Writing an internship cover letter

Are you applying for an internship this summer? Then, you definitely need a strong cover letter to go with your job applications.

Most employers request that you send in a cover letter with your resume when you apply for an internship. Even if the employer hasn’t specifically asked for it, a cover letter can significantly help you stand out from the competition. Employers admire the extra effort you put into writing a cover letter for your job application. Not only that, but a cover letter also gives you the chance to emphasize your passion and interest in the job.

With this article, we will explore the basics of writing an internship cover letter to go with your resume.

How to write an internship cover letter

Your internship job application needs a well-written cover letter that highlights your enthusiasm and passion for the job as well as the relevant qualifications that you possess. Here’s what you should do when writing your internship cover letter:

1. Start with your target role

Your cover letter should first mention the job that you are applying for. This helps you tie up the content of your cover letter with the role. Also, the hiring manager can easily understand your goal in writing the letter. It also sends the message that you created the cover letter specifically for the open position and did not just send in a generic letter. All these little things help build a positive first impression about you in the hiring manager’s mind.

2. Match with your resume

You can give your job application a more professional appearance by matching your cover letter to the resume. The easiest way to do this is by recreating the same header on your cover letter. You can also use consistent formatting throughout the two documents. Use the same size margins and fonts for your cover letter and resume. Keep the colors consistent between the two documents and ensure that the documents are presented in similar colored paper.

3. Use the right keywords

Did you know that your cover letter should also mention keywords? Many job seekers don’t know this. Your cover letter becomes a valuable asset to your job applications when you incorporate the right keywords into the letter. You can review the employer’s job description to identify the most important keywords for the job application and then make sure that they are displayed on your cover letter.

4. Highlight relevant coursework and projects

Since you are applying for an internship, employers will be very interested in the kind of experience you have. You can use your coursework and projects to emphasize work experience on your cover letter. As a college graduate, you can even mention your related assignments, publications, or other academic achievements to highlight relevant work experience for the role.

5. Talk about your skills

Your skills are very important when applying for an internship. Most often, the required skills for a role are important keywords. In these cases, it is imperative that you mention those keywords in your cover letter to get noticed by the employer. You may have developed a lot of new skills during your college years or apprenticeship. These skills should be highlighted in the body of your cover letter. Use suitable examples from past internships, volunteer work, or projects to highlight your skills.

6. Mention your passion for the role

You should not only talk about yourself when writing a cover letter for an internship. You should also show the employer that you have done your share of research on them and are excited to join their institution as an intern. Identify common passions or interests that you have with the employer and bring them out in your cover letter. Mention how enthusiastic you are about getting a chance to work with them and show the employer what you can do for them should you join the business.

7. Explain why you are the right fit

Skills and experiences aren’t the only things that an employer is looking for when making hiring decisions. They also want to know whether you will be the right match for the company culture. Your cover letter should tell potential employers that you will be the perfect fit for the role because of your qualifications as well as personal attributes that align with the company culture.

8. Add a call to action

Finally, you must end your cover letter with a strong conclusion. You can recap your biggest selling points and reiterate your interest in the job in the final paragraph of your cover letter. The closing paragraph should contain one very important thing – a call to action. Tell the hiring manager that you are waiting for a call from them to schedule an interview or tell them that you are looking forward for a chance to meet them. Then, close the cover letter professionally.

By?Resume Mansion