Cover Letter for Internship: 2022 Guide With 10+ Examples

by Hiration

What is that one step in job application that is often neglected but is extremely important?

Approximately 53% of employers say a resume alone is not enough when applying for a job.

Now imagine there is a job that you really want. You have been longing to appear for the interview. Day and night you have been reckoning what possible questions could be asked and what answers you would give to the interviewers to sweep them off their feet.

What if we tell you that you are missing out on one major thing that can act as a weapon in your favor. A little elf that can do wonders to your job application process through its magic.

Yes. We are talking about the most common yet less often used letter called the cover letter.

49% of recruiters view a cover letter as an important factor to give attention to any job application.

Here we will discuss the most frequently asked questions or topics related to the cover letter for an internship.

What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is an additional document that job seekers attach to their resumes to stand out from the crowd. Sounds boring, right?

Let’s doll up our definition of what is a cover letter.

A cover letter is a driving factor that propels recruiters to fall head over heels for you. Not kidding. Drafting an impressive cover letter is an art in the world of business. It tells your story to the recruiters. Wouldn’t it be nice if your story was heard with interest by your targeted audience (read recruiters)?

You can also understand a cover letter as a compelling sales pitch which allows you a moment to get the attention of the hiring managers. It showcases your eagerness and sincerity toward the job you have applied for.

Generally, a cover letter is attached along with a cv while applying for a job. Consider cv and cover letter as twins Annie and Hallie from The Parent Trap. They complement and help each other to support you in getting the recruiter's eyeballs.

What Is a Cv?

We have an idea about a cover letter, but what exactly is a CV?

A curriculum vitae is a detailed history of your professional and academic achievements. In the US, it is used in academia. While globally, it is used to get a job and is often used interchangeably with a resume.

Allow us a moment to share the meaning of the beautiful Latin word “curriculum vitae”. It translates to “the story of your life”. Then what is the difference between the story that a cv tells and the story of a cover letter?

While the cv narrates your in-depth professional and academic story, a cover letter tells the story of why you are applying to a particular job briefly.

Both cv and cover letter are your soldiers. They unite to fight for you so that you can bag that coveted job that you have been daydreaming about. When a cv and cover letter are tailored together, you can easily hit a bull’s eye.

Cv Vs Resume

Here comes another unsung hero without which you cannot land any job let alone the desired one. The norm to seek employment is to apply with a resume. It is a formal document that offers an overview of your professional, educational and personal details along with skills.

Is it any different than a cv?

A big YES.

Let us look at curriculum vitae vs resume.

A resume is a French word that means to sum up, and it exactly does that. No prattling only cut-to-the-point talk. It is job-oriented and highlights your skills. The work details are mentioned in brief.

On the hand, a cv is a chronological overview of your career. It is comprehensive and consists of all the achievements you have ever accomplished. The work details are elucidated at length in a cv.

What to Include in Cover Letter of Internship?

To paint your blank canvass with the hues of a cover letter, you will at least need to add a header, date, company, salutation, introduction, body, and conclusion. Let us look at the necessary inclusion in cover letter for an internships one by one.

  • Header
  • Date of application
  • Hiring managers’ contact information
  • A formal greeting
  • Introduction
  • Your achievements
  • Why you would be a good fit for their company
  • Your research about the company
  • Conclusion with a request to schedule a meeting
  • Sign off and signature

How to Write a Cover Letter?

Your cover letter is a message that will be sent to the recruiter suggesting why you should be considered for the internship. It will set up your first formal

Writing a cover letter as we mentioned earlier is an art but it can be scientific too as it involves following some important determinants. If you are wondering how to write a cover letter, keep these points in mind.

  • Ensure to address the cover letter to a specific person.
  • Highlight your relevant skill to emphasize how you will add value to the company.
  • Focus on how the job opportunity will help you meet your future goals.
  • Follow the introduction, body, and conclusion format.
  • Keep the word count limited to 300-400. Do not let the text exceed the 3/4th page limit.
  • Tailor the cover letter as per different opportunities.
  • Add important skills from the job description mentioned in the advertisement.
  • To make your accomplishments count, make use of numbers wherever possible.

Formatting of Cover Letter for Internship

The cover letter should always follow a particular format whether you are drafting a cover letter for an internship or job. While the formatting can make the cover letter more presentable, it can also compel the recruiters to pay attention to the cover letter by simply opening the document.

A good cover letter for an internship or job must be formatted in a basic manner.

Font Size

The font size should be between 10.5 and 12. A larger font size may look unprofessional, while a smaller would strain the eyes of the hiring managers.

Font Style

No matter what font style you choose, give it a moment’s time and think if it gives a professional look. Arial, Times New Roman, and Helvetica are some commonly used font styles when comes to drafting cover letters.

Spacing

The letters should be spaced correctly so that the reading is not interrupted. Leave space once you finish one particular paragraph in the body of the cover letter. Use the same for header, salutation, sign-off, signature, and your name.

Margins

Margins must be kept between 0.5 to 1 inch. Do not use large margins as it might make your cover letter look less filled.

Font Color

Choose a normal black color for text unless you are looking for an internship in a creative field like that of a graphic designer.

File Format

While saving your cover letter, choose pdf or doc format so that it can be easily accessed by the recruiters.

Naming the File

To name the document while saving, choose a professional format like your name-job title-cover letter.

How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship?

If you are applying for an internship, it might not be necessary that you will have an abundance of experience. In such cases, your skills will be your superpower. You must draft your cover letter for the internship in such a way that the hiring managers are convinced to forward your candidature for processing.

Some points can help you write your cover letter in an intriguing way.

Mention the Exact Role

Stating the exact role you are applying for shows that you have given sufficient thought to the job opportunity. The hiring manager will perceive you as someone who has walked the extra mile to draft the cover for that particular position.

Make Use of the Keywords

The use of the right keywords will help recruiters decide whether you are the right fit for the position. Since hiring managers do not give more than 6-10 seconds to a cover letter, they often scan for relevant keywords in a cover letter to decide if they want to move forward with your candidature.

Mention Relevant Course Details

It is understandable that you are looking for an internship so that eventually you can groom yourself for a full-time position. The internship will provide you with the experience that will come in handy later. Hence provide the details of your coursework that is relevant to the internship opportunity.

Emphasize Relevant Skills

If you do not have prior experience, elaborate on the skills that you might have gained in carrying out projects, volunteering activities, or classes. Remember that you are advertising yourself, so everything relevant will count.

Explain Why You Are a Good Fit for the Internship

Go through the internship advertisement and find out what exactly is required. Mention the same in your cover letter so that the recruiters' need is aligned with what you have to offer.

Highlight What You Will Gain From the Internship

What you are going to learn from the internship equally counts. If you will express the same in your cover letter, the hiring managers will understand that not only you are a catch, but you have clarity of thought too. You know the opportunity will serve you well, let the recruiters know too.

Internship Cover Letter Example

A cover letter can help you land an internship that can not only enhance your skills but also open the doorway to a full-time professional job opportunity. An example is mentioned below:

25th March, 2022
Linda Johnson
Hiring Manager

ABC Inc.
57, Brooks Lane San Francisco, CA

Re: Suitability for the role of Machine Learning Engineer

Dear Ms. Johnson,

I am writing to express my interest in the role of Machine Leaming Engineer at ABC Inc. I would like to grab this opportunity to serve in a value-based organization and prove to be a valuable asset to the company.

I am currently in the last semester of my B.Tech in AI and Machine Learning. In my previous internship as a Machine Learning Engineer Internee at Huges Resorts Ltd., I was instrumental in designing and deploying ML algorithms for resolving open-ended problems. I employed decision trees to build predictive modes for anticipating customer beta current upselling products & services. Additionally, I was honored with the Stand-out Performer and Achiever of the Month awards for significantly contributing to the organization's growth and surpassing targets.

It is difficult to come away un-awed by the passion for excellence that ABC Inc. has displayed in its meteoric rise to fame impressed by a collaborative working style that emphasizes teamwork, trust & commitment consider ABC Inc. to be my most preferred employer.

Enclosed for your consideration is my resume. I would appreciate the opportunity to farmer discuss my suitability and qualifications with you on call or in person.

Sincerely
Noah Flynn

Key Takeaways

A cover letter for the internship is an essential add-on in the process of applying for the job. Recruiters will certainly notice you if you attach a cover letter with your email containing your resume.

Sometimes recruiters would make it mandatory to add a cover letter in the application process, other times it is understood that the applicant will send a cover letter.

No matter what the circumstance, keep these takeaways in mind when you next apply for an internship.

  • A cover letter will improve your chances of getting shortlisted as it would convey your sincerity and effort.
  • It is different from a cv primarily because while a cv gives an in-depth overview of your academic and professional achievements, a cover letter focuses on the reason for your interest in the job opportunity.
  • A cover letter must include a header, date, address, introduction, body, conclusion, and signature.
  • Always address the cover letter to a specific person. In case you do not know the person, address by the department.
  • Highlight your skills and projects undertaken in college/university.
  • Keep the word count to a maximum of 400 for a cover letter.
  • Quote figures if you have them in your cover letter and follow the introduction, body, and conclusion format.
  • Formatting should be rightly done as it will make easy reading for the recruiters.
  • Use keywords from the job advertisement.
  • If you do not have industry experience, emphasize relevant course details.
  • Explain why you are a suitable candidate and how you can grow from the opportunity.

Do you still have any queries regarding the cover letter for the internship or any related topic?

Reach out to Hiration's Career Activator Platform, which has 24/7 chat aid and professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.

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