Crafting a Compelling Internship Request Letter: A Comprehensive Guide
A well-crafted cover letter can significantly enhance your internship application, showcasing your personality and aspirations. It demonstrates your willingness to go the extra mile, especially when not explicitly required. This article provides a comprehensive guide to creating an impactful internship request letter that highlights your potential and suitability for the role.
The Importance of an Internship Cover Letter
An internship cover letter differs from a typical one, often requiring more effort, especially if you lack extensive work experience. Since gaining experience is the primary goal of an internship, a strong cover letter can be the deciding factor in securing an interview. Internship positions are competitive, so standing out is crucial. A compelling cover letter can persuade companies to invest in your potential, offering valuable networking opportunities, real-world experience, and even college credit. Successful internships can also lead to future employment opportunities.
Key Components of an Internship Cover Letter
Like any cover letter, there's a structure to follow. Here's a breakdown of the essential components:
Header and Contact Information
Ensure that your header and contact information are accurate and professional. This section is crucial for the hiring manager to easily reach you. If possible, address the letter to a specific person.
Opening Statement
Clearly state the specific internship position you are applying for and how you learned about it. For example, "I am writing to express my interest in the Summer Engineering Intern position at Medtronic, as advertised on your company website."
Read also: Your Guide to Nursing Internships
Body Paragraphs: Showcasing Your Potential
The body of your internship cover letter is where you elaborate on your qualifications, skills, and enthusiasm. Here's what to include:
Introduction
Provide a brief overview of who you are, including your current studies and career aspirations. If you are a high school student, mention your school and future goals.
Background and Goals
Give background information on what you’re currently studying and where. Also, be sure to include your goals and intentions toward a career in that particular field. If you’re in high school (yes, there are high school internships), you can still include your school and career aspirations.
Company Knowledge
Demonstrate your understanding of the company by mentioning specific projects you admire or future initiatives you'd like to contribute to. Referencing the company name shows you're genuinely interested, even if you're applying to multiple internships.
Connecting Goals with the Internship
Explain how an internship with the company can help you achieve your academic and career goals. Highlight how the experience aligns with your aspirations and what you hope to gain.
Read also: Comprehensive Internship Guide
Showcasing Relevant Experience
In the final paragraphs, you can showcase your previous work experience, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work. Even seemingly unrelated experiences can demonstrate valuable skills.
Closing Statement
Reiterate your interest in the internship and provide your contact information. Express your eagerness to learn and contribute to the company. For instance, "I am eager to learn from the team at [Company Name] and contribute to your ongoing projects. Thank you for your time and consideration. I can be reached at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address]."
Tailoring Your Cover Letter
While a template can be helpful, customizing your cover letter for each internship is essential.
Research the Organization
Understand their values and long-term vision. Review the job posting. Job descriptions are intentionally written to focus on the key words the employer wants in applicants. The strongest applicants will have the largest and clearest overlap between the position and their background.
Address Key Words
Carefully go through the posting line by line and identify precisely what the company cares about and what the role will entail.
Read also: Internship Opportunities
Highlight Relevant Skills and Experiences
In 1-3 main points, demonstrate that you are a match by highlighting relevant technical and interpersonal skills. In other words, do not summarize your resume! As you describe yourself as a strong candidate, try to provide concrete evidence (“showing”) rather than stating (“telling”) that you have the qualifications needed.
Addressing Potential Concerns
Sometimes, you may need to address potential concerns in your application, such as a career change or a gap in your resume.
Explain Career Transitions
If you’re not a “typical” applicant or are applying for a job outside of your field, you will need to describe why the position makes sense for your specific career path or interests. Provide ample evidence that your background and experience fit the position requirements. Example: “Teaching has been the common thread that ties together my science background and my current roles in the nonprofit world.
Address Gaps or Academic Issues
It is not uncommon to have a gap in your resume. And for applications that include your academic transcript, you may wish to describe circumstances that possibly led to lower grades one semester. When describing these topics, don’t dwell on what went wrong. Instead, briefly explain the issue and then (if appropriate) mention what you did to overcome it and how it shaped you as an applicant.
Networking and Direct Outreach
While online postings are useful, networking can significantly improve your chances. Reaching out directly to recruiters or people you know can make all the difference in your internship search.
Brainstorm and Research Contacts
First, start brainstorming who you might want to reach out to about internship opportunities and keep a running list. Is there a specific company whose work you’re interested in? Are there any professors whose work you particularly admire? Does a family friend work for a company you’d be interested in interning for? Add their names to your list.
Personalize Your Message
You’ll want to craft a personalized message every time and have a specific goal for each note. For example, are you looking to land a particular internship? [Last Name].” Do your research carefully, so you don't use the wrong honorific or pronoun. If you can’t tell which you should use for sure, try “Dear [First Name] [Last Name].” Using a full name is always better than misgendering someone.If you have reason to believe they’d be happy with less formality (e.g., if they work at a startup with a casual culture), you can go with “Dear [First Name].” In the case of a professor, write out “Dear Professor/Prof.
Highlight Your Enthusiasm
Maybe the organization doesn’t have a formal internship program, but you’d love to have a chance to be involved with a particular team or project. That’s OK, too! But explain why you’re interested in working with that company or department and be specific. This is essentially your way of asking for an internship to be created, and people are much more likely to want to help you do that if you come off as genuinely enthusiastic.
Make a Direct Request
Don’t be vague or forget to make a clear ask. The more specific you are, the easier it will be for the person on the other end to understand what you’re looking for and act on your request. Are you asking to meet up and hear more about the organization they work for or for them to put you in touch with the hiring manager? Are you interested in one specific internship posting or hoping to see if an internship could be created?
Examples of Outreach Messages
Here are a few examples of outreach messages you can adapt:
Example 1
My name is [Your Name] and I’m a [year] at [school] in [major/concentration/program]. [Another sentence or two highlighting what you’re interested in and how you’re connected to the recipient.] I’m currently looking for a [season/semester] internship.I’m reaching out because [I’m extremely interested in this internship opportunity/I saw that your organization is hiring interns/I was wondering if you had any availability for an undergraduate researcher/any other request you’re making.] [Another concise sentence or two adding details to your request, sharing your availability or qualifications, or making an alternate, smaller request.]I’ve attached my resume [for your review/for reference/in case it’s helpful to you]. Please let me know if you have any questions!
Example 2
I recently started my summer internship search and discovered that the Bosch Group is currently hiring for a summer engineering intern in your department. Do you have any availability for a quick call next week? I know you’re busy and would really appreciate any time you have. I have also attached my resume and the cover letter I submitted with my online application in case it’s helpful.
Example 3
I am very interested in biotechnology and am fascinated by your medical device research in particular. Currently, I am taking several related classes, including medical device design and a microcontroller lab class.I am wondering if you have any availability in your lab for an undergraduate researcher over the summer. I would love the opportunity to commit 20-25 hours a week toward a research project in your lab. I noticed your work is currently focused on continuous glucose monitoring-a topic I’m deeply interested in (and knowledgeable about) due to my Type 1 diabetes.Do you have any availability to discuss possible opportunities? I am happy to attend your office hours on January 9 if that is most convenient. In the meantime, I’ve attached my resume for your review.
Formatting and Style Tips
Keep it Concise
You can value a company’s time and your own by keeping your cover letter short and to the point.
Maintain Professionalism
Your writing should be professional without feeling robotic. Notice how the first line feels somewhat sterile. The lack of contractions and plain language remove all of the personality from the sentence. On the other hand, the second line feels warm and engaging while remaining business-like.
Proofread Carefully
There’s nothing more off-putting in a cover letter than an obvious typo, missing contact details or a formatting issue. If needed, use tools like Google Docs or similar software for their built-in spelling and grammar check. Alternatively, ask a friend or family member to review it for you.
Resources for Assistance
The best colleges recognize the important role that internships play in helping students reach their career goals and provide the necessary support to help students land these roles. Many schools offer cover letter workshops or help from career counselors. From answering questions like “What is an internship?” to explaining the differences in an externship vs.
Additional Internship Considerations
International Internships
Can you have your internship in another country?Yes, if your school offers such a program. You can try applying for an internship program that suits your degree in the country of your choice. Make sure your application letter is well-composed. It's more expensive than completing internship in your home country, but sometimes it's worth the risk.
Preparing for Your First Day
You might be a little nervous to start your first day of internship.
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