A career in private equity can be very lucrative, but these positions can also be very competitive.
So if you want the employer to invest in you, then you need to go that one step further to stand out and create a persuasive and engaging cover letter.
In our guide below, we’ll show you what to include, as well as share our top writing tips and private equity cover letter examples to help you produce a winning application.
Contents
Private Equity cover letter example 1
Private Equity cover letter example 2
Private Equity cover letter example 3
These Private Equity cover letter examples provide you with some guidance and inspiration for writing a cover letter that gets noticed and ensures your CV will get opened.
But if you really want to master the art of writing a winning cover letter, then follow our step-by-step cove letter writing guide below.
How to write a Private Equity cover letter
A simple step-by-step guide to writing your very own winning cover letter.
Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message
Type the content of your cover letter directly into the email you are sending, or if you are applying via a job board, directly into their messaging system.
The reason for doing this it to ensure that your cover letter gets seen instantly and you can start connecting with the recruiter as soon as they open your message.
If you attach your cover letter as a separate document, the recipient will have to open up the document, which will slow the process down, or make them less likely to even open your cover letter – which could mean your application gets skipped over.
Start with a friendly greeting
To build an instant connection with the recruiter reading your cover letter, start with a warm greeting.
It should be friendly but not casual – keeping it professional at all times.
- Hi, hope you’re well
- Hi [insert recruiter name]
- Hi [insert department/team name]
Avoid overly formal greetings like “Dear sir/madam” unless applying to very traditional companies.
How to find the contact’s name?
Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.
- Check out the company website and look at their About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
- Head to LinkedIn, search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.
Identify the role you are applying for
Once you have opened the cover letter with a warm greeting, you need to explain which role you are interested in.
Sometimes a recruitment consultant could be managing over 10 vacancies, so it’s crucial to pinpoint exactly which one you are interested in.
Highlight the department/area if possible and look for any reference numbers you can quote.
These are some examples you can add..
- I am interested in applying for the role of *Private Equity position* with your company.
- I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 40f57393)
- I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
- I saw your advert for an IT project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.
See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles
Highlight your suitability
The main purpose of your cover letter is to excite recruiters and make them eager to open your CV. And you achieve this by quickly demonstrating your suitability to the job you are applying for.
Take a look at the job adverts you are applying for, and make note of the most important skills being asked for.
Then, when you write your cover letter, make your suitability the focal point.
Explain how you meet the candidate requirements fully, and why you are so well suited to carry out the job.
This will give recruiters all the encouragement they need to open your CV and consider your application.
Keep it short and sharp
A good cover letter is short and sharp, getting to the point quickly with just enough information to grab the attention of recruiters.
Ideally your cover letter should be around 4-8 sentences long – anything longer will risk losing the attention of time-strapped recruiters and hiring managers.
Essentially you need to include just enough information to persuade the reader to open up your CV, where the in-depth details will sit.
Sign off professionally
To finish off your cover note, add a professional signature to the bottom, stating your important contact details and information.
This not only provides recruiters with multiple means of contacting you, but it also adds a nice professional appearance to the cover letter, which shows that you know how to conduct yourself in the workplace.
Include the following points;
- A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm regards”
- Your full name
- Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
- Email address
Optional
- Profession title
- Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn
Here is an example signature;
Warm regards,
Aaron Smith
Customer service professional
075557437373
Aaron@smith.com
LinkedIn
Quick tip: To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.
What to include in your Private Equity cover letter
So, what type of information should you write about in your Private Equity cover letter?
The specifics will obviously depend on your profession and the jobs you are applying to, but these are the key areas you should be covering.
- Your industry experience – Tell recruiters the types of companies you have been working for and the roles you have held in the past.
- Your qualifications – Highlight your most important relevant qualifications to show employers you are qualified to do the roles you are applying for.
- The impact you have made – Demonstrate the positive impact you have made for employers in previous jobs. Have you saved money? Improved processes? Made customers happy?
- Your reasons for moving – Employers will want to know why you are leaving your current/previous role, so provide them with a brief explanation here.
- Your availability – When will you be able to start a new job? Check your current contract to find out your notice period if you are in a position already.
Private Equity cover letter templates
Copy and paste these Private Equity cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.
Template 1
Good afternoon, Elton
I had the pleasure of engaging with one of your employees, Randy Jacobs, who spoke highly of Carnegie Consulting’s investment philosophy, portfolio management, and industry leadership. As an ambitious professional with a BSc in Finance from the University of Birmingham, I am excited to express my interest in joining your esteemed team as a Senior Private Equity Analyst.
During my 8-year tenure as a Private Equity Analyst at Greenwich Partners, I applied my skills in financial modelling and due diligence to conduct in-depth market research and present investment recommendations to senior stakeholders. Through these experiences, I developed a keen eye for identifying lucrative growth opportunities and mitigating risks, with a proven record of contributing towards decisions that yielded 70% above market returns. Moreover, I developed standardised investment templates that reduced memo preparation time by 25%.
Along with my primary responsibilities, I am passionate about collaborating with team members and fostering a culture of high-performance and accountability throughout all efforts.
Feel free to contact me at any time of your choosing, as I am immediately available for an interview.
Kind regards
Violet May
Template 2
Good day Chase
I am writing in connection to the Portfolio Manager vacancy at Edgeworth Partners, as advertised on LinkedIn. With an ability to optimise portfolio performance, enhance operational efficiencies, and maximise returns, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your firm’s investment success.
Throughout my 12-year career as an Assistant Asset Manager at Novus Executives, I have helped oversee 19 portfolio companies, drive strategic initiatives and financial analysis, and lead performance improvement activities. By collaborating with cross-functional teams and implementing value creation agendas, I have consistently improved portfolio allocation, which resulted in 30% reduction in risk for investors and 72% boost in performance compared to the benchmark index. I also executed and ensured successful trades with 25% lower slippage and transaction costs for 400+ clients.
Furthermore, I effectively facilitate consultation meetings and presentations, where I address customer inquiries to guarantee high retention and satisfaction scores.
I am excited about the opportunity to bring my competencies, qualifications, and passion for quality to your organisation. Please do reach out to me to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience.
Kind regards
Denise Borthwick
Template 3
Good afternoon, Ivana
I am writing to express my strong interest in the Fund Operations Senior Associate position at Angela Mortimer Corporation. With a comprehensive background in fund administration, performance analysis, and operational excellence, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my expertise to your team.
Over the past 10 years as a Fund Operations Associate for Marks Sattin, I have successfully managed the reconciliation of investment positions and cash balances for a diverse portfolio of funds, which resulted in a 65% reduction in discrepancies. Additionally, my proactive approach has contributed to improving overall data integrity by 25% and minimising risks by 53%.
I consistently demonstrate a strong understanding of the replacement of short-term debt with longer-term holding bonds to create a more stable repayment forecast. My experience in overseeing daily fund processes and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements aligns perfectly with the responsibilities of the role.
With an MSc in Finance, I will bring my best efforts to contribute to the company’s ongoing growth and success. Thank you for your attention to my application, and I am available for an interview ASAP.
Kind regards
Jeremy Mitchell
Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing a Private Equity job, so taking the time to perfect it is well worth while.
By following the tips and examples above you will be able to create an eye-catching cover letter that will wow recruiters and ensure your CV gets read – leading to more job interviews for you.
Good luck with your job search!