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

• Julia Mlcuchova , 
• 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 has recently joined Kickresume as a career writer. From helping people with their English to get admitted to the uni of their dreams to advising them on how to succeed in the job market. It would seem that her career is 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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How to Write an Internship Cover Letter: 9 Tips (+ Examples)

A strong cover letter can get you noticed when applying for an internship. Find out how to craft a standout cover letter today. 

You’ve found an internship, and it’s exactly the opportunity you’ve been looking for to put you on the path to your dream job. But, the internship application requires you to send a cover letter .

Cover letters give you space to contextualize how your previous work experience and relevant skills make you a good fit for the position. They expand on your resume in a meaningful way that grabs a hiring manager’s attention and demonstrates why you’re undeniably the right person for the internship. 

In this article, you will find out how to put your best foot forward with nine tips for your internship cover letter. You will also find examples alongside each tip and a cover letter template to help you compose your own. Whether you’re a high school student, recent college graduate, or career switcher looking to start on a new path, these tips are for you. 

Internship cover letters: why you need one

Cover letters provide hiring managers with insight into an applicant's experience, skills, and aspirations. As a result, cover letters can be especially helpful to early-career seekers applying for internships because they provide a more detailed picture of their backgrounds than their resumes might. 

Whether a job description asks for a cover letter or not, it is usually a wise decision to send a unique resume to each internship to which you apply. In some cases, adding a cover letter can be the difference between landing the internship or not. 

Research conducted by ResumeGo between 2019 and 2020 found that cover letters can have a positive impact on how applications are interpreted by hiring managers. Among their many findings, the researchers found that [ 1 ]: 

87 percent of hiring managers said they read cover letters. 

65 percent of hiring managers said that cover letters influence their hiring decisions. 

81 percent of hiring managers valued cover letters tailored to a specific position over generic ones. 

78 percent of hiring managers said it was easy to tell when a cover letter was generic. 

These statistics suggest both the impact that a cover letter can have when applying for an internship and the importance of crafting one that speaks directly to the position. One thing is clear: cover letters matter. 

How to write a cover letter for an internship 

A cover letter is your chance to stand out from the crowded applicant pool. In this section, you’ll learn nine high-impact tips to help you craft a cover letter that highlights your professionalism, aspirations, and qualifications. 

1. Properly format your cover letter.

Proper formatting will help hiring managers easily scan your cover letter for key information, such as your contact information and skills, and also convey your professionalism. From top to bottom, your cover letter should have the following elements: 

Keep to one page only : your cover letter should be only one page long. This will keep it focused, impactful, and easily scannable for hiring managers.  

Header at the top: Include a header that contains your contact information, so that hiring managers can easily reach out to you. 

Greetings: Your cover letter should open with a greeting to the hiring manager. This is a formality that makes your letter more personal. 

Intro: Your cover letter should include a brief introduction that describes who you are, what you are applying for and your key qualifications. 

Body: The body of your cover letter is where you go into detail about your experience, skills, and education. 

Conclusion/Call to action: Your cover letter should conclude with a call to action that encourages your reader to reach out to you. 

Salutations: Finally, you want to leave the reader with a good impression by including a formal salutation followed by your full name. This conveys a sense of professionalism and friendliness. 

In the following tips, you will learn more about handling each of these parts of your resume to make them as impactful as possible. 

2. Have a professional email address.

The header of your cover letter is where you include your contact information, including your full name, phone number, and email address. 

While it may seem insignificant, one of the most important things you can do in your header is to include a professional-sounding email address. In this instance, the simpler the email address the better. Create an email address that is a simple variant of your name with a common free email provider, such as Gmail. 

3. Personalize your greeting. 

While many cover letters are addressed simply “to whom it may concern,” a more impactful way to catch a hiring manager’s attention is by addressing them by name directly. 

In addition to making your cover letter more personal, this tactic also highlights that you’ve done your research and created a job-specific cover letter rather than sent a generic one. This can have a positive impact on how a hiring manager views your resume and cover letter. 

You can find out who the hiring manager is by doing some straightforward research online. Some job descriptions will instruct you to email a specific person. In other cases, you might need to visit the organization’s website and see if you can identify the person who heads their internship or hiring efforts. 

If this fails, you can also reach out to the organization directly by either email or phone to see if they can provide the name of the hiring manager who will be looking at internship applications. Let them know that you are applying for the specific internship and would like to address the hiring manager directly in your application. 

If you’re unable to learn the name of the hiring manager, then don’t sweat it – your application likely won’t be penalized for a common, courteous greeting.

4. Include key information in the intro.

Your cover letter should include a short introduction that immediately identifies the specific internship position you are applying for and the key background information relevant to the position. Ideally, you should keep your introduction to only a few sentences, making sure not to exceed four. 

Much like a thesis statement in a school paper, the introduction of your cover letter helps the reader understand your purpose for writing and the qualifications that make you ideal for the position. 

Dear Ms. Angelou, 

I am writing to apply for the editorial assistant internship position at Little House publishing. An avid reader since I first played cracked open Grimm’s (macabre) Fairytales as a five-year-old, I have made storytelling my personal and professional calling. As an English major at The Ohio State University, I have been an editor of our school’s literary magazine for three years, brought two theater productions to life as a dramaturg, and taught reading and writing to countless middle schoolers. 

5. Show how you and the internship are a perfect match. 

The key aim of your cover letter is to demonstrate to the hiring manager why you and the internship are a perfect match for one another. 

As a result, you should craft your letter to emphasize how your skill set and experience have prepared you for the position and why it can help you achieve your professional aims. Remember, an internship is as much an educational opportunity as a work experience, so don’t be afraid to note what the internship offers you as well as what you offer the internship. 

To identify how you and the internship are a good match for one another, do the following: 

1. Read through the job description and identify the skills and experience you possess. 

2. Identify what experience, skills, or understanding you will gain by doing the internship.

3. Include these points in your cover letter. 

“After studying python for the last two years, IBM’s data science internship will finally give me the opportunity to see programming at work in the real world. Throughout high school, I’ve spent hours combing through data, creating visualizations, and posing questions to data big and small all by myself. At IBM, I will finally be a part of a community that takes data seriously, contributing to projects but learning even more.” 

6. Emphasize your education and extracurriculars.

While most jobs require applicants to have some kind of relevant work experience, most internships typically expect applicants to have very little or even none. This is particularly true for internships geared toward high school and college students. 

If you’re a student without much (or any) relevant work experience, then you should emphasize your education and extracurricular activities. You’ll be able to highlight your skills, interests, and concrete achievements for hiring managers as much as previous work experience would allow you to do. 

“As a computer science student, I have taken advanced courses on machine learning and programming data structures, achieving top grades in both. Later, I used these skills in the AI club when I taught a machine to visually recognize different hand gestures.” 

7. Use active language and note concrete outcomes. 

One of the key ways to create impactful writing is to use active language that shows the reader how you achieved concrete outcomes. This method will help your reader fully comprehend what it is that you have done and what you have ultimately achieved. 

Active language (also known as active voice) is when the subject of a sentence acts upon an object, rather than the object being acted upon by an object. For example, consider the chart below: 

In the first sentence, the emphasis is on the woman (the subject) doing an action (“programming”) on the computer (the object). The second sentence, meanwhile, puts emphasis on the computer rather than the action performed by the subject (the woman). By focusing on the action, the first sentence highlights the work that the woman does – and keeps the sentence shorter too. 

Using active language that clearly describes how you accomplished a specific result will keep the attention on you and what you can do.  

“As a writing tutor, I taught middle schoolers how to write in the active voice to help them articulate themselves with impact. To do it, I parsed sentences on the blackboard, edited essays live, and reinforced concepts week to week.  Our results spoke for themselves: test scores improved by 78 percent in just two months.”

8. Consider using a bulleted list to highlight your technical skills. 

To make it more scannable, you might consider including a bullet point list of your relevant skills in the body of your cover letter. This technique can help readers catch important skills that you possess that could help you stand out from the applicant pool. 

“Throughout my education and extracurriculars, I have honed many skills relevant to the internship, including: 

Collaboration

Problem solving"

Read: Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What’s the Difference?

9. Include a call-to-action and salutation at the end of the letter. 

Your cover letter should leave the hiring manager with both a desire to reach out to you and a good picture of you. To leave them wanting to hear more from you, end the cover letter with a brief statement about your desire to speak more about the role soon and close with a professional salutation, such as “sincerely.”

“I look forward to talking soon about how I can contribute to the team this summer. Thank you for the opportunity, time, and consideration.

Sincerely, 

Abraham Lincoln”

Landing an internship can help you kick off your career. To make sure that you’re ready for that first day on the job, you might consider taking an online course or gaining a professional certificate in such fields as data science , project management , or social media marketing . 

 Related articles 

How to Make a Resume for Your First Job (+ Template)

How to Answer “What Are Your Career Aspirations?”

Transferable Skills: How to Use Them to Land Your Next Job

How to Get Your First Job: A Guide

Article sources

1. Resume Go. “ Cover Letters: Just How Important Are They? , https://www.resumego.net/research/cover-letters/.” Accessed March 24, 2022. 

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How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship (Example)

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How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship (Example) was originally published on Forage .

Trying to figure out how to write a cover letter for an internship can feel like a paradox. How do you explain your professional experience and skills — when you’re applying for an internship so you can gain professional experience and skills? 

>>MORE: What Is an Internship (and Why Should I Do One)?

It is confusing, but luckily, you can still write a successful cover letter without professional experience. This guide will cover:

What Do Employers Look for in an Internship Cover Letter?

Internship cover letter example, how to write a cover letter for an internship with no experience, how to write a cover letter for an internship: the bottom line.

Because you’re applying for an internship, employers don’t expect you to have years of experience and well-established job skills . 

“Prior work experience is always a plus, but what also matters is anything that provides a sense of the person’s character, commitment, passions and interests, drive, ability to overcome challenges, and willingness to learn,” says J.R. Lowry, founder of PathWise.io, a career coaching company. “As an employer, you can teach skills and provide experience, but we’re looking for intern candidates who will work at it.”

Instead, they’re looking for interns with interest, passion, and soft skills .

Get the gig

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Interest and Passion

Employers want to know why you’re particularly interested in the specific role at the company and why it excites you.

“Focus your cover letter on who you are, why the company or what you do is meaningful to you, and what YOU can bring to the organization,” says Ayanna E. Jackson, career and leadership consultant. “That requires research. Many times interns focus on ‘I want, I want, I want,’ versus focusing on what they can give to an organization with their ambition and skill. Usually, it’s a confidence issue, but hiring managers know you don’t possess all the skills. They want to know that you want to work there and not just anywhere. Be specific. Be confident.”

Soft Skills

Wendy Reimann, owner and writer at Lighthouse Writing, a writing and editing services company, emphasizes that soft skills are essential in an internship cover letter. Companies are looking for interns who don’t just have technical skills, but also skills like communication and collaboration that will make them valuable to the team.

>>MORE: Top Communication Skills for the Workplace

“Employers are also desperate for employees who demonstrate emotional intelligence alongside standard skills in their fields so that they can positively add to the company culture ,” she says. “Currently, the biggest skills and experiences needed in most industries are the ability to effectively collaborate and communicate across diverse populations, including gender, race, culture, and socio-economic status.”

Jill Knight Boston, MA 123-456-7890 [email protected]

January 10th, 2023

Charles Callahan VP of Product Company Z Boston, MA

Dear Charles, 

I’m writing to share my interest in the UX design internship at Company Z for summer 2023. I’m a current junior studying psychology at X University, and I believe my unique perspectives on user motivation and experience with user research and graphic design make me a great fit for this role.

In my cognitive psychology course, I learned a human-oriented approach to design, specifically from learning about how humans perceive and process information. As a result, I use an empathetic approach to design that aims to make any product intuitive, clear, and simple to use. I applied this approach in my human-computer interaction course, where I completed mock user research and identified three critical areas for design improvement within the sample product. After those improvements, 93% of users reported higher satisfaction with the product.

Outside of my academic work, I’ve worked independently on graphic design projects for various organizations on campus, using Figma to draft website designs and InDesign for print work. I’ve become the go-to person for designing for theater and music organizations on campus and work collaboratively with directors to produce a design they love. This is why I’m particularly passionate about interning for Company Z — I’m excited to bring my love for designing for arts organizations to Company Z’s innovative music product. 

My coursework in psychology and passion for arts graphic design give me a human-oriented, empathetic, and creative approach to UX design. This approach is not only in-line with Company Z’s mission but would also be an asset in an internship and help the company reach young audiences in new, creative ways. Please let me know if you need anything else from me to move forward in the process. I’ve attached my resume and portfolio and look forward to hearing next steps. Thank you for your consideration.

Best, Jill Knight

Where do you start if you don’t know how to write a cover letter for an internship without experience? Jill, from our example, doesn’t have any professional work experience, but she still writes a convincing cover letter that shows off her skills and passion. So, if you’re like Jill, here’s how to write your internship cover letter.

>>MORE: Should you use ChatGPT to write your cover letter ? Learn what the chatbot gets right (and wrong).

Start With a Header and Greeting

Every cover letter starts with a similar type of header. You write your information at the top, then include the hiring manager’s or company’s information (depending on whether you know who the hiring manager is). 

You don’t need to give your full address in the cover letter; however, even if you’re applying for a remote position, you can just include your city. This will give the recruiter or hiring manager an idea of where you’re located — and help them understand your time zone, whether you’re near one of the company’s offices, or if you qualify for relocation assistance.

Make sure you’re addressing the right person at the top of the letter. This should be the hiring manager for the role. If you don’t know who the hiring manager is, you can get savvy with your search:

• If the role was posted on LinkedIn , look for a “meet the hiring team” section underneath the job description.
• If the job description shares who interns report to, search on LinkedIn for people with that title who work at the company.

If you still can’t find the name, that’s okay — instead, address your letter to whatever team you’re applying for. For example, Jill could have addressed her letter to the product team.

Introduce Yourself

The first paragraph of a cover letter should summarize who you are and why you’re uniquely excited to apply for the role.

If you’re a student or recent graduate, you can include your major (if you’ve declared one), class year, and university. You can also include any other key information about your work. In this example, Jill mentioned she has experience with graphic design. 

Explain Your Experience

You don’t need professional experience to write a cover letter, especially for an internship. You can include:

• Academic experience: Courses you’ve taken that apply to the role, skills you’ve learned, and projects you’ve worked on
• Extracurricular activities: Clubs you’re a part of (or lead!), events you’ve led, projects you’ve worked on
• Volunteer experience: Places you’ve volunteered or community service projects you’ve done
• Personal projects: Independent work you’ve done, even if it’s not formally published or part of a formal project. (Make sure to include an online portfolio so the team can see it!)

“Highlight any clubs, events, or activities that you’ve helped plan,” Jackson says. “Think church, community, school clubs, sororities, fraternities or volunteer experiences. What role did you play? What did you accomplish? Who did it help? How many? How much? I’ve told my interns to think about why they are interested in that particular company or function and hone in on good storytelling. The WHY behind what they want to do is sometimes more important than having direct experience in that space.”

Emphasize Your Skills

When explaining what experiences you’ve worked on, be sure to call out any relevant skills you have. You don’t need to say outright, “I have communication skills” or “I have programming skills .” Instead, infuse these skills naturally into your descriptions.

For example, Jill mentions her hard skills when she says she uses Figma and InDesign, two applications that are relevant to the internship she’s applying for. However, she also mentions a soft skill, collaboration, when describing who she’s designed for. 

Your final paragraph of the cover letter should summarize everything you’ve discussed and show why you’re right for the role. 

You don’t need to parrot back precisely what you mentioned in the first paragraph. Instead, drive home why you’re the best fit. You can include your top experience highlights and say how that aligns with the company’s mission or an initiative you’ve researched. In Jill’s letter, she references the company’s mission and adds that her work could benefit the company by helping them reach a target audience.

“Frame your desire for the role in a way that showcases you’ve done your research on the organization: know a bit about their products, services, recent mergers, or customers and tie your genuine interests to that,” Jackson says.

Ask for Next Steps

End the cover letter with gratitude and a call to action. The reader should know you appreciate their time and understand what next steps you’d like them to take. Like Jill, you can ask them to let you know what else they need from you. You could also ask them when you should expect to hear back from them or tell them you’re looking forward to the next steps.

Finally, include a professional sign-off and your full name.

>>MORE : Unsure what sign-off to use? Learn eight sign-offs to use and six to avoid with How to End an Email Professionally (With Examples) .

Writing a cover letter for an internship when you don’t have any professional experience can be daunting, but employers aren’t looking for experienced interns with advanced skills. Instead, your cover letter can discuss any academic, extracurricular, volunteer, or independent work you’ve done and highlight key hard and soft skills the employer mentions in the job description. 

“Even if you haven’t had a ‘real job’ before, you likely have some relevant experience — what you’ve studied in school, school or other groups you’re involved in, any leadership roles you’ve played in those, sports team you’ve been on, things you’re interested in outside of school that might be relevant, etc.,” Lowry says. “Focus on what’s made you good at those things and what you learned from them.”

In the midst of internship applications? Check out our other internship guides:

• How to Find Internships That’ll Jumpstart Your Career
• Ultimate Guide to Internship Application Deadlines and Open Dates
• How to Apply for an Internship
• How to Ask for an Internship (Email Examples)
• How Long Does an Internship Last?

Image credit: Vlada Karpovich / Pexels

The post How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship (Example) appeared first on Forage .

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How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship 

If you are applying for an internship, you are most likely a student without much industry experience—hence the need for an internship. But don’t despair! What you lack in experience, you make up for with enthusiasm. 

Apply that same enthusiasm to your cover letter, and a hiring manager will be excited to find out more about who you are, what skills you have, and what an internship can do for both of you.

This article offers cover letter tips, explains how to sell yourself, and lays out a template and cover letter example that you can and should tailor for each internship.

• First, Your Internship Resume

Before we get to the cover letter format, let’s discuss your resume. For students, recent graduates, and people switching careers, functional resumes are the best format to use in a job search rather than chronological resumes. 

That’s because functional resumes are designed to highlight your skills and core competencies, whereas chronological resumes focus on your work experience—of which you probably have none. Here’s a helpful article “ How to Write a Killer Internship Resume .”

Now,  let's get to the cover letter.

• Is a Cover Letter Necessary?

Really? You’re already running out of steam and losing enthusiasm if you're asking this question. The answer is a resounding yes. A cover letter is absolutely necessary because you only have two ways to differentiate yourself from your competitors at this stage. Your resume and your cover letter. Why handicap yourself so early?

Your resume is a one-page document that will show your skills and your education, but it doesn’t really show you. Your cover letter, on the other hand, reveals a little more about your personality. It gives the hiring manager a better idea of who you are and why you are the perfect fit for this specific position. It will allow your enthusiasm to show through!

• A Few Golden Rules

There are a few golden rules to follow when writing a cover letter.

First, tailor each letter to each internship. It can be very obvious to a recruiter if you use a standard cover letter, and doing so might be worse than not sending one at all. When you are just starting out in an industry, it’s important not to take shortcuts.

Second, read the job description and include keywords so that applicant tracking software does not discard your application. Don’t try to respond to all the requirements on the job description, rather, emphasize one or two key areas in the letter because that will have more impact.

Third, research the company by reading the website and any articles that you find online. You may find information that you can refer to in the cover letter to show the depth of interest you have in the company and make you stand out.

Lastly, review and proofread your cover letter, and ask a trusted mentor to do the same. Typos sabotage a well-curated cover letter.

• How to Structure Your Internship Cover Letter

Here’s an internship cover letter template with some guidelines on each section.

[Full Name] [Telephone Number] [Email address] [LinkedIn Address]

In the contact information at the top of the letter, include your phone number, but there is no need to add your street address unless the company is looking for local interns. For the email address, make sure it is professional and current; for example, [email protected] and not [email protected]. Only include social media links if they have content that is relevant to your career.

[Salutation]

For the salutation, don’t open with “Dear Hiring Manager” or "To whom it may concern" if you can possibly avoid it. It smacks of laziness. If you don’t know the hiring manager's name, try calling the company and asking for their name and email. Also, look at the company website or the LinkedIn page to see if some detective work might help. If you show that you’ve taken the time to find out the name of the person you are addressing, it shows …. you guessed it …. enthusiasm!

[Subject Line]

Include your name and the job title in the header.

[Opening Paragraph]

Your opening paragraph should start with a bang. Your first sentence should draw the reader in so that they want to read more about you. This is probably the most challenging part of writing the cover letter, so spend a lot of time on the first paragraph and the first sentence in particular. Think about what makes you the best person for the internship and convey that to the reader. This first sentence is the jackpot. Grab attention here, and you’re golden.

[Second Paragraph]

Now you have the reader’s attention, it’s time to provide the evidence to support your claim. Here’s where you can expound on what your relevant skills can do for the company, not why you want the internship. That’s an important distinction. Everyone will say they want the internship for one reason or another, but the hiring manager is most interested in what you have to offer.

Choose one or two items to write about in the body of the cover letter. They should be the most critical points that make you a good fit for the job. For example, you might have completed a course that is directly relevant to the company’s operations. You might be seeking an internship as a software engineer, and you have just won a coding competition. You might do volunteer work that is aligned with the work of the company or enjoy extracurricular activities that are relevant. 

Explain why what you have mentioned makes you a good fit for the role, and don't forget soft skills. Here's a reminder, " What's the Difference Between Hard Skills Vs. Soft Skills ?" 

[Closing Paragraph]

Sign off by saying thank you and offering to provide any other information the hiring manager might need.

[Complimentary Close and Signature]

Below is an internship cover letter sample.

Catherine Smith

(903) 846 1234

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-smith-dataanalyst/

October 20, 2021

Dear Mr. Foster,

Application for Data Analyst Internship

My recent Google Data Analyst certification has spurred me on to apply for the internship program with your esteemed firm. The coursework confirmed that I am pursuing my passion, and I am confident that my proven analyst abilities and relevant experience would benefit your firm.

[Note: The first paragraph is bold and interesting. It captures the reader's attention and establishes the candidate as the best fit for the job.]

In addition to data analyst certification, during the last three years at Columbia College, I have completed coursework as part of my computer science degree, including programming in Javascript and C++, which I understand are languages widely used in your organization. I have also completed design courses for mobile applications, such as developing skills in journey mapping and wireframing.

I have also spent the past semester volunteering my time with a local non-profit and helped the web team launch and manage an application that helps them with food delivery operations. 

[Note: The body of the letter shows that the candidate has researched the firm and provides evidence of the candidate's value to the firm].

I believe that I have much to offer your organization as an intern and I would be delighted to discuss my suitability for this internship opportunity at your convenience. Thank you for considering this application.

• How to Send Your Cover Letter

There are two options for sending your job application by email. Unless there are strict instructions on the job posting, the first option is to attach the cover letter and your resume to an email. If you do this, use the same subject line for the email that you used in the cover letter. In the email body, you can simply say, “Attached please find my resume and cover letter with regard to the position of [add internship position]."

Name your resume and cover letter files sensibly. For example, Catherine_Smith_cover_letter.doc

The other option is to include the cover letter in the actual email and attach the resume. In this case, state in your cover letter that the resume is attached.

You’re almost ready to submit your application, but review the golden rules below before you do.

Did you tailor your cover letter and make sure there are no residues from the last iteration? It’s often easy to redo a cover letter but forget to change a phrase or two.

Did you include keywords that correspond to the job description (without overdoing it)?

Did you refer to something that you researched to show that you are VERY interested in the company’s activities?

Have you reviewed and proofread your cover letter, resume, and email?

If the answers are all yes, click “send” and start preparing for an interview!

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Sample cover letter for Full Time position at CSBA

Research assistant.

I am writing to express my interest in applying for the position of Research Assistant at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. I hold a Master’s degree in the field of International Relations from London School of Economics and Political Science. The focus of my studies and research is in the areas of private military and security companies, foreign policy analysis and international relations of Middle East.

I am currently working as a Research Assistant at Stenden University, Qatar. As part of the research team I am working on a project that is aiming to leverage the hosting of FIFA World Cup by Qatar in 2022, to bring about social behavior change in the society. This is joint venture between Stenden University, Qatar and Edinburgh Napier University and is funded by the Qatar National Priority Research Project. Also having volunteered on a number of occasions I have the experience of working with people from different walks of life and backgrounds, for example working with journalists and athletes from different countries during the 2006 Asian Games and the Doha Tribeca Film Festival. I am comfortable working in a team and am able to produce effective results. An example of this would be my experience of organizing the GCC conference at Qatar University, where I had to work with a small team that was responsible for the promotion and media coverage for the event. Furthermore I have taken IC3 examination from Certiport and am well apt at using Microsoft office as well as managing databases. I am also apt at using data analysis programs, such as NVivo software. I am an efficient worker and can work with short deadlines.

I believe working at CSBA would be a fruitful experience for me, as it would provide me with an opportunity to be part of an institute that is an emerging think tank in the areas of national security and defense planning. Over the course of my work at Stenden and thesis writing I have honed my research skills and have gained sufficient knowledge and knowhow of various research methods. I have developed strong interpersonal skills while working at Student Learning Support Centre, Qatar University. Along with proficient IT skills and apt administrative proficiencies I have other obligatory competencies, such as organizational and time management proficiencies, drafting and editing written material, strong sense of team work, competent Web skills and strong written and oral communication skills, that are required to perform the various duties associated with this position. I am also a self-motivated and goal oriented individual and if given this opportunity I would strive to be an asset to the institution.

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Apply to an internship

Getting on to the think tank job ladder can be difficult for young policy entrepreneurs. Universities do not prepare their graduates to work in policy research institutions and certainly do not endow them with the range of competencies and skills they would need to thrive in a think tank.

Internships are an excellent way to both learn about think tanks (and thinktanking) and to get a foot in the door.

The following list provides a brief summary (taken from the institutions themselves) and links to established internships of leading think tanks. These are formal internship programmes that offer support to the interns during their tenure. Some are, in fact, fellowships offering young thinktankers an opportunity to deepen their knowledge on a specific policy issue.

Other think tanks offer internships through informal arrangements and on ad-hoc basis. If you want to find a think tank near you or working on an issue of interest why not visit the Open Think Tank Directory ?

If your organisation has a formal internship or fellowship programme for early career thinktankers please get in touch .

The Brookings Institution

Brookings offers three types of internships – paid, academic for credit, and external sponsorship.  Internships are offered during the Summer, Fall and Spring semesters. Internships are usually 10-12 weeks and located in Washington DC.

Specifically for unpaid Internships, Brookings has partnered with several colleges, universities and external sponsors to provide students’ academic credit or funding to ensure there is a purposeful learning program structured into the experience.

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Each year, through the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows program, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace offers approximately 12-14 one-year fellowships to uniquely qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year.

They are selected from a pool of nominees nominated by several hundred participating universities and colleges. James C. Gaither Junior Fellows work as research assistants to Carnegie’s senior scholars.

Chatham House

A Chatham House internship is your chance to work with our community of world-leading policy experts and make lifelong connections. If you are passionate about international affairs and looking for a career in the sector, we want to hear from you.

Former interns have gone on to play instrumental roles in governments, NGOs, academic institutions, international organizations and think tanks.

Foreign Policy Research Institute

FPRI’s Internship Program is designed to give interns first-hand experience working at a non-profit think tank.

FPRI seeks to provide a mutually beneficial experience, by giving the intern the opportunity to work alongside a supervisor in their chosen field. Interns function as team members in the FPRI office, assisting with administrative and event related tasks. Interns are encouraged to take advantage of free admission to FPRI events throughout the course of their internship.

Internships are not paid. All applicants must be enrolled as students for the duration of the internship.  

Royal Society of Arts

The RSA’s paid interns have the chance to explore its distinctive interdisciplinary approach to social change in one of its research teams and the wider organisation.

The role is a varied one, encompassing policy creation, pioneering social projects combined with engaging our Fellowship and global audiences on the latest and most challenging ideas.

Internships generally last six months, and are usually advertised in the spring and autumn each year. The start and anticipated duration of internships will be advertised with each opportunity, along with details of how to apply. The majority of the RSA’s interns will be based at its head office on John Adam Street, London, although this might differ on a project-by-project basis.

World Resources Institute

WRI’s Internship Program offers learning experiences designed for current students, recent graduates, or other candidates who wish to gain knowledge about a specific area of work. WRI offers a variety of paid and unpaid internship opportunities throughout the year in offices around the world.

WRI’s internships provide a learning experience for interns who are able to contribute to projects; many have received recognition in WRI’s published work. And while interns are at WRI, they will have also have opportunities to learn more about its work culture and to network.

Think Tanks & Public Policy Opportunities

Think tank, policy, research and advocacy organizations have opportunities for almost any policy interest or professional skill set. This list is designed to help you identify employers that best suit your political and policy interests. Get started with some basic overview resources:

The Think Tanks & Civil Society Program  – Researches role of policy institutes on governments and civil societies around the world. They produce the annual Think Tank Index and maintain a database and directory of think tanks.

National Institute for Research Advancement  – NIRA compiles information on think tanks searchable by country.

U.S. State Department Think Tanks Lis t  – The state department maintains a list of reputable think tanks working in the arena of international affairs.

Most of the organizations listed below advertise jobs and internship positions on their websites. Use the links below to explore further.

American Enterprise Institute   The American Enterprise Institute is a community of scholars and supporters committed to expanding liberty, increasing individual opportunity and strengthening free enterprise. AEI is dedicated to research and education on issues of government, politics, economics and social welfare. Internship application deadlines: accepted on a rolling basis. It is recommended that you submit your application as early as possible for each term. 

Atlantic Council of the United States ACUS promotes constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic Community in meeting global challenges. Applications are accepted as needed. 

British American Security Information Council (BASIC ) BASIC works with expert focus on the UK, U.S., Europe and the Middle East and aims to address some of the strategic challenges posed by the changing global nuclear landscape. BASIC accepts internships applications in London and Washington, DC on a rolling basis. 

The Brookings Institution Brookings is a nonprofit public policy organization that conducts research seeking to strengthen American democracy, foster the economic and social welfare, security and opportunity of all Americans and secure a more open, safe, prosperous and cooperative international system. They offer paid internship opportunities, generally with rolling deadlines.

Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs The Carnegie Council is a nonprofit institution serving as a worldwide nonpartisan, educational resource. Interns are recruited year-round on a semester basis and all internships are filled on a rolling basis. 

The Carter Center The Carter Center, in partnership with Emory University, is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health. Application deadlines are typically 2-3 months prior to session start dates.

Cato Institute The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace.

Center for American Progress The Center for American Progress is an independent nonpartisan policy institute that is dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans, through bold, progressive ideas, as well as strong leadership and concerted action. 

Center for International Policy CIP is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization that promotes transparency and accountability in U.S. foreign policy and global relations.

Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) CNA is a nonprofit research organization that operates the Center for Naval Analyses and the Institute for Public Research. 

Council on Foreign Relations The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher. Applications are accepted as needed. 

Freedom House Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom and democracy around the world. Applications are accepted as needed. 

The Heritage Foundation The Heritage Foundation is a think tank whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.

RAND RAND seeks to improve policy and decision making through research and analysis and values quality and objectivity. Most internships are for graduate students. 

Think Tanks

Would you like to shape policy in a particular sector working in a think tank can be exciting, influential and very fulfilling.

Think tanks are research institutes that seek to play a key role in making and influencing global, regional and national policy. Whilst each think tank serves a specific purpose, they all share a common vision to improve their respective sectors, as well as being sources of new ideas and research.

Think tanks engage in research and advocacy in a range of areas such as social policy, politics, economics, security, the environment, science and technology (AI being very topical at the moment), agriculture and many more. Think tank researchers influence public opinion and public policy, which is a different focus from most traditional academic research at a university. Think tanks also differ from other research organisations such as risk consultancies (see note below), pressure groups or voluntary organisations, in a number of ways:

• They are usually identified with particular positions on the political spectrum, such as left, centrist, right, green, liberal etc.
• They are not usually overtly ‘campaigning’ organisations.
• They often use the media and direct contacts with senior leaders in their sector to disseminate their work in an attempt to influence government as well as wider public debate.
• They can initiate their own work and seek funding for it or can conduct research at the behest of a third party.
• They are generally funded from charitable and/or corporate sources.

The main output of think tanks is the publication of their research and policy work. At the same time, many organise conferences and seminars, both as part of the research process before publication and after publication, to disseminate their work. They may also seek to hold private meetings with government ministers, business people and voluntary organisations involved in the policy making process. Think tank directors and other senior staff members are often considered leading experts in their field and sometimes write pieces for newspapers, political magazines and appear on news and current affairs programmes.

As well as direct engagement with organisations and individuals, think tanks use the internet and media to disseminate their findings and as a way of encouraging debate on the issues in which they have an interest. Many have websites containing downloadable reports, information on seminars, virtual debating forums and further links to useful sites. Some of the larger internationally themed think tanks have a number of offices across the world.

The possible range of areas of focus for a job in a think tank is virtually endless because think tanks carry out research that concerns the specific region, community, or issue area(s) for which they operate, be that a continent, country, state, societal group, political party, industry, or theme.

List of Think Tanks

Some examples of think tanks and their focus are listed below:

International Affairs, Defence and Security

• International Institute for Strategic Studies
• Royal United Services Institute
• Chatham House

Democratic Government

• The Constitution Unit
• New Local Government Network  (NLGN)
• Institute for Public Policy Research

Development

• Institute of Development Studies
• International Institute for Environment and Development
• Overseas Development Institute
• Centre for Economic and Policy Research
• Equality and Human Rights Commission

European Integration

• The European Policy Centre
• Centre for European Policy Studies
• Centre for Economic Policy Research
• Centre for European Reform

Work and Employee Relations

• The Work Foundation
• The Institute for Employment Rights

Other Think Tanks

An additional (non-exhaustive) list of Think Tanks can be found in the “Further Resources” section, below.

The think tank section in the  Guardian  website has a brief summary of, and further links to,  think tanks in the UK . 

Skills and Experience

Skills needed.

Excellent communication (written and verbal), research skills, a keen interest in public policy, current affairs or a specific strand of the think tank’s work, as well as team working and networking are essential. At the level of junior researcher, desk-based research and getting out to meetings and talking to people will be central, but you will probably also have to do a lot of your own administration.

For many think tanks you will need a postgraduate degree that's relevant to their area of expertise, and/or some training in research methodologies. Developing a niche is becoming more important in this sector and so it is advisable to start following current political / societal / technological trends to identify and search for think tanks across the globe. In-depth knowledge of an area,region or theme central to the think tank's work can be crucial.

The work of think tanks and professional bodies utilises a wide range of research methods and involves extensive dissemination activities. Rigorous and sophisticated quantitative and qualitative techniques such as surveys, mapping exercises, interviews and focus groups are often used. Postgraduate research, experience of collecting and analysing statistics, specialist knowledge of a specific subject area and language, or some combination of these factors, are commonly asked for. In-depth knowledge of an area, region or theme central to the organisation’s work can be crucial.  Many think tank websites include staff profiles and it's useful to take a look at these to see how current think tank employees have reached their particular positions.

Getting experience

If you don't have much research experience or a postgraduate degree, short internships are a good way to gain experience and start building your network, and are an invaluable addition to your CV.  They usually consist of a mixture of research and administrative work. Many think tanks only recruit graduates with a masters or DPhil/PhD. Some larger think tanks offer internship programmes, and the specifics of the experience will vary greatly among the opportunities. However, in general, students should look for a few key attributes in researching internship opportunities with think tanks:

• Do the think tank’s philosophy and its core research themes match your own interests?
• Will the internship provide a range of experiences and contacts?
• Will there be an opportunity to be involved in the research or publication of the organisation’s scholarship?
• Will the experience provide a tangible project to talk about in your CV and later interviews?

Alternatively, ‘to get your foot in the door’, it could be worth considering administrative and related jobs within a think tank – although without building up the necessary research skills and experience these roles will not automatically lead to more research-based positions. You could also see if any of the think tanks could offer you some work experience – even if this is not advertised, it can be worth volunteering your services for short periods of time to gain a deeper insight into the sector and to start building contacts. As a starting point, a list of websites is given at the end of this briefing.

Every year there are a number of international and UK-based internships offered through the Internship Programme at the Careers Service. Find out what previous students have said about them and any upcoming opportunities on the  Internship Office’s webpages .

As well as advertised opportunities, if you are proactive and network effectively, it is also possible to create an opportunity through alumni contacts, or through tutors or colleagues who have contacts within organisations.

Will I get paid? Internships and summer jobs are governed in the UK by National Minimum Wage law, which means that if you are carrying out activities that class you as a “worker” by the employer, then you should be paid. Full details of Employment Rights and Pay for Interns are published by the government. If you are undertaking a learning and development opportunity such as a micro-internship, or volunteering for a charity or statutory body, or shadowing or observing, then you may not be eligible for the National Minimum Wage. The organisation may reimburse you for your travel and/or lunch expenses, but they aren’t obliged to do so.

Entry Points

The majority of think tanks are quite small,  therefore, there aren't many researcher vacancies at any one time. Some organisations only employ experienced researchers on contract work. There are several tiers of research positions in think tanks. Most employers expect prospective entrants to have a detailed knowledge of research techniques, which may be acquired by taking a taught or research Masters degree course or a PhD/DPhil in a particular area.

The most common entry point is at a research associate level, or junior researcher, often beginning directly or shortly after completing a PhD/DPhil. Some research associates are hired with a Masters degree and relevant research experience. Senior associates are typically PhD/DPhil level researchers with several years experience. Some are also affiliated with a university, often in an adjunct teaching capacity. About half of these researchers come from academia, while the other half are promoted from within the think tank. These researchers can progress to become senior fellows or research fellows and are appointed because they hold outstanding credentials as nationally or internationally recognised experts in their field.

Policy centre directors have sometimes worked their way up within the think tank sector to the top management of their organisations while other candidates are found primarily through informal networks, prestigious academic programs, and government-related organisations.

Getting a Job

Securing a job in a think tank involves a careful mix of postgraduate training, experience, skills and networking. Research the area in which you want to work, consider what kind of work you want to do and work backwards to plan milestones and your immediate next steps. You may well also re-define and re-focus along the way.

• Talk to people (contacts, alumni, colleagues, tutors, supervisors) who are already working in a field within which you might want to specialise, or who may know people who are in that field. If you are planning a thesis, already writing one, or undertaking research, think about how this may relate to your future aspirations.
• Search for opportunities in publications like the  Guardian ,  The New Statesman ,  The Times Education Supplement , and  The Economist . Individual think tank websites are the most common sources for vacancies and consultancy opportunities.
• Contact think tanks you would like to work for; even if they are not advertising it is worth contacting them and asking about any opportunities, particularly if your research interests correspond strongly with their concerns.

Whether you are looking to start building experience in this sector or already have some directly relevant experience to market, tailoring your CV is crucial. Potential employers need to see that you have an understanding of, demonstrable interest in and ability to thrive in their organisation and the role advertised or that for which you are speculatively applying.

Highlight the skills outlined above that you have already gained in your degree – what are the most relevant courses you have taken or transferable skills you have built to develop your knowledge and research skills? How have these skills been further developed outside of your degree, through roles in societies, student editorial work, freelance consultancy, travel, previous work experience and internships, etc? Are you doing all you can in the way you phrase the bullet points in your CV to convey the research, communication, team-work, numerical, regional, thematic or other interests you know that organisation values?

A note about Risk Consultancy

Risk Consultancy is sometimes also considered by people who want to use their research and communication skills beyond their degree. Political, intelligence and security risk analysts examine the respective climate and social conditions of a country, region, or market to determine the level of risk for a particular client. They may provide information relating to government stability, crime or conflict levels, currency convertibility, land rights, as well as other factors that would affect return on investment or other decisions. Typically, analysts gather information pertaining to the area of interest, determine the causes, sources, and level of risk and forward their findings to decision-makers. They also may offer recommendations for overcoming these risks. For companies operating in multiple countries, local political and economic conditions can determine whether their investment is a success or a failure. Events such as regime change or the sudden collapse of a currency can be devastating if unexpected.

Risk analysts come from a broad range of academic backgrounds and are people who can apply their knowledge to understand new and complex situations. Potential employers are looking for ‘intelligent risk takers’ who are well-informed and keep abreast of current events. They also seek individuals who can write concise and coherent reports. Language skills are an asset but not always a requirement in the field. Some positions may expect you to know a particular region thoroughly so you are able to decipher a balance sheet, understand a country’s economic workings, or provide insight into its politics. However, other positions will focus on several areas of the world and therefore do not expect you to be a specialist.

Therefore, in terms of experience required, a combination of an understanding of the political process in a region (and if relevant a second or third language), economic, accounting and financial skills, are useful and sometimes essential. Building evidence and a narrative of these skills and insights through academic, extra-curricular activities and internships is key to finding an entry level position. Concentrating on a particular angle of the sector can help you build a more targeted strategy. If you are interested in a banking context, you might take courses in Economics. If you would like to specialise in a particular region, build your knowledge on its politics, culture, and economy. If you know that your languages are rusty then think about experience that will help you improve them.

Employers generally recruit on a rolling basis and not all positions are advertised. Researching to identify which employers are aligned with the themes, areas and style of consulting that you are most interested in, and then networking and approaching contacts speculatively, are useful strategies to adopt, even when you are seeking internships and freelance part-time experience.

Some examples of political risk organisations include: Oxford Analytica, iHS, Control Risks, Eurasia Group and the Economist Intelligence Unit, as well as specialist units of accountancy, banking and management consultancy firms. Freelance and other opportunities also exist in this area across a range of employers and sectors, from international organisations to financial and oil companies and consumer businesses. For more information about these opportunities please refer to the website links towards the end of this briefing.

Further Resources

General vacancies & occupation information.

• The Economist
• Guardian: Jobs
• Telegraph: Jobs
• The Times: Appointments
• LinkedIn Jobs

Think Tanks 

• Fabian Society
• Foreign Policy Centre
• Adam Smith Institute
• The Bow Group
• Centre for Policy Studies
• The Centre for Social Justice
• Counterpoint
• European Policy Forum
• Green Alliance
• Green Economics Institute
• Hansard Society
• Institute of Economic Affairs
• Institute for Fiscal Studies
• National Centre for Social Research
• National Economic Foundation
• New Local Government Network
• New Policy Institute
• Social Market Foundation
• The Young Foundation
• Brussels European and Global Economic Laboratory (BRUEGEL)
• Centre for Social and Economic Research
• Centre for Applied Policy Research (CAP)
• Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)
• European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM)
• European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE)
• European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)
• European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA)
• European Policy Centre (EPC)
• European Trade Union Institute (ETUI)
• European Union Institute for Security Studies
• Friends of Europe
• German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)
• Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP)
• French Institute of International Relations (IFRI)
• International Crisis Group
• International Security Information Service Europe (ISIS)
• Lisbon Council for Economic Competitiveness (ASBL)
• Mannheimer Zentrum für Europäische Sozialforschung (MZES)
• Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB)
• Netherlands Institute of International Relations ‘Clingendael’
• American Institute for Economic Research
• Atlantic Council of the United States
• Aspen Institute
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
• Brookings Institution
• Cato Institute
• Center for Advanced Defense Studies
• Center for Economic and Policy Research
• Center for Immigration Studies
• Center for Global Development
• Center for International Policy
• Center for Security Policy
• Center for Strategic and International Studies
• CFED (formerly Corporation for Enterprise Development)
• Council on Foreign Relations
• Economic Policy Institute
• EastWest Institute
• Employment Policies Institute
• Foreign Policy Research Institute
• German Marshall Fund for the United States
• Henry L. Stimson Center
• Heritage Foundation
• Hoover Institution
• Institute for Policy Studies
• International Center for Research on Women
• Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Political Risk Consultancies 

• Aon Corporation
• The Cohen Group
• Control Risks Group
• Deloitte Risk Advisory
• Eurasia Group
• FTI Consulting
• Kreller Group
• Medley Global Advisors
• Oxford Analytica
• Salama Fikira
• Smith Brandon International Inc.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Recruiters are keen to have a diverse workforce, and many will have policies and processes that are proactive in recruiting students and graduates from diverse backgrounds. An increasing number of recruiters are offering traineeships, internships and insight events that are aimed at specific groups and many are being recognised for their approach to being inclusive employers. 

Try the following to discover more about the policies and attitudes of the recruiters that you are interested in: •    Read their equality, diversity and inclusion policy •    Search their website to see if they have any specific staff networks •    Look for external accreditation such as whether they are a Disability Confident employer , a Stonewall Diversity Champion or part of the Mindful Employer charter promoting mental health at work •    Check to see if they are partnering with organisations such as Rare Recruitment , SEO London , MyPlus Students' Club , EmployAbility or one of the many other organisations that are working for specific communities •    Explore what they do to celebrate diversity on their Facebook and Twitter pages

The UK Equality Act 2010 has a number of protected characteristics to prevent discrimination due to your age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or beliefs, sex or sexual orientation. For further information, visit the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s webpage on the Equality Act and the Government’s webpages on discrimination.  

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Home » Internship Tips » Tips & Tricks » How to Write Cover Letter for an Internship?

How to Write a Cover Letter for Internships [Examples & Template]

Cover letters and resumes are the introductory documents that help an employer form their first impressions about a future employee. Thus, it is very important to draft the perfect documents to find success, especially when applying for an internship. To help you through the drafting process we are going to walk you through the process of writing a cover letter for an internship that not only grabs attention but leaves a lasting impression.

Table of Contents

How to Write Cover Letter for an Internship?

Want to write the best cover letter for an internship role? Follow the steps below and learn how to write a cover letter for an internship. 

• Mention Your Details: At the top left corner of the internship cover letter, write your full name, address, email ID, and phone number.
• Add Date: Next, add the date you are writing the letter. 
• Mention Receiver’s Details: Mention the receiver’s name followed by the company address. The receiver can be the manager or the HR professional responsible for recruitment. 
• Address the Recruiter: Write “Dear [name]” to address the recruiter before beginning the main content of the letter.
• Opening Statement: Write a brief statement that appeals to the recruiter and informs them of your intent to apply for the internship position. You can add one or two of your key achievements here but do not forget to mention which position you are applying for. 
• For example , you mention you have strong communication skills. Back the claim with a background story of how you gave a presentation on a technical topic and were able to communicate your idea easily to the audience due to your skills. 
• Closing Paragraph: Thank the recruiter and add a call to action, like requesting them to check your resume for more details or that you are available for an interview to discuss the internship opportunity further. 
• End With Formal Salutation: End your letter with “Warm Regards” or “Sincerely.”

Also Read: How to Write Cover Letter for a Job?

Cover Letter Template For Internships

Let us look at this template to understand how to write a cover letter for an internship.

Also Read: Cover Letter Formats

Sample Cover Letter for Internship for Different Sectors

Here are some cover letter examples/samples for an internship based on different sectors for your better understanding:

1. Sample Cover Letter for Information Technology (IT)

This sample cover letter for internship is for the IT Sector like Web Development, Data Analyst, etc. 

2. Sample Cover Letter for Finance

This cover letter format for an internship will guide you on how to create a cover letter for a job in the financial sector.

3. Sample Cover Letter for Marketing and Advertising

This cover letter for internship in the marketing and advertising will help you showcase the skills that will enable you to contribute effectively in the corporate world, especially if you are seeking digital marketing internships .

4. Sample Cover Letter for Graphic Design

This is the best cover letter for an internship in graphic designing . It will help recruiters see your passion for design which will increase your chances of getting hired.

5. Sample Cover Letter for Human Resources (HR)

This is the best way of writing a cover letter for an internship if you are looking for work from home HR jobs or for in-office HR Jobs.

6. Sample Cover Letter for Law

This format will highlight your relevant skills and experiences and make you a strong candidate for part time jobs /internship opportunities.

Mistakes to Avoid while Drafting a Cover Letter

When writing cover letters it’s important to pay attention to minute details, here are some mistakes that you should avoid while writing your cover letter:

• Generic Templates- Craft a unique letter for each application, tailored to the specific internship and company.
• Ignoring Formatting- Use clear headings, bullet points, and a readable font. A well-formatted cover letter reflects your attention to detail.
• Overwhelming Length- Keep your cover letter concise and to the point. Aim for around 250-300 words.
• Neglecting Proofreading- Always proofread your cover letter before sending it out. Typos and grammatical errors can make a negative impression.
• Overusing Jargon- While it’s great to demonstrate your knowledge, avoid overloading your cover letter with industry jargon or technical terms. Explain complex concepts briefly and clearly to ensure your message is easily understood.

In this blog, we’ve covered some key points for writing a cover letter for an internship. By adding your own unique touch and showing your excitement for the role, you can set yourself apart from other applicants. So, take your time while writing a cover letter, and let your strengths shine on the page.

If you thought this blog was helpful, tell us in the comments section below. Also, check out these online interview tips before going for your next job interview.

Also Read: What is Mock Interview?

Frequently Asked Questions

To write a good cover letter for an internship, include keywords from the internship description, proofread to ensure content flow, highlight extracurriculars, format well, and customize each cover letter.

To write a letter asking for an internship, research the company to tailor your response accordingly. Write a meaningful subject line, add a greeting, and express your interest in the internship and the reason along with your skills and educational qualifications. 

Here is a sample for a basic cover letter: “My name is [your name], and I am writing to express my interest in the internship role [role title] at your company [company name]. I am excited to share that I believe I have the necessary skills and knowledge that make me the best candidate for the internship role. Kindly consider my application. Thank you for your time and consideration.”

Here is how you can write a cover letter for a legal internship, “Dear [recruiter’s name], As a recent law graduate, I am excited to hear about the internship role your company [name of the company] is offering. I have an additional certification course in corporate law and possess trial preparation skills. I am certain my skills and talent will be a great addition to your organization. Kindly consider my application in a positive light. I am excited to discuss this opportunity further with you. You can contact me at [email ID]. Thanks for your consideration.”

You should write a cover letter for an internship because it allows you to mention additional details you could not in the resume and provide background to some information like skills.

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Sandipta Banerjee has completed her Master's in English Literature and Language. She has been working in the field of editing and writing for the past five years. She started her writing journey at a very young age with her poems which have now evolved into a poetry blog. She was working as Editorial Head in a US-based publishing house before joining Internshala.

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