Cover Letter for Internship: How to Write + Examples

Summary

In this video, Corissa, a Content Specialist at Resume Genius, provides essential tips for writing an impactful internship cover letter. She explains how to structure the letter, from introducing yourself and showcasing your enthusiasm to highlighting relevant skills and achievements. Corissa emphasizes the importance of personal anecdotes, like a middle school project, to make your application memorable. By following her advice, you'll create a compelling cover letter that demonstrates your passion and potential, even without extensive professional experience. The video concludes with advice on crafting a strong resume and how to schedule an interview.

Takeaways

• 😀 The cover letter is more important than the resume when applying for an internship, as it can grab the hiring manager's attention.
• 😀 Your opening paragraph should introduce yourself, explain how you found the internship, and express why you're interested in the role.
• 😀 Hiring managers often don’t read every cover letter in full, so it's crucial to be courteous and direct from the start.
• 😀 Highlight your enthusiasm and willingness to learn, even if you don’t have extensive professional experience.
• 😀 Personal anecdotes, like a middle school project, can make your application memorable and demonstrate your passion for the field.
• 😀 The body of your cover letter should match your skills and experiences with the internship’s requirements, including relevant coursework and extracurricular activities.
• 😀 Demonstrating key skills such as communication, research, time management, and conflict management can make your application stand out.
• 😀 List notable achievements that highlight your skills, like organizing events or publishing academic work, to strengthen your case.
• 😀 Restate your interest in the internship, align your experiences with the company’s goals, and express your excitement about the opportunity.
• 😀 Close your cover letter professionally by thanking the hiring manager, providing your contact information, and expressing your interest in scheduling an interview.

Q & A

Why is the cover letter more important than the resume when applying for an internship?

The cover letter is more important because it can grab the hiring manager’s attention and offer insights that aren't immediately available from the resume, such as your enthusiasm, personal motivation, and fit for the position.

What are the three main things an opening paragraph in an internship cover letter should do?

The opening paragraph should introduce yourself as a candidate, explain how you found the internship, and express why you're interested in the position.

How can you set a conversational tone in the opening of your cover letter?

You can set a conversational tone by providing background information on how you came across the internship and introducing yourself in a friendly, professional manner.

Why is it important to highlight your enthusiasm and willingness to learn in an internship cover letter?

Since internships typically require less professional experience, hiring managers want to see a candidate's enthusiasm, passion for learning, and potential to grow, which can be more important than having extensive experience.

How can you incorporate a personal touch in your cover letter to make it memorable?

Including a personal anecdote or story, like the example of running a bubble tea stand, can make your application stand out and help the hiring manager remember you.

What should you focus on in the body paragraphs of your internship cover letter?

In the body paragraphs, focus on your relevant skills, experiences, and academic achievements that align with the internship's responsibilities and requirements.

How should you match your skills with the requirements of the internship in your cover letter?

You should carefully review the internship description and match the skills listed with your educational background or any relevant experiences you have, such as coursework or extracurricular activities.

What are some skills to highlight in an internship cover letter?

Skills to highlight can include communication, research, time management, and conflict resolution, especially if they are mentioned in the internship description.

How can you present your achievements in the body of your cover letter?

Present your achievements with specific examples that showcase the skills you have, such as organizing events or publishing a thesis, to highlight your accomplishments and strengths.

What should be included in the closing paragraph of your internship cover letter?

The closing paragraph should restate your interest in the internship, explain how your skills align with the company's needs, and thank the hiring manager for their time. You should also express your desire for an interview.