This is it. You’ve searched the job listings. You’ve found an awesome internship. You’ve perfected your resume. Everything’s falling into place. Well, almost. All those years of waiting to apply for that dream internship have come down to one pesky thing – your cover letter. And cue the sigh of dread.
The cover letter is the most important part of an internship application because it allows you to show how your skills relate to a position. But writing a cover letter can be stressful for some collegiettes unsure of how to best sell their skills and experience to employers.
If written well, the cover letter can help you land the best internship ever. If written poorly, it will hit the trash. So what’s the secret to writing a knockout cover letter? HC OU is here to help you crack the cover letter conundrum, just in time for the summer internship application season.
Step 1: Research.
The number one way to make a cover letter stand out is to tailor it toward the company you want to work for, says Kristine Hoke, Assistant Director of OU Career Services. But in order to personalize, you must find out as much as you can about the company offering the internship. Ask yourself, “Who is this company?” and “What is its mission, goals, objectives, services, products or clients?” A company’s website is usually the first place to check for that type of information, but it’s also smart to look at the news and see what the organization is doing currently. The most important thing is to find the information that’s unique to what you’re interested in, or else you’ll come off sounding like a robot. “If they ask you about it, they’re going to see that you just told them what they wanted to hear rather than something you truly connect with,” Hoke says.
Step 2: Brainstorm.
There’s no denying that the hardest part of writing a cover letter is figuring out how to start. Before writing, take some time to brainstorm or outline your ideas. Think about why you want to work for the company and decide what skills or work experience relates most to the position. You’ll be grateful later when you have something to refer to, instead of staring blankly at a screen. Students who get stuck with cover letters shouldn’t hold themselves to writing a full draft in one sitting. Try writing the letter in sections one day at a time. “It’s good to do it a little bit in advance so that you can take breaks from it and not get stuck on the small details,” Hoke says. The last thing you want is to rush through the cover letter and end up with a chaotic rambling of thoughts.
Step 3: Write.
With a brainstorm out of the way, now you’re ready to start writing. At the top of the cover letter, always include your contact information, followed by the date, the company’s contact information and a proper salutation. For an example, check out this mock cover letter at the Ohio University Career Services website.
It’s vital that you find an actual person to address the letter to and list his or her title with the company. Most of the time that information can be found with the internship listing, but, if not, it’s up to you to do the legwork.
If you can’t find a specific person, then address the letter to a title, such as Internship Coordinator or Human Resources Manager. Nothing’s worse for an employer than reading the generic Dear Sir or Madame.
A cover letter should never be more than one page and three paragraphs in length. The goal of the first paragraph is to show why you want to intern for the company. State the position you are applying for and what it is about the organization that drives you. Employers love to see you draw from some personal experience that relates your passion.
The second paragraph, however, is your show. Here, you can expand upon your skills and experience to show why you are qualified for the internship. “You’ve got the answers to the test essentially if you’ve got the job description,” Hoke says. If the description mentions certain skills, then you better talk about your experience that relates to those skills. If you don’t meet the description, though, don’t sweat. Find a way to show how your unique work background fits the company, and you can’t go wrong.
The final paragraph is always the easiest. Briefly sum up your interest in the company and why you think you’d be a perfect fit. Then, close the letter by thanking the person for his or her time and offering your contact information, including an email address and phone number. Unless the company does not want to be contacted, state that you plan to follow-up with the organization and check your application status.
Throughout your letter, Hoke suggests using a professional business format, writing with short, specific and direct sentences. Always be to the point because long and winding sentences can confuse employers fast. And utilize transitions to make the letter flow. When talking about yourself, it’s easy to get caught up in repeating “I,” but a few word tweaks can really take your letter to the next level. Try phrases like:
As the…of this organization, I was able to…
My experience in this has allowed me to…
My experience in…relates to this position’s responsibility in…
Step 4: Proofread and Send.
With your first draft on paper, now it’s time to give the cover letter a final look-through. Make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes and that your thoughts flow smoothly. It also helps to have someone else critique your letter to catch any mistakes you might miss. Try a friend within your major or, better yet, visit the professionals at OU Career Services. They can review your resume or cover letter during walk-in hours or by appointment and point out spots to improve on for the next draft. Once you’ve got it perfected, send it off and don’t look back.
Sure, writing cover letters may sound stressful, but with the right attitude, it can be fun and enjoyable. “Don’t make it as scary as it is and trust your intuition,” Hoke says. Ultimately, the only thing holding you back is yourself.
Career Services is located on the fifth floor of Baker Center. For hours and resources, visit www.ohio.edu/careers, call 740-593-2909 or email career.services@ohio.edu.
And don’t forget to like Ohio University Career Services on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @ohioucareers!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Ohio U chapter.