Nail Your Internship Application: Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Standout Cover Letter

Securing your first internship is super exciting. It’s like your first step into the real world. But before you even think about where to apply, you’ve got to master the art of writing a cover letter that makes you stand out from the dozens of other applications that the hiring manager is scanning through. 

As a student, you’re probably wondering: What should I say? How do I stand out with limited experience? And that’s completely normal. You’re not the first to feel overwhelmed by the whole process, and you won’t be the last. 

To make it that little bit easier, we’ve put together the ultimate guide where we’ll walk you through how to write a cover letter for an internship step-by-step. You’ll learn how to showcase your skills, demonstrate enthusiasm, and avoid common mistakes. With the assistance of our practical examples and a free cover letter template for students to adapt, we’ll help you write the mother of all cover letters!

Why a Cover Letter Matters for Internships

While your CV lists your experience, your cover letter tells the story behind it. It’s your chance to let your personality and passion shine whilst highlighting all of your transferable skills from your studies, part-time jobs, and activities. A strong internship application cover letter is the difference between being overlooked and landing that all-important interview in such a competitive job market, so it’s also important to explain why you’re a great fit for that specific company in particular.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Standout Internship Cover Letter

Step 1: Research the Company and Role

Before you start writing, spend some time researching the company.

• Read their website, the “About Us” and “Careers” sections in particular
• Study the job description carefully
• Look for keywords about skills, values, and culture

Tailor your letter to match their values. For example, if the company prioritises innovation, highlight times you’ve embraced creativity. 

Step 2: Start with a Strong Opening

You want to grab their attention from the get-go, so if you can find the hiring manager’s name, you’ll definitely earn some extra brownie points by addressing them. If not, “Dear Hiring Manager” will work just fine!

An engaging first paragraph looks something like this:

“As a second-year Business Management student at [University Name], I was excited to see the Marketing Intern opportunity at [Company Name]. With a passion for digital marketing and strong organisational skills, I am eager to contribute to your dynamic team.“

Step 3: Showcase Relevant Skills and Experience

For an internship, you don’t need years and years of experience. They understand that they’re hiring students or graduates, and it’s likely that you’ve never had a professional job before. Instead, you can focus on:

• Education: Relevant modules, research and group projects to show your teamwork skills. 
• Extracurriculars: Societies, volunteering, and leadership roles all show that you can commit to something you’re passionate about.
• Part-time work: Whether it’s customer service, admin or tutoring, working through your studies implies that you know how to manage your time effectively and can take responsibility.

Using the above points, state and develop specific examples, such as:

“Through my role as Events Officer for the Student Union, I developed excellent project management skills, successfully organising a charity ball attended by over 200 students.“

Step 4: Show Enthusiasm and Cultural Fit

Employers want interns who are genuinely excited to work with them. So, using the information you gathered in Step 1:

• Mention why you admire the company
• Connect your personal values with theirs

For example:

“I am particularly drawn to [Company Name]’s commitment to sustainability, a value that aligns with my work as a Green Society volunteer.“

Step 5: Conclude with a Confident Call to Action

To wrap things up, you want to leave with a memorable conclusion and call to action, making you stand out from the rest of the applicants. Always thank the reader and express eagerness to move forward. Here’s an example you could use:

“I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to [Company Name]’s team. Thank you for considering my application.“

Common Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid

Here are all of the pitfalls to avoid to keep your letter polished:

• Sending a generic letter – Companies want you to put in the effort, so always personalise it to them and the role.
• Repeating your CV – This is your chance to expand on key experiences with context and enthusiasm!
• Overusing clichés – Avoid phrases like “team player” at all costs. Instead, opt for phrases like “collaborative” and back it up with examples.
• Spelling and grammar errors – No one wants to receive a sloppy cover letter, so proofread and proofread again. And for added safety, use tools like Grammarly, just to be safe.

Internship Cover Letter Template & Example

Here’s how to format a cover letter for an internship correctly.

In the top right corner, include your details: 

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]

Below this, on the left-hand side, is where you should include your recipient’s details:

[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

Opening paragraph: Introduce yourself, state the role you’re applying for, and grab attention with enthusiasm.

Middle paragraphs: Highlight your most relevant skills and experiences, backed by examples. Show you’ve researched the company and explain why you’re a great fit. To highlight in the most clear and concise way, consider using the STAR structure.

Closing paragraph: Thank the reader, express interest in an interview, and sign off professionally.

Kind regards,

[Your Name]

Internship Cover Letter Example:

After reviewing the best internship cover letter examples and tips, we’ve taken the sections that stand out the most to write a shortened master cover letter. 

Dear Ms. Amelia Hart,

As a third-year English Literature student at Now University, I was thrilled to discover the Copywriting Internship at ABC Agency. With strong writing skills honed through my coursework and my role as Editor of the student newspaper, I am eager to bring creativity and attention to detail to your dynamic content team.

As someone who prides themselves on their ability to work both independently and collaboratively, I think my hard skills will be an invaluable addition to your team. For example, during my time as Events Officer for the university’s Student Union, I was responsible for boosting engagement at our annual charity fundraiser. I organised a team of ten volunteers, secured sponsorships from local businesses, and implemented a targeted social media campaign. As a result, we increased attendance by 30% compared to the previous year and raised over £5,000 for local charities.

I am excited about ABC Agency’s mission to empower young voices, a goal I share deeply through my volunteer work with local youth literacy programmes.

I would love the opportunity to contribute to your projects and learn from your talented team. Thank you for considering my application.

Kind regards,
Alex Brooks

Final Checklist Before Submitting Your Cover Letter

Whether you’re sealing it up in an envelope and posting it through the letter box or simply clicking “send”, there are a few final things to do before you submit your cover letter: 

• Proofread carefully – typos can cost you interviews!
• Check formatting – keep it clean and professional
• Verify contact info – both your own and the employer’s
• Ensure personalisation – does it clearly target this company and role?
• The length – your cover letter shouldn’t be longer than a page—aim for around 400 words.

Writing a compelling cover letter for an internship doesn’t have to be stressful. Every professional started where you are now, and with the right application, you’ll soon take that exciting first step into your career!

With a little research, thoughtful examples, and genuine enthusiasm, you can craft a letter that truly stands out and is unique to you. While we’ve given you all of our cover letter tips for internships and an example to use, remember to make it your own. Your uniqueness is what will make you stand out!

Looking for the perfect student accommodation while you chase your internship dreams? Check out Now Students’ locations to find your next home away from home.