Cover Letter: Specific or Standard?

Many people agree that boutique firms often care more about cover letters more than BBs.

However, I've got a shitload of internships to apply to (over 100 when you factor in BB PWM and PE firms) and making adjustments to each to reflect what I like about different firms is getting tedious.

Is creating individual ones worth the time or is it better to just draw up a standard letter (along with standards for PWM and PE)?

11 Comments
 
Best Response
DaedalusCustomize at least for your top few, then send a standard letter to the rest. That said, do you know these 100 firms well enough to have a reason to want to work for them? Good rule of thumb: if you find it tedious to customize your cover letter for a firm you probably don't want to work there.

Thanks for the response. I understand where you're coming from, but I'm just applying for part time internships while I attend college. I think that I'm going to be doing grunt work should I be lucky enough to end up at any of these firms; I just wanna get into a better position for junior SA recuiting - the only tangible things I have at the moment is a 3.5 and BB Ops (not to mention, I'm a total dufus).

Damn you Rodger! My WSO Blog
 

yes online (where you must pick exp hire vs. analyst vs. associate).

however, am sending as email for some firms where i'd be happy to get a foot in with several groups and starting or experienced positions..i know it's good to be specific, but i'd also like to convey that i'm interested in other groups/roles should they have them open.

as to your point at no one really reads CL's i agree, and am erring to the list 2 groups, NO roles..since that will allow me some flexibility while showing i did enough research to get group specific..

 
LeeteasYIs the first letter of your last name "J"? I believe that I know you in person :)

I would be very interested on why you think that you know me?!

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