When going through an internship’s application requirements, you might come across the need to write a cover letter. A cover letter is one of the most effective ways to show why you are the best candidate for the internship and gives you the space to expand and showcase your skills and experiences.
This article will show you how to create an internship cover letter that will make your application stand out and land you an internship. Additionally, you will get comprehensive internship cover letter examples that you may copy, edit, and customize to your needs.
How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship
A strong internship cover letter should help the company see that you have the skills, motivation, and drive necessary to thrive in your internship assignment. It must grab the employer’s interest and convince them to look over your resume in more detail.
Your cover letter should include examples from your employment, school, and extracurricular activities, which should be customized for the particular internship. If you are unsure of how to write a good cover letter for an internship, here is what you need to know.
Specify the role you’re applying for
You must specify the position you are applying for at the beginning of your cover letter. It is an excellent way to grab the recruiter’s attention. It suggests you have written a cover letter specifically for their opening rather than using a template. Additionally, it demonstrates that you have carefully considered what skills you need for this particular position.
Use keywords
Since recruiters have to read many job applications, they frequently search for relevant keywords in your cover letters. But how do you know which keywords to use? Look at the internship job description, read through the duties and required skills, and note any keywords you believe the recruiter might be looking for.
If “time management” is included in the job description as the desired attribute, try providing concrete examples in your cover letter. However, avoid using keywords that do not pertain to you because doing so will give the impression that you are simply copying and pasting from the job description.
Include relevant coursework/education
If you are concerned about how to write a cover letter for an internship with no experience, just remember that education is also very important and should be emphasized in the cover letter. Employers are usually interested in relevant education, even if you have little to no work experience. Include any coursework that relates to the job description to show potential employers that you are already setting the groundwork for a career in the field you want to intern in. To give particular instances of what you are capable of, highlight the accomplishments you made while enrolled in these classes.
Include relevant skills
When answering the question of how to write a cover letter for an internship job, almost immediately you should think about the skills that qualify you for the job. You can add skills you have acquired in previous jobs, volunteer roles, courses, or projects you have finished or accomplishments in extracurricular activities, even if you lack professional industry experience.
Claiming to have a particular set of skills is one thing; demonstrating them is quite another. Anyone can claim to be excellent at something, but what truly distinguishes one from another is the ability to back up their claims. For instance, in your internship cover letter, instead of simply stating that you have “excellent time-management skills,” include evidence of this from your prior experiences.
State why you think you’re a good candidate for the role
Examine the job description in detail to determine the knowledge and skills that the company is seeking. Align them with your own, and based on the job posting, choose which to emphasize in your cover letter. You should justify your qualifications for the role and draw a line between what the company hopes to gain from its interns and what you can do to offer those services.
Say what you think you could gain from it
When it comes to internships, they frequently serve the objective of assisting students and young professionals in developing skills that will be useful in their careers, building a network, and getting in-depth knowledge of the business.
So, you should not only exemplify your qualifications and how you can help the business but also how getting the job will help you. If you can demonstrate that you are self-aware about what you will gain from the internship and how it will help you advance professionally, it will undoubtedly help you make an even better impression.
Format the cover letter properly
There are specific formatting requirements for a cover letter for an internship position. For instance, the length of your cover letter should be four paragraphs and approximately one full page (but no more than that).
Even though it seems brief, there is still enough room for you to showcase your skills. To discover how to format your cover letter correctly, keep reading.
Header with contact information
This section should include your full name, business contact information (email and phone), and LinkedIn profile (if you have one). The date and the receiver’s information (the recruiter’s name and title, the company/organization name, and their physical address) should be included after your contact information.
Addressing the recruiter
It is customary to address the recruiter with “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern,” although this is not the greatest greeting and should be used only when you can not find the recruiter’s name. However, to demonstrate to the hiring manager that you did your homework, it is advised to address them directly and by name.
Opening statement
Your opening statement should be concise, professional, and captivating all at once. You introduce yourself, mention the position you’re looking for, and perhaps cite one or more noteworthy accomplishments here.
Body
Your cover letter’s body should be composed of two to three paragraphs that highlight your schooling, give context for your skills, and explain how you and the company would complement one another professionally.
Closing paragraph
This paragraph gives you the opportunity to include a call to action, express gratitude to the recruiters for their time, or mention anything significant you missed in your body paragraph. Finish with a passionate but respectful closing.
You don’t want to appear arrogant, but you also don’t want to appear unsure of yourself. Don’t assume; instead, show that you are willing to discuss ways that you might help the organization.
Formal salutation
Put a formal salutation at the end of your cover letter, such as “kind regards,” “sincerely,” or “best regards.”
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Review, review, review
Spend some time reviewing and editing your cover letter after it is finished. Look closely for spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes when proofreading. Nothing gives the wrong impression more in a cover letter than a glaring error in grammar or formatting. These mistakes might appear minor, but they reveal a lack of attention to detail to a recruiting manager.
Try these proofreading strategies to polish your work before submitting your application:
- Read it aloud
- Alter the font size
- Use software for grammar checking
- Have a friend review your resume
- Use a text-to-speech program to hear your work back
Internship Cover Letter Samples
Still confused about how to write a good cover letter for an internship job? Or how to write a cover letter for an internship through email? You do not have to worry because we have you covered. Below you will find the internship cover letter samples to be sent via mail and email.
Via mail
Your name
The address where you can be reached
Phone number
Fax number (if applicable)
E-mail address
The Date
Name of the specific person
Title of that person (if available)
Address of the company
Dear (Hiring manager name),
I am applying for the internship role in (Position name) at your esteemed organization.
I am currently in the first year of a master’s at (University name), and I am eager to gain experience, which would hopefully help me garner a full-time position in your company.
My skills would make me an ideal fit for the role, as I’m meticulous with detail, have a positive can-do attitude, and perform well in various circumstances. I enjoy teamwork, but I am equally comfortable working independently.
(Company name) is a company that I’m excited to work for, as you have an outstanding reputation for delivering quality customer service, proven by your awards, reviews on Glassdoor, etc.
My long-term career goals are to work with a company that challenges and develops employees, and this internship would aid give me the knowledge and experience I need to achieve this.
I would appreciate the chance to discuss my experience in more detail and, of course, hear more about your organization.
Regards,
Your name
Via email
One thing you should know when applying through email is that the subject line should never be empty. Instead, you should write your name and the position you are applying for.
Subject: Your name – X Intern Position
Dear (Hiring manager name),
I am applying for the internship role in (Position name) at your esteemed organization.
I am currently in the first year of a master’s at (University name), and I am eager to gain experience, which would hopefully help me garner a full-time position in your company.
My skills would make me an ideal fit for the role, as I’m meticulous with detail, have a positive can-do attitude, and perform well in various circumstances. I enjoy teamwork, but I am equally comfortable working independently.
(Company name) is a company that I’m excited to work for, as you have an outstanding reputation for delivering quality customer service, proven by your awards, reviews on Glassdoor, etc.
My long-term career goals are to work with a company that challenges and develops employees, and this internship would aid give me the knowledge and experience I need to achieve this.
I would appreciate the chance to discuss my experience in more detail and, of course, hear more about your organization.
Regards,
Your name
E-mail address
Phone number
LinkedIn link (if you have one)
Conclusion
The main goal of a cover letter is to highlight your most important qualifications and experience. You can make your cover letter stand out from those submitted by other applicants if you take the time to polish it. If you follow our advice on how to write an internship cover letter, you’ll get the call.