This is the third in a series of articles about how to improve your writing skills for the Level III exam.
In this article, you will learn about:
– How to write an effective cover letter
– What to do if you don’t know what to write in the cover letter section of the exam
– When to use a cover letter and when not to use one
Let’s get started!
1. How to Write an Effective Cover Letter
The cover letter is one of the most important parts of your application. It is the first thing a reader will see when they open your application, so you want to make sure that your cover letter stands out from the rest of the application. Your cover letter should be concise, to the point, and easy to read. Here are some tips on how to write a good cover letter.
– Make sure that you have a good reason for applying to the program. If you are applying for a program that you are not qualified for, it is unlikely that the reader will be interested in what you have to say. If this is the case, you may want to consider applying to a different program.
– Include a summary of why you are interested in the program, and why you think you would be a good fit for it. You want to give the reader a reason to read on.
– Include the name of the program in the first paragraph.
– Include your name, address, phone number, email address, and any other contact information that you would like the reader to have.
– Write in the third person. For example, instead of writing “I am interested in becoming a CFA professional,” you should write “John Smith would like to apply for the Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) program.”
– Keep your letter to one page or less. If your letter is longer than one page, it will be difficult to read, and the reader may not have the time to read it.
– Use a simple font, such as Times New Roman or Arial.
– Use bullet points to make your letter more concise.
– Use the active voice, rather than the passive voice. The passive voice is when the subject of the sentence is the object of the verb, and not the other way around. The active voice is the opposite, where the subject is the subject and the verb is in the active form.
– Use “you” and “your” instead of “one” or “they”.
– Use short sentences and paragraphs.
– Use proper grammar and punctuation.
– Proofread your letter before you send it to the admissions committee.
– Send your letter as an attachment to your email application.
– If you have any questions about the program or the application process, you should send a follow-up email after you have sent the letter. This will give you an opportunity to clarify any points that you may have missed.
– Don’ t be afraid to ask for feedback on your letter. The admissions committee is there to help you, so they will be more than happy to provide you with feedback.
– Keep a copy of your letter in case you need to refer to it in the future. You never know when you may need to use it again, so it is best to keep a copy on hand.
– Keep in mind that you only have one chance to make a good first impression, so make it count.
– Remember to thank the person who read your letter for their time.
– Finally, make sure to send your letter on time. The deadline to submit your application is usually two weeks before the application deadline, so if you want your application to be considered for the next round of applications, you must submit it by the end of that two week period.
– You can find more information about cover letters on our website.
2. What to Do if You Don‘t Know What to Write in Your Cover Letter Section
If you are having trouble coming up with an idea for your letter, here are a few things that you can do to get your creative juices flowing:
– Read other people‘s cover letters. This is a great way to get ideas for your own letter. You can also use these letters as inspiration when you are writing your own.
– Write about something you are passionate about. This could be a hobby, an interest, or a career goal. Whatever it is, it should be something that is important to you, and you should be excited to share it with the readers of your cover letters!
– Think about what you‘ve done in the past. Have you worked in a certain industry? Have you volunteered for a certain organization? If you can think of something, it may help you to come up with a good idea for a letter!
3. When to Use a Cover Letter and When Not to Use One
There are two main types of cover letters that you will see on the CFA Level III application.
