Embarking on your investment banking associate journey, you've polished your resume and started job applications, only to encounter the pivotal requirement: a compelling cover letter. The challenge? Crafting an engaging narrative that showcases your proudest professional moment, without echoing your resume. Striking a balance between formality and originality, steer clear of clichés and keep it concise—one page to make a lasting impression. Let's dive into creating a cover letter that resonates with hiring managers.
- Writing the essential investment banking associate cover letter sections: balancing your professionalism and personality;
- Mixing storytelling, your unique skill set, and your greatest achievement;
- Providing relevant (and interesting) information with your investment banking associate cover letter, despite your lack of professional experience;
- Finding the perfect format for your[ investment banking associate cover letter, using templates from industry experts.
Leverage the power of Enhancv's AI: upload your resume and our platform will map out how your investment banking associate cover letter should look, in mere moments.
If the investment banking associate 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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Investment Banking Associate cover letter example
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- Demonstrating relevant experience: The cover letter successfully highlights the candidate's experience in technology M&A, which is directly applicable to the role being applied for. This shows the hiring manager that the candidate has experience in the same field and with transactions of similar scope and complexity.
- Quantifiable achievements: By mentioning a specific deal and the subsequent 20% increase in post-merger valuation assessments, the candidate provides concrete evidence of their ability to add value and achieve results, showing that they are result-oriented and possess solid analytical skills.
- Customization to the firm: The cover letter is tailored to the hiring firm, with references to their recent achievements and transactions, which indicates that the candidate has done their homework and is genuinely interested in the company's specific work and success.
Standard formatting for your investment banking associate cover letter
Structure your investment banking associate cover letter, following industry-leading advice, to include:
- Header - with your name, the role you're applying for, the date, and contact details;
- Greeting - make sure it's personalized to the organization;
- Introduction paragraph - no more than two sentences;
- Body paragraph - answering why you're the best candidate for the role;
- Closing paragraph - ending with a promise or a call to action;
- Signature - now that's optional.
Set up your investment banking associate cover letter for success with our templates that are all single-spaced and have a one-inch margin all around.
Use the same font for your investment banking associate cover as the one in your resume(remember to select a modern, Applicant Tracker System or ATS favorites, like Raleway, Volkhov, or Chivo instead of the worn-out Times New Roman).
Speaking of the ATS, did you know that it doesn't scan or assess your cover letter? This document is solely for the recruiters.
Our builder allows you to export your investment banking associate cover letter in the best format out there: that is, PDF (this format keeps your information intact).
The top sections on a investment banking associate cover letter
Header: Include your contact information, date, and the employer's contact details at the top of the cover letter because this establishes a professional appearance and ensures your application can be easily referenced and responded to by the banking recruiter.
Opening Greeting: Address the cover letter to a specific person, such as the hiring manager, using their name and title if possible to show that you've done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position at their investment bank.
Introduction: Start with a compelling opening paragraph that outlines your understanding of the investment banking sector and your enthusiasm for the role, as this sets the tone and shows your passion for the industry right from the beginning.
Experience and Skills Body: Outline your relevant past experience in finance, notable transactions you may have been involved in, and specific analytical and interpersonal skills that align with what is sought in an investment banking associate, to immediately showcase your suitability for the role.
Closing and Call to Action: Conclude by reiterating your interest in the position, thanking the reader for considering your application, and indicating your desire for a personal interview to discuss how you can contribute to their investment banking team, which can help motivate the recruiter to move you to the next stage.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Strong financial modeling and analytical skills: Essential for evaluating financial statements, building valuation models and making data-driven recommendations.
- M&A experience: Direct involvement in mergers and acquisitions signals the ability to navigate complex transactions and understand deal dynamics.
- Robust deal execution capabilities: A history of successfully managing and closing deals showcases an understanding of the due diligence process, transaction structuring, and negotiation tactics.
- Excellent communication and presentation abilities: Required for effectively conveying complex financial concepts to clients and stakeholders and for crafting persuasive investment pitches.
- Deep understanding of industry-specific trends: Knowledge in specific sectors relevant to the investment bank shows the ability to provide specialized advice and identify sector-specific opportunities.
- Strong work ethic and resilience: Investment banking is known for its demanding environment, so demonstrated endurance in high-pressure situations is key.
How to greet recruiters in your investment banking associate cover letter salutation
As the saying goes, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."
Write your investment banking associate cover letter salutation to be more personalized to the actual hiring manager, who is set to assess your profile by:
- greeting them on a first-name basis, if you have previously communicated with them (e.g. "Dear Sam,");
- using their last name, if you have more formal communication or haven't spoken to them (e.g. "Dear Mr. Harrows" or "Dear Ms. Marshall");
- writing "Dear HR Team" or "Dear Hiring Manager", if you have no clue about who's recruiting for the role.
Search on LinkedIn, Google, or the company website to find information as to the recruiter's name.
In any case, avoid the impersonal "Dear Sir or Madam".
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Insert Name of Hiring Manager],
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Insert Last Name],
- Dear Members of the Selection Committee,
- Dear Investment Banking Team,
- Dear [Insert Name of Investment Bank] Recruitment Team,
Your investment banking associate cover letter intro: showing your interest in the role
On to the actual content of your investment banking associate cover letter and the introductory paragraph.
The intro should be no more than two sentences long and presents you in the best light possible.
Use your investment banking associate cover letter introduction to prove exactly what interests you in the role or organization. Is it the:
- Company culture;
- Growth opportunities;
- Projects and awards the team worked on/won in the past year;
- Specific technologies the department uses.
When writing your investment banking associate cover letter intro, be precise and sound enthusiastic about the role.
Your introduction should hint to recruiters that you're excited about the opportunity and that you possess an array of soft skills, e.g. motivation, determination, work ethic, etc.
What to write in the body of your investment banking associate cover letter
Now that you've got your intro covered, here comes the heart and soul of your investment banking associate cover letter.
It's time to write the middle or body paragraphs. This is the space where you talk about your relevant talent in terms of hard skills (or technologies) and soft (or people and communication) skills.
Keep in mind that the cover letter has a different purpose from your investment banking associate resume.
Yes, you still have to be able to show recruiters what makes your experience unique (and applicable) to the role.
But, instead of just listing skills, aim to tell a story of your one, greatest accomplishment.
Select your achievement that:
- covers job-crucial skills;
- can be measured with tangible metrics;
- shows you in the best light.
Use the next three to six paragraphs to detail what this success has taught you, and also to sell your profile.
Closing paragraph basics: choose between a promise and a call to action
You've done all the hard work - congratulations! You've almost reached the end of your investment banking associate cover letter.
But how do you ensure recruiters, who have read your application this far, remember you?
Most investment banking associate professionals end their cover letter with a promise - hinting at their potential and what they plan on achieving if they're hired.
Another option would be to include a call for follow-up, where you remind recruiters that you're very interested in the opportunity (and look forward to hearing from them, soon).
Choose to close your investment banking associate cover letter in the way that best fits your personality.
Addressing limited to no experience in the investment banking associate cover letter
There's nothing to worry about if you lack professional experience.
Your investment banking associate cover letter could bridge the gaps in your professional history by focusing on what matters most to recruiters, that's either:
- skills - focusing on transferable ones you've gained, thanks to your life experience (e.g. volunteering, certificates, etc.);
- achievements - select the most relevant and noteworthy one from your history (e.g. education, projects, etc.);
- motivation - describe how you envision your professional growth in the next up to five years, thanks to this opportunity.
Key takeaways
We hope this investment banking associate cover letter writing guide has shown you how to:
- Format your investment banking associate cover letter with the mandatory sections (e.g. header, greeting, intro, body, and closing) and select the right font (P.S. It should be the same as the one you've used for your resume);
- Substitute your lack of professional experience with your most noteworthy achievement, outside of work, or your dreams and passions;
- Ensure recruiters have a more personalized experience by tailoring your cover letter not just to the role, but to them (e.g. writing their first/last name in the salutation, etc.);
- Introducing your biggest achievement and the skills it has taught you in your investment banking associate cover letter body;
- Write no more than two sentences in your investment banking associate cover letter introduction to set the right tone from the get-go.
