A Great Internship Cover Letter
By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter tells a story about a no BS cover letter that helped someone get a job in investment banking.
Finding an Internship That Doesn’t Suck
I want to tell you a story about a cover letter that worked that was unconventional. It was for someone going for an internship.
So I just want to understand that I have the belief that everything works in job hunting, even brutal honesty. So, there is a young man in California who had apparently been brought in by Duff & Phelps for an interview as part of their rushing potential graduates. So, he decides he wants an internship this summer. 
This is the letter that he wrote:
Dear so-and-so,
My name is Matthew Ross. I am an undergraduate finance student at San Diego State University (SDSU). I met you the summer before last at Smith & Wilensky’s in New York when I was touring the East Coast with my uncle who is an MLB umpire. I just want to thank you for taking the time to talk with me that night (So far all he’s done is point out where they met and provide a frame of reference. Okay).
I’m writing you to inquire about a possible summer internship in your office. I’m aware it is highly unusual for undergraduate students from average universities like SDSU to intern at Duff & Phelps but nevertheless, I’m hoping you might make an exception. I’m extremely interested in investment banking and would love nothing more than to learn under your tutelage (so far standard letter. Here’s where it gets fun).
I have no qualms about fetching coffee, shining shoes or picking up laundry, and will work for next to nothing. In all honesty, I just want to be around professionals in the industry and gain as much knowledge as I can. I won’t waste your time inflating my credentials, throwing around exaggerated job titles or feeding you a lot of crap about how my past experiences and skill set align perfectly for an investment banking internship (Wow! Unbelievable! I wish I got cover letters like this). The truth is I have no unbelievably special skills or genius except eccentricities but I do have a near perfect GPA will and work hard for you.
I’ve interned for Merrill Lynch in the wealth management division and taken investment banking at SDSU, for whatever that’s worth. I’m currently waiting admission results for SDSU’s Master of Science in accountancy program which I would begin this fall that if admitted. I’m also planning on attending law school after my Masters’ program which we spoke about in New York.
I apologize for the blunt nature of my letter but I hope you seriously consider taking me under your wing this summer. I’ve attached my resume; feel free to call me or email me.
Thank you for your time. (He provides the phone number and email address)
Now, this goes back to what I’ve said many times– everything works in job hunting. You have to know your audience.
This is investment banking. Hedge funds would respond to this. There are a lot of sales professionals that would respond to this. Many of you who want to intern, many of you want to apply for jobs, could take a no BS approach like this young man did.
As he said, “I figured there was a 50-50 chance that I get a response.” As it turned out, not only was he hired for the internship, he is now working in investment banking at the firm.
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS Career Advice globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve job search,
hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues.
He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 2700 episodes.
Background Checks: What Employers Need to Know
You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site, JobSearch.Community Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching.
Also, subscribe to JobSearchTV.com on YouTube and No BS Job Search Advice Radio, the #1 podcast for job search with more than 2700 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts.
You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for Career Coach Office Hours on LinkedIn and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live.
The Myth of the Passive Candidate
Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about coaching you during your job search at www.TheBigGameHunter.us to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter
Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques
We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to www.TheBigGameHunter.us and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to www.TheBigGameHunter.us makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.
This is very helpful. thank you sir
Thanks, Hexun. I have a lot more that may help you when you get to interviewing . . . playlists about interviewing and job search and answering tough interview questions including “Tell me about yourself.”