The Perfect Cover Letter Structure (That Actually Gets Read)

Evening 👋! (Scroll to the ‘Ps.’ at the bottom for a treat 😉)

Want to see what your cover letter could look like if you implement everything included in today’s email?

Click here (Goldman Sachs Investment Banking Division, M&A cover letter example, and a J.P. Morgan Asset Management cover letter example).

You excited? Good.

Quick (but high impact) one from me today.

Every year I see the same problem:

Students and grads send out cookie-cutter cover letters… then wonder why they never hear back.

Over the last few days I’ve reviewed 30+ CVs and Cover Letters inside FFT and some are solid, but most need a lot of work.

The truth? Most recruiters and employees spend less than 30 seconds on your cover letter.

So if yours looks and sounds like everyone else’s, it’s game over.

We all know the 3 part structure ‘Why the firm?’, ‘Why the division?’ and ‘Why you?’ right?

But here’s my new 3-part structure for each of the 3 sections themselves that I’m teaching this year – designed to grab attention, show genuine fit, and prove you’ve done your homework.

This is tough –> “Write 300 words on the following”:

1. Why the firm?

2. Why the division?

3. Why you?

This is easy –> “write 300 words on the following”:

1. Why the firm?

   1. Point 1

   2. Point 2

   3. Point 3

2. Why the division?

   1. Point 1

   2. Point 2

   3. Point 3

3. Why you?

   1. Point 1

   2. Point 2

   3. Point 3

What’s my point? Life is easier when you break things down. Let’s dig deeper…

1. Why the Firm?

Break it into three punchy points – each one impossible to copy-paste to another firm:

1. Value/Core Principle alignment – Pick one value from the firm’s site (e.g. innovation, client service) and show how you’ve actually lived it.

2. Connection/Employee insight – Drop in a real conversation, talk, or quote that influenced you.

3. Commercial point unique to them – Mention something from their actual work: a deal, market move, or project that caught your attention.

💡 Example: “Your role as advisor on [High-Profile Deal] illustrates the kind of complex, market-shaping work I want to be part of.”

Don’t just state facts about the firm. Make it personal. Why do those facts resonate with you? Tell them.

2. Why the Division?

Show them you’ve thought about where in the firm you fit:

1. Division-specific insight from a connection – What’s the culture like? Early responsibility? Team dynamics?

2. Commercial point about their work – A specific deal, investment, or trend they’ve acted on.

3. Future prospects/vision – Position yourself as forward-looking and ready to help them capitalise on what’s next.

💡 Example: “With [Market Trend] reshaping the industry, [Firm]’s [Division] is uniquely positioned to capitalise, and I want to be part of driving that growth.”

3. Why You?

This is where you prove you’re more than just “hardworking and passionate”:

1. Relevant experiences + skills learned – Back them up with outcomes.

2. Relevant courses/qualifications/projects – Add measurable results.

3. Motivations/goals/aspirations – Show the steps you’ve already taken toward your long-term goals.

💡 Example: “I have committed to [Action], reflecting my long-term goal of contributing to [Industry Objective].”

Final tip:
I always tell people you want to make it specific to the firm. The more specific you can make it to the firm, the better. However, the next level up from this is making it specific to you. Every time you state something about the firm, tell the reader why that’s important to you, or why it resonates with you. This is what winning cover letters do so often.

When each section has three specific, un-copyable points, your cover letter goes from “template spam” to “I actually want to meet this person.”

Whenever you’re ready, here’s how I can help you this application season:

If you want me to help you write a cover letter that makes recruiters stop scrolling, join Finance Fast Track today. You’ll get access to my full cover letter and CV courses, live feedback, weekly calls with me Mon-Thu, finance work experience to put on your CV, and SO much more.

I’ve made joining FFT completely risk-free. If you join and you’re not satisfied, just let me know within 7 days and you’ll get a full refund, no questions asked.

👉 Join Finance Fast Track here

That’s all for now. Have a good evening (or morning/afternoon depending on when you see this).

Peace!

Afzal
Founder, Finance Fast Track
Author, Breaking Into Banking

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