Your investment advisor cover letter matters more than you think! Sure, your resume communicates your skills and achievements through facts and figures, but what about your professional story and motivation? Well, that's what a cover letter is here for!
Dive into our guide and discover customizable templates, samples, plenty of examples, and writing tips that will make your cover letter irresistible.
Keep reading to learn all about:
- How to format your investment advisor cover letter header & headline
- Why you need a personalized greeting on your cover letter
- What to include in your investment advisor cover letter introduction
- Ways to showcase your professional value as an investment advisor
- How to conclude your cover letter with an actionable closing statement
- Where to look for job opportunities for investment advisors
Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.
1. How to properly format your investment advisor cover letter header & headline
When beginning to write your investment advisor cover letter, the first essential step to take is to create a well-formatted header and headline.
A cover letter header is a block of text commonly found in the top-left corner of the document that details the necessary identifying information about the applicant and the company they're applying to.
As for the cover letter headline, this is similar to a title and is used to initially grab an employer’s attention and preview the information to come.
To better demonstrate how to craft each of these elements, we have included more in-depth explanations and examples below:
Formatting the header
Your cover letter header can vary in overall format and order of information depending on what style of cover letter you opt for. However, your header should always contain at least 3 to 4 lines of text that include:
- The name of the company and department you are applying to
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information (phone number, email address, etc.)
Here is an example of what a well-formatted investment advisor header looks like
To: Edward Jones, Advisory Department
From: John Doe, Investment Advisor
(123) 456-7890 | johndoe@email.com | linkedin.com/in/john-doe
Writing the headline
When writing your investment advisor headline, you should always use a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise.
Here is an example of a well-written investment advisor headline
My 3 Essential Skills as an Investment Advisor & How I Can Apply Them to Benefit Your Clients
And now, let's break it down:
Trigger Word/Number: 3 Essential Skills
Keyword: Investment Advisor
Adjective/Verb: Essential, Apply, Benefit
Promise: Your Clients – this serves as a promise because it ensures the employer you will not only describe your skills but also relate them directly to the needs of their specific clients.
2. How to personalize greeting on your investment advisor cover letter
Whenever possible, you should opt for a personalized greeting on your cover letter.
A personalized greeting addresses a specific person (or department) by name rather than opening with a generalized statement, such as “To Whom It May Concern.” By doing so, you show an employer you've researched their company thoroughly and have excellent attention to detail.
If you can't pinpoint the exact person or department who will review your application, try out on of the following alternatives:
Addressing a nameless recipient example
To the [Company Name] Team
Or
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager
3. How to make your investment advisor cover letter introduction stand out
Next up on your investment advisor cover letter checklist is to write a compelling introductory paragraph. In this introduction, you should aim to include:
- A brief overview of your professional history and goals
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible)
Here is an example to help demonstrate how to write an investment advisor introduction
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager,
I am an Investment Advisor with 6+ years of experience working in a major brokerage and working directly with high-profile investors. Our mutual acquaintance and your business partner, Jack Smith, informed me of the advisor opening at your company and encouraged me to apply.
4. How to showcase your professional value as an investment advisor
With your introduction now in place, the next step is to provide more in-depth information via the body paragraphs of your cover letter.
A strong cover letter will typically contain between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that answer the following questions in detail:
- What excites you about working at this company?
- What do you hope to learn from working at this company?
- What accomplishments or qualifications make you stand out as an applicant?
- What key skills do you possess that are relevant to the position?
Focusing on accomplishments should be one of your main priorities, as employers can get a sense of the real-life value you can offer their company by reviewing your relevant achievements.
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in an investment advisor cover letter
As an Investment Advisor for [Former Employer], I assisted in the management of 5 high-profile investment portfolios worth more than $2M in total value each. Additionally, I developed a medium-risk investment strategy for each of these portfolios that resulted in 17% year-over-year returns on average across all 5 accounts.
5. How to effectively conclude your investment advisor cover letter
The final step to writing your cover letter is to conclude with an actionable closing statement that includes:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you're looking forward to hearing from them
- An additional sentence stating you'll follow up, including how you'll contact them or how they can contact you
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of an effective closing statement from an investment advisor’s cover letter
As your new Investment Advisor, I am confident I can optimize the investment strategies of both your business and clients. I am eager to further discuss this wonderful opportunity and would like to schedule a formal meeting within the next two weeks. The best way to reach me is at (123) 456-7890 on any weekday between the times of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
With Appreciation,
[Applicant Name]
Follow this cover letter outline for maximum success.
6. Valuable job search resources for investment advisors
Navigating the sea of opportunities offered by the world of investment can be tricky. But with the countless search tools now available, looking for a job online has never been easier. For example, consider kick starting your job quest with these resources:
- Job boards for investment advisors: You shouldn't miss websites that list job postings selected especially for financial professionals like BrokerHunter, WealthManagementJobs. or eFinancialCareers.
- General job search platforms: But sites that aggregate job postings from all industries, such as Indeed, Glassdoor, SimplyHired, or Monster, can also yield compelling results.
- Networking: Nothing beats the power of good connections. And with LinkedIn, you can reach out to fellow investment professionals or even potential employers and clients without leaving your house.
- Professional associations: Organizations like the Investment Adviser Association (IAA), the Financial Planning Association (FPA), and the Personal Finance Society (PFS) can bring you closer to networking opportunities, industry insights, and professional development.
- Specialized publications: To gain a competitive edge, you need to stay updated on the latest market trends, findings, and strategies. And media like “InvestmentNews,” “Financial Advisor Magazine,” or “Morningstar Magazine” can serve as valuable sources of information.
- Courses & certifications: To become a shrewd investment advisor, you need to keep your teeth and mind sharp! So, browse through online learning platforms like Coursera, edX, or Udemy for new challenges.
Remember, the process of job searching is more akin to a marathon than a sprint — so pace yourself wisely to prevent burnout.
Investment Advisor Cover Letter FAQ
How important is it to mention specific investment strategies or philosophies in my cover letter?
Mentioning specific investment strategies or philosophies in your cover letter, especially if they align with the firm’s approach or the needs of the position, can very well be the thing that secures you the job interview. Not only does it show your expertise, but it also demonstrates that your professional philosophy and practices are a good fit for the company’s culture and client base.
Should I address potential gaps in my resume in my cover letter?
If there are noticeable gaps in your resume or other aspects that might raise questions, it's always wise to address them briefly in your cover letter. To frame this in a positive way, provide a straightforward explanation for the gap, focusing on growth and what you’ve learned during that time that could benefit your role as an investment advisor.
How can I highlight my people skills in my cover letter?
You can highlight your client relationship skills by providing examples of how you have successfully managed client portfolios, resolved conflicts, or how you’ve tailored investment solutions based on client-specific needs and risk profiles. Also, mention any feedback that demonstrates your commitment to client satisfaction and your ability to build trust and loyalty.
How can I make my cover letter match the tone and professionalism expected in the finance industry?
Simply by keeping your language formal and concise. Steer clear of colloquialisms and overly casual phrases. To make your cover letter well-organized, stick to a structured format that includes a professional greeting, an introductory paragraph, 2-3 body paragraphs, and a formal closing. And finally, proofread what you wrote.
How can I make my cover letter stand out from the competition?
For example, by personalizing it for each job application you send. Research the company and incorporate your knowledge about the firm into your letter. Show enthusiasm for the role and explain why you’re a great fit specifically for their team and culture. Additionally, mention any unique skills or experiences that align with the company’s goals, such as proficiency in advanced financial analysis tools.