How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship (With Templates)

TL;DR

• An internship cover letter should be one page, 3–4 paragraphs, and tailored to each company
• Lead with enthusiasm and specific knowledge about the company, not generic statements
• Even with no work experience, you have relevant skills from classes, projects, clubs, and volunteer work
• The biggest mistake is sending the same generic cover letter to every application — recruiters can tell immediately

Table of Contents

• Why Cover Letters Still Matter for Internships
• The Cover Letter Structure (4 Paragraphs)
• How to Write Each Section
• What If You Have No Experience?
• Cover Letter Templates
• Real Examples by Industry
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Formatting and Submission Tips
• How AI Can Help (Without Writing It for You)

Why Cover Letters Still Matter for Internships

You might be wondering: "Do people actually read cover letters?" The short answer is yes — especially for internships.

Here's why: when companies hire interns, every applicant's resume looks similar. You're all college students with limited work experience. Cover letters are how you differentiate yourself. They let you:

• Show personality that doesn't come through on a resume
• Demonstrate genuine interest in the company (not just any company)
• Explain your "why" — why this industry, this role, this company
• Connect the dots between your coursework/activities and the job requirements
• Prove you can write clearly and professionally

A survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that 56% of employers said a cover letter was important or very important for intern candidates. And even among the 44% who said it wasn't important, many admitted they'd still read a strong one if it was included.

Bottom line: skipping the cover letter is skipping an opportunity to make your case.

The Cover Letter Structure (4 Paragraphs)

Keep it simple. Every effective cover letter follows this structure:

Paragraph 1: The Hook (3–4 sentences)

Who you are, what you're applying for, and why you're excited about THIS company specifically.

Paragraph 2: Why You're Qualified (5–7 sentences)

Your relevant skills, coursework, projects, or experiences — connected to what the company needs.

Paragraph 3: Why This Company (3–5 sentences)

What specifically attracts you to this company. Show you've done your research.

Paragraph 4: The Close (2–3 sentences)

Express enthusiasm, mention your availability, and invite further conversation.

Total length: One page. Absolutely no more. Ideally 250–400 words.

How to Write Each Section

Paragraph 1: The Hook

This is the most important paragraph because it determines whether the recruiter keeps reading. Your opening needs to accomplish three things:

1. State the position you're applying for
2. Briefly introduce yourself (year, major, school)
3. Show genuine enthusiasm for the specific company

Bad opening: "I am writing to express my interest in the summer internship position at your company. I am a sophomore at State University majoring in marketing, and I believe I would be a great fit for this role."

This is boring, generic, and could be sent to any company. The recruiter has read 500 letters that start exactly like this.

Good opening: "When I saw the summer marketing internship posting at Spotify, I immediately thought of the campaign analysis project I did in my Consumer Behavior class — where I spent three weeks studying how Spotify Wrapped became one of the most successful user engagement campaigns in social media history. As a sophomore marketing major at State University and a daily Spotify user, I'd love the chance to contribute to the team behind those kinds of creative, data-driven campaigns."

This is specific, shows genuine interest, demonstrates relevant knowledge, and immediately differentiates the applicant.

The Formula for a Great Opening

[Specific connection to company] + [who you are] + [enthusiasm for this exact role]

Where to find specific connections:

• Recent company news or product launches
• A class project related to their industry
• A personal experience with their product/service
• A specific company value or initiative that resonates with you
• Something you learned from a current employee or company event

Paragraph 2: Why You're Qualified

This is where you make your case. The key: DON'T just list your resume. Instead, tell stories that demonstrate your skills.

Bad: "I have experience with social media marketing, content creation, and data analysis. I am proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Analytics. I have strong communication skills and am a team player."

This is a list of buzzwords that says nothing. Anyone could write this.

Good: "Last semester, I led a four-person team in my Digital Marketing class to develop a social media strategy for a local coffee shop. We conducted audience research, created a content calendar, and ran A/B tests on Instagram post formats. Over six weeks, our campaign increased the shop's Instagram following by 34% and drove a measurable uptick in foot traffic on promotion days. This experience taught me how to translate data into creative decisions — exactly the kind of work described in your internship posting."

This tells a specific story with measurable results. It shows skills in action, not just skills in theory.

How to Choose What to Include

Read the job description carefully. Identify the 2–3 most important skills or qualities they're looking for. Then pick 1–2 experiences from your background that demonstrate those skills.

Sources of relevant experience:

• Class projects (especially ones with real-world components)
• Student organizations and leadership roles
• Volunteer work
• Part-time jobs (even unrelated ones can show transferable skills)
• Personal projects, freelance work, or side hustles
• Relevant coursework (especially if the role is technical)

Paragraph 3: Why This Company

This paragraph shows you've done your homework. Recruiters can immediately tell the difference between someone who genuinely wants to work at their company and someone who's mass-applying everywhere.

Research areas:

• Company mission and values
• Recent projects, campaigns, or product launches
• Company culture (check Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and their social media)
• Industry position and growth
• Specific teams or departments
• Employee testimonials or blog posts

Bad: "I want to work at your company because it's a leader in the industry and offers great learning opportunities."

This could apply to literally any company.

Good: "What draws me to HubSpot specifically is your commitment to the 'grow better' philosophy — the idea that companies should grow through creating value, not just capturing it. I've followed your blog and podcast for over a year, and the way your marketing team practices what they preach (creating genuinely useful content instead of just promoting products) aligns perfectly with my own beliefs about ethical marketing. I also appreciate that your internship program is structured around real project ownership rather than just shadowing, which means I'd actually get to contribute and learn at the same time."

Paragraph 4: The Close

Keep it short, confident, and action-oriented.

Template: "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my [relevant skills/experiences] could contribute to [specific team or project]. I'm available for [summer dates/semester dates] and can be reached at [email] or [phone]. Thank you for your time and consideration — I look forward to the possibility of joining your team."

Don't be passive ("I hope to hear from you"). Be confident but not arrogant. And always thank them for their time.

What If You Have No Experience?

This is the biggest concern I hear from students, especially freshmen and sophomores. Here's the truth: everyone applying for internships has limited experience. That's the entire point of internships.

Companies hiring interns know they're getting someone who's still learning. They're looking for:

• Eagerness to learn — more than existing skills
• Relevant coursework — shows foundational knowledge
• Transferable skills — from any experience, not just professional ones
• Cultural fit — will you thrive in their environment?
• Potential — do you seem like someone who will grow?

Experiences That Count (Even If You Don't Think They Do)

Class projects: Designed a website in your web development class? Conducted a research study in your psychology class? Built a financial model in your accounting class? These are real experiences with demonstrable skills.

Student organizations: Led a club? Organized an event? Managed a budget? Created marketing materials? All relevant.

Volunteer work: Organized a food drive? Tutored kids? Built a community garden? These show initiative, leadership, and soft skills.

Part-time jobs: Even if you worked in food service or retail, you developed customer service skills, time management, problem-solving under pressure, and teamwork. Frame these as transferable skills.

Personal projects: Built an app? Started a blog? Created a YouTube channel? Managed a social media account? Self-directed projects show initiative and passion.

Academic achievements: Dean's list? Research assistant? Academic competitions? Relevant certifications? Don't be shy about mentioning these.

Framing Non-Traditional Experience

The key is connecting ANY experience to the skills the internship requires.

Example: You worked as a barista and you're applying for a marketing internship.

"Working as a barista at a high-volume café taught me to thrive under pressure, communicate with diverse customers, and think on my feet. When our location struggled with morning rush efficiency, I suggested reorganizing the drink queue system, which reduced average wait time by two minutes. This experience gave me a practical understanding of customer experience optimization — a perspective I'd bring to my work on your marketing team."

Cover Letter Templates

Template 1: Standard Format

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Your Email] | [Your Phone]
[Date]

[Recruiter Name or "Hiring Manager"]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]

Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name or Hiring Manager],

[HOOK: Specific connection to company + who you are + enthusiasm. 3-4 sentences.]

[QUALIFICATIONS: 1-2 specific examples of relevant skills/experience with measurable outcomes. 5-7 sentences.]

[WHY THIS COMPANY: Specific research about the company showing genuine interest. 3-5 sentences.]

[CLOSE: Enthusiasm + availability + invitation to discuss further. 2-3 sentences.]

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Template 2: For Students with No Work Experience

Dear [Hiring Manager],

[Start with a specific reason you're excited about this company — a project they launched, a value they hold, an experience you had with their product. Mention the role and who you are.]

[Describe 1-2 class projects or extracurricular experiences that gave you skills relevant to this role. Include specific details and, if possible, measurable outcomes. Don't just list skills — tell a mini story about how you used them.]

[Share what specifically attracts you to this company beyond the job description. Reference their mission, culture, recent news, or something specific that resonates with you personally. Show that you've done real research.]

I would welcome the chance to discuss how my [coursework/project experience/skills] could contribute to [specific team or initiative]. I'm available [dates] and can be reached at [contact info]. Thank you for considering my application — I'm genuinely excited about the opportunity to learn and contribute at [Company].

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Real Examples by Industry

Marketing Internship

"After spending a semester studying brand positioning in my Strategic Marketing class, I've become particularly fascinated with how emerging DTC brands build loyalty without traditional advertising budgets. That's exactly why your marketing internship at Glossier caught my attention — your community-driven approach to marketing has redefined what brand engagement looks like. As a junior marketing major at NYU with experience running social campaigns for our university's student-run fashion magazine (growing our Instagram from 800 to 3,200 followers in one semester), I'd love to bring my content creation skills and genuine passion for community-first branding to your team."

Software Engineering Internship

"Building my first full-stack web application last semester — a study group matching platform for my Software Engineering class — taught me that I love solving real problems through code. When I saw Google's SWE internship posting, I was drawn to the scale of impact: the code I'd write could potentially reach billions of users. As a computer science junior at Georgia Tech with experience in Python, Java, and React, plus a strong foundation in data structures and algorithms, I'm eager to tackle the kind of complex engineering challenges that Google is known for."

Finance Internship

"I first became fascinated with equity research when I joined my university's student investment fund and had to pitch my first stock — a deep dive into Costco that required me to build a DCF model, analyze competitive positioning, and present to a panel of finance professors. That experience confirmed that I want to build a career in investment analysis, and JPMorgan's summer analyst program is exactly where I want to take the next step. As an economics major with a minor in statistics at the University of Michigan, I bring strong quantitative skills and a genuine curiosity about what drives market behavior."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Sending the Same Letter Everywhere

Recruiters can spot a generic letter in five seconds. If your cover letter could be sent to any company by changing the name, it's not good enough.

2. Repeating Your Resume

Your cover letter should complement your resume, not duplicate it. The resume lists what you've done; the cover letter tells the story of why it matters and how it connects to this role.

3. Being Too Formal or Stiff

"I am writing to express my sincere interest in the esteemed position at your prestigious organization" — nobody talks like this. Be professional but natural. Write like a smart, enthusiastic person, not a robot.

4. Making It About You (Only)

Yes, it's YOUR cover letter. But the company doesn't care what the internship will do for YOUR career. They care what YOU will do for THEM. Frame everything in terms of value you'll bring.

5. Typos and Wrong Company Names

Nothing kills your chances faster than addressing the letter to the wrong company. Triple-check. Have someone else read it. If you're applying to Google, don't accidentally leave "Dear Microsoft Hiring Team" in your letter.

6. Being Too Long

One page. 250–400 words. Recruiters review hundreds of applications. Respect their time.

7. Starting with "To Whom It May Concern"

Try to find the recruiter's name on LinkedIn or the company website. If you truly can't find it, use "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Team."

8. Underselling Yourself

Students tend to use hedging language: "I think I might be a good fit" or "I hope you'll consider my application." Be confident: "I'm excited to bring my skills to your team" or "I'm confident my experience in X makes me a strong candidate for this role."

Formatting and Submission Tips

File Format

• Save as PDF (preserves formatting across all devices)
• Name the file professionally: "FirstName_LastName_CoverLetter.pdf"
• Never submit as .pages or .gdoc

Font and Layout

• Use the same font and style as your resume for consistency
• Standard fonts: Calibri, Arial, Garamond, or Times New Roman
• 10–12 point font size
• 1-inch margins
• Single-spaced with a line break between paragraphs

When to Send

• Apply early in the posting window — many companies review applications on a rolling basis
• Avoid Sunday night mass-application sessions — write thoughtful letters during focused time
• Follow up after 1–2 weeks if you haven't heard back (one polite email, not multiple)

Email vs. Upload

• If uploading through an application portal, attach as a separate PDF
• If emailing directly, paste the cover letter in the email body AND attach it as a PDF
• If there's a text box for "additional information" in an application, you can paste your cover letter there

How AI Can Help (Without Writing It for You)

Let me be clear: do NOT have AI write your cover letter from scratch. Recruiters are getting increasingly good at spotting AI-generated text, and a generic AI letter is actually worse than no letter at all — it tells the recruiter you didn't care enough to write your own.

But AI tools like Gradily CAN help you:

Brainstorm and Structure

"I'm applying for a marketing internship at Nike. Here are my experiences: [list]. Help me brainstorm which ones to highlight and how to structure my letter."

Improve Your Draft

"Here's my cover letter draft. Can you help me make the opening paragraph more engaging? Don't rewrite it — just give me suggestions."

Research the Company

"What are some specific recent initiatives or campaigns from Nike that I could mention in my cover letter?"

Check Tone and Grammar

"Does this cover letter sound too formal? Too casual? Can you check for grammar and clarity?"

Tailor for Different Applications

"I wrote this cover letter for a marketing internship at Nike. How should I adjust the emphasis for a similar role at Adidas?"

The rule: YOU write the words. AI helps you make YOUR words better. The cover letter should sound like you — your voice, your enthusiasm, your genuine interest. No tool can fake that.

Final Thoughts

Writing cover letters takes time. There's no getting around that. But investing 30–45 minutes per tailored cover letter dramatically increases your chances of landing interviews.

Here's your action plan:

1. Read the job description carefully and identify what they're really looking for
2. Write your opening hook — make it specific and genuine
3. Choose 1–2 experiences that demonstrate the skills they need
4. Research the company and write about why THEY specifically excite you
5. Keep it to one page
6. Proofread three times, then have someone else read it
7. Submit as a PDF

The students who get the best internships aren't necessarily the most qualified — they're the ones who put in the effort to make each application count. Your cover letter is proof of that effort.

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Need help brainstorming or polishing your cover letter? Gradily's AI tools can help you structure your thoughts and strengthen your writing — while keeping your authentic voice. Try it free today.