Looking for an internship but not sure how to start? Writing a cover letter can seem daunting, but it’s a great way to show off your skills and personality.

Here are some tips on how to write an internship cover letter that will make you stand out from the crowd.

An internship cover letter

A cover letter is a brief letter accompanying a resume, often between 300 and 500 words in length.

The cover letter introduces the applicant and briefly outlines their achievements, character, skills, and personal qualities. These are intended to establish a direct and immediate personal relationship with the employer.

In addition, the cover letter explains why the candidate is a good fit for the position. The applicant submits their resume if the job does not require a cover letter.

Should you need it?

First things first—if you’re wondering whether you need one, the answer is yes: A cover letter is required for every job application.

Recruiters use it to learn about you and evaluate whether you’d be a good fit for the position. But there’s no set format for a cover letter; each employer has different expectations and preferences.

A recruiter will review your résumé, cover letter, and perhaps references for an internship application. Recruiters like applicants with cover letters.

What the employers are looking for

When applying for an internship, it’s essential to remember what the employer expects from you. This way, you can tailor your application materials to address those expectations.

Below we outline some of the most critical aspects of a practical internship application.

1. Ability to Communicate Effectively

The cover letter is your first chance to show the hiring manager what you can communicate effectively. Your cover letter is your first impression and needs to make a good one. When writing your cover letter, think about the following aspects:

• What do I want the hiring manager to learn about me?

• How can I communicate my skills and experiences to them?

• What is my goal?

• Is there anything else I should include?

2. Capacity for Flexibility and Adaptability

As an internship candidate, you must demonstrate a capacity for adaptability and flexibility. You’ll need to show how you’ve been able to adjust to changing circumstances while still maintaining professionalism and integrity.

In addition to demonstrating your ability to shift gears quickly, you’ll want to highlight your willingness to take on multiple projects simultaneously. Employers are likely impressed if you’re willing to do whatever it takes to meet deadlines and complete assignments.

3. Experience Working Collaboratively with Others

When an employer looks to hire interns, they want someone willing to learn and take direction from others. They don’t necessarily want someone who has done everything but has demonstrated teamwork skills. In addition, employers look for candidates who can work well within a collaborative environment.

Internship cover letter (writing tips)

The internship cover letter should focus more on what you want to do than what you have done.

Here are some of the essential points to consider when writing one:

1. Begin with Your introduction

Your introduction should begin by explaining why you want to work there, why you think you’d be a great fit, and how your skills align with those of the organization. You’ll also want to explain why you chose to apply to this particular job opening and how you found out about it.

You might even consider including a few personal stories that demonstrate your passion for the industry and show that you understand the challenges faced by people like yourself.

2. An asset: Can you?

Remember that your goal isn’t necessarily to sell yourself. Instead, think about how you can show employers why you’d be an asset to their team. For instance, if you’re applying for a marketing role, highlight your ability to write compelling copy or manage social media accounts. Or, if you’re interested in working in HR, emphasize your ability to develop strong relationships with colleagues.

Ultimately, the key is to find a balance between selling yourself and showcasing your value. Focus on how you can be an asset to the employer while still staying true to your brand.

3. Showcase your ambition

Demonstrate that you are eager to do more than just assist full-time employees. You wish to change the firm. Many people think it’s enough to say you want to learn about an industry and work with professionals, but you can do much more.

One way to stand out among hundreds of applicants is to highlight your ambition. This doesn’t mean you should list every project you’ve worked on since graduating college. Instead, focus on your skills and what you could bring to the table.

4. Address by name the hiring manager

The most important thing to remember when addressing a cover letter is to always use the recipient’s name. This way, it makes it clear that you know who you’re sending it to and what you want from them.

Try calling the company you’re applying for and requesting the relevant person’s full name if their name isn’t displayed elsewhere online. You might even be able to locate their name by looking up their email address or on LinkedIn.

5. Emphasize Your Academic Experience

In your cover letter, it’s okay to discuss your academic experience. This includes things like internships, research projects, etc. You want to show employers how well you fit into their organization and what you bring to the table. So, don’t just list off your GPA or tell them you’ve been working on a thesis for three months. Instead, focus on demonstrating how your academic background makes you a good candidate for the position.

6. Format properly

A cover letter is essentially a sales pitch to land you an interview. It starts with a brief introduction about yourself, followed by a summary of why you’re interested in working there and why you’d be a good fit. After that, you’ll want to highlight what makes you unique relative to the job posting. Finally, you’ll wrap things up with some closing remarks.

The critical part here is ensuring each paragraph focuses on a specific thing. You don’t want to ramble around aimlessly. Instead, make sure every sentence is relevant to the job opening. And remember, keep it short—four paragraphs max. You could risk losing your reader’s attention if you go over that limit.

7. Proofread and Edit

A common mistake in job applications is failing to proofread their cover letters. Cover letters are often the most critical part of a resume because it is where you introduce yourself to the hiring manager. You want to stand out among the hundreds of applicants for each position. Proofreading your cover letter ensures you do not misspell words or use incorrect punctuation.

Summary

The procedure of applying for internships must include a cover letter. They provide you the chance to introduce yourself and discuss why you’re interested in the job.

If done well, they can also help set you apart from other applicants. Our team will help you improve your cover letters to stand out and increase your chances of getting the internship of your dreams.

Have you tried our free cover letter builder? It makes it easy to create a professional-looking letter to impress potential employers.