Goldman Sachs cover letter example

Goldman Sachs—two words that carry the weight of more than 150 years of history. Founded back in 1869 in New York, the leading financial institution now employs almost 40,000 staff members around the world. If you’re looking to join the ranks, you will need to blow the hiring manager away with a stellar CV and then a well-pitched cover letter. 

We’re here to help you with the latter. In a mere 300-400 words, you have to show the hiring manager that you are Goldman Sachs material. That’s no easy feat. However, if you are strategic in your approach and speak the hiring manager’s language, you can achieve this goal. So, where should you start and what information do you need to include here?

Here at Resume.io, we are experts when it comes to supercharging your career. We offer a range of resources to help you take things to the next level, including a library of epic cover letter examples and expert writing guides. In the following writing guide, we will look at: 

• How to choose the best format for your Goldman Sachs cover letter
• The structure you should use (plus a cover letter sample)
• Advice on what to write in each of your cover letter sections
• The psychology of writing a captivating application letter
• The basic mistakes that you need to avoid when you’re writing

Are you searching for more of a deep-dive? You’ve got it. Read our comprehensive guide to creating a cover letter from scratch now. 

Best format for a Goldman Sachs cover letter

Before you whip out your laptop and start writing, there’s something that you need to know. Winning cover letters don’t happen by accident. To turn the hiring manager’s head, you need to make sure that you get the format of the document right. 

Think of this as the framework of your letter. It guides what you write in each paragraph. The format of your Goldman Sachs cover letter should include these elements, in this order: 

• The cover letter header
• The greeting / salutation
• The cover letter intro
• The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
• The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)

Using this structure means that you won’t go off-piste when you’re writing your cover letter. Hiring managers spend a matter of seconds reviewing each new application that comes their way. Since Goldman Sachs receives thousands of applications every year, the professional reviewing your letter is unlikely to have much time to make a decision. For that reason, ensuring that the letter is well-structured and includes the above sections is essential. 

Later in this guide, we will talk about what content you need to include in each section of your cover letter. Follow each step and make sure that your document boasts all of the details that the hiring manager is searching for. To give you an idea of how all of the above will come together, take a quick look at our Goldman Sachs cover letter example here: 

Cover letter header

Ahead of writing the body of this document, you need to get the cover letter header right. Precision is everything here. Goldman Sachs demands the best from workers. Leaving even the most minor of mistakes in your header is a surefire way to disqualify yourself from an interview. This section includes your name, location, and contact details as a baseline. 

While this information is far from the most interesting part of your application, including it clearly is critical. When the hiring manager reads your cover letter, they may want to get in touch with you and offer you an interview. If your contact information is hard to find, that serves as an unnecessary barrier for them. Make things simple by placing it front and centre.

Cover letter greeting

Next, you should include a cover letter greeting. Tailoring this to the vacancy is a must. You may find that the hiring manager’s name is listed on the job advert. If that is the case, go the extra mile and address your cover letter to them directly. Avoid using their first name and keep things professional: just title and surname. For example, you might start your Goldman Sachs cover letter with a straightforward “Dear Mr. Simons”. 

Should you not know the name of the hiring manager, choose a generalised greeting instead. You can start your letter with either “Dear hiring team” or  “Dear hiring manager”. If you are applying to a specific department, you have the option of addressing your cover letter to that team. Above all else, make sure that you use a polite and formal approach here.

Cover letter introduction

The first paragraph of your Goldman Sachs cover letter has to pack a real punch. It is within these few lines that you set the scene for the rest of your application. Make sure that you include enough detail to hook the reader’s attention without giving everything away here. It’s all about giving the hiring manager a reason to continue reading your application. 

Avoid making generic statements. It is a well-known marketing principle that including specific details—rather than vague claims—makes your writing more memorable. So, pick one or two impressive facts about your professional history and include them in this paragraph. You may focus on your track record of results, your stellar qualifications, or the big-name clients you’ve worked with. Whatever the case, quantify your achievements.  

Cover letter middle part (body)

The middle paragraphs of cover letters give you the space to expand on your introduction. You’ve already given the hiring manager a taste of your professional prowess. Now, you need to keep that momentum going as you move into the main part of your cover letter. 

It is here that you will share your biggest achievements, most notable experiences, and career highlights. If you are struggling to fit all of the above in a couple of paragraphs, you can cheat and use bullet points. This approach means that you can share a wealth of knowledge with the hiring manager without confronting them with a wall of text. 

Yes, the competition here is tough. However, you need to remember one key thing when you are working on your cover letter: no one out there has the exact same career story as you. Your unique path is what sets you apart from the sea of viable applicants. Consider how your journey differs from the masses and what vital lessons you have learned along the way. 

How to close a Goldman Sachs cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)

When you are satisfied with the content of your cover letter, it’s time to sign off. Don’t drop the ball at this point. As the hiring manager gets towards the end of your cover letter, they will pay close attention to your final statements. Now you have the chance to make your ultimate argument for the job: what is it that makes you the ideal candidate? 

It’s a good idea to reiterate the main points that you have included in your cover letter. You can also include a Call to Action (CTA) here encouraging the hiring manager to interview you. You might want to hint at having more to share in a formal interview setting, for example. Of course, you should also show enthusiasm and confidence for the role. 

Writing psychology: how to win over the hiring manager

We’ve already covered the main points you need to hit when writing your Goldman Sachs cover letter. However, since this is a competitive institution, you’re going to need to use everything in your arsenal to win over the hiring manager. It’s not merely about what you write, it’s the way that you write it. Here are some tips to help you along the way: 

• Show don’t tell. Don’t simply tell the hiring manager that you’re a pro; show them instead. Illustrate your prowess by including details of your prior experience and quantifying your accolades. This approach could make all of the difference.
• Establish your authority. Goldman Sachs is a huge name. If you want to get an interview, you need to establish yourself as an authority in your field. Do that by name-checking major clients or businesses you have worked for in the past.
• Use the power of narrative. Are you a gifted storyteller? If so, now is your time to shine. Don’t just lay out the facts, weave a narrative about your professional story so far. Where did it start, what challenges have you overcome, and where is it going?

Creating a cover letter is never just about filling a word count. No, you need to ensure that this document adds true value to your application package. Using the above techniques, you can elevate your application letter and pique the hiring manager’s interest.

Goldman Sachs cover letter with no experience

If you’re taking your first step into the professional world and have your sights set on Goldman Sachs, there is some good news. The institution offers regular internship programs to give both students and graduates a head start. If you’re writing a cover letter for one of these highly sought-after schemes, keep the following points in mind: 

• Highlight your education. The qualifications you are completing or have completed matter. Start the cover letter by explaining what education you have and why that has put you in a prime position for this internship.
• Showcase your skills and expertise. You don’t have any formal work experience. However, chances are that you have a selection of skills and expertise under your belt. Talk about these and how each of them align with the program at hand.
• Elevate your language. Goldman Sachs won’t accept anything less than the best. When you’re writing a cover letter but have no experience, make sure you use the right language and tone. Using a formal approach could give you the highest chance.

Basic mistakes in a Goldman Sachs application letter (and how to avoid them)

If you’ve read the rest of our writing guide, you should be confident in preparing your cover letter. However, there are some basic mistakes that you need to avoid here. Let’s take a look at some of the errors that may mean you get rejected: 

• Spelling mistakes. It should go without saying that spelling mistakes are a huge no-no. If your cover letter includes typos or other avoidable mistakes, that will be a major red flag for the hiring manager. Always proofread your letter first.
• Hyperbolic language. Yes, you may think that you’re “number one” or at the “top of your game” but these grand statements can be dangerous. If you have no facts to back them up, you might find that this type of language works against you.
• Lengthy stories. While there’s real value in being a storyteller, your cover letter is not a memoir. Adding in lengthy tales that seemingly have no point won’t do you any favours. Keep things short and to the point.

Key takeaways

1. Goldman Sachs is a household name. If you want to land a job here, you’re going to need to create a remarkable application.
2. Use your cover letter to make a persuasive argument about why you’re the right candidate for the job.
3. Always be specific about the experiences and expertise you have. If in doubt, add some numbers and statistics to paint a picture.
4. If you want to get ahead of the game, use one of our tried and tested cover letter templates now.