APPENDIX Cover Letters TOPIC PAGE Traditional Cover Letter Samples A3 – A6 Q Cover Letter Samples A7 – A8 Prospecting Cover Letter Samples A9 – A10 Good example of a really BAD Cover Letter. Hello Madam or Sir, My name is Badtu Dabon. Since you are reading this, I want to thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself and see how well I fit the Marketing and Sales Leadership Training Internship. I used to be an Equity Analyst with experience on both the Buy and Sell sides working with equity, fixed income and option products. Some of my responsibilities were: • Cash Flow, Income Statement and Balance Sheet analysis • Construction of Valuation and Profit/ Loss models and impact analysis • Programming of asset allocation models containing equity, fixed income and options • Trade capture, verification and fail review in order to minimize Firm exposure Now I am a first year MBA student at Boston University concentrating on Finance with a focus in Capital Markets. This program at boston University, which contains a specialized curriculum in Capital Markets, is allowing me to leverage not only my undergraduate education where I had a dual concentration in Finance and Accounting but also my prior work experiences. I currently hold Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses and I am studying for the CFA level 1 exam. Most recently I worked for Fidelity Investments where I was the primary liaison on a new Bond trading software program linking the inventories of over 70 Brokers and Dealers. The project allowed me to work directly with internal and external Traders, Portfolio Managers and technology teams. Prior to that I was in Lehman Brothers’ Analyst Program where I worked on their Institutional Equities trading desk in a middle office role. Working with both Trading and Sales I ensured proper post-trade positions, prices and confirmations. I thrive in a fast paced, results driven environment; I bring a passion for Capital Markets along with a hands on atention to detail. I am looking to apply my analytical and quantitative skills, along with my commitment to constant improvement to a Sales and Trading internship where I can immediately contribute and personally continue to grow professionally. I appreciate the time you will take to review my résumé, and hope you find, as I do, that I have excellent skills and background. Thanks alot! • • • • Badtu Dabon • • • No heading Outdated salutation “It’s all about me” Bullet points in a traditional cover letter No added value over (attached) résumé Typos Unprofessional ending Phyllis Steen Boston, MA 02215 | 617-353-2834 • PhylS@bu.edu | LinkedIn.com/in/PhyllisSteen September 1, 2010 Ms. Erna Alfred Manager American Express 3 World Financial Center New York, NY 10285 Dear Ms. Alfred: The 2010 American Express online campaign featuring humorous short films of Seinfeld and Superman changed the way I view the American Express brand. I am very interested in being a part of a brand that has been so successful in creating new and exciting ways to connect with people. That core value influences all aspects of my life, from my work in traditional and online media to my improvisational comedy background. My professional goal is to apply my commitment to service, excellence and creativity to the American Express brand. After hearing you describe the challenges and opportunities at AXPi, I believe the environment there directly aligns with my strengths and experiences. In my most recent position at Google, I took it upon myself to revise my team’s sales approach to more accurately address our consumer packaged goods customers’ needs. That strategy was successful enough for me to be invited to consistently collaborate with clients on new approaches to their online strategies. While I was regularly challenged in my work, I returned to school to further develop my leadership skills. In my first semester at Boston University, I was selected by the MBA faculty to represent the first-year class on the Program Development Committee, a taskforce comprised of faculty and administrators charged with evaluating and shaping the curriculum. Additionally, I, along with a classmate, developed and presented a proposal for an online business targeted to the needs of urban American women, aged 22 to 34. A panel from BU’s Entrepreneurial Management Institute recently selected us as the winner of its “$1000 Business Concept Competition”, and we are in the process of drafting our initial business plan. I hope you will take the time to review my resume as I believe it will provide you with additional information on how I could contribute to AXPi’s goal of delivering a “best in class experience for its online customers.” Thank you in advance for your time. Sincerely, Phyllis Steen Justin Thyme U.S. Citizen LinkedIn.com/in/JustinThyme 595 Commonwealth Avenue • Boston, MA 02215 • 617-353-2834 • JustinThyme@bu.edu Brooke Lasky Global Commercial Banking/Treasury Services Bank of America 335 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor New York, NY 10017 October 2, 2009 Dear Ms. Lasky: Please consider my candidacy for the Global Commercial Banking/Treasury Services MBA Leadership Program with Bank of America. My conversations with Kathleen Kenslea and Harry Curtis at the information session at Boston University on September 18th reinforced my interest in the program. I am eager to be part of an organization that values passion and teamwork as functions of its core business strategy. The Global Commercial Banking/Treasury Services MBA Leadership Program will serve as an excellent opportunity to leverage my existing strengths to support Bank of America’s global business growth initiatives. My professional experience in brand strategy consulting and the arts and entertainment industry has equipped me with the unique ability to be process-driven and strategic, yet flexible and innovative. These experiences have also allowed me to establish a record of achievement through multiple leadership roles in marketing, business development and project management. My creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and proven ability to flourish in dynamic, fast-paced environments are consistent with the qualities of leadership that can contribute to Bank of America’s future success. I would very much like the opportunity to discuss how the depth and dimension of my credentials can benefit the strategic goals of your company. Please feel free to contact me for any additional information or for an interview at 617-353-2834. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Justin Thyme J OAQUIN D'P LANQUE Joaquin DP@bu.edu  Boston, MA 02215 H: 617-353-2834  C: 617-353-2834 LinkedIn.com/in/JoaquinDPlanque May 17, 2010 Mr. Luke N. Fourwirk PharmaCo 555 Brattle Street Cambridge, MA 02137 Dear Mr. Fourwirk, I am a first-year MBA student at Boston University. This letter is to express my interest in a potential summer Marketing Internship at PharmaCo. I am extremely impressed with PharmaCo’s commitment to developing infectious disease products. My recent conversation with you has confirmed my interest in PharmaCo, and I am now writing to request an invitation to interview for a summer intern position. At this moment, I am completing a global market research consulting project for Millennium Pharmaceuticals in which I am honing research and analysis skills to better understand patients’ current perceptions and anticipate their future needs. As a product development associate (project manager) at Amgen, I led cross-functional teams toward successful registration of new pharmaceutical products with international drug regulatory authorities. In this process, I was exposed to all facets of drug product development and very much enjoyed being a part of a team dedicated to bringing new products onto the market. All of this has fueled my desire to pursue a career in product marketing. With my previous experience in product development and current business studies in the health sector industry, I believe I have the combination of skills and qualities you are looking for in a successful intern. I am excited by the strong potential fit I see with PharmaCo. Particularly, I believe that my passion for meeting unmet medical needs fuels a high degree of initiative, which thrives in a driven, fast-moving, and entrepreneurial environment such as that of PharmaCo. Attached, please find my resume for your review. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how I might be an asset to your organization this summer. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Joaquin D’Planque MBA Candidate, Boston University LinkedIn.com/in/RolandRock United States Citizen Boston, MA 02215 | 617.353.2834 | RRock@gmail.com December 1, 2010 Ms. Ani Greville Program Officer, Executive Office Global Business Coalition to fight HIV/AIDS 1230 Avenue of the Americas, 4th Floor New York, NY 10020 Dear Ms. Greville: This letter is to express my interest in the Director, Geneva Office position at Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS. I feel I am well qualified for this position because of my successful work in African development, and belief in the power of business for a sustainable solution to the HIV/AIDS crisis. In a recent Net Impact Case Competition, my team’s presentation, titled “AIDS in Africa: Can big Pharma win?”, argued for an approach that necessarily included business in the fight against HIV/AIDS. My passion to fight against this scourge stems from first hand experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger and as Administrative Officer for Africare/Niger. As professional strongly committed to using the power of business to fight HIV/AIDS, I can contribute my skills and experience as the Director of the Geneva office. YOUR NEEDS MY QUALIFICATIONS “International experience and global health policy knowledge...” In this column, pick 2 to 4 “needs” that the “Strong Communication and relationship company has in their management skills.” posting. They may be listed as Experience, “…strong Requirements, organizationalorabilities to manage Qualifications a diverse and growing work plan.” Grew up in Nigeria, lived and worked in Niger as a Peace Corps volunteer and NGO personnel. Navigated Niger’s health system for infected victims and extensive lecturing. In this column, match upinthe needs andand the communicating with Demonstrated abilities managing best experience various stakeholders, including governments, businesses, examples of your NGOs, and constituents. career with each of needs in the Excellent organizationalthe abilities demonstrated by adjacent column. successfully managing and overseeing the growth and development of an organization from a program of less than $500,000 to well over $6 million. Attached, please find my resume for your review. I will follow up with you shortly to discuss my candidacy and how I can best contribute my skills and apply my experience to benefit GBC. Sincerely, Roland Rock When sending your resume via e-mail, attach ONE document that is 3 pages long: this cover letter as page 1 and your résumé as the remaining pages. That way they are printed out together looking exactly the way you want. Make sure the cover letter header and résumé header are identical, providing you with a ‘brand’ letterhead. MARK ETTING Boston, MA 02215 888.555.1212 MarkEtting@gmail.com LinkedIn.com/in/MarkEtting April 23rd, 2010 Art Fuldodd, Jr. Medical Devices R Us 100 Main Street Framingham, MA 00000 Dear Mr. Fuldodd, I am writing to express my interest in the Product Manager position in the Framingham office of Medical Devices R Us. I am an ardent Marketing professional with a proven track record of delivering revenue-generating results in a variety of corporate settings. I will significantly contribute to the benefit of your operation by providing innovative approaches to problem targeting, and cost effective solutions. I offer the following relevant qualifications for your current needs: YOUR KEY NEEDS “Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s preferred.” MY QUALIFICATIONS BS Mechanical Engineering; MBA candidate Boston University (2010) “Marketing and Sales background a plus.” Sales rep, strategic business development and research analyst “Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to listen effectively and communicate with individuals and in small and large group settings” Managed marketing teams and directed numerous projects; developed and delivered sales tools, led sales training, and provided strategic field marketing support. “Active interest in business and organizational effectiveness issues; stays current on local, national, and global business trends.” Led direct and indirect sales, medical education, advocacy, and managed care marketing. Continuing is my résumé which further details my qualifications for the Product Manager position. I look forward to speaking with you soon to learn more about this role and the opportunity to further impact Medical Devices R Us’s performance. Sincerely, Mark Etting Anne Tena LinkedIn.com/in/AnneTena 595 Commonwealth Avenue • Boston, MA 02215 • 617-353-2834 • Atena@bu.edu December 1st, 2009 Mr. Robert Burns President, Marketing Division Nestle Purina 123 Checkerboard Square St. Louis, MO 63110 “Prospecting” Cover Letter” for opening a dialog with a target company with no known job openings. Dear Mr. Burns: I learned of Nestle Purina through online research using TheVault.com in the Feld Career Center at Boston University’s School of Management. Currently, I am completing my Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing at BU and from my research on your web site, I believe there would be a good fit between my skills and interests and your needs. I am interested in a Brand Management position upon completion of my degree in May 2010. As a graduate student, I am one of six members on a marketing development team where we are writing a strategic marketing plan for Nike. My responsibilities include creating and implementing tailored programs including identifying strategies and managing creative development. This requires the use of my creative, organization and leadership skills. Through previous internship experience, I have established a strong background in database management and marketing communications. These skills would benefit the marketing efforts of Nestle Purina. Attached is my résumé which further outlines my qualifications, making me well suited to the project areas in which your division of Nestle is expanding efforts. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss a position with you, and will contact you in early January. Similarly, if you have any questions or if you need any additional information from me, such as a company application form or transcripts, please do not hesitate to contact me at (617) 353-2834 or via e-mail at antenna@bu.edu. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Anne Tena Anne Tena JUAN ANATU 10402 Manly, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 919.621.1294 juananatu@nc.rr.com LinkedIn.com/in/JuanAnatu July 15, 2010 Art Fuldodd, Jr. Medical Devices R Us 100 Main Street Framingham, MA 00000 “Prospecting” Cover Letter” for opening a dialog with a target company with no known job openings. Dear Mr. Fuldodd, John Barbour, an associate of yours and former colleague of mine, suggested I get in touch with you. John is keenly aware of your business needs and very familiar with the benefit of my contributions in a broad range of industries. As a result, he felt an introduction was warranted. I am an accomplished Senior Executive with a consistently proven ability to provide strategic vision and effective operational execution in both Fortune 500 and Entrepreneurial/Start-up companies; the impact of my performance spans both domestic and international arenas. My value proposition embraces all key metrics including significant sales, profit and market share growth, increased consumer awareness, and enhanced brand value for the key product lines and brands involved. Continuing is my résumé which further details the merit of my efforts. I will follow-up with you shortly and look forward to speaking with you to discuss how we may develop a collaborative association. Sincerely, Juan Anatu Juan Anatu