resume and cover letter workshop sept 2009

Investment BankingCover Letter & Résumé Workshop

Friday, September 11, 2009

Presented by:Justine Erickson

With contributions by Jessica Delfino, Annie Deng & Ekaterina Petrovitch

Agenda

IntroductionOverview of recruiting processPreparing your application package

RésuméCover LetterUnofficial Transcript

Examples of résumés and cover letters

Introduction

Justine EricksonInvestment Banking Full-Time AnalystRBC Capital Markets, Torontojustine.erickson@mail.mcgill.ca

Overview of Recruiting ProcessRecruiting starts in early SeptemberBanks come to McGill and give information sessions

▫ Attend every information session and speak to as many people as possible

Interview process:▫ First round interviews are held in Bronfman, at the

bank’s office in Montreal, or by telephone▫ Second round interviews are conducted in NYC/Toronto,

typically as a “Super Saturday”▫ Each bank has a slightly different second round process▫ Offers are extended following successful second round

interviews

Application PackageServes one function: to get you an interview

Consists of• Résumé (1 page)• Cover Letter (1 page)• Unofficial Transcript

Read instructions carefully …

Preparing your Application PackageRead job descriptions very carefully and tailor your application to fit the descriptions• Check out the company’s website

Some qualities of a great analyst:• High degree of initiative and motivation• Strong quantitative & analytical skills• Multi-tasking skills• Attention to detail (perfect formatting, no errors,

on time)• Quick learner• Results-driven

Résumé - Format

Résumé - Content• Prioritize points you want to get across, such as

summer internships and quantitative work experience

• As much as possible, what you write should relate to investment banking

Relate your experiences to skills/attributes they are seeking

Go back to the job description/analyst skills checklist

• Keep your statements concise, and quantify where possible

• Describe accomplishments within each experience• Use power verbs!• Make sure you can talk about everything you write on

your resume, including interests and hobbies

Cover LetterOne page, 3 – 5 paragraphs

• Paragraph 1: Self introduction and why you want to apply for that particular bank

• Paragraph 2-4: Talk about relevant work experience, extracurricular activities, awards and achievements

Relate all these experiences to how it will help you in your role as an analyst, i.e. Captain of sports team = leadership skills, competitive spirit

Explain why your qualities will help their specific bank (look up company’s values/beliefs/goals on their website)

Show, don’t tell• Paragraph 5: Summarize why you are a good

candidate and your passion for the job; make a good closing

Make a reference to the bank, i.e. conversations with an executive, etc.

TranscriptCopy-paste from Minerva into a Word document

Do not edit anything

Helpful Tips• Have your résumé and cover letter read over by

Career Services and several other people (Having an investment banker edit it would not be such

a bad idea …)• Make sure there are NO typos. Even one typo is

unacceptable• Remove any extraneous and irrelevant info. Less

is more• Always send to recruiters in PDF format

ResourcesCC website

• Your guide to résumés, cover letters, and interviews • Access to Vault Guides

CC office• Several books available, sample résumés and cover

letters

Lots of great websites including:http://ibankingresumes.blogspot.com/ http://www.mergersandinquisitions.com/investment-banking-resumes/

Technical Interview WorkshopWednesday, September 16th4:30 – 6:00 pm BRONF 425

Friday, September 18th1:00 – 2:30 pm BRONF 045

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