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Contact information. At the top of your cover letter, you’ll want to include your contact information just under your name. Your header should reflect your resume, so be sure it’s the same font type and size.
Double-check all of your information on your letter, as this will be the way your potential internship employer contacts you to follow up on your application or interview. Additionally, you can consider including your employer’s contact information. This is most common on a formal, hard copy cover letter that’s handed directly to the employer.Salutation. Depending on your relationship with the employer, you may or may not know who to address your cover letter to initially. However, it’s important to do your research in order to avoid the very generic “To Whom It May Concern” salutation. Check out the company’s website, or if you’re working with a recruiter, ask them directly.
Cover letter opening. This is one of the most critical parts of your cover letter as it sets the tone and expectation for your interview. You’ll want to be sure you get the employer’s attention and articulate the internship you’re applying for.
Cover letter body. For internships, this can be a tricky task. Think about the internship you’re applying for and consider any skills or abilities you possess that could translate well to the responsibilities at hand.
If you’re having trouble coming up with these, consider discussing your passion for the specific industry, the job opportunity, or the company. If you’ve done your research on the company and their products or services, be sure to include tidbits throughout your letter as well.Closing. A formal closing on cover letters is best, such as “Best regards,” or “Sincerely.” Don’t use informal closings like “Peace” or “Later” since your cover letter should give off your most professional voice.
Signature. If you are sending your cover letter through mail or handing it to the potential employer during a screening interview, it’s a great idea to add a handwritten signature as an extra touch. If you are submitting your cover letter via email, typing your name is acceptable.
Or print it, sign it, scan it, and email the document with your signature on it -- if you feel like going the extra mile.An effective opening. Your first sentence shouldn’t be the generic, “I am writing to apply for the internship with the Sample Company.” Instead, get a little creative. Try to think about why you want this job and craft your first sentence around something unique to you.
What you’re applying for. Your following sentence or the latter half of the first sentence should mention what job you are applying for. If the internship program has a specific name, be sure to include that as well.
Example Opening:
“I have always loved advertisements. Whether they were on the television, the internet, or delivered via mail, advertisements and ad copy have always captured my attention. That’s why I think I’d be a perfect fit for the Advertisement Intern Position at Sample Company.”
Your value. Articulate the specific skills that you can bring to this position. Depending on your experience, you may have industry-specific knowledge that you can bring to the table. If you don’t, consider past jobs you may have held.
Did you work with customers? Did you need to keep things organized? There are often easily transferable skills that hiring managers are happy to see, even if they’re not in the related field.Your enthusiasm. Part of what sets candidates apart in internship opportunities is their enthusiasm and genuine passion for the industry, the company, or the job. Be sure to articulate how excited you are to have the opportunity to work with professionals in this field and specific things about the company that you may appreciate.
Company knowledge. Do your research before you apply for a job and write your cover letter. Understand their products or services, and be sure you sprinkle them throughout your cover letter. As an intern, you may be able to find information about others who have completed an internship at this company.
Example Body:
“As a student at Penn State University with a focus in Marketing, I believe that I can be a valuable asset to the Sample Company as an intern. I have learned many digital marketing tactics during my time at PSU, including working with programs like Pardot, Marketo, and WordPress. I am extremely passionate about developing my copywriting skills and learning more about the process of digital marketing. Having the opportunity to work with seasoned professionals from Sample Company would be a dream come true. I am an extremely hard worker and not afraid to jump into projects with both feet first. I feel as though I am a team player and would thrive well in a team environment. I’m a self-starter with a hunger to learn.”
Summarize your excitement. Give your potential employer another peek into your enthusiasm for this role. Consider discussing what makes you passionate about this industry or reiterate why you are impressed with the company.
Call to action. At the end of your cover letter, you’ll want to add a call to action that directs the reader to your resume and insinuates that you’re looking forward to the next time you speak to discuss the opportunity in further detail. This shows that you are both interested and confident in your abilities.
Closing. End your cover letter with a simple closing and your signature, such as “Best Regards” or “Sincerely.”
Example Closing:
“Sample Company is doing so many innovative things in their marketing department. One of my marketing professors even used your Product Awareness campaign as an example in one of our classes, and that sparked my interest in your internship program. The more I read, the more impressed and excited I am about this amazing opportunity. Please review my enclosed resume for more details about my experience and education. Thank you for the opportunity to apply to Sample Company. I look forward to discussing this opportunity in further detail. Sincerely, Angela Crow.”
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Angela Crow 234 Windshire Lane, Detroit, Michigan, 48002 angela.crow@gmail.com 313-468-5786 November 1, 2021 Sample Company RE: Advertisement Intern Position Dear Barry Lane, I have always loved advertisements. Whether they were on the television, the internet, or delivered via mail, advertisements and ad copy have always captured my attention. That’s why I think I’d be a perfect fit for the Advertisement Intern Position at Sample Company. As a student at Penn State University with a focus in Marketing, I believe that I can be a valuable asset to the Sample Company as an intern. I have learned many digital marketing tactics during my time at PSU, including working with programs like Pardot, Marketo, and Wordpress. I am extremely passionate about developing my copywriting skills and learning more about the process of digital marketing. Having the opportunity to work with seasoned professionals from Sample Company would be a dream come true. I am an extremely hard worker and not afraid to jump into projects with both feet first. I feel as though I am a team player and would thrive well in a team environment. I’m a self-starter with a hunger to learn. Sample Company is doing so many innovative things in their marketing department. One of my marketing professors even used your Product Awareness campaign as an example in one of our classes, and that sparked my interest in your internship program. The more I read, the more impressed and excited I am about this amazing opportunity. Please review my enclosed resume for more details about my experience and education. Thank you for the opportunity to apply to Sample Company. I look forward to discussing this opportunity in further detail. Sincerely, Angela Crow