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How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship
Internships are an opportunity for you to gain work experience in a particular field, make industry connections, and apply the knowledge and skills you’ve learned at university to the real world.
Most internships are short term, with students working anywhere from three to six months on a part-time or full-time schedule. They can be paid student internships or ones that count towards academic credits at your university. Because it lets you “try out” a certain career, an internship can give you great insights on how to best chart your professional path—allowing you to discover your passion and purpose.
Once you have shortlisted the internships that will help you start your career, craft a well-written cover letter showing your interest in–and aptitude for–the internship you want.
Here is a step-by-step guide to writing a cover letter for an internship.
Use the right format.
If you are required to send a cover letter by mail, use the business format. If you are sending it via email, the format will be different. You will find a sample for each at the end of this article.
Make sure you have the correct information for the following:
Complete name and designation of contact
Email address of contact
Company name
Company address
Write a unique cover letter for each internship application.
A well-written cover letter requires thorough research and personalisation. It should be tailored to the internship programme and company you are applying for.
State which internship programme you are applying for.
Companies usually offer different programmes for various departments. When you state the exact programme and position you are applying for, it gives the reader context for the rest of your letter and your resume. It also shows you have personalised your application and are genuinely interested in working for their company.
Be specific about why you are applying for the internship.
A good cover letter includes specifics as to why you want to be a part of the company and how you can contribute to its success. Do their corporate values align with your personal mission and goals? Does the organisation offer a product or service that meets an important market need? What sets it apart from the other companies in the same field? Is there a particular project that you would like to be a part of?
Show hirers that your application is grounded on your knowledge about who they are, what they do, and most importantly, how they espouse values that resonate with you. Here are some samples of career objective statements to get you started.
Use keywords from the internship listing.
Carefully read the internship listing. What skills are they looking for? What kind of employee do they require? Hirers breeze through cover letters, so catch their attention by using keywords relevant to the role. For example, if they want a candidate with project management skills, see how you can include this in your draft. This will underscore the value you can bring to the organisation and help you stand out from your fellow candidates.
Give a sneak peek of your past work experience.
While your resume should highlight any work experience that you may have, include one or two key points in your cover letter as well. You may include a part-time job or freelance project, especially if they are relevant to the internship. And even if your past or current jobs are not in the same industry, they vouch for your time-management skills and commitment to professional undertakings.
If you need some inspiration, here are some career summary samples that may help you.
What if you don’t have any work experience?
Emphasise your academic achievements and experience. Use concrete examples from school that show you have the skills required for the internship. For example, were you able to maintain beyond satisfactory academic standing throughout your course? Were you able to get high marks for relevant subjects? Did any of your curricular projects receive citations from local or international organisations? These kinds of milestones will show that you are not only trained for the position that you are applying for. They also speak volumes about your dedication to excel in what you do.
Include extracurricular activities. Important skills are not only developed at work and university. Do you volunteer at a local food bank or coach a kiddie sports league? Activities such as these show strong leadership, interpersonal, and organisational skills.
Read more: (Downloadable) The step-by-step resume builder
Proofread your cover letter before sending it.
This is the first impression the company will have of you, so you must get everything right. Make sure you have all the correct information, nothing is misspelt, and there are no grammatical errors. Keep your sentences brief and to the point.
Here is a sample cover letter in business format:
If you are required to send your cover letter via email, here is a sample:
Your internship is your stepping-stone to a job that matters.
Cinching the right internship—and excelling at it—is a great way to kickstart your career. Maximise the opportunity by meeting as many people as you can and learning from them. Take the initiative to volunteer for tasks, pay attention to detail, and accept criticism well.
If you discover that the industry you’ve been eyeing is not for you, that’s perfectly fine. Take this time to explore career opportunities that will help you gain experience and discover your passion, potential, and purpose.
Now that you know the steps to a well-written cover letter, update your profile and start searching for internship opportunities. Download the JobStreet mobile app to find #JobsThatMatter anytime and anywhere. If you are available to work immediately, add #WorkNow to your profile. For more insights and tips on starting your career on the right track, visit our Career Resources Hub. From your first internship to your first job and beyond, let JobStreet be your partner on your professional journey.
At JobStreet, we believe in bringing you #JobsThatMatter. As a Career Partner, we are committed to helping all jobseekers find passion and purpose in every career choice. And as the number 1 Talent Partner in Asia, we connect employers with the right candidates who truly make a positive and lasting impact on the organisation.
Discover Jobs That Matter. Visit JobStreet today.
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