Cover Letter for an Internship—Examples & Easy Writing Guide

Here’s the problem:

Most intern cover letters say, “I’m a hard worker and I fit the job.”

That’s spammy. Hiring managers ignore it.

But—

According to a Robert Half survey, 90% of executives say cover letters matter.

See the disconnect?

A great cover letter isn’t just a title page. It shows you fit the job like you were born to it.

The good news?

It’s not hard to write a cover letter for an internship that clicks.

This internship cover letter template will get you to the interview.

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Sample Cover Letter for Internships

A cover letter for internship has to be tailored to the specific intern position you are applying for. It should briefly describe your relevant work, skills, education and additional experiences that make you the best fit for a given internship.

Now here’s how to write a cover letter for internships like that:

1. Use the Right Internship Letter Format

Start strong.

The right cover letter format for internships shows competence before they read a word.

This is how to format a cover letter for internship:

• Use the best fonts like Arial or Cambria in 10–14pt with 1-inch margins.
• Put your address up top, the date, then the manager’s address.
• Make a one-page internship cover letter. Longer letters signal self-importance.
• Lead with your best achievement. It should match the internship and make the hiring manager say, “Wow.”
• In the second paragraph, show passion and job-fitting accomplishments.
• In paragraph three, say why the internship is perfect for you.
• End with an offer to discuss how you can help.
• Add “kind regards” or “best regards” and then your name.

Expert Hint: A letter of interest for an internship is different. Use internship cover letters when the position is published openly. Send a letter of interest when it’s not.

2. Address Your Cover Letter for Internships the Right Way

Wondering how to address a cover letter for internships?

It’s not hard.

Just list:

• Your contact info
• The date
• The manager’s contact info
• A salutation like Dear Andre,

This internship cover letter example shows how:

Example Cover Letter for Internship—Address

Simple.

Internship Email

In an internship cover letter email, drop the street addresses and date.

Just put your contact info at the end.

Expert Hint: Never write a to whom it may concern cover letter. Start your intern cover letter with Dear Andre or Dear Susan. Don’t know the name? Dear marketing team hiring manager works almost as well.

3. Start Your Internship Cover Letter with a Blazing Achievement

How do you start a cover letter for internships?

Well—

You need to get them reading.

That won’t work if you waste words.

Start your intern cover letter with your flashiest accomplishment.

These internship cover letter samples show the difference:

Cover Letter Example for Internship—First Sentence

I was excited when I received Brown University's Outstanding Senior Award for my project on smart morphing surfaces.

I’m applying for your position of engineering internship. I graduated with a degree in engineering in May...

Huge difference.

The first of those cover letter examples for internships will make the hiring manager spill her kombucha.

The second one is just like all the rest.

Expert Hint: How to pick your best achievement for a cover letter for internships? Match it to the internship’s needs. That means researching the position and the company.

4. Add Passion to Your Intern Cover Letter

How do you write the middle of an internship cover letter?

See—

Getting them to start reading is not enough.

You have to sell them something.

To do that:

• Show your passion.
• Prove you’re more than just a one-hit wonder.

This cover letter sample for internships nails it:

Cover Letter for Internship Example

The internship wants skills in: (1) design and leadership (2) written communication (3) Six Sigma.

You’re in the door.

Why does that internship cover letter example work?

Because it proves you’re driven. Then it gives hard evidence.

It packs extra punch because the bullets tie you to the internship.

Expert Hint: If you really want the internship, research it and the organisation. Reach out to employees on LinkedIn and ask to chat about the company’s needs.

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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5. Say Why this Internship Is Perfect For You

What’s next in a cover letter for internships?

You can’t just list achievements.

You need to prove you’ll crush this internship.

So, say why it matters.

This internship cover letter example shows how:

Cover Letter Sample for Internship—Proving It’s a Fit

Solid.

That internship cover letter example sample will get employers nodding.

It proves you’ll work hard because you share company goals.

Expert Hint: It’s okay to drop names in a cover letter for internships. If someone at the organisation is rooting for you, don’t assume they’ll tell the hiring manager themselves.

6. PS — End a Cover Letter for Internships with a Request

How to end a cover letter for internships?

Don’t assume they’ll call you.

Ask them to.

But—

Do it with an offer, like this internship cover letter example:

Example Cover Letter for Internships — The Request

Sold.

That engineering internship cover letter example will get you on the interview list.

It shows you’re ready to help, and asks for an appointment.

Add an Intern Cover Letter PS for Extra Credit:

P.S. draws the eye like a magnet.

If you’ve got another job-matching achievement, put it in a P.S.

Use this sample cover letter internship clip as a guide:

The hiring manager won’t miss that cover letter for internships achievement. Not even if he’s late to an appointment.

Remember, most execs say cover letters matter.

Expert Hint: How to end a cover letter for internships? Use an old standby like Best regards, or Kind regards. They’re tried and true and keep the spotlight on your job-matching achievements.

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Nail it all with a splash of colour, 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 18 CV templates and get started now.

Key Points

For a cover letter for internships that makes employers read your CV with care:

1. Start with a professional header and your contact info.
2. Say Dear [name], or Dear XYZ internship hiring manager.
3. Lead with your most eye-popping achievement that fits the internship.
4. Target the internship’s needs in paragraph #2.
5. In paragraph #3, say why the position is perfect.
6. Make an offer to connect.
7. End with a formal closing and your name.
8. Add a bonus achievement in a PS to stand out.

Got questions on how to write a great cover letter? Need more templates? Check out these free MS Word Cover Letter Templates. Still need to write your CV for internship? Leave a comment. We’re happy to reply.

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