Hi! My name is Nadège le Floc’h, I just started my third year of the English track of Communication Science. I did my internship at NN Investment Partners and worked for the Agile Practices chapter of the organisation’s Tech&Ops division. The Agile Practices chapter is focused on change management and implementing the Agile way of working. My tasks were mostly aimed at improving their internal communication, advocating change and helping with organising their quarterly planning event.
Instead of going into more detail of how great my internship was, I want to spend some time on helping others get their dream internship position. When I was looking for internships I applied to a total of 5 positions, for which I got 3 interviews and also 3 offers. I like to believe that my cover letter was one of the reasons why I was invited by so many companies and this is why I want to share my tips and tricks with you.
So when it comes to writing a cover letter it is important to address it to a specific person. Mostly, vacancies will have the name of either a manager or an HR representative noted. Make sure to address the letter to that person specifically so it will feel more personal. It is also important to put the name of the vacancy at the top of the page so they know exactly which position you are applying to. Now that you have the basics down, it is time to look at the content.
I have a rule of thumb for cover letters that I follow each time to give the reader some structure. I open the letter by stating that I wish to apply to position X. The second paragraph is dedicated to who I am, what I am currently doing (I am a X-year bachelor student looking for an internship) and from when I will be available. I also always try to put a link between the job description and my current position in there. The third paragraph goes into more detail about why I would be perfect for the position. Here I spend time explaining how my existing skills match the skills requested in the vacancy, and if I don’t possess the skills, here is where I explain why I am eager to learn them. The fourth paragraph is mainly focused on why I am interested in working for that specific organisation as opposed to wanting to work in a similar position at another organisation. Here you mention how the company’s values, vision and mission align with your interests and goals. Finally you close off the letter by thanking them for their consideration and that you would like to elaborate your motivation further in a personal conversation.
I know this structure seems quite simple and straight to the point, but many applicants fail to clearly state why they want to work somewhere and why they would be perfect for the position. During my internship I was also in charge of going over the applications for the next intern and noticed how unclear most of the cover letters were. I hope my tips and tricks can help you land your dream internship or at least get you invited for an interview. Good luck!