While the CV includes information about your work experience and academic background, a cover letter is a condensed document that explains why you’re applying for the internship in about 250-400 words (one page).
Remember, it is a direct message to the hiring manager, so don’t try to use the same cover letter for every internship you apply for!
It has the form of a letter in which you can deep dive into concrete examples of your expertise and develop your skills and career experience to show that you’re the perfect candidate.
The CV and the cover letter should work together: the first one lists your experiences and the second one describes them in action through compelling examples (what can I bring to the company? How do I fit the job?)
A strong cover letter is structured as follows:
Your contact details
The hiring manager or department information
An opening paragraph to grab the reader's attention and to explain why you’re writing to the company
The body where you have to explain why you are the right person for the internship and why you want to work for the company. It’s a good idea to identify the top 3 requirements for the internship ad and then explain how you’d fulfill each one
A closing paragraph with formal salutation and a polite expression of interest in further dialogue with the recruiter
Our best tips to keep in mind when you write a cover letter:
Before you start writing, carefully read the internship offer ad and do some research on the company to tail the letter accordingly
Make sure to address the letter to the relevant contact and mention the internship offer
Always avoid lengthy repetition of information that is already covered in your CV
Don't forget to include extracurricular activities experiences which can be useful for the internship
Briefly outline your current situation and tell a little about yourself
Check for possible spelling errors and pay attention to the details, the letter has to be perfect!
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