Cover Letter for Spring programs
Hello,
I'm a first-year student of a three year program at a top target in France and I plan to applying to several Spring Insight Programs in London and Paris to get a valuable experience about the finance industry before getting summer internships for my second year. I have never had a work experience in the field.
Here is my cover letter :
Dear ….
I am a first-year student at ............ pursuing the ........ program. I am writing to express my strong interest in participating in the Spring Insight Program you offer in London (or Paris, depending on the firm), as I am tremendously eager to immerse myself in the world of ....... and gain valuable insights into the industry.
I was recently introduced to your firm by …, a friend of mine who attended the 2023 Spring Insight Program at ..........., and was impressed with what I learned of your culture and of the finance industry. (I could mention other people I talked to there)
I believe that the short format of a spring insight can provide me with a particularly insightful yet practical experience at your firm. I am particularly absorbed in investment banking and structuring and am eager to discover more about it at your institution.
My academic background and unfaltering interest in economics and mathematics have equipped me with a solid foundation. During my preparatory years, I undertook intensive economics and mathematics courses to gain entry into .......... I’m looking forward to strengthening my mathematical proficiency this year through a dual-degree in mathematics at ...........;. I’m sure this dual pursuit will hone my analytical abilities and economic knowledge, providing me with a tailored skill set for discovering the field of finance.
Active involvement in extra-curricular activities reflect my diverse interests and balanced lifestyle, that make me a great fit for your discovery programme.
A copy of my resume is enclosed for your reference. I am really excited about contributing my dedication and interest for finance to your institution.
Sincerely,
......
Feel free to criticise anything you believe is wrong. Is it too general ?
As I just entered my school, I lack knowledge about the industry. How do you think I should prepare for interviews ? Should I contact bankers from the companies I am applying to to increase my chances of getting accepted (cold emailing)? Also, how many firms do you think I should apply to to maximise my chances of getting accepted ?
Thank you for your time.
Hey there!
Your cover letter is a good start, but let's add some more color to it. Remember, the goal is to stand out and show them why you're a great fit for their program. Here are a few suggestions:
Be specific about why you're interested in their firm. You mentioned a friend who attended the program - what specifically did they share that impressed you?
Highlight your academic achievements and how they relate to the role. You've mentioned your dual-degree in mathematics - how will this help you in the world of finance?
Don't forget to mention your teamwork skills. In the world of finance, being able to work well with others is crucial.
As for preparation, the WSO Academy offers a range of courses that could be beneficial, including the Investment Banking Interview Prep and the Private Equity Interview Prep. These courses will give you a solid understanding of the industry and help you ace your interviews.
Cold emailing can be a great way to network and increase your chances of getting accepted. Just remember to be professional and respectful in your approach.
In terms of how many firms to apply to, there's no magic number. Apply to as many as you feel you could genuinely be interested in and would be a good fit for.
Remember, it's not just about getting accepted, it's about finding a place where you'll thrive and grow. Good luck!
Sources: A Cover Letter Template for Investment Banking, interns: please write professional emails when cold calling
Would say this is slightly too vague and not well structured.
I tend to aim for 3 paragraphs: 1. Why the firm; 2. Why the division; 3. Why yourself.
Also try to avoid general sentences which could be used for any firm in the first two paragraphs, make them specific to the company you’re applying to. For example, when you say you spoke to x person, you fail to mention something specific about what makes the culture good.
You want to apply to as many programs as possible, and as soon as they open. Highly recommend networking with employees from the firm, always useful if not for summers the following year. Finally, interviews are mostly competency and motivational, so focus on preparing those.
Thank you for your input. It is indeed pretty bad, I have changed it a lot since I posted, after searching more in depth about what it should precisely be about.
I made it shorter, I added a paragraph about Bank of America and what my friend told me about it, I reduced the size of the paragraph about my academic achievements (given that they may read the resume in priority), and I reorganized it to follow the plan you proposed.
Ngl I’d laugh at this a bit. I’ve seen similar things passed around the office. Unfaltering interest in economics? Come on.
Cut it down to half the size, get to the point, and reduce the superlatives.
Thanks, I have mostly changed it : the plan, the goal of each paragraph, and several sentences.
For real, I hugely like economics though
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