How to Create a Cover Letter For an Internship
An internship is an important part of a student’s education, and it gives you a chance to get hands-on experience with a specific industry. You also have the opportunity to gain a competitive edge over other applicants who lack experience.
If you’re applying for an internship, it’s crucial to write a cover letter that shows off your qualifications and skills. This will make you stand out among other candidates and help you get your foot in the door.
1. Introduce Yourself
Many internships require applicants to submit a cover letter as part of the application process. The letter is a crucial component of the application because it allows interns to share important information that a resume can’t. It also shows potential employers that you are interested in learning more about their business and how you can contribute to the organization.
The first step in writing a cover letter is to introduce yourself. You should provide your name, contact information and date of birth, and then you should explain why you are interested in the internship position. You should also mention your academic major and current campus, and you should include your goals and intentions in pursuing a career in the field.
When applying for an internship, you should tailor your cover letter to each organization and the specific position that you are applying for. This will help you stand out from other candidates and demonstrate your relevant skills and experiences to hiring managers.
Depending on your specific academic interests, you may want to highlight some of your extracurricular activities as well as volunteer or work experience. These can include clubs and teams you’ve joined or activities you’ve been involved in, such as a service club, student newspaper or athletic team.
You should also explain how the internship will help you develop skills and set you up for success in your future career. This will give the hiring manager a clear picture of how the internship will benefit them and you as an intern.
The cover letter should be written in proper business letter format, with the header and contact information placed at the top of the page. This section should include your name, email address and phone number. It should also include your date, and you should sign your letter at the bottom.
2. Highlight Your Academic Experience
Your academic experience is a great way to show employers that you have the education and qualifications they are looking for. Whether you have a degree in business, science, engineering, art or another field, highlighting your academic achievements can make you stand out from the crowd.
Use the STAR method to describe your accomplishments and explain why they are relevant. This helps you tell a story that hooks the reader into your letter and makes them want to know more about you.
Describe what you have done in your academic work, how it has helped you grow professionally, and the positive results of your efforts. This will demonstrate that you are not only interested in learning, but also driven to succeed.
Include hard numbers, as well, when you can for emphasis. This will help the hiring manager or recruiter see that you are capable of making real, concrete contributions to the company.
Don’t forget to list any internships or volunteer positions you have held while in school or after you graduated. This can give the employer an idea of your time management and organizational skills, which are essential for internships.
It is also a good idea to list your extracurricular activities, particularly if you have been involved in any that are relevant to the position you are applying for. This can include club activities, sports, or volunteering.
The length of your cover letter should be no longer than one page, and it should be written in a professional, clear, and straightforward manner. This will appeal to the person reading your letter and may increase your chances of being accepted for an internship.
3. Include Extracurricular Activities
When you’re applying for an internship, it’s important to include all of your academic and extracurricular experiences. This will help the employer understand that you’re well-rounded and ready to work with the team.
Extracurricular activities can include things like sports, music, community service and even jobs/internships. However, it’s best to make sure that you only include extracurriculars that are relevant to the job or organization you’re applying to.
For example, if you’re applying for a journalism job, listing your time as an editor for your college newspaper can show recruiters that you have strong writing skills and are capable of working on a deadline. You may also want to include volunteer work, which shows that you’re a dedicated and reliable worker.
Another type of extracurricular activity that is relevant to internships is foreign languages and cultural activities. These can demonstrate that you’re a hardworking and culture-oriented person, which will set you apart from other applicants.
You can list these extracurricular activities under “professional experience” or in the education section. You’ll find that this works in your favor if the skills you gained in these activities are directly related to the position you’re applying for, or if they helped you acquire professional-level skills.
Ideally, all students should participate in at least one extracurricular. This will allow them to develop their talents and interests, as well as build the necessary skills for a future career.
4. Explain Why You Want the Internship
A good cover letter for an internship starts by explaining why you want the position. This is an important aspect of any cover letter, but it’s especially crucial for an internship application.
Your answer should be concise and straight-forward. It should also emphasize your passion for the field and demonstrate that you are serious about learning everything you can about it.
The next section of the cover letter should explain your qualifications for the internship. This will include your education, skills and experiences that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
When you’re writing this part of the letter, make sure to reference the internship posting carefully and align it with your own qualifications. It’s also a great idea to add keywords from the listing, which will help you stand out among other applicants.
You can also include any relevant extracurricular activities or projects you’ve completed in the past. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and give the employer a better idea of how much you care about the internship.
In this section of your cover letter, you can also mention your professional experience and any additional academic credentials that make you a strong candidate for the position. This will help your employer see how well-rounded you are and whether or not this internship is a good fit for your career path.
In your final paragraph, you should thank the employer for their time and let them know you’re eager to work with them. It’s also a good idea to give your contact information in this section so the hiring manager can get in touch with you.
5. Summarize Your Skills
A cover letter is an opportunity to show an employer a bit more about you than what’s on your resume. It’s a chance to tell them about your communication skills, your drive, your people skills and your enthusiasm for the job.
The best way to do this is to summarize your academic experience, extracurricular activities and professional work. You can also highlight your qualifications and experiences that are particularly relevant to the internship you’re applying for.
As you go through the different aspects of your educational and professional experience, note which skills or abilities are most important for the job and make sure you mention them in your letter. This will help your letter sound more professional and will help you stand out from other applicants.
Whether you’re writing a cover letter for an internship or any other type of position, the first thing to do is carefully read the ad or job description and note which skills and experiences are most important. Once you know which ones are most important, you can create your cover letter around these and tailor it to the specific position and company.
If you’re writing a cover letter for a professional position, you should include a brief introduction that includes your name, the job title and where you saw the opening. This should be followed by a summary of your skills and your interest in the position and a closing that explains what you intend to do next.
A good cover letter starts with a captivating introduction, one that grabs the reader’s attention and makes them want to learn more. It’s the first impression they will get of you and it’s a crucial part of securing an interview for your internship.