Cover letter or not..

[Syringer]

I'm applying to an investment banking company through my school's career center, and it doesn't say anything about submitting a cover letter..instead under "How to apply" it simply states:

If interested, please submit your resume through on campus recruiting.

Some jobs specifically ask for a cover letter and/or transcript, while others just say to submit a resume..

Is a cover letter necessary/recommended then?

 

[spidey07]

Always cover letter.

always.

If this is investment banking mention your knowledge of "spydr" funds.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: Syringer
I'm applying to an investment banking company through my school's career center, and it doesn't say anything about submitting a cover letter..instead under "How to apply" it simply states:

If interested, please submit your resume through on campus recruiting.

Some jobs specifically ask for a cover letter and/or transcript, while others just say to submit a resume..

Is a cover letter necessary/recommended then?

Yes, it is necessary.

 

[Zenmervolt]

In my experience, cover letters get thrown almost immediately into the circular file. Resumes today get filtered through software that weeds out the obvious non-matches, then they are forwarded to the recruiter who weeds out a few more non-matches and forwards the batch on to the hiring manager who pares it down to the interview candidates. The computer can't read a cover letter, and neither the recruiter nor the hiring manager have the time to read one.

The only time I can think of where a cover letter would be appropriate is if you are personally submitting your resume to hiring manager, or you are having a professor submit it personally to the hiring manager. Basically, a cover letter is really only needed when applying through the "old boys network" and you're bypassing the typical HR resume screens in the process. Otherwise, don't bother.

ZV

 

[smack Down]

Just start the cover letter and leave the bottom half blank.

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
In my experience, cover letters get thrown almost immediately into the circular file. Resumes today get filtered through software that weeds out the obvious non-matches, then they are forwarded to the recruiter who weeds out a few more non-matches and forwards the batch on to the hiring manager who pares it down to the interview candidates. The computer can't read a cover letter, and neither the recruiter nor the hiring manager have the time to read one.

The only time I can think of where a cover letter would be appropriate is if you are personally submitting your resume to hiring manager, or you are having a professor submit it personally to the hiring manager. Basically, a cover letter is really only needed when applying through the "old boys network" and you're bypassing the typical HR resume screens in the process. Otherwise, don't bother.

ZV

I'll buy that :thumbsup:

As an ibank recruiter these people have to sort through 1000s of resumes already, I don't think they'd bother too much with a cover letter especially if they're not requesting it.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: Syringer

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
In my experience, cover letters get thrown almost immediately into the circular file. Resumes today get filtered through software that weeds out the obvious non-matches, then they are forwarded to the recruiter who weeds out a few more non-matches and forwards the batch on to the hiring manager who pares it down to the interview candidates. The computer can't read a cover letter, and neither the recruiter nor the hiring manager have the time to read one.

The only time I can think of where a cover letter would be appropriate is if you are personally submitting your resume to hiring manager, or you are having a professor submit it personally to the hiring manager. Basically, a cover letter is really only needed when applying through the "old boys network" and you're bypassing the typical HR resume screens in the process. Otherwise, don't bother.

ZV

I'll buy that :thumbsup:

As an ibank recruiter these people have to sort through 1000s of resumes already, I don't think they'd bother too much with a cover letter especially if they're not requesting it.

You're going through your schools career center and they don't specify a cover letter? I find that difficult to believe 😕 Either way, good luck Syringer 🙂

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Syringer

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
In my experience, cover letters get thrown almost immediately into the circular file. Resumes today get filtered through software that weeds out the obvious non-matches, then they are forwarded to the recruiter who weeds out a few more non-matches and forwards the batch on to the hiring manager who pares it down to the interview candidates. The computer can't read a cover letter, and neither the recruiter nor the hiring manager have the time to read one.

The only time I can think of where a cover letter would be appropriate is if you are personally submitting your resume to hiring manager, or you are having a professor submit it personally to the hiring manager. Basically, a cover letter is really only needed when applying through the "old boys network" and you're bypassing the typical HR resume screens in the process. Otherwise, don't bother.

ZV

I'll buy that :thumbsup:

As an ibank recruiter these people have to sort through 1000s of resumes already, I don't think they'd bother too much with a cover letter especially if they're not requesting it.

Oh dear heaven...

Having successfully fled the Finance world, all I can say to you if you think you want to be an IBanker is good luck, you're a better man than I. Also, I hope you don't need sleep. A tip for your first 5 years: Bring a cot in to work so you can sleep there, or get an apartment within 10 minute's walk from work. That way you might be able to average 5 hours of sleep at night if you go straight to bed after work. 😛

Not that I'm bitter or anything about spending 6 months in a job that aged me more than a year. 😛

Honestly though, if you want it, more power to you. I am impressed by those who can hold up under that never-ending assembly line.

ZV

 

[Syringer]

Ibankers (and many consult analysts) generally sign on for only 2 years. At bigger firms only a select few are offered to come back for a 3rd year, otherwise most are forced to find a new job or to go biz school.