Application Tips

How to Write a Cover Letter for Internship Applications

A great cover letter can be the difference between getting an interview and getting ignored. Learn how to write one that actually works.

Sproutern Career Team

Regularly updated

16 min read

Cover Letter Impact

83%of recruiters say cover letters impact hiring decision

45%of applications rejected for generic cover letters

2.5xhigher response rate with personalized letters

250ideal word count for cover letters

Key Takeaways

Personalization is everything—never use generic templates as-is
Focus on what you can offer, not what you want to gain
Keep it under 300 words—quality over quantity
Show genuine enthusiasm for the specific company/role

"Do I really need a cover letter?" Yes. While some applications don't require them, a well-written cover letter significantly increases your chances. It's your opportunity to show personality, demonstrate genuine interest, and explain why you're the perfect fit.

1. Why Cover Letters Matter

Shows effort: Taking time to write one signals genuine interest
Adds context: Explain career gaps, transitions, or unique situations
Demonstrates writing: Many roles require communication skills
Personality showcase: Resumes are facts; cover letters add character

2. Perfect Cover Letter Structure

1. Header: Your contact info + date + company details
2. Greeting: Addressed to specific person if possible
3. Opening (2-3 sentences): Hook + position + brief intro
4. Body (2-3 paragraphs): Why you're qualified + specific examples
5. Closing (2-3 sentences): Call to action + thank you
6. Sign-off: Professional closing + your name

3. Crafting a Strong Opening

Your opening must grab attention immediately. Avoid these weak starts:

❌ Generic Openers

• "I am writing to apply for the position of..."
• "I saw your job posting and am interested..."
• "My name is [X] and I am a student at..."

✅ Strong Openers

• "When I saw your blog post about [topic], I knew [Company] was where I wanted to apply my [skill]."
• "After building [project] that solved [problem], I'm excited to bring this experience to [Company]'s [team]."
• "As someone who's been using [Product] for [X years], I've always admired how [specific feature]. I'd love to contribute to its development."

4. Writing the Body

Paragraph 1: Why You're Qualified

Connect your skills/experience to what they're looking for:

Mention 2-3 relevant skills or experiences
Use specific examples with quantified results
Mirror language from the job description

Paragraph 2: Why This Company

Show genuine research and enthusiasm:

Reference specific products, projects, or company values
Explain how your goals align with theirs
Show you understand their challenges/industry

Pro Tip: The "Why this company" paragraph is where generic applications fail. Spend 10 minutes researching—check their blog, recent news, LinkedIn posts, or product updates.

5. Powerful Closings

End with a clear call-to-action:

"I'd love to discuss how my experience with [skill/project] could contribute to [Company's goal]. I'm available for an interview at your convenience and can be reached at [email/phone]."

"Thank you for considering my application. I'm excited about the possibility of joining [Company] and contributing to [specific area]."

6. Ready-to-Use Template

[Your Name] [Email] | [Phone] | [LinkedIn/Portfolio] [Date] Dear [Hiring Manager's Name / Recruiting Team], [Opening hook showing research + enthusiasm for the role] [Paragraph 1: 2-3 relevant qualifications/experiences with specific examples and results] [Paragraph 2: Why this specific company—reference their product, values, or recent news. Show alignment between your goals and theirs] [Closing: Express enthusiasm + clear call to action + thank you] Best regards, [Your Name]

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

🚩 Repeating Your Resume

Your cover letter should complement, not duplicate, your resume.

🚩 Focusing on What You Want

"This internship would help me grow" → Focus on what you can contribute instead.

🚩 Being Too Long

250-300 words max. Recruiters won't read essays.

🚩 Typos and Errors

One typo can cost you the opportunity. Proofread multiple times.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Should I write a cover letter if it's optional?

Yes! "Optional" often means "your chance to stand out." Only skip if explicitly told not to include one.

How do I address it if I don't know the hiring manager's name?

Use "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Company] Recruiting Team." Avoid "To Whom It May Concern."

Can I use the same cover letter for multiple applications?

Keep a base template, but customize the "why this company" paragraph for each application. Generic letters are obvious.

Your Cover Letter Journey Starts Now

A great cover letter takes time—maybe 30 minutes per application. But that investment pays off in callbacks. Remember: personalize, be specific, and show genuine enthusiasm.

Your next internship is one great cover letter away. ✉️

📚 Related Resources

One-Page Resume Guide Cold Email Templates How to Follow Up Browse Internships

Written by Sproutern Career Team

Based on analysis of 3,000+ successful applications and recruiter interviews.

Regularly updated

Application Tips

How to Write a Cover Letter for Internship Applications

A great cover letter can be the difference between getting an interview and getting ignored. Learn how to write one that actually works.

Sproutern Career Team

Regularly updated

16 min read

Cover Letter Impact

83%of recruiters say cover letters impact hiring decision

45%of applications rejected for generic cover letters

2.5xhigher response rate with personalized letters

250ideal word count for cover letters

Key Takeaways

Personalization is everything—never use generic templates as-is
Focus on what you can offer, not what you want to gain
Keep it under 300 words—quality over quantity
Show genuine enthusiasm for the specific company/role

1. Why Cover Letters Matter

Shows effort: Taking time to write one signals genuine interest
Adds context: Explain career gaps, transitions, or unique situations
Demonstrates writing: Many roles require communication skills
Personality showcase: Resumes are facts; cover letters add character

2. Perfect Cover Letter Structure

1. Header: Your contact info + date + company details
2. Greeting: Addressed to specific person if possible
3. Opening (2-3 sentences): Hook + position + brief intro
4. Body (2-3 paragraphs): Why you're qualified + specific examples
5. Closing (2-3 sentences): Call to action + thank you
6. Sign-off: Professional closing + your name

3. Crafting a Strong Opening

Your opening must grab attention immediately. Avoid these weak starts:

❌ Generic Openers

• "I am writing to apply for the position of..."
• "I saw your job posting and am interested..."
• "My name is [X] and I am a student at..."

✅ Strong Openers

• "When I saw your blog post about [topic], I knew [Company] was where I wanted to apply my [skill]."
• "After building [project] that solved [problem], I'm excited to bring this experience to [Company]'s [team]."
• "As someone who's been using [Product] for [X years], I've always admired how [specific feature]. I'd love to contribute to its development."

4. Writing the Body

Paragraph 1: Why You're Qualified

Connect your skills/experience to what they're looking for:

Mention 2-3 relevant skills or experiences
Use specific examples with quantified results
Mirror language from the job description

Paragraph 2: Why This Company

Show genuine research and enthusiasm:

Reference specific products, projects, or company values
Explain how your goals align with theirs
Show you understand their challenges/industry

Pro Tip: The "Why this company" paragraph is where generic applications fail. Spend 10 minutes researching—check their blog, recent news, LinkedIn posts, or product updates.

5. Powerful Closings

End with a clear call-to-action:

"I'd love to discuss how my experience with [skill/project] could contribute to [Company's goal]. I'm available for an interview at your convenience and can be reached at [email/phone]."

"Thank you for considering my application. I'm excited about the possibility of joining [Company] and contributing to [specific area]."

6. Ready-to-Use Template

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

🚩 Repeating Your Resume

Your cover letter should complement, not duplicate, your resume.

🚩 Focusing on What You Want

"This internship would help me grow" → Focus on what you can contribute instead.

🚩 Being Too Long

250-300 words max. Recruiters won't read essays.

🚩 Typos and Errors

One typo can cost you the opportunity. Proofread multiple times.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Should I write a cover letter if it's optional?

Yes! "Optional" often means "your chance to stand out." Only skip if explicitly told not to include one.

How do I address it if I don't know the hiring manager's name?

Use "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Company] Recruiting Team." Avoid "To Whom It May Concern."

Can I use the same cover letter for multiple applications?

Keep a base template, but customize the "why this company" paragraph for each application. Generic letters are obvious.

Your Cover Letter Journey Starts Now

A great cover letter takes time—maybe 30 minutes per application. But that investment pays off in callbacks. Remember: personalize, be specific, and show genuine enthusiasm.

Your next internship is one great cover letter away. ✉️

📚 Related Resources

One-Page Resume Guide Cold Email Templates How to Follow Up Browse Internships

Written by Sproutern Career Team

Based on analysis of 3,000+ successful applications and recruiter interviews.

Regularly updated