How To Write An Attention Getting Cover Letter For A Private Equity Job Search

How To Write An Attention Getting Cover Letter For A Private Equity Job Search

by

David Kochanek

Based on surveys, a potential employer browses a cover letter in less than 15 seconds. During your quest for employment, your primary sales tool is your resume and the cover letter, which gives an employer a quick first glance at you. When it has irrelevant content or there isn’t any focus, your resume may be placed in the “no” file and you won’t get a second look. Too bad for you and too bad for your potential boss, they’ll never get a chance to see you shine. Don’t let your cover letter be a doorstop for you, understand how it’s supposed to work before you send them out.

There aren’t many examples of cover letters out there to draw from, each has to be unique because firms have extremely specific hiring demands. You need to find out exactly what they’re looking for and use the cover letter to convince them you are the right person to fill their need. Without an impactful cover letter, they won’t ask you to interview.

What should a cover letter highlight?

A cover letter should be a fluid document, and address a number of open questions:

1. Who are you?

2. What do you have to offer?

3. What are you looking for in this job?

Your cover letter should be one page and easy to visualize. The proper information using the proper form gets the work done. A good pattern to follow is these questions with a couple of paragraphs:

Who are you? What type of person are you?

The letterhead lets them know your name, followed by your unique selling proposition (USP). Here’s an example of a USP:

“Experienced private equity investment business person with immense M&A financial ability…”

Qualify the USP with more information:

“Experienced private equity investment business person with immense M&A financial ability, was responsible for financing $10 million to a maximum of $1 billion in mostly biotech companies….”

If a referral came from one of their employees, mention it in the cover letter and use the person’s name. Include two or three personal comments for your reader to become oriented with who you are and why you’re asking for a job.

What do you have to offer?

You need to convince your potential employer you are the right person for the job. Do this by outlining what you have to offer in the way of experience and personality. Bring out one strong idea to turn your reader’s attention to your resume. Ponder the issues the firm needs to handle and bring this out in the body of your cover letter. Examples should be given to show you have the skills (use bullets to highlight examples) that you mention in your resume.

A call to action should be used in your closing.

After you explain why you are the best person for the job, request a meeting to discuss the needs of the company. Include your telephone number and email so they may contact you and thank them for their time and consideration.

It all sounds pretty basic doesn’t it? Well it is but it’s also crucial if you want to be seen and remembered. Keep in mind it only takes 15 seconds to attract the attention of the firm’s boss or have him/her dismiss you. Make the cover letter you send in for the private equity job you’re trying to secure be the best one in their inbox.

David Kochanek is the Publisher of

Job Search Digest

and its related services. He brings 20 years of professional experience including client management with a top 10 consulting firm, and executive recruiting. Mr. Kochanek is a graduate of the School of Economics from Albion College. For more information contact Mr. Kochanek at publisher@jobsearchdigest.com .

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How To Write An Attention Getting Cover Letter For A Private Equity Job Search