First principle: your cover letter should complement your resume, not repeat it. The resume lists what you've done; the letter tells the reader who you are, why trading, and why you'd be good at it. Keep it to one page (250–400 words), and write like a sharp human — not a corporate template.
The structure that works
- About you (2–3 sentences). Who you are, exactly what you're applying for (name the role and program), and one headline fact that makes them keep reading.
- Why trading, why this firm (two points). A genuine, specific reason you want this firm — its culture, tech, market focus, training, or a real conversation with someone there. Not "great reputation." And an informed reason you want to trade, tied to something you've actually done. Each point backed by a personal connection: not "I like X" but "X resonates because of Y."
- Why you, specifically (two points). Two differentiating qualities with concrete examples — connected to what trading rewards: decision-making, resilience, quantitative thinking, teamwork. Strong differentiators: entrepreneurial experience, competitive maths or poker, technical projects, leadership under pressure.
- Close (1–2 sentences). Thank the reader, point to your attachments, and stop. No waffle.
The tone test
Before you send it, read each line and ask: "would I actually say this out loud?" Trading firms value directness and clarity over corporate polish. Cut the buzzwords — "leverage my synergies," "passionate about," "drive impact," "navigate complex stakeholder dynamics." If a sentence could appear in anyone's letter to any company, it isn't doing any work.
Common things that sink a letter
- Repeating your resume bullets verbatim
- Generic content you could paste into any application (swap the company name and it still reads fine — that's the tell)
- More than one page
- "Why me" points that aren't actually differentiating
- Company points with no personal connection behind them
- Typos, the wrong firm's name, no clear structure
The bar, simply put: a reader should finish your letter knowing who you are, believing you genuinely want this firm, and able to name two reasons you'd be good at the job. If it clears that, it's working.
Now write it — then apply.
Draft it against this structure, run the tone test, and send it our way.
Apply to Quanteric → Also worth reading: what I look for in a resume →