7 Steps to Write a Letter of Interest for an Internship

Learn how to write a compelling letter of interest for internships with our 7-step guide. Stand out from the competition and land your dream opportunity.

Staring at a blank screen, cursor blinking, wondering how to get your foot in the door at your dream company? Most students feel this exact frustration when trying to break into competitive industries.

Most students wait for internship postings to appear on job boards, applying to the same opportunities as hundreds of other candidates.

But there’s a more strategic approach that can set you apart from the competition: a letter of interest for an internship that creates opportunities before they’re even posted.

In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to write a letter of interest for an internship that gets noticed, builds connections, and opens doors you didn’t even know existed. Whether you’re crafting your first internship cover letter or refining your approach, get ready to transform your outreach strategy!

What is a Letter of Interest for an Internship?

A letter of interest for an internship is a proactive document you send to companies expressing your desire to work with them, even when they haven’t posted any internship openings.

Now, why would you want to do this?

Think of it like this: while everyone else is waiting for companies to post internship opportunities and then fighting over the same positions, you’re taking a completely different approach.

You’re walking up to companies you genuinely admire and saying, “Hey, I think what you’re doing is incredible, and I’d love to be part of it!”

Unlike traditional cover letters for internship applications that respond to posted jobs, a letter of interest creates its own opportunities.

You’re not competing with hundreds of other students for the same role; you’re starting a conversation that could lead to an internship being created just for you.

When you send a thoughtful letter of interest, you’re essentially saying, “I’ve done my homework on your company, I’m genuinely excited about your mission, and I think I could add value to your team.”

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How Letters of Interest Differ from Cover Letters

While cover letters and letters of interest serve similar purposes, the main difference comes down to timing and approach:

Traditional Cover Letters:

• Respond to specific job postings
• Address posted requirements and qualifications
• Follow a more standardized format
• Compete directly with other applicants

Letters of Interest:

• Create opportunities where none existed
• Focus on your potential value to the company
• Allow for more creative and personalized approaches
• Position you as the solution to problems they didn’t know they had

Understanding this distinction helps you craft a more effective internship application letter sample that stands out from typical responses to job postings.

The Power of Proactive Outreach

It’s widely known that most jobs are never publicly posted, and the same principle applies to internships. Many companies create internship opportunities when they meet the right candidate, rather than posting positions and waiting for applications to roll in.

When you send a thoughtful letter of interest, you’re positioning yourself as that right candidate. You’re demonstrating qualities that employers value most: initiative, research skills, and genuine passion for their industry.

Companies also appreciate candidates who take the time to understand their business. Your letter shows that you’ve done your homework and aren’t just sending generic applications to every company in your field.

7 Steps to Write a Letter of Interest for an Internship

Research the Company Thoroughly

Before you write a single word, become a detective. Your research will be the foundation of everything that follows, and shallow research produces shallow letters.

Start with the company’s website, but don’t stop there. Look beyond the “About Us” page and dive into everything you can find. You can use AI to help with this BUT always double check accuracy.

• Recent news and developments: Check their press releases, recent partnerships, or expansion plans. Mentioning current events shows you’re paying attention to their trajectory.
• Company culture and values: Understanding what they care about helps you align your message with their priorities. If they emphasize innovation, highlight your creative problem-solving skills.
• Leadership team: LinkedIn research on key executives can provide insights into their backgrounds and the company’s direction.
• Industry challenges: What obstacles is their industry facing? How might an intern contribute to solutions?

The goal isn’t to impress them with random facts about their company. Instead, use this research to identify genuine connections between your interests and their needs.

Pro Tip: Set up Google Alerts for the company name to stay updated on recent developments. This ongoing awareness can be valuable for follow-up conversations.

Want more general advice on job hunting? Watch our video:

Find the Right Contact Person

Generic greetings like “To Whom It May Concern” immediately signal mass-produced communication. Your letter needs a human connection, which starts with finding the right recipient.

Best contact options in order of preference:

• Internship coordinator or HR manager: Many companies have dedicated staff for student programs
• Department head: If you’re interested in marketing, reach out to the marketing director
• Team lead: For smaller companies, the person who would directly supervise interns
• CEO or founder: For startups or companies with fewer than 50 employees

Research strategies:

• Company website staff directory
• LinkedIn company page and employee search
• Industry associations and networking events
• Alumni networks from your school
• Cold outreach on professional social media

When you can’t find a specific name, call the company’s main number and ask: “Could you direct me to the person who handles internship opportunities in your [specific department]?”

Action Step: Spend at least 30 minutes researching contact information. A personalized greeting immediately sets your letter apart from generic submissions.

Craft a Compelling Opening Paragraph

Most hiring managers spend about 6-7 seconds scanning a resume before tossing it. You better believe the same thing is happening with cover letters and letters of interest!

That means your opening paragraph has one job: make them want to keep reading. Your first few sentences determine whether your message gets serious consideration.

Here are some tips for crafting a compelling opening paragraph:

Start with genuine connection, not generic enthusiasm:

Instead of: “I am writing to express my interest in internship opportunities at your company.”

Be very careful using AI to craft your letter of interest - if it sounds like AI it will likely disqualify you–when I get letters of interest that sound like AI I immediately archive them. If you can’t take the time to write something personally, how would you do in the job?

Try: “After reading about your recent partnership with local schools to increase STEM education access, I knew I wanted to contribute to your mission of making technology education more inclusive.”

Elements of a strong opening:

• Specific reference to recent company news or initiatives
• Clear connection between their work and your interests
• Brief indication of what you bring to the table
• Professional but genuine tone

Example opening: “Your company’s innovative approach to sustainable packaging caught my attention during my environmental science coursework, particularly your recent switch to biodegradable materials that reduced costs by 15%. As someone who’s spent the last two years researching eco-friendly business practices, I’d love to contribute to your sustainability initiatives while learning from your team’s expertise.”

This opening works because it’s specific, shows research, connects personal interests to company goals, and hints at value the intern could provide.

Showcase Your Relevant Skills and Experiences

This section transforms your letter from a request into a value proposition. Rather than simply listing what you’ve done, demonstrate how your experiences prepare you to contribute meaningful work.

Here’s how to structure your skills presentation strategically:

Academic achievements that translate to workplace value:

• Research projects that demonstrate analytical thinking
• Group projects that show collaboration and leadership
• Coursework that directly relates to their industry
• Academic recognition that indicates work quality

Extracurricular activities with professional relevance:

• Leadership roles that developed management skills
• Volunteer work that shows commitment and values alignment
• Clubs or organizations related to their industry
• Personal projects that demonstrate initiative

Work experience, even if unrelated: Part-time jobs and summer work develop transferable skills. A restaurant server gains customer service expertise, time management, and grace under pressure, all of which are valuable in any professional setting.

Example skills presentation: “My experience leading our university’s sustainability club gave me hands-on practice with project management and stakeholder communication. When we organized campus-wide recycling improvements, I coordinated with facilities management, student government, and local vendors, skills that would translate well to managing supplier relationships in your procurement department.”

Pro Tip: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to briefly describe one significant accomplishment that demonstrates skills relevant to their company.

Express Genuine Passion for the Industry and Company

Passion isn’t about using exclamation points or hyperbole. Genuine enthusiasm comes through specific knowledge, thoughtful questions, and clear connections between your goals and their mission.

Demonstrate industry knowledge:

• Current trends affecting their sector
• Challenges the industry faces
• Innovations that excite you
• How their company fits into the broader landscape

Show company-specific interest:

• What makes their approach unique
• Projects or initiatives you find inspiring
• Values that align with your own
• Growth opportunities that attract you

Example of genuine passion: “The fintech industry’s potential to democratize financial services aligns perfectly with my economics background and social justice interests. Your micro-lending platform particularly resonates with me because I’ve seen firsthand how traditional banking fails underserved communities. During my semester abroad in Guatemala, I worked with small business owners who struggled to access capital despite having viable business plans. Your technology could transform those situations.”

This example works because it:

• Shows industry understanding
• Connects personal experience to company mission
• Demonstrates values alignment
• Implies the intern would be motivated and engaged

Action Step: Identify three specific things about their company that genuinely excite you, then connect each to your personal experiences or career goals.

Want to turn your passion into a career? Check out our comprehensive guide: How to Turn Your Passion Into a Career: A Scientific Guide

Write a Strong Closing and Call to Action

Your closing paragraph should feel confident without being presumptuous, and specific without being demanding. You want the next step to be easy and natural for the hiring manager.

Elements of an effective closing:

• Gratitude for their time and consideration
• Reiteration of your interest and value
• Specific, reasonable call to action
• Professional contact information

Sample closing paragraph: “I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my research skills and passion for sustainable business practices could support your team’s initiatives. I’m available for a brief phone conversation at your convenience and would be happy to share examples of my previous project work. Thank you for considering my interest in contributing to [Company Name]‘s mission.”

Call to action options:

• Request for a brief informational interview
• Offer to send additional materials (portfolio, writing samples, GitHub, etc.)
• Suggest a quick coffee meeting if you’re local
• Propose a specific time frame for follow-up

What to avoid in closings:

• Aggressive language (“I will call you next week”)
• Desperate phrases (“I really need this opportunity”)
• Vague statements (“I hope to hear from you soon”)
• Unrealistic expectations (“Please call me immediately”)

Format Professionally and Proofread Carefully

Professional presentation demonstrates attention to detail and respect for the recipient’s time. Even brilliant content can be undermined by poor formatting or careless errors.

Essential formatting elements:

Header information:

• Your full name and contact information
• Date
• Recipient’s name, title, and company address
• Professional subject line if sending via email

Letter structure:

• Business letter format with appropriate spacing
• Clear paragraph breaks for easy reading
• Professional font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman)
• 11-12 point font size
• One-page length maximum

Email considerations:

• Subject line: “Letter of Interest - [Your Name] - [Specific Department/Role if applicable]”
• PDF attachment to preserve formatting
• Brief email message introducing the attached letter

Proofreading checklist:

• Read aloud to catch awkward phrasing
• Check all names and company information for accuracy
• Verify contact information is current
• Remove any placeholder text or template language
• Ensure consistent verb tenses throughout

Pro Tip: Ask a trusted friend or mentor to review your letter before sending. Fresh eyes often catch errors you’ve missed and can provide feedback on tone and clarity.

Sample Letter of Interest Structure

A framework that puts all these elements together:

Paragraph 1: Hook with specific company research + your interest Paragraph 2: Your relevant skills and experiences with concrete examples Paragraph 3: Why this company and industry excite you Paragraph 4: Value you’d bring + professional closing with call to action

Sample opening for a tech startup: “Your recent TechCrunch feature about using AI to streamline healthcare administration caught my attention, especially your CEO’s comment about reducing paperwork so doctors can focus on patients. As a computer science major who’s spent summers volunteering at free clinics, I understand both the technical challenges and the human impact of inefficient healthcare systems.”

Following Up Effectively

The work doesn’t end when you hit send! Following up professionally demonstrates persistence without being pushy and keeps you top-of-mind when opportunities arise.

Timeline for follow-up:

• Week 1: Send your initial letter
• Week 3: Brief, polite follow-up email if no response
• Month 2: Share relevant article or company news with a brief note
• Month 4: Check in with any updates to your qualifications

Follow-up strategies:

• Share relevant industry articles that might interest them
• Update them on new skills you’ve developed
• Mention mutual connections you’ve discovered
• Reference recent company news that reinforces your interest

Sample follow-up message: “Hi [Name], I hope your Q3 product launch went smoothly! I saw the positive coverage in [Industry Publication] and it reinforced my excitement about your company’s direction. I wanted to follow up on my letter from last month and see if any internship opportunities have developed. I’ve since completed a certification in [relevant skill] that I think could add value to your team.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learning from others’ missteps can save you from making the same errors:

Generic content: Using the same letter for multiple companies is obvious and ineffective. Customize each letter significantly.

Focusing on what you’ll gain: While learning is important, emphasize what you’ll contribute to their organization.

Being too casual: Even if the company culture is relaxed, maintain professional communication standards.

Overwhelming with attachments: Unless specifically requested, include only your letter. Offer to send additional materials if they’re interested.

Poor timing: Avoid busy periods like end-of-year deadlines or major product launches when possible.

Unrealistic expectations: Remember that letters of interest may not generate immediate responses. Plant seeds for future opportunities.

Action Step: Before sending your letter, review it against this mistake list to ensure you’ve avoided these common pitfalls.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Letters of Interest for Internships

What is a letter of interest for an internship?

A letter of interest for an internship is a proactive document you send to companies to express your enthusiasm for working with them, even when they haven’t posted any internship openings. Unlike traditional cover letters that respond to specific job postings, letters of interest create opportunities by demonstrating your initiative and genuine interest in an organization. This approach allows you to access opportunities that are often created based on meeting the right candidate rather than through formal postings.

How is a letter of interest different from a cover letter?

The main difference lies in timing and purpose. Cover letters respond to specific internship postings and address posted requirements, while letters of interest are proactive outreach that creates opportunities where none previously existed. Letters of interest allow for more creative and personalized approaches since you’re not competing directly with other applicants responding to the same posting.

What should be included in an internship letter of interest?

An effective internship letter of interest should include a compelling opening that references specific company research, a section showcasing your relevant skills and experiences with concrete examples, an expression of genuine passion for both the industry and the specific company, and a professional closing with a clear call to action. The letter should demonstrate thorough research about the company and connect your background to their needs.

How do you start a letter of interest?

Start your letter of interest with a specific reference to recent company news, initiatives, or achievements that genuinely caught your attention. Avoid generic openings like expressing general interest in internship opportunities. Instead, create an immediate connection by mentioning a specific project, partnership, or company development that aligns with your interests or background.

How do you end a letter of interest?

End your letter with gratitude for the recipient’s time, a brief reiteration of your interest and potential value, and a specific but reasonable call to action. Express your availability for further discussion and make the next step easy for them by suggesting options like a brief phone conversation, informational interview, or sharing additional materials.

What is the best format for a letter of interest?

The best format follows standard business letter conventions with your contact information, the date, and the recipient’s details at the top. Keep the letter to one page maximum with clear paragraph breaks, professional fonts like Arial or Calibri in 11-12 point size, and appropriate spacing. If sending via email, use a clear subject line and attach the letter as a PDF to preserve formatting.

Should I send a letter of interest if there is no open position?

Yes, sending a letter of interest when no positions are posted can actually be more effective than waiting for formal announcements. Many internships are never publicly advertised, with companies creating opportunities when they meet promising candidates. Your proactive approach demonstrates initiative and genuine interest, qualities that employers highly value.

How do you find the right person to address the letter to?

Start by researching the company’s website for staff directories, internship coordinators, or HR managers. Use LinkedIn to search for employees in relevant departments and identify team leads or managers who might supervise interns. For smaller companies, consider reaching out to department heads or even CEOs. You can also call the company’s main number to ask for the appropriate contact person.

Your Next Step to Landing That Dream Internship

Writing a compelling letter of interest for an internship is both an art and a science. By following these seven steps, you’ll create letters that open doors and start conversations.

Remember that letters of interest work best as part of a broader strategy that includes:

• Building genuine relationships within your target industry
• Developing skills that align with your career goals
• Following up professionally and consistently
• Leveraging your network for warm introductions

Start crafting your letter today, and remember that each company deserves a customized approach! The extra effort you put into research and personalization will distinguish you from students taking the mass-application approach.

Want to learn more strategies for standing out in your career? Check out our comprehensive guide: How to Get a Job: 11 Hacks from Resume to Interview.