The cover letter, also known as the application letter, is the perfect “covincer” for getting an internship position. It can be more powerful than a graduate’s temporarily thin resume.
Whether you’re fresh out of college or simply moving from one professional field to another, internships are a great way to get your foot in the door. They lead to dream jobs, stable salaries, and growth opportunities.
A cover letter shows off your current skills and displays your eagerness to learn on the job!
Internship full text-only cover letter example
Dear Mr. Vince,
I am applying for the internship role in Business Administration at your esteemed organisation.
I am currently in year 2 of a Masters in Business Administration and I'm eager to gain experience, which hopefully would help me to garner a full time position in your company in the future.
The skills I possess would make me an ideal fit for the role, as I'm meticulous with detail, have a can-do positive attitude, and fit in well in different environments.
I enjoy working as part of a team, but I am equally comfortable working on my own initiative.
London Bridge Support Services is a company that I'm excited at the prospect of working for, as you have an outstanding reputation for delivering a quality service to customers. This is shown by the awards you have claimed over the years and your reviews on Glassdoor etc.
My long-term career goals are to work with a company that offers challenges and develops employees, and this internship would help give me the knowledge and experience I need to achieve this.
It would welcome the opportunity to discuss my experience in more detail and, of course, hear more about your organisation.
Regards
Felicity Kendwell
Sections of an internship cover letter
The cover letter structure for any intern position will usually be the same or similar, regardless of profession or position. Cover letters should include these key components:
- Cover letter header. This element of your cover letter provides your name, contact information and the date, making it simple for the internship coordinator to reach out.
- Greeting. Use the name of your reader whenever possible in this friendly opening. People take notice when they see their names.
- Introduction. This opening paragraph may just open doors. Start with a fact that will pique their interest. Why did you choose this career or this internship?
- Body. Detail the personality traits and foundational skills that will make you an excellent intern. Add why you’re a great fit for this particular company.
- Conclusion. Summarize your qualifications and enthusiasm for the internship and end with a call to action.
- Signature. End professionally and sign off with your first and last name.
While each of these cover letter parts is important, make sure they build to form a strong, consistent message. An internship application letter should never be more than one page that details your fitness for the position.
To get a broader idea of what makes a great application document, check out these related cover letter examples:
For an in-depth look at writing each of these sections, as well as free example sentences, check out our article on how to write a cover letter.
After you developed your header and addressed the hiring manager, you’re ready for the introduction.
Introduction of an internship cover letter
This is one of the most crucial parts of the cover letter, as it contains your opening sentence. Avoid being bland at all costs, but don’t go too far with eccentricity. As an intern, you want to open by projecting respectfulness, energy, and work discipline/ethic.
The goal of the cover letter introduction: grab emotional attention, don’t ramble, and introduce yourself in one powerful, friendly but professional sentence.
A good tactic is to drop in one or two of your most impressive and relevant achievements or qualities you have.
Dear Mr. Marcus,
Ever since I got my first box of 128 Crayola crayons, I have been fascinated with color. I later became aware of how color changes environments and moods. My dream job is to help clients choose colors for their homes that create the mood and atmosphere they desire. I am eager to learn from the best through the interior decorator internship at Ethan Allen.
Dear Mr. Marcus,
I love color and want to help people choose colors for their homes. The Ethan Allen interior decorator internship offers a great chance for me to do that. I am very interested.
Note the details and enthusiasm that shines through in the first example. Internship coordinators don’t expect you to have mid-level career achievements, but they do expect you to have a passion for the field. Show it off in your introduction.
Dear Mr. Vince,
I am applying for the internship role in Business Administration at your esteemed organisation.
Internship cover letter body
This is the main text-heavy section of your internship application letter. Use it to strengthen and expand the opening theme of your introduction.
Explain why you’re a good fit for the internship role, and what qualities and achievements prove that.
Follow this format to accomplish that:
- Highlight any skills you’ve learned in school and any relevant experience
- Show why you fit the internship’s goals and the company’s culture
- Wrap up with an anecdote or achievement that wows
- Finally, bow out with a call to action that makes the hiring manager want to contact you
First body paragraph: Your suitability for the role (skills & experience)
This space is typically reserved for a detailed description of your skills and experience. If you have previous internships or jobs in your field, you have more advantages than the average intern. Showcase the attributes that make you an excellent choice.
Tell the story of your nascent career using the following:
- Put your education front and center. Even if you have not yet earned your degree, the classes you have taken stand in for some experience.
- Volunteer work. Seemingly unrelated jobs may demonstrate transferable skills such as leadership or time management.
- Industry knowledge. If you’re up on the latest in your chosen industry or have taken related classes, show what you know.
- Technology savvy. It’s difficult to name a job that doesn’t make use of any technology. Any software or computer skills you know is an asset.
- Related hobbies. For example, a passion for travel or fluency in other languages or cultures is a plus if you want to work in foreign markets.
- Memberships in clubs or organizations. Only if they have bearing on the skills and attributes you need for the internship.
Do some research
Companies often recruit interns from the same colleges year after year. Find out if any of your classmates have won the internship you are applying for and ask them for details they don’t mind sharing that may help you write a more directed letter.
Read the guide: How to get an internship (Step by Step)
Second body paragraph(s): Alignment with the organization
As a future intern, there are a few ideas/emotions you want to convey to show that you will make the most of this internship or externship opportunity.
You’ll want to show your eagerness and ability to learn, passion and sincerity. It’s important to . include statements that mesh with the company’s mission statement.
For example, if you’re aiming for one of Google’s coveted spots, check out its “About Google” page to read the motto:
- Organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful
- Improving the lives of as many people
- People using technology to benefit others
Review any pages dedicated to the company vision, commitment, or values. Watch any videos. Then, relate your passions to the company’s.`
I am currently in year 2 of a Masters in Business Administration and I'm eager to gain experience, which hopefully would help me to garner a full time position in your company in the future.
The skills I possess would make me an ideal fit for the role, as I'm meticulous with detail, have a can-do positive attitude, and fit in well in different environments.
I enjoy working as part of a team, but I am equally comfortable working on my own initiative.
London Bridge Support Services is a company that I'm excited at the prospect of working for, as you have an outstanding reputation for delivering a quality service to customers. This is shown by the awards you have claimed over the years and your reviews on Glassdoor etc.
My long-term career goals are to work with a company that offers challenges and develops employees, and this internship would help give me the knowledge and experience I need to achieve this.
How to be heard and understood
A great way to make sure a certain point, idea, achievement, or personal quality is taken to heart by the hiring manager (or anyone generally) is to open a sentence or paragraph with an emotional trigger as described above. Then move on to the factual data. You can even bookend factual proof with strong emotional points.
Check out and analyze this example:
“As a truly passionate person, I fall in love with my projects and put my heart and soul into ensuring they succeed (emotional). This is why my debate team in college reached the national semi-finals under my leadership and why in my last job as a coffee shop manager I came up with a system of shifts that increased profits AND the level of worker happiness by reducing stress (factual).
Call to action & conclusion: End on a high note
The conclusion might be the tricky part for some people, even if you aced the cover letter introduction and body sections. The key is to land on “determined” but not “too arrogant/forceful.”
Reiterate your main point and let the recruiter know you are eager to discuss why your skills, attributes and interests make you an intern who will contribute to the program.
Thank the recruiter for taking the time to review your application. Finish with a statement that confidently but not arrogantly suggests further consideration in the internship process.
It would welcome the opportunity to discuss my experience in more detail and, of course, hear more about your organisation.
Regards
Felicity Kendwell
Finally, sign off with a polite “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and your full name.
Key takeaways
The internship cover letter is the final “convincer” that lets you influence hiring decision-makers. It’s vitally important and extremely useful even if the internship doesn’t require one.
Display enthusiasm for the opportunity and highlight any transferable skills. Make it clear that your professional skills and philosophy make you a great fit for the internship.
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