No-Nonsense Guide to Writing Your Internship Cover Letter
A cover letter for your internship is the key to making a powerful impression, but you don’t need to overcomplicate it, and in some cases, you can skip it altogether. Here’s how to write it!
“Congratulations! Here’s your internship offer.” Think of how great it would feel to get this message confirming your perfect internship.
Here, we’ll help you get one step closer to this message dropping into your inbox by sharing how to write a no-nonsense cover letter for an internship that makes a powerful first impression and takes you to the next round.
We’ll also reveal a shortcut to securing a guaranteed internship without the hassle of writing a resumé or cover letter (skip to the end if you can’t wait).
Why do you need an internship cover letter?
A cover letter is typically a 300- to 400-word document submitted along with your resumé. An internship cover letter is the perfect place to outline your achievements, skills, and personal qualities for the hiring manager.
A cover letter can help establish an immediate personal connection with the recruiter and advocate why you’re the perfect fit for the internship.
More than half of recruiters prefer a cover letter with an application. So, attaching this crucial document can significantly improve your interview chances.
6 simple steps to writing an effective internship cover letter
Writing a cover letter can be challenging, especially if you lack experience in the early parts of your career. But, with our simple six-step guide, writing your cover letter will be much more manageable:
Step 1: Pick the right format
Cover letter formatting refers to how the cover letter looks, including indentation, font size, line spacing, and margins. A well-formatted cover letter goes a long way in making a good first impression on the hiring manager and can be the difference between a candidate who gets a callback and one that doesn't.
An ideal cover letter includes five standard sections:
- Contact information: Name, phone number, email address, online profiles (LinkedIn, website, etc.)
- Address the hiring manager: The date that you submit your cover letter, hiring manager's last name with a respectful greeting, company name, and company address
- Opening statement: Self-introduction and a hook to catch the recruiter's attention
- Body: Your accomplishments, relevant skills (more on that later)
- Conclusion: Thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration, and end with an instruction for the recruiter — what should they do next?
Tip: Always ensure your cover letter and resumé formats complement each other.
Step 2: Dive into the position you’re applying for
Customizing your internship cover letter shows the recruiter that you’re not sending out mass applications to every internship opportunity (even if you are), but have carefully thought about what qualifies you for this particular role.
Step 3: Use the right keywords
Given the high volume of applicants, many companies use Application Tracking Systems to help narrow down potential candidates. So, use this to your advantage by including the right keywords in your cover letter and resumé.
Your best bet is to carefully scan the internship description and tailor the letter exactly to how the job description/ad is written. For example, if a company wants an intern who is "a creative problem-solver and self-starter," add these specific keywords in your cover letter.
But, keep in mind that when you play your cards right, your internship cover letter will fall in the hand of a person (the recruiter). These human hands don't speak in keywords. So, make sure your cover letter is readable, natural-sounding, and not a 400-word paragraph stuffed with keywords.
Step 4: Explain why you’re a good fit
If the employers can see why you’re a good fit, you'll have a better chance of getting hired. Here’s how you can market yourself:
Leverage your education
Get specific about projects, coursework, and modules directly related to the internship. This is one of the best ways to demonstrate that you’re already laying the foundation of your career.
Mention your skills
Describing soft and hard skills shows the solid tools you possess as a potential intern (think: software knowledge, time management, emotional intelligence, and more).
Make sure to mention any elective courses, workshops, or training that have helped you prepare for the role.
Highlight your passion
Here are three ways to describe your passion to the hiring manager in an internship cover letter:
- Show long-term passion by highlighting your related interests/hobbies
- Show initiative because employers want go-getters. Remember to elaborate with situational examples
- Show your interest in the company by citing specific products, services, or practices — AKA do your research!
Check out how a Canadian student, Margaret, expanded her skills on an international internship:
Step 5: Describe what you’ll gain as an intern
Internships are entry-level positions. That's why you’re not expected to have formal work experience. Instead, the recruiter is looking for an enthusiastic, ambitious intern willing to learn.
Mentioning the values, skills, and experience you aim to gain from the internship position in your cover letter can help you get to the next round. Especially now, when most companies are looking to internship programs to build out their talent pipelines (just like most of these host companies).
Step 6: Proofread and edit before sending
Internships are like trial employment, and if you perform well as an intern, you’re more likely to land a permanent position at the end. So, start by making the best possible first impression by keeping your cover letter 100% error-free.
Remember:
- Be concise — maximum 400 words
- Tailor your cover letter to the company/position
- Demonstrate your value
Tip: If you’re applying to multiple internships, one of the most crucial mistakes is writing the wrong company or position on your cover letter — proofread so you’re not that person!
Spoiler alert: there’s a much quicker and easier way to land an incredible internship — no cover letter (or prior experience) necessary!
At Virtual Internships, our expert team matches you (the ambitious and aspiring intern) directly with an innovative company in your chosen career field.
You’re guaranteed a remote internship working on key projects within four weeks of applying.
The best part? We do the heavy lifting! Check out exactly what your registration fee gets you:
- Internships are customized to you. You choose your start date, the weekly commitment of hours, and the internship length
- You can intern from anywhere (all you need is your laptop and an internet connection)
- 1 in 3 VI interns is offered a position with their host company immediately upon completion of their internship
- You’ll be supported by internship coaches and our employability upskilling courses throughout
- No prior experience is necessary!
Find out more about how a Virtual Internship works here and join 6,000+ satisfied interns who benefitted from remote internship experience by applying today:
Apply now for a guaranteed internship
