You've decided to aim for a career at one of the world's leading financial institutions: Morgan Stanley. That's an ambitious and commendable goal! Landing a position, especially in highly competitive fields like investment banking, requires a meticulously crafted application. While your resume highlights your qualifications, your cover letter is your chance to tell your story, showcase your personality, and demonstrate why you're not just qualified, but also the perfect cultural fit for Morgan Stanley.
So, are you ready to learn how to craft a cover letter that truly stands out? Let's dive in!
How to Write a Winning Cover Letter for Morgan Stanley: A Step-by-Step Guide
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| How To Write A Cover Letter For Morgan Stanley |
Step 1: Understand the Morgan Stanley Ethos – Why Them?
Before you even begin writing, ask yourself: Why Morgan Stanley? This isn't just a generic application, it's a strategic move. Morgan Stanley prides itself on its "first-class business in a first-class way" mantra, underpinned by five core values:
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Do the Right Thing: Integrity and ethical conduct are paramount.
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Put Clients First: A client-centric approach is at the heart of their operations.
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Lead with Exceptional Ideas: They seek innovation, diverse perspectives, and a drive to improve.
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Commit to Diversity & Inclusion: Valuing individual and cultural differences is a defining strength.
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Give Back: A strong commitment to community service and developing talent.
Your cover letter needs to subtly (or overtly, where appropriate) weave in these values, demonstrating how your own principles and experiences align with theirs. Research their recent news, major deals, and their "About Us" section on their website. The more specific you are in showing your understanding and appreciation for their unique identity, the more impactful your letter will be.
Step 2: Deconstruct the Job Description – What Are They Looking For?
This is crucial. Don't just skim it. Print it out, highlight key responsibilities, required skills, and preferred qualifications. Look for keywords and phrases that describe the ideal candidate.
Sub-heading: Identifying Key Requirements For instance, if it's an Investment Banking Analyst role, you might see keywords like:
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Financial modeling
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Valuation expertise
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Corporate finance skills
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Mergers & acquisitions (M&A)
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Capital markets knowledge
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Client acquisition
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Analytical skills
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Problem-solving
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Teamwork
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Communication
If it's a technology role, expect to see programming languages, specific software, and an emphasis on innovation and problem-solving in a technical context.
Tip: Reflect on what you just read.
Your cover letter should directly address how you meet these specific requirements, providing concrete examples.
Step 3: The Art of the Introduction – Hook Them From the Start
The first paragraph is your chance to grab the recruiter's attention. Make it concise and impactful.
Sub-heading: Crafting a Powerful Opening
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State the Position Clearly: Immediately identify the specific role you are applying for (e.g., "Investment Banking Summer Analyst," "Technology Analyst").
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Mention Where You Saw the Opening: If you were referred by a Morgan Stanley employee, attended a recruiting event, or found it on a specific job board, mention it. Name-dropping a contact (with their permission) can be incredibly effective.
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Briefly State Your Interest and Core Qualification: A strong opening might look like this:
Example: "I am writing to express my enthusiastic interest in the Investment Banking Summer Analyst position at Morgan Stanley, as advertised on your careers portal. Having closely followed Morgan Stanley's leadership in sustainable finance initiatives, particularly the recent acquisition of [mention a specific recent deal or initiative], I am confident that my proven analytical acumen and dedication to ethical financial practices align perfectly with your firm's commitment to 'doing the right thing' and 'leading with exceptional ideas.'"
Notice how this example immediately connects the applicant's interest with Morgan Stanley's values and a specific, researched detail. Avoid generic phrases like "I am writing to apply for a job."
Step 4: Showcase Your Value – The Body Paragraphs
This is where you connect your experiences and skills directly to the job requirements and Morgan Stanley's values. Aim for two to three focused paragraphs, each highlighting a distinct set of relevant skills or experiences.
Sub-heading: Paragraph 1 - Quantifiable Achievements and Hard Skills This paragraph should focus on your most relevant academic or professional achievements. Crucially, quantify your impact whenever possible. Numbers speak louder than words in finance.
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Action Verbs: Use strong action verbs (e.g., analyzed, executed, managed, developed, optimized, researched, modeled).
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Quantify, Quantify, Quantify: Instead of saying "I helped increase sales," say "I spearheaded an initiative that boosted sales by 15% within six months, contributing to a $2M revenue increase."
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Relate to the Role: For an investment banking role, highlight experience with financial modeling, valuation, data analysis, or market research. For a technology role, discuss specific projects, coding languages used, and problem-solving methodologies.
Example: "During my internship at [Previous Company], I was instrumental in developing complex financial models for various M&A transactions, contributing to the successful close of three deals totaling over $500 million. My proficiency in Excel and Bloomberg Terminal, coupled with a rigorous analytical approach, allowed me to accurately assess market trends and identify key investment opportunities."
Sub-heading: Paragraph 2 - Soft Skills and Cultural Fit This paragraph is your opportunity to demonstrate how your soft skills and personal attributes align with Morgan Stanley's culture and values.
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Teamwork and Collaboration: Morgan Stanley emphasizes collaboration. Provide examples of successful teamwork.
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Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Illustrate how you've tackled complex challenges.
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Communication Skills: Mention presentations, client interactions, or reports you've prepared.
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Leadership and Initiative: Highlight instances where you've taken ownership or led a project.
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Diversity & Inclusion/Giving Back: If you have experiences that directly reflect these values (e.g., volunteering, participating in diversity initiatives), briefly mention them.
Example: "Beyond technical skills, I thrive in dynamic, high-pressure environments that demand precision and collaborative problem-solving. As a team leader for my university's Investment Club, I fostered an inclusive environment that encouraged diverse perspectives, leading to the development of a highly successful investment strategy that outperformed our benchmark by 8% over the past year. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of 'leading with exceptional ideas' through collective intelligence."
Tip: Read aloud to improve understanding.
Step 5: The Compelling Conclusion – Reiterate and Call to Action
Your concluding paragraph should summarize your interest, reiterate your fit, and include a clear call to action.
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Reiterate Enthusiasm: Briefly re-state your strong interest in the specific role and Morgan Stanley.
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Connect Back to Firm Values (Optional but impactful): A quick nod to one of their core values can reinforce your alignment.
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Call to Action: Express your eagerness for an interview or further discussion.
Example: "I am highly enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute my analytical skills, dedication, and passion for finance to Morgan Stanley. I am confident that my commitment to rigorous analysis and collaborative success aligns perfectly with your firm's 'put clients first' ethos. Thank you for your time and consideration. I have attached my resume for your review and welcome the chance to discuss my qualifications further in an interview."
Step 6: The Professional Close – Formatting and Proofreading
Presentation matters. A polished, error-free cover letter reflects attention to detail – a highly valued trait in finance.
Sub-heading: Formatting Best Practices
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One Page Only: Absolutely no more than one page. Recruiters have limited time.
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Standard Business Format: Include your contact information, the date, and the recipient's contact information (if known).
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Professional Font and Size: Use a clear, readable font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, in a size between 10-12 points.
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Concise Paragraphs: Keep paragraphs short (3-5 sentences) to enhance readability.
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Proofread Meticulously: Read it aloud. Ask a trusted friend, mentor, or career services professional to review it for typos, grammatical errors, and awkward phrasing. Even a single error can be a deal-breaker.
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Save as PDF: Always save and submit your cover letter as a PDF to preserve formatting.
Sub-heading: A Note on Tone Maintain a professional yet enthusiastic tone. Be confident in your abilities without sounding arrogant. Be respectful and formal.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to tailor my cover letter for a specific Morgan Stanley division?
Quick Answer: Research the specific division's (e.g., Investment Banking, Wealth Management, Sales & Trading, Technology) recent projects, leadership, and unique contributions. Weave these specifics into your "Why Morgan Stanley?" section and connect your skills directly to the functions of that division.
QuickTip: A quick skim can reveal the main idea fast.
How to address the cover letter if I don't know the hiring manager's name?
Quick Answer: Use a professional general salutation such as "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear Morgan Stanley Recruiting Team." While personalizing is ideal, a general greeting is acceptable if a specific name is unavailable.
How to make my cover letter stand out if I don't have direct finance experience?
Quick Answer: Focus on transferable skills (e.g., analytical, problem-solving, quantitative, communication, teamwork) gained from academic projects, extracurricular activities, or other internships. Emphasize your eagerness to learn and passion for the financial industry, demonstrating how your unique background brings a fresh perspective.
How to incorporate Morgan Stanley's core values effectively?
Quick Answer: Instead of simply listing them, integrate them by providing examples of how your actions and experiences reflect those values. For instance, describe a time you "did the right thing" in a challenging situation or "led with an exceptional idea" that yielded positive results.
How to keep my cover letter concise yet impactful?
Quick Answer: Prioritize your most relevant achievements and skills. Focus on quality over quantity. Use strong action verbs and quantify your accomplishments. Eliminate any unnecessary words or redundant information.
Tip: Share one insight from this post with a friend.
How to avoid common cover letter mistakes for Morgan Stanley?
Quick Answer: Avoid generic templates, repeating your resume verbatim, grammatical errors/typos, going over one page, focusing too much on yourself (vs. what you can offer the firm), and irrelevant information. Always proofread meticulously!
How to mention networking contacts in my Morgan Stanley cover letter?
Quick Answer: In your introduction, you can say, "I was particularly intrigued by this opportunity after speaking with [Name of Contact] from your [Division/Team], who shared valuable insights into [specific aspect of the firm/role]." Ensure you have their permission.
How to follow up after submitting my Morgan Stanley cover letter?
Quick Answer: Generally, the application portal will indicate if follow-up is necessary or possible. If not, a polite email to the recruiting team after a reasonable period (e.g., 1-2 weeks if you haven't heard anything) can be considered, but avoid being overly persistent.
How to highlight specific technical skills for a technology role at Morgan Stanley?
Quick Answer: Clearly list relevant programming languages, software, and tools in your body paragraphs, linking them to projects where you applied them. Discuss your problem-solving approach and any experience with large-scale systems or data.
How to address an internship cover letter differently from a full-time role cover letter for Morgan Stanley?
Quick Answer: For internships, emphasize your academic achievements, relevant coursework, transferable skills, eagerness to learn, and strong motivation to gain practical experience within Morgan Stanley. For full-time roles, highlight more substantial professional experiences, specific industry knowledge, and how you can immediately contribute to the firm's objectives.
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