Goldman Sachs Cover Letter For investment Banking Job - Free sample

Puzzled about how to write an investment banking cover letter for Goldman Sachs? Fortunately, figuring out the formula for writing a successful cover letter is simple and easy to follow.

But what makes a good banking cover letter? According to research, there are two things in common in the best cover letters - the first is the narrative structure where you emphasize your story and show the choices that brought you here; the second is the facts and figures that highlight your background and achievements. 

Historically, Goldman Sachs demanded that job applicants write a 300-word personal statement as their cover letter. Its importance was highlighted by a former recruiter at the firm, "Some students were excellent until they got to the cover letter", those 300-word cover letters actually let them down. 

Your cover letter should be tailored for each job you apply to. You can write a cover letter that follows a template. It means that each time you apply for a new job you have to fill out the template from the very beginning. The format of the cover letter is a matter of personal preference. However, the content within the template should not exceed more than 750 words, or one A4 page long. 

The introductory paragraph: ‘Why You?’

The first part of your cover letter should answer who you are and why you are writing this letter. If you are applying for a graduate job in an investment banking firm like Goldman Sachs keep the content short and simple. You need to know who you are writing to i.e. the name of your recruiter and address them in person. 

The second paragraph is a little hard where you have to sell yourself. In this, you not only have to express your personality but you also have to explain why you are such a hot catch. You should refrain from using bland and empty phrases like, "I am a motivated and determined person" and rather look at your skillset to describe the job you are applying for and explain how your strengths match them. Stay specific, and bring yourself to life. You can also focus on the results, experiences, and outcomes you have achieved in the past with reference to similar situations. 

The motivational paragraph: 'Why this job?'

It is suggested that you should include what you love about the industry to which you are applying. Start by linking your special skills back to your motivation for working in that specific area of banking above others. For example, why do you want to get into M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions)? Why not sales and trading? Why not something else? You must answer why this job matters to you and how it will make a difference in your life. Tell them about your job-relevant achievements and your real achievements in that specific area. The most important aspect is to make your answers as personal as you can and this is where many graduates go wrong in their cover letters because they sound too formulaic and generic. 

Building a connection: 'Why this bank?'

This paragraph should answer- 'Why this bank?' Again, you need to dive deeper into the specifics. Don't copy and paste from the bank's own website. That will get you nowhere. The basic idea is not to flatter your employer but to identify what makes them a good choice for you. You need to make your answers personal and reiterate what the bank's strengths mean to you. You can begin by citing some unusual reasons for choosing the particular investment banking firm that will help you stand out from the crowd. Everything in this section has to be positive. You need to explain why you want to work for Goldman Sachs without denigrating its rivals. 

The last part is where you end the cover letter with a call to action. You can end it like, "I am ready for the interview invitations and looking forward to hearing from you. I am available for the interview and I am contactable by X." It is as simple as this. But remember, all of this has to be written in 750 words or as little as 300 words if you are a student who is applying to Goldman Sachs - which makes it a little difficult for you. Therefore, below is a sample cover letter to make you familiar with the process. 

Goldman Sachs sample cover letter 

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