Posts Tagged ‘Preparing’

How To Write A Perfect Cover Letter

November 4th, 2011

Preparing a highly targeted and personalised cover letter and you are already on your way to a brand new job. Obviously, you will need a professionally written resume also! By impressing the reader (hiring professional) and they will enthusiastically move onto your resume. Disappoint the reader and your resume will be deleted.

Will a perfectly written cover letter ensure that you get the job? Of course not. However, a poorly written cover letter will guarantee that your application will not get the attention that is needed to be one of the top candidates. In the current job market there are three areas of your cover letter that you need to pay special attention to:

Target the employer’s needs:

Too many times, we write our cover letter and resume from our point of view. From the perspective of the hiring manager they want to know that you have the skills to do the job you are applying for. If the employer is looking for a candidate who is going to need to travel and spend time outside of the office then you need to emphasise that travelling is something you are willing to do (and enjoy). If you do not feel that the job is right for you, then the easy solution is not to apply for the job. However, if you do decide to apply for a certain role then target the needs of the employer and the skills that they require from the perfect candidate.

Don’t be afraid to emphasise your previous achievements:

When applying for a job you need to prove that you are the best candidate. The only way to do this, is by emphasising your achievements and all those skills that make you both unique and special. Try to establish yourself as an expert. Remember that in order to stand out, you need to be in the top 5-10% of all the candidates applying for the role. While no one likes arrogance, employers DO want to see examples of your achievements that would make you the right person for the job.

Provide examples how you will add value to the organisation:

If you don’t believe that you have the skills to add value to the particular organisation then why is the hiring manager going to hire you? It is not enough anymore just to present your skills and achievements but you need to prove to the reader that you are capable of adding value to the role and to the whole organisation. Providing examples of the added value expertise that you can offer should be highlighted in your cover letter to help differentiate your application as compared to others.

Posted in Career Advice

Preparing for Your Investment Banking Interview

August 6th, 2011

You’ve just graduated and received your MBA, and have now been offered an interview at a large investment bank. You’re overwhelmed with excitement, but at the same time, a sense of fear. You’ve heard of the tough investment banking interviews, and think you’re going to do horribly. No worries, because here are some tips that will definitely help you during your investment banking interview.

Needless to say, you’re in a very difficult market; difficult in the sense that there are thousands of applicants for every single job opening. Business one of the most popular sectors to study in university, and as a result, it is a fierce market for those who graduate and are looking for a job. For starters, you need to somehow make yourself stick out in the eyes of the employer. Sit down for an hour or so well before the interview, and note down anything that may make you unique from other applicants. It may seem difficult, but with a little thought, you’ll surely think of at least a few things.

Secondly, you’re definitely going to need to be aware of what is going on in the business world. It will definitely help if you regularly watch the news or read the newspaper. MSNBC and CNN have great business sections, both on their websites, and on their channels. Chances are, you will be informed that you have an interview at least a few weeks in advance. If you didn’t previously stay up to date with the business world, start as soon as possible. You want to go in there feeling confident that you know what is going on the business world. Find some articles that you found interesting, and remember them. You may be asked questions about the current market and such, so be aware of that as well.

Assuming you are applying to an investment banking firm right out of college, many of the questions will be general. For example, you will definitely be asked questions regarding your motives for wanting to be an investment banker. Be honest, and assuming you have a passion for banking, be sure to express this to the employer.

In the business world, personality and such is extremely important. Employers want someone who is cool and collected, and does not break under pressure. It is normal to be nervous before an interview, but showing that you are nervous will definitely play against you. Prior to the interview, have a friend practice interview you. This will help in calming your nerves prior to the interview.

Posted in Career Interview, Career Planning