How to Write an Internship Cover Letter: Examples

Imagine standing in front of a door that could lead to your dream career. Behind that door lies a world of experience, mentorship, and growth. The key to unlocking it is a top-notch cover letter. While your resume shows what you’ve done, a cover letter tells who you are—and, more importantly, why you’re the perfect fit for that internship. I'll show you how to write a cover letter for an internship that proves you're the standout candidate they’ve been waiting for.

Top Insights:

• Highlighting relevant coursework in your internship cover letter positions you as a well-prepared candidate.
• Researching the company you want to work for and mentioning it in your cover letter shows genuine interest in the role.
• A good cover letter for an internship is less than one page long.

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Internship Cover Letter Example #1—for University Students

Olivia Bennett

Marketing Major

45 Elm Street

Brooklyn, NY 11211

September 19, 2024

David Henderson

Marketing Manager

BrightWave Media

234 River Avenue

New York, NY 10010

Dear David,

I am writing to express my interest in the Marketing Internship position at BrightWave Media. As a third-year marketing student at New York University with a passion for digital strategies and content creation, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and enthusiasm to your innovative team.

During my time at NYU, I have completed coursework in social media marketing, consumer behavior, and data analytics, which has provided me with a solid foundation in the key concepts of modern marketing. I also gained practical experience during a summer internship at BlueSky Marketing, where I assisted with the development of social media campaigns, analyzed engagement data, and contributed to blog content, increasing website traffic by 15% over two months.

What draws me to BrightWave Media is your reputation for creative marketing strategies and your commitment to helping brands connect with their audiences in meaningful ways. I am eager to learn from your talented team and apply my skills to create well-targeted campaigns and engaging content that help your clients achieve their goals.

I would love the opportunity to further discuss how my background and skills align with the needs of your team. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,

Olivia Bennett

(123) 456-7890

evelyn.rivera@email.com

linkedin.com/in/evelyn.rivera

www.evelyndoesmath.com

What makes it work:

• The letter is tailored for an internship application, with a clear expression of enthusiasm for the Marketing Internship at BrightWave Media.
• It highlights relevant coursework in social media marketing, consumer behavior, and data analytics, demonstrating a strong foundation in marketing principles.
• The candidate shows that they’ve researched the company, emphasizing its creative marketing strategies and aligning her goals with the company's mission.

Internship Cover Letter Example #2—Email Format

Subject Line: Finance Student Liam Thompson seeks internship at Crestview Financial Group

Dear Ms. Andrews,

I am writing to express my interest in the Finance Internship at Crestview Financial Group. As a third-year finance student at the University of Michigan, I have developed a solid foundation in financial analysis, corporate finance, and risk management. I am excited about the opportunity to apply these skills at Crestview, known for its excellence in the financial services industry.

During my internship at Sterling Investments, I assisted with portfolio analysis and prepared financial reports, contributing to a 10% improvement in portfolio performance by identifying key investment opportunities. My ability to analyze data and provide actionable insights has prepared me to contribute meaningfully to Crestview Financial Group.

I would love the opportunity to discuss how my background and skills align with the needs of your team. Thank you for considering my application.

Best regards,

Liam Thompson

(734) 555–4444

liamthompson@email.com

linkedin.com/in/liam.thompson

What makes it work:

• This finance internship cover letter follows a concise email format, ideal for an internship application.
• It highlights the candidate’s academic background and relevant coursework, showing a solid foundation in finance.
• A clear call to action invites further discussion, reinforcing the candidate’s interest in the opportunity.

Internship Cover Letter Example #3—Using Bullets for Qualifications

Avery Grant

Data Science Intern Candidate

(212) 555–6789

avery.grant@mail.com

linkedin.com/in/avery.grant

September 25, 2024

Hiring Committee

Insight Analytics

42 North River Street

Manhattan, NY 10036

Dear Hiring Committee,

I am thrilled to apply for the Data Science Internship at Insight Analytics. As a senior majoring in Data Science at Columbia University, I have developed a strong foundation in statistical analysis, machine learning, and data visualization. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my technical skills and passion for data to your innovative team.

In your job posting, you mentioned the need for someone with strong analytical abilities and experience in data-driven decision-making. I am confident that my qualifications align with your requirements:

• Statistical Analysis: During my internship at Quantify Solutions, I conducted data analysis for a large-scale market research project, uncovering trends that informed a 15% increase in marketing ROI for a major client.
• Machine Learning Applications: I developed a machine learning model as part of my senior capstone project that predicted customer churn with 85% accuracy, demonstrating my ability to apply data science concepts to real-world business problems.
• Collaboration: As part of a team of four data scientists, I collaborated in an Agile environment, improving the accuracy of predictive models by 10% through iterative testing and refinement.

I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to Insight Analytics and help your clients unlock the potential of their data. I would welcome the chance to meet with your team and discuss how my background and skills can benefit your organization.

Thank you for considering my application.

Warm regards,

Avery Grant

(212) 555–6789

avery.grant@mail.com

linkedin.com/in/avery.grant

What makes it work:

• The letter is tailored for the Data Science internship, clearly aligning the candidate’s skills with the job requirements.
• It uses bullet points to concisely highlight key qualifications, such as statistical analysis, machine learning, and collaboration in an Agile environment.
• The tone is professional and enthusiastic, with a clear call to action, expressing eagerness to discuss how the candidate can contribute to the organization.

How to Make a Cover Letter for Internship Stand Out

Let me guess: you’re looking for an internship that’s exciting, fulfilling, and sets you up for future success. And why wouldn’t you? In a competitive job market, landing the right internship is crucial to building your career. Follow the steps below, and you’ll create a strong internship cover letter that works in your favor.

1. Analyze the Internship Posting First

First, take a look at an exemplary internship opportunity straight from the job posting:

When applying for this position, you need a strong job application that includes a well-crafted internship resume and a cover letter that highlights relevant skills and enthusiasm for the role.

Olivia, an aspiring marketing intern, came across this opportunity and decided to apply. She landed the internship, but first, she needed to learn how to write an effective cover letter. 

The initial draft of her internship cover letter, however, wasn't enough to secure the position:

Unprofessional teaching cover letter

To whom it may concern,

My name is Olivia Bennett, and I’m a marketing student. I’m seeking a summer internship in marketing to gain some experience in the field.

As you can see from my resume, I have taken a few marketing courses and did a short internship last summer. I’m really interested in social media and content creation and would like to learn more.

Please find enclosed my resume. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,
Olivia Bennett

That cover letter wouldn’t have taken Olivia very far. Thankfully, she used the guidance from our online resume builder to create a much more effective internship cover letter in no time. Follow the steps below to learn how you can do it too:

2. Start With the Basics

Let’s tackle the simple steps first—begin crafting your internship cover letter by gathering the necessary contact information for the cover letter header. You can copy and paste details from your resume, then add the date and include the hiring manager’s contact information along with the company’s address.

Here’s what Olivia’s cover letter header looks:

Cover Letter Header

Olivia Bennett

Marketing Major

45 Elm Street

Brooklyn, NY 11211

September 19, 2024

David Henderson

Marketing Manager

BrightWave Media

234 River Avenue

New York, NY 10010

Dear David,

Why is this cover letter header effective?

• It contains all the necessary contact information.
• It’s directed to the appropriate hiring manager.
• It includes a correct salutation with the addressee’s name.

Regarding the greeting: it’s ideal when you know the name of the hiring manager—simply address them directly. If their name isn’t available in the job posting or on the company’s website, you can address the cover letter to the hiring manager, HR department, or the hiring committee.

3. Make Your Introduction Stand Out

An engaging cover letter introduction is essential, especially when writing a cover letter for an internship and competing against other students eager for their first job offer. Here are a few techniques you can use:

• Show admiration for the company by mentioning recent accomplishments.
• Share a personal connection to the company, such as being an alumnus or knowing someone who works there.
• Mention how you’ve read or heard about the company in the media.
• Highlight your respect for the company’s leadership (but don’t overdo it).

Personally, I find the first approach most effective, but all of these methods aim to create a connection with the company.

Here’s how Olivia introduced her cover letter:

Cover Letter for Internship—Introduction

I am writing to express my interest in the Marketing Internship position at BrightWave Media. As a third-year marketing student at New York University with a passion for digital strategies and content creation, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and enthusiasm to your innovative team.

What makes Olivia’s introduction strong?

• She clearly states the position she’s applying for.
• She shows familiarity with the company and aligns her values with theirs.
• She provides a brief overview of her qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.

4. Show You Can Go Beyond the Expectations

Your cover letter shouldn’t just repeat your resume. Instead, it should provide deeper insights into your skills and career motivation, showing how you’re prepared to exceed expectations in the role. That’s why the middle section of your internship cover letter is crucial for showcasing your strengths.

You have two main options for this section:

• Use bullet points to match your accomplishments with the job’s requirements.
• Write a couple of focused paragraphs that highlight your professional achievements and how they align with the role.

Here’s how Olivia did it:

Internship Cover Letter Middle Part

During my time at NYU, I have completed coursework in social media marketing, consumer behavior, and data analytics, which has provided me with a solid foundation in the key concepts of modern marketing. I also gained practical experience during a summer internship at BlueSky Marketing, where I assisted with the development of social media campaigns, analyzed engagement data, and contributed to blog content, increasing website traffic by 15% over two months.

What draws me to BrightWave Media is your reputation for creative marketing strategies and your commitment to helping brands connect with their audiences in meaningful ways. I am eager to learn from your talented team and apply my skills to help your clients achieve their goals.

What makes these middle paragraphs effective?

• They focus on experiences directly relevant to the job requirements, like developing social media campaigns and analyzing engagement data.
• They highlight measurable achievements, demonstrating the candidate’s ability to contribute meaningful results.
• They explain how Olivia’s past work experience aligns with the goals and reputation of BrightWave Media.

Smart Idea: Review the company’s website to learn about its marketing strategies, recent campaigns, and overall brand approach. Use this information to tailor your cover letter and show how your skills and experience align with their vision. For example, if the company emphasizes creative storytelling, mention how you’ve contributed to similar campaigns in your previous roles.

5. Explain What You’ll Contribute

Now it’s time to show the hiring manager what you can bring to the team. But avoid stating the obvious—saying “I’ll help with marketing” when you’re applying for a marketing internship isn’t enough (and it’s not very exciting). Instead, mention how you plan to improve social media engagement or optimize marketing strategies based on data analysis.

Take a look at what Olivia promised in her cover letter for an internship:

Cover Letter for Internship—Promise

What draws me to BrightWave Media is your reputation for creative marketing strategies and your commitment to helping brands connect with their audiences in meaningful ways. I am eager to learn from your talented team and apply my skills to create well-targeted campaigns and engaging content that help your clients achieve their goals.

What makes Olivia’s proposition strong?

• It sets clear goals: optimizing campaigns and increasing engagement.
• It highlights unique strengths, like data analysis and trend identification.
• It’s concise and straight to the point.

Your objectives might differ. You could focus on things like improving customer engagement, enhancing brand awareness, streamlining marketing processes, or introducing creative content strategies. Choose one or two goals that resonate with your strengths and the company’s mission.

6. Show Engagement & Close the Letter Professionally

End your cover letter on a strong note by using a call to action. Invite the reader to connect with you, suggesting a meeting or a call. Be clear about what you’d like to discuss, showing you’re proactive.

Here’s Olivia’s example:

Internship Cover Letter Ending

I would love the opportunity to further discuss how my background and skills align with the needs of your team. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,

Olivia Bennett

(123) 456-7890

evelyn.rivera@email.com

linkedin.com/in/evelyn.rivera

www.evelyndoesmath.com

Why is this ending effective?

• It’s direct yet professional.
• It shows Olivia’s excitement about the role.
• It encourages further contact with a specific focus—discussing her contribution to the team.

After your closing paragraph, add a formal sign-off and repeat your contact details.

Here’s another tip: consider adding a P.S. to grab the reader’s attention. A strong P.S. can highlight a key achievement and prompt immediate contact. For example:

Only use a P.S. when you have a standout point to make. If not, feel free to skip it.

Now you have the key insights on how to write a compelling cover letter for internships. If you’re looking for more in-depth advice, check out these helpful articles:

• Do You Need a Cover Letter in 2024?
• General Cover Letter: Guide & Tips
• Outline for a Successful Cover Letter

Otherwise, read further to learn about how to set up a cover letter template.

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Format Your Teacher Cover Letter Professionally

Now, let’s make sure your internship cover letter looks polished. The format should match the layout of your internship resume. If you’ve used one of ResumeLab’s templates, there’s a matching cover letter design for consistency. If not, follow these guidelines:

• Align the content of your cover letter to the left.
• Use single-line spacing, but leave a double space between paragraphs.
• Set 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Choose a professional cover letter font that matches the one you used in your resume.
• Make the text easy to read by using a font size between 11–12pt.
• Keep your cover letter to one page or less.

A generic cover letter that is two pages long and lacks key information (such as achievements and motivation) is unlikely to be read. The cover letter should be personalized and tailored to the specific role you are applying for.

Formatting a cover letter for an internship is fairly simple, but if you need guidance, you can always use an online resume builder to simplify the process.

If you want to read more about cover letter layouts, check up on these guides:

• Cover Letter Templates to Try Now
• Email Cover Letter: Guide & Samples
• Free Cover Letter Templates for Word

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Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Just pick one of 21 resume templates and get started now.

Now that you’re well-versed in writing an internship cover letter, don’t let anything hold you back from landing the position. Why not give our cover letter builder a try and create your application in no time? Good luck!

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