Many
people write cover letters that state that they are good communicators,
hard working, loyal, dedicated, team players, etc. While these are
important traits for a job
seeker, when these words are used in cover letters they come across as
suspect. So many candidates use the same words to describe their
personal attributes that it is hard to tell who really possesses these
characteristics and who is just including these words because they think
they are supposed to or because it sounds good.
The best way to demonstrate that you possess a personal attribute that will be important to a hiring
manager is to have someone else advocate on your behalf. By including
an excerpt from a letter of recommendation, performance review, or
LinkedIn endorsement you can more authentically get your point across
and prove to a prospective employer that you are someone who is
well-liked and can be trusted.
For Lucy's letter, we used a quote from her boss that showed her
tenacity, integrity, and attention to detail... all important
characteristics for finance professionals.
Lucy Smith
8 Ingram Street • Forest Hills, NY 11375 • 718-222-3333 • lucysmith@aol.com
Date
"Lucy is relentless in her cost control efforts and always
follows up. She is brave enough to stand firm and make unpopular
decisions when they are the right course of action." – Controller, Bank XYZ
Name / Title
Company
Address
Dear Mr./Ms.:
As a Senior Analyst/Assistant Controller for Bank XYZ, reporting
directly to the company's Controller and CFO, I have played a pivotal
role in providing the financial support and guidance that has allowed
the bank to grow from $2B to $10B with a 25-fold increase in net income.
In this role, I have been charged with managing the general ledger,
monthly closing, and SEC reporting and conducting extensive research and
analysis to drive business decisions and tighten financial controls. My
key accomplishments include:
- Financial consolidation of 5 banks into one.
- Comprehensive G/L conversion for 3 acquisitions.
- Project management of G/L financial integration for SAP conversion.
- Consolidation of multiple disparate accounting systems into one centralized system.
- Conversion of several manual processes into automated query worksheets and new reporting processes.
In addition, I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in International
Banking and I just completed my Master of Science degree in Banking in
May. At this juncture, I am confidentially exploring opportunities as an
Assistant Controller or Controller in the New York area. My resume is attached for your review. I look forward to a personal interview and thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Lucy Smith
Attachment