Intern Cover Letter Example and Template

Applying for an internship while you're in college is an effective way to gain professional experience and networking that can help you along your career path. When applying to internship positions, having strong application documents that reflect the job description, like cover letters, can help hiring managers select you for their program. It can also help to review intern cover letter samples and resume samples to determine the appropriate tone and format you might follow. In this article, we discuss what type of information to include when writing an intern cover letter and provide a list of tips and an example to help refine your application. When you're ready to start the application process, upload a resume file or build an Indeed Resume to support your cover letter and convey your abilities and value to employers. Maria Mattea
201-555-0114 I maria_mattea@email.com I Ramsey, NJ 07446
May 15, 2023 SocialSisterSites, Inc. Dear Hiring Manager, My name is Maria Mattea, and I'm writing to express my excitement about the internship position with SocialSisterSites, Inc. I am currently a junior at Ramsey University studying communications with a projected graduation date of May 2024. I love your company's mission of providing educational information for individuals on safe social media habits. Your social sites are highly engaging and I'd love to learn more about the processes that contribute to creating and distributing this content. I've taken several communications classes on social media content, marketing and consumer outreach to learn more about this area. One project I created last year was writing a series of email communications to mock customers and companies, establishing engagement goals and metrics to measure the success of our efforts. One of my favorite essays I wrote focused on the effect of infographics on consumers and spending habits. I think this internship can provide me with even more context for how corporate environments apply the information I've learned through my coursework to business. I hope to pursue a career in social media management and marketing leadership and I believe this opportunity can help me network and gain crucial experience in the field. I appreciate you taking the time to consider my application for this role. Attached you'll find my transcripts, along with letters of recommendation that reflect my qualifications for the internship. I look forward to hearing more about this opportunity and discussing how I might support SocialSisterSites, Inc. You can reach me at the email address or phone number listed above. Thank you again for your consideration, Maria Mattea To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

How to write an intern cover letter

The contents of a cover letter for an internship position can vary depending on the industry in which you hope to gain experience. Regardless of the company or organization that you pursue, there are several steps you can take to write an effective intern cover letter:

1. Choose the right format

Choosing a formal letter format for your cover letter can show that you're serious about pursuing professional experience in your field. You can use a business letter template that has formal greetings and salutations along with consistent margins and font size. Consider a formal heading with your name and contact information to ensure hiring companies can reach you easily. Related: Writing an Internship Cover Letter (With Examples)

2. Describe your interest

Early in your cover letter, it can be helpful to express your interest in the position and the company or organization. Consider mentioning specific reasons you want to work with their organization. When reviewing the internship posting, you might also review the company's website to understand its values and how they might align with yours. It can help to focus on your motivation and enthusiasm, as these qualities can be essential for interns with little previous experience. Related: 7 Powerful Ways to Start a Cover Letter (With Examples)

3. Describe your education

Students often pursue internships to supplement their education and prepare them for their careers. Consider describing your major and classwork and how the internship might help improve your knowledge in the field. You can also leverage specific classwork, like projects or presentations, to highlight your skills and unique qualities. Related: How To Write a Cover Letter (Plus Tips and Examples)

4. Explain your qualifications

You can explain your qualifications for an internship in your cover letter. As you might not have much experience in the field, this might mean highlighting your enrollment status, GPA or credit requirements to qualify for the program. You might also include volunteer experience or other extracurriculars that can help show you have certain skills, like interpersonal skills and motivation, that companies might be seeking in an ideal candidate. Related: How to Write the Best Cover Letter (With Template and Sample)

5. Describe your goals

You can incorporate a few brief statements about what you hope to achieve from the internship. This can include whether you hope to learn more about the field, get professional experience or network with experts. Internships help both students and organizations, so being honest with your goals can help companies see how they might help you. Related: What Is the Purpose of an Internship? (Plus Tips)

Tips for writing an intern cover letter

Here are some tips you can use when writing your intern cover letter:

Include keywords

Keywords are essential for cover letters as many companies use application scanning software to see if candidates have basic qualification matches. Consider reviewing the internship posting to identify what skills, experience or education you might need. This can also include specific tools, like word processing tools, that show you can perform the necessary tasks for the hiring company. Related: Top Tips for Writing a Cover Letter for Internships

Proofread the letter

Proofreading the letter can show organizations that you have strong attention to detail. Consider reviewing the document for spelling, grammar and tone to ensure you use professional language and make sure that your contact information on the cover letter matches any other application documents. This can help prevent confusion if an organization tries to contact you. Related: Cover Letter Checklist: What To Review Before You Submit

Use specific examples

Specific examples of your experience and education can offer organizations more information about your unique qualities. For example, rather than simply stating that you were in several clubs in early college, mention exactly which clubs you belonged to and what your role was. This can also apply to specific projects, classes or career aspirations you might have.