Important for translating complex technical information into understandable terms for clients and colleagues, facilitating effective collaboration and decision-making.
Greeting recruiters with your entry level actuary cover letter salutation
What better way to start your conversation with the hiring manager, than by greeting them?
Take the time to find out who the professional, recruiting for the role, is.
Search on LinkedIn, the company website. And for those still keen on making a fantastic first impression, you could even contact the organization, asking for the recruiter's name and more details about the job.
Address recruiters in the entry level actuary greeting by either their first name or last name. (e.g. "Dear Anthony" or "Dear Ms. Smarts").
If you're unable to discover the recruiter's name - don't go for the impersonal "To whom it may concern", but instead use "Dear HR team".
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Recruitment Team,
- Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name],
- Dear [Job Title] Search Committee,
- Dear [Department Name] Team,
- Dear Talent Acquisition Team,
Get creative with your entry level actuary cover letter introduction
Recruiters are going to assess plenty of candidate profiles for the role. Thus, anything you do to stand out will win you brownie points.
Use your entry level actuary cover letter introduction to share something memorable about your experience.
But before you go down the rabbit hole of creativity and humor, align your message with the company culture.
For example, if you are applying for a role in some startup, use those first two sentences to tell a funny story (about your experience) to quickly connect with the recruiter.
Structuring your entry level actuary cover letter body to add more value
You've hinted at your value as a professional (this may be your passion for the job or interest in the company) in your introduction.
Next, it's time to pan out the body or middle of your entry level actuary cover letter.
When creating your resume, you've probably gone over the advert a million times to select the most relevant skills.
Well, it's time to repeat this activity. Or just copy and paste your previous list of job-crucial requirements.
Then, select one of your past accomplishments, which is relevant and would impress hiring managers.
Write between three and six paragraphs to focus on the value your professional achievement would bring to your potential, new organization.
Tell a story around your success that ultimately shows off your real value as a professional.
Final words: writing your entry level actuary cover letter closing paragraph
The final paragraph of your entry level actuary cover letter allows you that one final chance to make a great first impression.
Instead of going straight to the "sincerely yours" ending, you can back up your skills with a promise of:
- how you see yourself growing into the role;
- the unique skills you'd bring to the organization.
Whatever you choose, always be specific (and remember to uphold your promise, once you land the role).
If this option doesn't seem that appealing to you, close off your entry level actuary cover letter with a follow-up request.
You could even provide your availability for interviews so that the recruiters would be able to easily arrange your first meeting.
Entry level actuary cover letter advice for candidates with no experience
If you're worried about writing your Entry Level Actuary cover letter and have no professional experience, we sure have some advice for you.
Turn recruiters' attention to your transferable or relevant skills gained thanks to your life and work experience.
Instead of writing about past jobs, focus on one achievement (whether from your volunteering experience, education, etc.) and the skills it has helped you build.
Alternatively, you could focus your Entry Level Actuary cover letter on your career objectives and goals. Always remember to make those relevant to the job you're applying for by detailing how you see yourself growing as part of the company.
Recruiters would be way more impressed with candidates who fit the job profile and can bring about plenty of skills and vision to the table.
Key takeaways
Your entry level actuary cover letter is your best shot at standing out by showing your motivation and the unique skills you'd bring to the job:
- Chose no more than one achievement, which you'd be talking about in the body of your entry level actuary cover letter, by focusing on skills and outcomes;
- Address recruiters with their first or last name, or "Dear Hiring Manager" in your entry level actuary cover letter greeting;
- Introduce in no more than two sentences what makes your profile unique (perhaps it's your motivation, enthusiasm, or appreciation of the company you're applying for);
- Select the same font you have used in your resume (avoid Times New Roman and Arial, as most candidates tend to invest in them);
- Close your entry level actuary cover letter with a promise of how you see yourself growing in the company and the benefits you'd bring about.
