NYC IBD Help! - Cover Letter or NO Cover Letter

Looking to apply to some middle market IB positions in NYC. Found a bunch of recent postings that take me to third party job search portals to apply. Is this the most effective means of applying for the role or am I better off applying direct through the company's career site (provided they have one)? Do I submit a cover letter if there is a section to upload one even if the posting does not specifically mention to do so?

 
Best Response

If you include a quality cover letter that is tailored to each bank, polished, has zero spelling/grammar/formatting errors, and displays a genuine interest for each specific bank/position then it can only help you. Yes, many people do not read cover letters however I have found that smaller MM and boutiques banks are more likely to and will give you big bonus points if its a good cover letter.

For example, I researched recent news about a MM bank that I was about to apply to and referenced recent acquisitions and a quote in a press release from an MD about the bank's optimistic growth prospects and included it in my cover letter. I then applied through the company's website and got a first round phone interview. The Associate I was speaking didn't even interview me, he just talked about how he was impressed with my cover letter and they definitely want people who know what they bank is all about, etc. and then he invited to come visit their office.

Note: If they specifically ask to NOT include a cover letter then I would not, otherwise see above.

 

I would recommend applying directly through the company's career site. From my own past experience, whenever I tried applying through third party sites, I usually didn't hear back.

 

Autem delectus modi quam rerum et illo delectus. Rerum aut et eos laboriosam tenetur non nihil occaecati. Rerum ut qui illum sit. Quisquam aut laboriosam illo qui reiciendis. Et quia est dolore magni quod sunt. Sint minus ut porro quos dignissimos. Nulla amet voluptatum quibusdam qui quas fuga.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”