First impressions matter: Craft the perfect cover letter

A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your CV / resume when applying for an internship. It serves as a personal introduction to the employer, where you briefly explain why you are the right fit for the job and highlight your most relevant skills.

In many countries and industries this is expected rather than a nice to have. This is particularly true in the U.S., Canada, Australia and across much of Europe.

Create a template

Create a template cover letter to streamline your job application process, allowing you to focus on personalising each letter instead of starting from scratch every time. A well-structured template should include key sections such as a professional greeting, an introductory paragraph where you express your interest in the role, a middle section that highlights your relevant skills and experiences and a closing paragraph that reinforces your enthusiasm and invites further discussion.

Pro tip Avoid making your cover letter template too generic. It’s ok to leave blank spaces to add specific details but don’t include vague one size fits all statements like “I am a great fit for your company”. Instead create placeholders in your template to insert personalised examples to tailor your CV/ resume to each internship and company.

Example With my background in [relevant field or major] and my strong skills in [key skills related to the internship], I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team and gain valuable hands-on experience in the [industry/field] industry.

Adapt your cover letter

A great cover letter is tailored to the position you are applying for. Start by researching the company and use this information to customise your cover letter. Mention the company by name, reference specific projects it is known for or news articles that you found interesting and explain how your skills and experience align with their needs.

Example You are applying for a marketing position at a tech start up, you might highlight your passion for innovative technologies and any skills relevant to digital marketing strategies.

Practical tips to make your cover letter stand out

• Start strong Open with a compelling introduction. Instead of the standard “I am writing to apply for… “, try something more engaging, like “Drawing from my hands-on experience with campus marketing campaigns, I am eager to contribute to [Company Name] as a marketing intern”.

• Show, don’t tell Use specific examples to demonstrate your skill. For instance, instead of saying “I have strong leadership skills”, you could write “During my university project, I led a team of 4 students to develop a social media strategy”.

• Keep it concise A cover letter should be no longer than one page. Focus on the most important information relevant to the current application and avoid repeating what’s already on your CV/resume.

• End with confidence Close your cover letter by expressing enthusiasm for the role and confidence in your fit for the position.