Sample cover letter for Internship position at Nomura

2 January 2015

Nomura International plc.

UK Head Office
1 Angel Lane
London, EC4R 3AB
United Kingdom

Re: Explore Nomura Program

Dear Sir or Madam:

My name is Robert de Pascal and as a final year student at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, I would like to be considered for your Explore Nomura Programme in April because I am considering a career in investment banking and I want to get a valuable insight into life as banker at Nomura. During the KTH Finance Society annual London Banking Week, I visited Nomura and got the opportunity to listen and talk to very inspiring people.

I see this program as an excellent opportunity for me to introduce myself to Nomura, get to know the firm and develop my understanding of the financial services industry and thus pursue my goal of obtaining a position on your penultimate year Summer Internship Programme in 2016.

Among the top-tier firms, Nomura seemed to have a unique, friendly and welcoming culture with principles I embrace, such as integrity, customer service mind-set, and a team oriented approach where having an entrepreneurial spirit is encouraged. The people at Nomura impressed me; they are talented, supportive and always willing to share their knowledge. For example, during my visit at your office I talked to Ali Sangari from the Investment Banking Division, which is my area of interest, and Thomas Descoubès from the Global Markets Division. After talking to them I got a very good understanding of the firm’s culture but also the importance of the Investment Banking Division to the firm. Nomura’s unique culture, the people I met and the fact that Nomura is a fast growing investment bank in Europe, are the main reasons that attract me to Nomura.

My qualifications for this insight program begin with my strong interest for finance and business. My academic training has provided me with valuable analytical and problem-solving skills. My involvement in the KTH Finance Society allowed me to develop valuable professional and interpersonal skills while working with the executive board to organize various events such as Finance Day and Consulting Day. It also provided me with good understanding of the financial services industry by participating to different company presentations and networking sessions. I have developed and honed analytical and managing skills by volunteering as an executive board member of a fundraising foundation whose purpose is to provide education to poor children and women, as well as helping families in both social and economic vulnerability in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I have been entrusted to manage the budget and allocate funds between the foundation’s different projects in accordance with its purpose. After working as an intern at the Welfare Management Office for two summers I was given the opportunity to work as an office assistant at the main office. This due to showing strong work ethics and integrity. My responsibilities included analysing various group homes’ budgets, registering transactions, scheduling appointments and reporting to the finance division. I have improved my ability to perform under pressure, meet deadlines, and my communication skills.

My fascination with finance has grown steadily during my high school studies after I wrote an essay about the history of the Swedish banking system. Driven mostly by the desire to understand the importance of a stable financial system for countries’ development, businesses and economic growth of countries. From that point forward, an academic education within finance and various finance related activities has been the driving forces for my growing interest in finance and investment banking industry. Mergers and acquisitions is the area that interests me the most, which particularly attracts me to investment banking industry because of the significant role it plays to deals within the entire world of business. Furthermore, the idea of working with a diverse group of clients, providing advice at the board and senior management levels and being involved in deals that have a potential to change the industry dynamics is my motivation for pursuing a career within the investment banking industry. I am confident that investment banking is the best fit to my skills because it requires a combination of technical, analytical, presentational and people skills.

Based on my genuine interest for finance, my academic training, my skills and past experience, I am confident that I am the right person for this insight program and for Nomura. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,