Round 1 · Application
Cover Letter – How to Write a Winning Letter
International 4-paragraph structure, personalisation tips by company and MT/Internship programme.
4-Paragraph Structure (Hook → Story → Fit → Close)
01
Opening Hook
Your opening sentence must grab attention immediately. Never start with "I am writing to apply for…"
Key Tips
- Connect a brief success moment to the role: "After leading a 12-person team to cut operational costs by 23%..."
- Or lead with a specific connection: "Having followed [Company]'s market expansion strategy since [year]..."
- State the role you are applying for and how you found it (referral > job board)
Example Sentence
"Having led a cross-functional team of 8 to deploy a digital onboarding system that reduced customer churn by 18%, I am excited to bring this blend of analytical rigor and collaborative leadership to [Company]'s Management Trainee program."
02
Your Story – Why You
A 2–3 sentence narrative of your journey. Mention only the 2–3 most relevant experiences.
Key Tips
- Use micro-stories: "At [X], I did [action] → result [Y]" — do not just list your CV
- Highlight transferable skills: leadership, data-driven decisions, adaptability
- Connect past experience to your future contribution at the company
Example Sentence
"During my internship at FPT Software, I led a process audit that identified $50K in annual savings—an experience that reinforced my belief that operational excellence starts with asking uncomfortable questions. My subsequent academic work in behavioral economics has deepened my understanding of consumer decision-making, which I see as directly applicable to [Company]'s FMCG product portfolio."
03
Why This Company / Role
This paragraph separates you from 90% of applicants. It must be highly specific and research-based.
Key Tips
- Mention a specific product, campaign, business unit, or strategic initiative — not generic praise
- Reference recent news: "Your recent expansion into Tier-2 cities aligns with..."
- Show you have spoken to alumni or current employees if possible (social proof)
- Avoid: "I admire your company culture and values" — too generic
Example Sentence
"I am particularly drawn to [Company]'s Project Next initiative—an accelerated 18-month rotation that spans 4 business units—as it mirrors the breadth of experience I believe a future business leader needs. Speaking with [Name], a current MT at your Hanoi office, further confirmed my interest in the cross-functional mentorship model you offer."
04
The Close – Call to Action
Short, confident, professional. Do not beg — be assertive about the value you bring.
Key Tips
- Reiterate one key value you will bring
- Express genuine enthusiasm (not desperation)
- Propose next step: "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss..."
- End with "Thank you for your consideration" — no more than 2 sentences
Example Sentence
"I am confident that my analytical background and cross-functional leadership experience would allow me to contribute meaningfully from day one. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills align with [Company]'s goals. Thank you for your consideration—I look forward to hearing from you."
10 Common Mistakes to Avoid
01
Generic opener: "I am writing to apply for…"
02
Copy-pasting your CV instead of telling a story
03
"I am passionate about this industry" — no supporting evidence
04
No company-specific research — too generic
05
Longer than 1 page / 400 words
06
Repeating the company name excessively (sycophancy)
07
Wrong company name, position, or recipient
08
"I would be a great fit because…" — no evidence
09
Ending with "I hope to hear from you soon" — too passive
10
Not customised per company and programme
Management Trainee Cover Letter
- Emphasise leadership potential and commercial thinking
- Show ambition: articulate a career goal over 5–10 years
- Reference business problems you want to solve at the company
- Mention exposure to P&L, strategy, or cross-functional projects
- Tone: confident and vision-driven, not arrogant
Internship Cover Letter
- Draw on academic projects, CCAs, and extracurriculars
- Highlight fast learning, eagerness to contribute, and adaptability
- Connect coursework or research to a specific team or function
- Tone: enthusiastic and humble, but confident about your learning agility
- OK to acknowledge limited experience — focus on future contribution
Practice – Draft Your Cover Letter
Use the boxes below to draft each paragraph. Prompts are there to guide you.