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How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship? (+5 Real Internship Cover Letter Examples)

• Júlia Mlčúchova , 
• Updated March 20, 2024 8 min read

Trying to figure out how to write a cover letter for an internship ? Look no further!

POV: After weeks and weeks of searching for the right internship opportunity, you've finally found it. But, at the end of the posting, there's a single short sentence that takes you aback:  “Please, attach a cover letter to your application .”

Although some consider cover letter writing to be a relic of the past, it still holds its rightful place in the professional world. 

Because a well-written and persuasive cover letter can sometimes make up for the lack of work experience on your resume . And if you're trying to apply for an internship , this is probably your case, too. 

So, continue reading this article and learn: 

• What is a cover letter for an internship;
• Whether you need to attach a cover letter to your internship application;
• How to write one in 7 steps;
• 5 real-life internship cover letter examples .

Table of Contents

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What is a cover letter for an internship?

Do you need a cover letter for an internship, how to write a cover letter for an internship in 7 steps, 5 real-life internship cover letter examples, key takeaways: how to write a cover letter for an internship.

Generally speaking, an internship cover letter is a formal document that accompanies your resume when applying for an internship. 

When it comes to its content, a cover letter for an internship falls somewhere between a traditional cover letter and a motivational letter . 

• A traditional cover letter , used by job applicants with years of experience, is supposed to underline some of the candidate's most relevant and impressive skills, qualifications, and work achievements . 
• A motivational letter , used mostly in academia, aims to communicate one's passion for the subject, their motivation, and personal goals . 

Hence, a cover letter for an internship combines the purpose of the traditional cover letter (convincing the recruiters that you're the right person for the job) with the tone and strategy of the motivational letter (writing about personal motivations and goals).

A truly successful internship cover letter should answer the following questions:

• Who are you? 
• Why are you interested in this particular internship?
• Why are you the best fit for this internship?
• What do you want to gain from this internship?

Absolutely! 

In fact, you should always attach a cover letter to your internship application , even if it isn't explicitly required from you.  

Why, you ask? 

Well, consider this: Internships are crucial stepping stones towards your dream career. And they're also incredibly competitive. A single internship opening can be answered by tens of applicants at a time. 

But how can you stand out from a crowd of equally inexperienced candidates? Certainly not by your non-existent professional accomplishments, right? 

When companies look for interns, they don't expect you to have a ton of real-life experience. They aren't looking for a “finished product,” but for someone with a genuine desire to learn and enthusiasm for the job. 

And these two are your weapons of choice!

How can a cover letter for an internship help you?

Apart from the reasons mentioned above, your internship cover letter is also responsible for: 

• Conveying first impression. Usually, recruiters will read your cover letter before looking at your resume. So, it's the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to them in a memorable way. 
• Showing your efforts. Next, taking the time to craft a thoughtful cover letter shows that you're willing to put in that extra effort to stand out from the rest of the candidates. 
• Highlighting your communication skills. Also, a well-written cover letter demonstrates your ability to articulate your thoughts clearly and professionally. 
• Showing your professionalism. When you walk into a room, it's polite to introduce yourself and shake everybody's hand. This is exactly what a cover letter does! To attach one to your application is a common courtesy.

Now that you're familiar with the whats and whys , let's have a look at how to write a good cover letter for an internship step-by-step. 

For example : Application for [name of the internship] internship – Surname.

Then, place your contact information (your name; professional email address; phone number; link to your website / portfolio / social media accounts if relevant) directly into the header .

If you know the recipient's name, address them by “ Dear [full name] ,” or “ Dear Mrs/Mr [last name] ,”. If you don't know who to address the cover letter to , address it more generally to “Dear Hiring Manager,” .

In the first paragraph of your cover letter , start by stating your name and where you studied (including your current degree and year of study). Proceed by explaining how you came to know about the internship and what are your motivations for applying to it.

Since you don't have much work experience, you can talk about your academic achievements; relevant coursework; dissertation project; extracurricular activities; volunteering; membership in relevant societies, etc.

The closing paragraph of your cover letter should reiterate your desire to get the specific internship, express gratitude to the recipient for their time and consideration, and include a final call for action (i.e. "I look forward to discussing the next steps during an interview." )

Finally, based on how you greeted the recipient of your cover letter, you can sign off with either “ Yours sincerely ,” or “ Yours faithfully ,” . If you addressed the recruiter by their name, sign off with the former; if not, use the latter.

Don't feel like writing your internship cover letter by hand?

Let our AI cover letter writer create the first draft of your internship cover letter!

Undoubtedly, the best way to learn something is to look at specific examples . And that's exactly what we're going to do right now! 

Below, we've prepared 5 internship cover letters written by real people with the help of our cover letter templates .

And, each of them is accompanied by our internship cover letter writing tips that you can implement into your own cover letter! 

FYI, you can use each of these examples as the first draft for your very own internship cover letter – simply click on the red button and start personalising the text (or let AI handle it).

#1 Philips Marketing Intern Cover Letter Sample

Internship cover letter example:.

This cover letter sample was provided by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.

What can you take away?

• Eye-catching header.  Firstly, the header is visually clearly separated from the rest of the text. This makes the recruiters notice it immediately. Plus, the contact information of the company is also featured in the left-hand corner - just like it would be on an actual letter.
• Research the company before applying. Notice sentences like: “ I really like and relate to what Philips stands for … ” and “ Furthermore, it is very appealing that Philips operates on an international level… ”.This shows that the candidate’s done a thorough research of the company's philosophy and structure.

#2 Warner Bros. Public Relations Intern Cover Letter Example

• Share a personal story. This can help you establish a sentimental connection between you and the company. Show them that for you, working for their company means more than any old internship.
• Name-drop a referral. Now, this is a little bit of a cheat code. But, if you happen to know about anyone who has worked/currently works for the company, slip their name into your cover letter.

#3 University of Massachusetts Boston Intern Cover Letter Example

What can you take away  .

• Write about what you want to gain from the internship. It shows that you're not there just to have something to put on your resume; but that you’re motivated by the idea of gaining actual industry knowledge and skills.

#4 Audit/Tax Summer Internship at CohnReznick Cover Letter Sample

• Mention any relevant academic activities. If you're wondering how to write a cover letter for an internship with no experience whatsoever, this is your way to go! For example, notice how this candidate noted all of his relevant courses, skills, association membership, and competition participation.
• Focus on transferrable skills. Especially when your study programme doesn't necessarily fit the internship opening to a T. Instead, focus on any transferable skills you've picked up. 

#5 Intern at NBC Cover Letter Sample

• Keep your opening and closing paragraphs short and sweet. As you can see in this example, it helps keep a certain visual harmony of the overall document. And, despite the length, both paragraphs do exactly what they're supposed to. Besides, recruiters might be discouraged to read the rest of your cover letter if your introductory paragraph is too long.

To sum it all up, an internship cover letter is a formal document that you submit together with your resume when applying for an internship. Its content should be something between a traditional cover letter and a motivational letter.

Its purpose is to introduce yourself to the recruiters in a more personal way than the resume allows. 

The main things you want your internship cover letter to communicate are:

• who you are,
• why you're interested in this opportunity,
• what make you the best fit for the internship, 
• your motivation (your long-term professional goals),
• your desire to learn (what you want to gain from the experience).

To write a truly impactful and persuasive cover letter, we recommend following these 7 key steps: 

• Specify which internship you're applying for in the subject line.
• Include your contact information in a header.
• Address the recipient appropriately.
• Introduce yourself & your motivations in the opening paragraph.
• Elaborate on why you're a good fit and what motivated you in body.
• End your cover letter with a confident closing paragraph.
• Finish off with a polite sign off. 

Finally, if you feel that the examples provided in this article aren't enough, you can always find more in our cover letter database . 

Julia is an experienced career writer at Kickresume, who brings you expert tips on how to score big in the job market. From helping people improve their English to gain admission to their dream university, to guiding them on how to advance professionally, it would seem that her own career is also on a steadfast trajectory. Julia holds a degree in Anglophone studies from Metropolitan University in Prague, where she also resides. Apart from creative writing and languages, she takes a keen interest in literature and theatre.

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Internship Cover Letter Templates (Free Download)

A good cover letter will separate you from the rest of the candidates. A cover letter provides a quick overview of your qualifications and skills. Most recruiters prefer to read the cover letters before verifying the resumes. An effective cover letter will complement your resume.

Both freshers and experienced candidates can submit cover letters for internships. As internships are mostly applied by freshers, here you can find some best cover letter examples which you can download for free.

Internship Cover Letter Example with No Experience 1

To The Human Resource Department, Company Name, Address.

Sub: Application for ……………… Internship.

I am [Your name] , recently completed my [Qualification] from [College/University name ] I am very interested in the …………………internship with the [Company name].

I am confident that my experiences, skills, and strong interests will make me a suitable candidate for this internship program. I am a firm believer that doing an internship with a reputable organization like yours will increase my knowledge. At the same time, I want to contribute to the organization with my knowledge and expertise.

I have enclosed my resume with more details on my education and skills and look forward to discussing my qualifications with you.

You can contact me at mobile number 9452XXXX50 (or) email id [email protected] . Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity.

Sincerely, Your name, Signature.

Fresher Internship Cover Letter Example 2

Sub: ………………… Internship Application from [Your Name]

My name is [your name] pursuing my final year of [Education] at [College Name] . I am writing to inquire about a ……………. internship opportunity in your esteemed organization.

I strongly believe that I have the knowledge and skills to complete this internship. For example, I have a very good knowledge of ………… and ………….. [Skills] , which makes me an ideal candidate.

I will be very grateful if you provide me with an internship opportunity, it would be very helpful to my career in this field.

In addition to the cover letter, I have included my resume for consideration. Thank you for taking the time to review my application and I look forward to hearing from you at your convenience.

Regards, Your name, Signature.

Internship Cover Letter Example 3

Sub: Applying for …………… internship.

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is [Your name] , applying for …………………… internship position at [Company name] . According to the requirements for the position, it fits very well with my educational and career interests.

I am currently pursuing my final year of [Education] , and looking to do an internship to get experience. My basic knowledge of ………….. and ……………. and familiarity with ……………. [Skill(s)] will make me a suitable candidate. I want to contribute as best I can to this internship.

Please find my attached resume with additional information about my education, experience, and professional memberships. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my qualifications for the internship more fully in an interview. I can be reached at 9456XXXX50 or by email at xxxxxgmail.com.

Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to talking with you soon.

Internship Cover Letter Example 4

Sub: Seeking ………………. internship at [Company Name] .

I am [Your name ], recently completed [Education] from [College/University Name]. According to your advertisement on Naukri.com , for …………………… internship position at [Company Name] , I wish to apply for this position.

I have the necessary knowledge and skills required for this internship. My deep understanding of ………….. [Subjects] , strong communication and interpersonal skills can make me an ideal candidate for this internship.

I believe that my knowledge and skills make me an excellent candidate for this internship in your organization.

I would like to make use of this opportunity to prepare for my future job search process after college.

Please reach me at mobile number 8545XXXX25 (or) via my email [email protected] . Thank you in advance for your time.

Yours sincerely, Your name, Signature.

Internship Cover Letter Example 5

Sub: ………………… internship application from [Your Name] .

I am writing regarding my interest in applying for an internship with [company name] , which I found on Naukri.com. I strongly believe my academic qualifications and skills meet all the necessary requirements. I am looking for an exciting and rewarding internship, which is why I want to apply for this internship.

I am currently in the final year of my [Education] at [College name] . I would like to use this internship as a first step toward advancing my professional career.

My basic understanding of [topics] and my ability to design, develop and test electrical systems will make me a good candidate for this internship. I want to improve my knowledge in a practical way by using my skills to serve your organization.

I would like to have a chance to discuss this further. Please find the enclosed resume for your kind consideration.

Internship Cover Letter Examples for Engineering

Sub: Application for ………… internship.

I am [Your name], came across your advertisement for ………………… internship in your organization. After careful reading of the job description, I found that this internship is the right opportunity for me to apply my theoretical knowledge in the real world.

Currently, I am pursuing my B.Tech CSE Final Year at Andhra University . I firmly believe my knowledge of software development and proficiency in JavaScript, Node.js, HTML, and CSS will make me the right fit for this internship.

I can bring my ability to solve problems, critical thinking, and dedication to this role and I can contribute significantly during my internship tenure.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely, Your name. Signature.

Sub: Applying for …………….. internship.

I write to express my interest to apply for the ……………….. internship in your organization. I am in my final year B.Tech Civil Engineering at Gitam Engineering College . I am looking forward to doing an internship in a reputed organization like yours before starting a full-time career.

I am familiar with on-site engineering, project planning, and scheduling. Additionally, I am proficient in AutoCAD and my ability to coordinate with clients and site engineers will make me an ideal fit for this internship position.

I can assure you that if I give this chance I would make use of my skills and abilities for the benefit of your organization.

I have enclosed my resume highlighting my education and work experience. I hope to have the opportunity to interview with you about this internship program. I can be reached at [email protected] (or) 8525XXXXX50 . Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Tips: How to Write a Good Cover Letter for Internship

• Address of the Recruiter: Address your cover letter to the hiring manager. If you don’t know who is the hiring manager, then you can address the cover letter to the Human Resources department.
• Salutation: Use a proper salutation like Dear Sir/Madam, or Respected Sir/Madam. If you know the name of the recruiter you can include his/her name in the cover letter.
• Purpose: The first paragraph of your cover letter should state the reason for writing the letter. Here the reason is applying for the internship. You can also mention how you came to know about the internship opportunity.
• Your Qualification & Experience: Clearly state your knowledge, skills, and qualification relevant to the internship. Reading the job description will give you a good idea of the internship requirements.
• Justify Your Eligibility: If you have specific qualifications and experience, use them to support your eligibility.
• Express Your Enthusiasm: Try to express your excitement in applying for the internship position. Use words like thrilled, excited, and delighted, etc to express your enthusiasm.
• Contact Information & Closing: Finally, ask the recruiter to review your resume for more details and give your contact information such as your mobile number and email id. It is best to thank the recruiter in advance for the time he or she spent reviewing your application.

Yes, the cover letter is necessary for an internship, but it is not compulsory. The use of a cover letter with your curriculum vitae provides an added benefit.

Purpose, 2. your introduction, and 3. Conclusion (Gratitude and your contact details).

1st part: The purpose for which you submit your resume and how you find the internship opportunity, such as a paper or online advertisement, etc. 2nd Part: Explain your qualification and skills relevant to the internship. 3rd Part: Ask the recruiter to verify your resume. 4th Part : Give your contact details.

Yes, it is good to use cover letters for freshers.

Don’t provide too much of your personal information and salary requirements in your cover letter.

A cover letter is also called as a job application (or) letter of introduction.

Recommended:

• Sample internship applications.
• Subject lines for job application emails.

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