Ready to kickstart your career? Work placements give you the chance to try a field before you decide to pursue a role within it. You will gain invaluable hands-on experience while learning about a chosen sector from the professionals who work within it.
Whether you’re a student, a school leaver, or looking for a career change, landing a placement is the first step on the ladder. While your resume will tell the hiring manager about your experience and education, your cover letter is a chance to sell yourself to them. So, how can you make sure that you get it right and pique their interest from the very first line?
You’ve come to the right place. Here at Resume.io, we have a broad library of cover letter examples and accompanying writing guides to help you along the way. In this guide, we will be breaking down the writing process for you while covering the following topics:
- How to choose the right format for a placement cover letter
- Support on what to write for each section (with a cover letter example!)
- Advice on writing a placement cover letter when you have no experience
Never written a cover letter before? Don’t get left in the dark. Read our full guide on writing a cover letter for the inside scoop on what you need to include in your application.
Looking for some more inspiration? We’ve got you covered. Take a look at some of our related cover letter examples below:
Best format for a placement cover letter
Writing your placement cover letter without a structure is a mistake. You could end up rambling on without effectively making your point. Luckily, there’s a solid format you can use. Before you begin writing, you should know that your letter will include the following:
- The cover letter header
- The greeting/salutation
- The cover letter intro
- The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
- The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)
Following this structure means that there’s a straightforward beginning, middle, and end to your cover letter. Chances are, you will have a whole load to say about your career aspirations. However, you need to make sure that you show the hiring manager why you are the perfect person for the job. Consider what it is that makes you a unique candidate.
Now that you know the theory, let’s take a look at how that works in practice. Check out our placement cover letter example below to see it in action:
Dear Dr. O'Brien,
I am writing to express my interest in the placement opportunity at James & James Ltd. as advertised on the Newcastle University careers portal. Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Newcastle University, I am eager to take this chance to apply the theoretical knowledge I have gained in a real-world setting, thereby enriching both my academic and professional journey.
During my studies, I have acquired a solid understanding of programming languages, including Python and Java. My academic projects, such as developing a mobile application for streamlined event planning, have granted me hands-on experience in problem-solving and working collaboratively in a team setting. Moreover, I have honed my skills in data analysis, a proficiency I understand to be beneficial for the ongoing projects at James & James Ltd.
I have been particularly impressed by James & James Ltd’s innovative approach to technology solutions, having followed your recent initiatives in the integration of artificial intelligence in streamlining business processes. I am excited about the prospect of being a part of a forward-thinking company that is at the forefront of technological advancements, where I can learn and grow under the mentorship of industry experts like the team at James & James Ltd.
Aside from my academic achievements, I have actively participated in coding boot camps and hackathons, which have further bolstered my technical skills and fostered a passion for innovation. I am confident that this experience, combined with my dedication and eagerness to learn, would make a valuable contribution to your team during my placement period.
I am very much looking forward to the potential of working with James & James Ltd., where I aspire to not just augment my learning but also contribute fresh perspectives and energy to your initiatives. I am eager to demonstrate my commitment to professional growth and to immerse myself in the enriching environment that your company provides.
Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to discuss in further detail how I can contribute to your team while benefiting immensely from this learning experience.
Yours sincerely,
David Kim
Cover letter header
The cover letter header is a formality—but that doesn’t mean you should skip over it. This section of your placement cover letter includes your basic details: your name, location, and contact information. As a general rule, you need to keep it short and sweet. Ensure that the text is big enough to be read (on-screen or in hard form!) and use a professional typeface.
Cover letter greeting
Next up, it’s time to hook the reader’s attention. Your cover letter greeting is how you say hello to the hiring manager. If you already know who will be reading the letter, you should address them formally. You can use the standard “Dear Mr. Jones” structure here. This approach is professional and shows that you have a level of respect for the reader.
Of course, when you are applying for work placements, you may not know who the hiring manager is. If that’s the case, you need to opt for a more generic greeting. Avoid using “To Whom It May Concern” and go for something more appropriate like “Dear Hiring Manager”.
Cover letter introduction
You don’t have long to make the right first impression. The hiring manager will likely need to sift through hundreds of application letters. So, how can you make yours stand out?
Start with your strongest feat—i.e. whatever it is that makes you different from other candidates. It may be your ability to learn new things, an award you have under your belt, or special training you have taken while at school. Think about how you can grab the reader’s interest and keep it. You can take a look at our cover letter example for guidance here.
Dear Dr. O'Brien,
I am writing to express my interest in the placement opportunity at James & James Ltd. as advertised on the Newcastle University careers portal. Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Newcastle University, I am eager to take this chance to apply the theoretical knowledge I have gained in a real-world setting, thereby enriching both my academic and professional journey.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The middle paragraphs of cover letters give you the space to share your passion for the role. As you are applying for a placement, you won’t be expected to have a load of prior experience. With that in mind, you should focus this section on your enthusiasm and industry knowledge. You might also touch upon what you have learned in school or college.
To make your cover letter more readable, include action verbs that give it movement. These words put you in the driving seat—showing the hiring manager that you are a doer, not just a talker. Positivity will also get you far. Your writing tone should be optimistic at all times.
During my studies, I have acquired a solid understanding of programming languages, including Python and Java. My academic projects, such as developing a mobile application for streamlined event planning, have granted me hands-on experience in problem-solving and working collaboratively in a team setting. Moreover, I have honed my skills in data analysis, a proficiency I understand to be beneficial for the ongoing projects at James & James Ltd.
I have been particularly impressed by James & James Ltd’s innovative approach to technology solutions, having followed your recent initiatives in the integration of artificial intelligence in streamlining business processes. I am excited about the prospect of being a part of a forward-thinking company that is at the forefront of technological advancements, where I can learn and grow under the mentorship of industry experts like the team at James & James Ltd.
Aside from my academic achievements, I have actively participated in coding boot camps and hackathons, which have further bolstered my technical skills and fostered a passion for innovation. I am confident that this experience, combined with my dedication and eagerness to learn, would make a valuable contribution to your team during my placement period.
I am very much looking forward to the potential of working with James & James Ltd., where I aspire to not just augment my learning but also contribute fresh perspectives and energy to your initiatives. I am eager to demonstrate my commitment to professional growth and to immerse myself in the enriching environment that your company provides.
Draft, draft, and then draft again!
Your first cover letter draft won’t be perfect. However, you need to start somewhere. Kick things off by getting something down on the page. When you have done that, read it back and try to get into the mindset of the hiring manager. You might find that you need to complete a few rounds of edits before you create a cover letter that will turn heads.
How to close a placement cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
Once you’ve written the bulk of your placement cover letter, it’s time to wrap things up. The way that you choose to sign off matters more than you might expect. The hiring manager will naturally slow their reading pace down as they reach the end of the document.
For that reason, you need to finish strong. You might choose to include a Call to Action (CTA) encouraging the reader to reach out to you, or reiterating what value you bring.
Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to discuss in further detail how I can contribute to your team while benefiting immensely from this learning experience.
Yours sincerely,
David Kim
Placement cover letter with no experience
Trying to land a placement with no experience? That’s okay—the hiring manager won’t expect you to have years of industry experience. The entire point of placements is to give you a taster of the field. Here are some of the topics you may talk about in your letter:
- Industry knowledge. What do you know about the field already? What is it that attracted you to this particular sector? How much research have you done here?
- Enthusiasm. Why are you passionate about this sector? What do you believe that you can bring to the table? How do you expect you will do in the placement?
- Goals and plans. Where do you see your career going in the long term? How does this particular placement fit into the bigger picture of your professional plans?
If you want, you can also cover your education so far. Try to frame the placement as a natural progression in your career. Should you have a long-term plan in hand, now is a great time to share it. You might find that your ambition gets you everywhere.
Key takeaways
- Work placements are often the first stepping stone for school leavers. You will have the chance to work within your chosen industry and learn new skills.
- Recruiters won’t expect you to have a ton of experience. Instead, you should talk about how the placement aligns with your goals and values.
- Make sure you use positive and professional language throughout your cover letter.
- Take all of the hassle out of creating your next application by using one of our field-tested cover letter templates now.
