Study the company’s website closely. Look for anything that makes it distinctive in relation to its peers. Research its business strategy and culture, as well as all of the services it provides. For example, if the bank’s website highlights the amount of international clients it has, make a point of mentioning this fact in your cover letter and state that you’re particularly interested in international banking. Gather all the details you can about the nature of the position itself. Read the advertisement carefully. Reach out to the contact person on the job ad for more information. Whether you’re looking to become a loan officer at your local branch or an investment banker at a national firm, you should expect stiff competition for the job. A generic, cookie-cutter cover letter is unlikely to make the cut.
For example, you can easily find a template and sample cover letter for a loan officer position online that uses a 3-paragraph format and bullet points to emphasize the most critical information. [2] X Research source But this should only provide inspiration for a letter tailored to the precise job you are seeking. If you’re sending out several applications to different banks, you can use the same rough template. But the heart of your letter, the central paragraph(s), should be specifically tailored to each particular position.
Your letter essentially has to answer several key questions, including: “Who am I?”, “Why do I want this (specific) job?”, “Why should you want me for this (specific) job?”, and “What do I have (attributes, skills, experiences, etc. ) that you need?” For example, when applying for a banking job, some skills that would make you a particularly strong candidate include communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and cash handling skills. If you want to get a job as a bank teller, it can be really helpful to garner some experience in a position that involves customer service and cash handling, such as a salesperson or cashier. The goal in the application process and as a job seeker, is to differentiate yourself versus your competition. So, talk about your benefits and explain how that employer can benefit from the skills and the expertise that you bring. [5] X Expert Source Kolby GoodmanCareer & Job Search Coach Expert Interview. 28 June 2022.
This may be your academic achievements in relevant coursework; your prior successful experience in the industry; a successful internship with a glowing recommendation; or your relevant experiences in another field. For example, if you’re applying for a job as a bank teller, a good factor to emphasize would be your ample work experience in a customer service position that involved handling large amounts of cash. Pick the top two or three skill sets that you embody and have mastered to include in the cover letter. Always take it one step further by showcasing how you can leverage those skill sets to have a positive impact on that next employer. [8] X Expert Source Kolby GoodmanCareer & Job Search Coach Expert Interview. 28 June 2022.
Aim for at most 2-3 sentences for your introduction. Sticking to 35 total words, especially if you must stick with a one-page letter, will also leave ample space for the central paragraph(s). [10] X Research source [11] X Research source “Greetings. My name is Casey Weinberg, and I am applying for a job as an assistant branch manager” is brief but dull. Allow your introduction to introduce not only you, but the central components of your case for being hired: “Greetings. My name is Casey Weinberg, and with my 15 successful years of serving client needs both inside and outside the financial sector, I am ready to bring my knowledge and experience to being an assistant branch manager at Sunbelt Community Bank. ” If you have any contacts or character references within the company, mention these in your introductory paragraph as well.
An example of describing a positive achievement in a previous job would be: “As a project manager, I managed to successfully 3 projects within 4 months without going over our unit’s budget. ” Be sure you match your skills and experiences to the specific qualifications listed in the job description. Give the reader a concrete sense of how your past experiences can come to bear in specific ways in this job.
For example, if this particular banking company is known for producing some of the most successful people in the financial industry, say that you want to work for what is evidently one of the best financial institutions in the business. A slight hint of flattery and a lot of research will go a long way in this paragraph. Don’t be afraid to wear your heart on your sleeve when it comes to explaining why you’re seeking a job with this particular company.
Make sure you include your contact information in this paragraph if it isn’t included at the top of your letter. If possible, include multiple different means of getting in touch with you. Thank the reader for their time and consideration before concluding the cover letter with “Sincerely, Casey Weinberg. ”
Use active phrases that focus on results and outcomes. Make it clear that you have gotten things done in the past and will continue to do so in this new position. For instance, consider the differing impact of the following 2 statements: “I’m a highly competent change management professional who has worked on a number of projects at major banks,” versus “I managed a team of 18 technology and business analyst staff who successfully switched to a major new payments system six weeks ahead of time and 8% under budget. ”[16] X Research source The more specific you can be in a limited number of words, the better.
Some job postings may list word or page limits for cover letters. You can also ask the contact person if there are any. A cover letter is your opportunity to “personalize” your resume. They should complement each other to present a quick yet thorough portrait of you as a strong job candidate. Thus, place the most important information about you near the top of the letter, just as you would with a resume. [18] X Research source
Refrain from using bold fonts or colors; although these certainly will make your cover letter stand out, they may also make you seem unprofessional. With many letters to read and quick decisions to make, the people assessing applications want to be able to find what they need quickly and without distracting changes or errors. Nothing but the content of the text should occupy their attention.
Use someone knowledgeable in the banking field, if possible, so they can suggest industry-specific clarifications, additions, or excisions. Always look for ways to cut words from your letter. A cover letter that references all the necessary information can never really be too short.
