As collegiettes, we understand the importance of a well-written cover letter. In applying to internships and entry level jobs, you’ve been told time and time again: it’s always a good idea to get some feedback on your cover letter/resume before sending it out to employers.
But, one New York University student had to learn this the hard way.
In recruiting for their new crop of summer analysts, employers on Wall Street has been having a good laugh over one New York University student applicant who wrote a suprising cover letter.
The unnamed student writes:
“I am unequivocally the most unflaggingly hard worker I know, and I love self-improvement. I have always felt that my time should be spent wisely, so I continuously challenge myself … I decided to redouble my effort by placing out of two classes, taking two honors classes, and holding two part-time jobs. That semester I achieved a 3.93, and in the same time I managed to bench double my bodyweight and do 35 pull-ups.”
A director from Bank of America Merrill Lynch forwarded the cover letter out to his entire team, offering drinks “to the first analyst to concisely summarize everything that is wrong with.” Now, the note has passed through more than a dozen firms including investment banking and accounting teams at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Nomura, Citi, Deutsche Bank, PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Wells Fargo, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Perella Weinberg Partners, and Barclays Capital. The letter has been passing around NYU as well, with graduates of the Stern School of Business taking a shot at their peer.
The reception so far to this cover letter has been mixed and while it certainly stood out, investment banking directors haven’t responded yet as to whether they will be hiring the student.
Read the full cover letter below and share your thoughts in the comments section!