How to Write an Internship Cover Letter

On the surface, you will write your cover letter for an internship just like any other cover letter. If you're applying for an internship, you probably don't have a ton of experience to boast about. However, you can make up for that with awareness of the company and enthusiasm about the position and the industry. Read on to learn more.

Things You'll Need

• Resumé

Instructions

Write a Cover Letter for an Internship

1. Brush up your business writing skills. A cover letter should be formatted like a professional business letter with your full address on the top right, unless you are using letterhead with your address pre-printed.

2. Address the cover letter to the human resource manager, head of the department or the person hiring. Many templates use a generic "Dear Sir/Madam" or "To Whom It May Concern," but you should exchange the broad phrases for the name of a specific contact person.

3. Check out the company's website before you write your letter. Get a feel for the company and why you would fit in there. You want the reader to get the impression that you took the time to find out as much as you could about the company and internship before applying.

4. Write about why you want the internship. Since you do not have years of experience to pull facts and figures from, just show your enthusiasm for the industry and the company. This is when all that research you did on the company will come in handy.

5. Point out any special achievements that relate to the intern position, without repeating your resume. Awards and scholarships may help show you are a viable candidate.

6. Proof your cover letter, perhaps even letting someone else take a look at it before you submit it. Most internships are highly competitive, and your letter should be as perfect as you can make it.

7. Create individual cover letters for each internship you apply for, especially if they are in different industries. You don't want your cover letter to come across as a form letter. Each letter should be custom tailored to the company you're applying with.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't fret about including experience from college or high school in your cover letter. It is expected. The employer knows that most applicants for an internship do not have any direct work experience.

• Keep copies of each form letter you send. Besides being a great record of which internships you already applied for, the letters can be adapted to apply for future job opportunities.