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)
If your resume is great I feel that a cover letter could only hurt your chances. However, I never had the privilege of OCR so can only speak from experience sending resumes to contacts...
I agree with the above comment...never send a cover letter if they don't ask for it...
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.
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?
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.
Should I include a cover letter when only resume is requested? (Originally Posted: 09/23/2015)
I am applying through my school's career site. Sometimes recruiters request for both resume and cover letter and there are two separate buttons to upload them. However, sometimes the recruiters only request for resume and there will be only one button to upload the file. In this case, should I merge my cover letter to the second page of the document and submit it together with the resume? Since it says specifically that "choose a resume to apply for this job", I am not sure if it's appropriate to include the cover letter as well, and I also feel that my resume is a little stronger than my cover letter. However, by attaching a cover letter I feel I can show more effort. What should I do in this case? Thank you.
Only attach your cover letter if someone reaches out to you after the fact specifically asking you for it.
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.
Well, he/she is showing more effort. Just the wrong sort of effort.
Thanks. I totally agree with you.
If a company does not require that you submit a cover letter, should you still do it? (Originally Posted: 09/28/2014)
Everyone says that no one really reads the cover letters anyway. That being said, if I'm applying somewhere that doesn't require a cover letter, is it still worth it to write one up, at least to show that I'm willing to put in the effort?
I would do it if there is not clearly stated that they only want the CV. You are right that most people do not even read the Cover Letter. Nevertheless, It can be a deal breaker if you do not send one since it might show lack of efforts and ambition. Just my 2 cents
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%
Write it. Don't spend too much time on it, BUT absolutely make sure there are no typos or errors. This is just to show that you are not lazy - which can be a deal breaker.
Send cover letter as well as requested Resume? (Originally Posted: 02/25/2014)
Hi all,
VP of IB in ECM recently informed me of a new open position, and offered he would pass on my resume with recommendations. This is my first time getting a referral so I wanted to ask for advice. Is it considered rude to just send the VP my resume only or should I include a cover letter? I do not know much about the position and maybe have some knowledge of the company culture so I am not sure as to how I can write the letter.
Thanks much in advance,
are you still in school? anyway, the resume alone should be fine
No I am not in school. I am working in an Asset Management company as an analyst. Thanks for the reply.
He only asked for a resume, should I send a cover letter too? (Originally Posted: 05/08/2012)
Graduated one year ago, been doing a teaching fellowship, looking to get into consulting. I emailed with an alum who works at a big 4 accounting firm about a month ago, he recently emailed me saying that he talked to some people in advisory and wondering if I have a resume to pass along. I of course do, but I don't really have any business or consulting experience, all my experience is non-profit/political, but I have a pretty compelling story for what got me interested which I use in interviews and write about in my cover letter. So even though he only asked for a resume, should I send along the cover letter as well? I would have nobody to address it to, either "To Whom It May Concern" or "FIRM NAME Hiring Committee"
Get a Pro to Review Your Resume
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.
Cover Letter: To write or not to write.... when it's not required (Originally Posted: 12/06/2014)
I'm curious, what would look worse when applying to a firm that doesn't require a cover letter, not sending a cover letter or sending a mediocre cover letter?
Mediocre does not mean sloppy. Obviously, no grammatical or typographical errors.
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?
That's what I thought and then I had an interview at a MM last year where some guy literally printed it off and asked questions about it in the middle of the interview.
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
Cover letter with resume drop? (Originally Posted: 08/23/2016)
Is it expected to drop a cover letter with my resume after I speak to someone on a networking phone call?
No.
Naw, the cover letter was you talking to them
Resume with cover letter (Originally Posted: 06/30/2011)
So a MD asked me to send him my resume. Do I have to include a cover letter?
Thanks,
I would say no, especially if you guys already had a good chat.. Do is ASAP though, don't wait for a couple of days..
No. Just send the resume with a note that says something to the effect of "Thanks for your time [insert day], a copy of my resume is attached."
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.
no. get that resume out asap though.
ok to send at night time? he is in NY. stupid question, but what if he keeps his blackberry with him or something. Better to send it morning time?
Thanks
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