Cover letters might be merely one document consisting of a few paragraphs but they are a very significant document because they are the first step in getting a job. They are also your potential bosses introduction to you. Particularly for interns, writing an internship cover letter can be daunting because even if you have completed an internship, you have still not spent a lot of time in the work world and writing might not be your forte.

There are 3 main components to drafting an internship cover letter beginning with the first paragraph, which states why you’re writing, the second and third paragraphs, which state what you’ve to offer, and the last paragraph, which states how you will follow up.  Let’s take it step-by-step.

First Paragraph in Internship Cover Letter

When sending out a cover letter it is significant to let the employer know what you’re applying for at the very start of your letter.

Example of a 1st Paragraph in Internship Cover Letter

Please accept my application for the summer analyst position recently posted on MonsterTRAK.

Always be clear, concise, and specific in your communications. This offers the employer with the exact information they require directing your letter to the suitable person or department. If you’ve a mutual contact that referred you, you should put that in the first paragraph.

Example If You are Being Referred to the Company 

Ms. Mary Smith, a Brandeis alumna and Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Merrill Lynch, recommended that I mention her name when applying for the Merrill Lynch summer analyst position recently posted on MonsterTRAK.

My strong academic commitment in addition to my participation in a number of co-curricular activities (and my previous internship with Smith Barney) makes me an excellent candidate for this position.

Second and Third Paragraphs

While you have not been a member of the workforce, you have knowledge and skills gained in your college courses, co-curricular and volunteer activities.

Not to highlight your previous internships and jobs. You can either devote one paragraph to relevant coursework and co-curricular activities and another paragraph to relevant work and internship experiences or involve both in the same paragraph.

Example if You’ve School Experience

During my first two years at the Institute of Brandeis University, I excelled in all my business courses, specifically finance and economics. I’ve enjoyed the challenges that these courses provided and found myself totally immersed in the overall management and business course culminating in a major project and presentation made to various visiting corporate executives. The project needed a great deal of organizational and teamwork to make the presentation successful. The outcome was well received and the feedback included a plan on the part of the executives to implement several of my recommendations at the corporate level. Additionally, I served as treasurer of my sophomore class for two semesters and helped orchestrated two major fundraisers for charities in four short months.

Example of Internship Experience

My internship with Smith Barney permitted me to entirely utilize my analytical skills and quantitative reasoning skills acquired at college.

After 6 weeks, my supervisor recommended that I participate in a project involving senior analysts and I assisted with the final presentation made to the Board of Directors. This experience helped teach me how to consider on my feet and raised my level of self-confidence.

Last Paragraph

The last paragraph in your internship cover letter is your chance to sum up your qualifications and how you intend to follow-up. Unless the job posting states that you don’t contact the employer, this is where you explain how you will follow-up to ensure receipt of your material and request an interview. By following up, you not just ensure your documents were received; you afford the employer the opportunity to take a second look at your qualifications. It also tells the employer you are still interested in the position.

Example of a Last Paragraph

Thank you for taking the time to review my resume and cover letter.

Given my extensive experience with other brokerage firms during initial summer internship programs, I feel well-suited for the Smith Barney internship position. I expect to be afforded the opportunity to intern with Smith Barney and will call soon to see if we can arrange an interview.