Internship Cover Letter Examples and Writing Tips

If you are applying for an internship, you will likely have to submit a cover letter as part of your application. Your cover letter should be tailored to the specific internship for which you're applying and include examples from your work, academic, and extracurricular experiences.

When writing a cover letter for an internship position, it's important to share your most relevant qualifications with the hiring manager. When you don't have much (or any) formal work experience, you can include school activities, volunteering, educational programs, and other learning experiences.

What to Include in a Cover Letter

Your cover letter should include your contact information, a greeting, the reason you're writing, why you're a qualified applicant for the position, and a closing.

Contact Information: How you address the cover letter will depend on whether you are sending a printed or email cover letter and the contact information you have for the employer. In a printed letter, the contact information will be at the top of the letter. For an email, add your contact information below your typed name.

Salutation: The salutation is the greeting you include at the beginning of a cover letter. For example, “Dear Hiring Manager.”

Body of Letter: The body of a cover letter includes the sections where you explain why you are interested in and qualified for the job for which you are applying. This typically includes an introductory paragraph, a paragraph or two describing your qualifications, and a closing paragraph.

Closing: When you're writing a cover letter or sending an email message to apply for a job, it's important to close your cover letter professionally. For example, use a closing such as “Sincerely” or “Respectfully.”

Signature: In a printed cover letter, you’ll add a written signature above your printed name. For an email cover letter, add a line break after the closing and type your name.

Tips for Writing an Internship Cover Letter

Use business letter format. Use proper business letter format when sending a cover letter by mail. Include your contact information at the top, followed by the date, and the contact information for the employer. Be sure to provide a proper salutation, and sign your name at the bottom. If you are sending the cover letter via email, you do not have to include the contact information at the top. Instead, place this as part of your email signature at the end of your letter.

Customize your cover letter. It's important to write a unique cover letter for each internship for which you apply. Highlight skills and abilities you have that relate to the specific internship listing. The main emphasis of your cover letter should be convincing the reader that you will be an asset as an intern.

Provide specific examples. If you mention you have a particular skill or ability in your cover letter, be sure to prove this with a specific example from your past work, academic, or extracurricular experience.

Add keywords to your letter. One way to individualize your letter is to use keywords from the internship listing. For example, if the listing says the intern needs to have excellent time management skills, include an example of how you have demonstrated time management skills in the past. You'll be able to show the hiring manager that they have the skills you are seeking.

Emphasize your academic experience. In the letter, you can mention academic experience, if applicable. Especially if you have limited work experience, you might use examples from school to demonstrate you have particular skills. For example, if the internship requires you to work as part of a team, provide an example of a successful team project you worked on during one of your college courses.

Include extracurricular experiences. You can also include details about your relevant experience from extracurricular activities or volunteer work. For example, a reporter for a college newspaper can point to interviewing and writing skills; a history of volunteering at a shelter can provide an example of strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

Mention how you will follow up. Towards the end of your letter, say how you will follow up with the employer. You might say you will call the office to follow up in about a week (don't follow up any sooner). However, do not include this if the internship listing specifically says not to contact the office.

Carefully proofread and edit. Be sure to thoroughly proofread your cover letter for spelling and grammar errors. Many internships are very competitive, and any error can hurt your chances of getting an interview. Also, avoid using too many words to convey your information and intent. Keep your points brief and targeted.

Internship Cover Letter Examples

Review sample printed and email cover letters for internship positions, and get a template to download to use as a starting point for your own letter.

Internship Cover Letter Template

Download the cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs or Word Online), or read the example below.

How to Write an Email Cover Letter

If you're sending your cover letter via email, your format will be slightly different than a traditional letter. List your name and the job title in the subject line of the email message.

Include your contact information in your email signature, and don't list the employer's contact information (also don’t list your contact information at the top of the message). Start your email message with the salutation. 

Email Cover Letter Example

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)