How do I write a cover letter for an internship?

Use five parts: Header, Hook, Fit, Proof, Close. Keep it 200–350 words, mirror the job’s keywords, and show one or two results with simple numbers.

Do I need a cover letter for internship applications?

Yes when requested or when a text field is provided. A short, tailored letter is often the tie-breaker on competitive, rolling roles.

How long should a cover letter for internship be?

One page or 200–350 words. Short paragraphs, clear headings, and easy skimming.

Internship Cover Letter Guide 2025

Cover Letter for Internship (Examples, Templates & Email Tips)

Q: What if I have no experience?

Use class projects, clubs, part-time work, or a small personal build. Show impact with basic metrics like sign-ups, views, cost or time saved.

Written by Anna Blanchard

Updated: Nov 8, 2025

I’m Anna, a University of Chicago alumna. Before I landed my first internship, I wrote more than 50 cover letters. Most were too long, too vague, or tried to impress with buzzwords. What finally worked was a short, clear Cover Letter for Internship that showed one or two real results and matched the words in the job post. This guide shares that simple approach.

Why your Cover Letter for Internship matters

Recruiters skim. A tight Cover Letter for Internship helps them see three things fast: you understand the role, you’ve done something useful before (even in class or clubs), and you can communicate clearly. That’s enough to earn a closer look and, often, an interview.

The 5-part structure that actually works

After dozens of drafts, I ended up using the same five pieces every time. Keep it to 200–350 words and let this table guide your outline.

Part	What to write	Pro tip
Header	Your name, contacts, date, company, role.	Match your resume header for consistency.
Hook	1–2 lines that link you to their team or mission.	Mention a product, campaign, or value you admire.
Fit	3–5 skills from the job post in plain words.	Use the exact phrases they use.
Proof	1–2 mini stories with numbers.	“I did X → resulted in Y.” Keep it short.
Close	Polite enthusiasm + availability.	Example: “Available May–August.”

How to write each part, simply

Header. Paste the same header as your resume so everything looks like a set. Add today’s date, the company name, and the internship title.

Hook. Two lines is enough: “I’m a second-year (major) excited about (company thing).” Show that you know what they do—one detail is better than a paragraph.

Fit. Lift 3–5 phrases straight from the posting, like “Excel PivotTables,” “customer interviews,” “Figma prototypes,” or “Python (pandas).” This helps both the reader and the screening system.

Proof. Share one small result with a number: views, sign-ups, time saved, a grade, or users reached. Your example can come from a class project, club, part-time job, or something you built for yourself.

Close. One sentence is perfect. Thank them, say you’re available during the right months, and add that you’d be happy to discuss how you can help the team.

Want help drafting faster? Internstart reads the job post, mirrors the right words, and drafts your Cover Letter for Internship—then fills forms and submits for you.

A short, plain Cover Letter for Internship example

Use this as a model—keep your own details specific and brief.

Dear Hiring Manager,

I’m a second-year Business student applying for the Marketing Intern role at BrightBean. I’ve followed your student creator campaign and would love to help with content planning and basic reporting.

In my campus club, I planned a month of short videos that reached ~42,000 views and grew event sign-ups by 19%. I also set up simple tracking links so we knew which posts drove RSVPs.

I’m available May–August and I’m excited to support the team. Thank you for your time.

Best regards,
(Your Name) · (email) · (phone) · (LinkedIn/portfolio)

Quick polish and send

Keep your Cover Letter for Internship between 200 and 350 words, split into short paragraphs so it’s easy to skim. Name the file clearly—Firstname-Lastname-Internship-Cover-Letter.pdf. If the application has a text box, paste the text and still attach the PDF. For a subject line, simple wins: “Marketing Intern — (Your Name)”.

Before you submit, reread the posting and make sure your letter uses the same words for tools and tasks. If you’re brand-new to the field, that’s fine—pick one small project you’ve done and show a concrete outcome. One proof beats five adjectives.

If you need a resume too, pair this with our guide on how to write a resume for internship. They work best together.

FAQ

Do I still need a Cover Letter for Internship if the job doesn’t ask? If there’s a field for it, add one. On competitive roles, a short letter often breaks ties.

What if I have no experience? Use a class, club, or personal project. Explain what you did and one result. That’s real experience.

How long should it be? One page max—200–350 words. Short paragraphs. Clear headings if you like.

Skip the guesswork. Internstart can draft a tailored Cover Letter for Internship, mirror the job’s keywords, and submit applications for you while you focus on interviews.

Next steps

You’re ready to write. Keep it short, specific, and proof-based. Then apply early and follow up once if you don’t hear back. If you want extra help, our guide to timing is here: when to apply for summer internships.