Send a Cover Letter, or not?

When a job application doesn't ask for a cover letter, is it better to send one along anyway? Many of the IBD/S&T internship positions on my OCR website (firms range from BBs to 3-man shops, all FO positions) require only a resume, but hat can't be enough on which to make an informed decision on whom to select for an interview, can it? Would a cover letter in that situation give me an advantage, or would it be ignored?

The jobs usually don't require a transcript either. In that case, should I bother sending mine? (My transcript is not that great - GPA's alright, but a couple of bad grades)

 

The rule of thumb is...a bad cover letter can really hurt you and a good cover letter won't do much for you. That being said, when I was going through recruitment...I always sent a cover letter, whether they asked for one or not.

XX
 

Cover letter gets 30 seconds of attention, 60 tops. Realistically, it doesn't get read, or if it does, only as a further chance to ding someone.

If they refuse to give you the headache of sending one along, why burden yourself?

I am permanently behind on PMs, it's not personal.
 

If you are gonna send in a generic cover letter obviously might as well not do it. But if you have had deeper interactions with the firm (e.g. know someone, attended invite-only events), you should definitely use those to your advantage to produce a unique cover letter.

Feedback I got from a BB during an interview: you were one of the few people to actually include a cover letter even though we didn't ask for one, and the content was solid.

 

No. You should not attach your cover letter. Especially if they don't ask for it.

No one really reads them. I've rarely seen a cover letter that was well written (my own included, they are often rehashes of the resume). There is asymmetric risk that you will get dinged because of it. You will not elevate your profile by providing it. You are not "show more effort" by doing so.

Highly recommend you DO NOT include.

 
TorontoMonkey1328:
You are not "show more effort" by doing so.

Well, he/she is showing more effort. Just the wrong sort of effort.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 

Yes, I write the cover letter. Sure, maybe they don't read it.

However, maybe they do and that extra 30 minutes of effort gets you a look. My success rate has been ~50%

I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold. I'll be fine once I get it
 

Don't provide a cover letter. No one reads those. Send him a short email, 2-3 sentences that demonstrate your interest and express thanks for the help. Then attach your resume and shoot it to him. It's really not that hard.

 
someHRperson:
Look, here's an application from someone who can't read clear instructions.
Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 
CDNdude:

Not requiring a cover letter doesn't mean they explicitly instructed you not to send a cover letter.

It takes 5-10 min to tailor a cover letter, just do it.

Good luck
-CDNdude

5 to 10 minutes? I change the address and firm name in 2 places. No one reads so why bother making it personalized?

Robert Clayton Dean: What is happening? Brill: I blew up the building. Robert Clayton Dean: Why? Brill: Because you made a phone call.
 
Best Response

Yea I feel it should take 5-10 minutes. Depends on the size of the firm obviously, and whether you are getting a referral or just an online app.

Even if its an online app, I would still list two things on the cover letter, a. the people you've spoken with at the firm and b. recent deals closed by that group that's hiring.

If you put those things in a cover letter, 5-10 min should be enough time to write a good one (put in the names of guys you've spoken with and research the deals, maybe 15 min all together because the overall structure is the same cover letter to cover letter).

There's no way you are saying you don't even have 15 min to spare to do a cover letter. If you can't even spare 15 min to draft a cover letter, just for that 0.01% chance they "might" read it. I feel you're not driven enough to get in. Or maybe you have stellar background, HBS undergrad and shit, in which case, good for you. maybe don't do the cover letter then. :D

Some people say they got into a BB with no cover letter. Most often than not they're just showing off rather than really trying to help you. If you think about it, it's a no brainer. Draft a good cover letter. If they don't read it, they aren't going to ding you because you wrote a "fairly decent" cover letter that shows you've networked and you researched their deals.

Good luck. -CDNdude

 

Dear XXXX XXXXX,

Thanks for speaking with me over the phone and responding to my emails. I would really like to get to know you a little better. ;)

Thanks,

unknown4ever

P.S. I can be the pitcher or the catcher.

 

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