‘Best cover letter’ claims ‘no unbelievably special skills’
Remember “Impossible is Nothing,” the bloated video resume from Yale University student Aleksey Vayner that went viral in the worst way in 2006?
Wall Street turned Vayner into a laughingstock upon viewing him bench-pressing heavy weights, performing jumps while skiing, playing tennis and karate chopping through seven bricks -- all in an attempt to land a banking job.
Talk about a study in contrasts. This week, the finance community is abuzz over another application -- but this one comes with a document that some bankers are calling “the best cover letter” ever for its candor and humility.
The candidate -- who British publication the Daily Mail outed as San Diego State University finance student Matthew Ross, 22 -- writes that he comes from an “average” university” and has “no qualms about fetching coffee, shining shoes or picking up laundry, and will work for next to nothing.”
In seeking a summer internship with New York investment firm Duff and Phelps, Ross confessed that all he wanted was “to be around professionals in the industry and gain as much knowledge” as possible.
“I won’t waste your time inflating my credentials,” Ross wrote in a letter first leaked to Business Insider. “The truth is I have no unbelievably special skills or genius eccentricities, but I do have a near perfect GPA and will work hard for you.”
Consider Wall Street enamored. Since being sent Monday, Ross’ letter has gone viral, with finance workers referring to it in emails as “amazing,” “hilarious but bold,” “an instant classic” and “awesome.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy gets at least a call from every bank out there,” one wrote.
No word yet on whether Duff and Phelps was swayed by the show of modesty.
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