Bad letter explained

Just give one email

address (and not

frivolous one)

Jesus College

Find a named person to write to. As a last

Cambridge CBs 8BL

ajs22@cam.ac.uk

resort,'Dear Recruitment Manager'

allypaliykittycat@gmail.com
12'h

November 2009
Don't regurgitate
phrases from websites

Boston Consulting Group 13 Strand

London
-lse apostrophes

!lC2 5LK

and brochures. Use your own words

Make sure the name of the firm matches the one in the address. Turn off any'Track Changes' features - sometimes previous drafts can be retained, and read by recru iters

lorrectly. Here, its, r ot it's

Dear Sir or Madam

I would like to apply for a job in your organisation rhis summer.

l':,r:

start

all/

I have always wanted to work at the cutting edge of global strategy with a firm whose greatest assets are it's people and I have decided that Bain is the ideal place
to start mv career-

- lr

:.aragraphs

l,:.: !e vague about

,':,-' :otltudes. Make ]i-: r'oU knOwwhat
:-,+ "*c:-'.'liter
is

I feel that my studies have prepared me well for a career in managemenr. greatest strength is my ability to get on with lots of different people and

v
VC

involved with many extracurricular activities both at school and university( which have honed my excellent communication skills. I n* 6l-iFo'h. people and to su{tainable development of the environment.

;,:(. :a fcr and then

:-:',,:: SpeCifiC . :r re. highlighting

n.,:, :,ils of your

cV

Although I don't k very much French, you will see from my curricu that I have con tional French andf am sure that I can improve on this future. I am int sted in a career wherle I can use my languages and also expenence op unities to tavel.

Research and be clear about the job you are applying for. Strategic management consulting is not the same as management

j, colite and

":spectful but not :rsequious

I wouid be deepl hono'ured to

appiication to

be

for ai

and to explain my

Mistakes of spelling or grammar are unacceptable: always check

in more detail.
Don't apologise for skills you haven't got, especially where they are not a strct requrement of the Make it clear what you bring to the organisation, not just what you can gain

::1 four letter

'

Yours truly
Don't exaggerate your levels of skill. Always use specific examples to substantiate what you say

:'.r's sincerely '': a named

:,e"lonl or Yours
-.

4l;s"n- {pn
Alison Sprite

::fully

(if not)

job

o CAMBRIDGE

UNIVERSITY CAREERS SERV CE CVs AND COVER LEITERS 2009

Bad letter improved

Alison Sprite
Jesus College

Cambridge CB5 8BL

ajs22@cam.ac.uk

2 December 2009

Ms Sally James
Recruitment Manager Bain and Company The Strand

London \7C2E 9NM

Mention where you saw the vacancy notice
Clear context

Dear Ms James

who you are and why you are writing to her

I am currently in my penultimate year at cambrfdge reading politics, psychology and Sociolog and would like to apply for an interdhip wirh Bain (London) as adverrised
on the Cambridge University Careers Service website.
Explain your motivation fi. applying. lt also shows yo*

Strategy consulting appeals to me because of its combination of rigorous research; have done your research business application and frequent client contact. I also enjoy variet and would be keen and learned something about the sector to learn about a number of different sectors. I recently attended a Bain case study workshop run by Paula Lambery at the University Arms Hotel, and she gave me a very

positive view of the firm. In particular she stressed the excellent training provided, both on and off the job, together with the friendly support of all her colleagues.

Point out your aptitude for the sorts of skills they are seeking

at cambridge, I have enjoyed the challenge of applying robust analysis to problems. As part of my optional paper on research methods and statistics I used Excel to compare the voting behaviour of different gender/ethnic/age groups in the urban population of Sheffield and suggested ways in which political parties could improve voter turn-out. Last summe! as an assistant at Canterbury Visitor Information Centre, I made a presentation to senior managers on the need for re-organising the retail area. My recommendations were implemented and sales rose by 9oA inthe pre-Christmas quarter compared with rhe previous year.
'S7hen

's7hile

Name any employee you have met and say why they made an impression on you

Evidence drawn

from the CV for yo,"

claims, focusing

or

I have any spare rime, I play football in College, where I am Ladies' Vice-Captain, and work on improving my French by reading French newspapers.

results and achievements

Finall I am a natural and enthusiasric ream player. I especially enjoyed working pui of our College RAG commirree, raising money for charity. My role was ro set our"r rhe benefits of associating with RAG'S7eek and persuading local businesses ro support us.
Your use of leisure

Shows you are

acquiring additional useful skills

I enclose a copy of my cV and hope very much to be invited for interview.

Yours sincerely

time can show you are well-rounded

and a good team member

\l;s^ {p"/Alison Sprite

o CAMBRIDGE

UNIVERSTY CAREERS SERVTCE CVs AND COVER IETTERs 2OO9