With spring semester coming to a close soon, it is now crunch time for sending in those in internship applications. The process might be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. The key to landing your dream summer internship is to tailor your application materials for the job. This includes perfecting your cover letter, which many employers consider to be what grabs their attention the most. If you’re not sure how to write yours, don’t worry, Valley‘s got you covered.
Never address it as “To Whom It May Concern”
Cover letters need a personal touch. Make sure to read the job description and see if a contact name is included, if so address it to that person. If not, address it to the hiring manager instead.
Don’t recite your resume
The purpose of a cover letter is to make an employer want to look at your resume. While it’s certainly important to mention that you’re qualified for a position, don’t list every single one of your duties from previous positions and/or extracurricular activities. Highlight why you think you’re a good match for the company because of your personality and interests
Don’t use the same cover letter for every application
This is where the most mistakes can occur. Many employers receive cover letters that are addressed to the wrong company or job. This is not only easy to avoid, but it’s also extremely embarrassing. Again, the most important thing about a job application is to make sure that is it tailored for the position.
Be careful with the length
While enthusiasm is sure to get you to the top of the applicant pile, don’t overdo it by writing a novel to your potential employer. With that being said, try to avoid making it too short as well. Keeping the length at one page long is your safest option.
Check your spelling and grammar
This is simply too easy to avoid. Proofread your cover letter, read it out loud, use spell check and you’ll be good to go.
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