by Katharine Hansen, Ph.D.
When it comes to cover letters, have you got writer's block? Do you feel that if you could just start the letter, you'd be OK? Help is here.
Here is a collection of customizable opening paragraphs for cover letters. Remember Mad Libs, the fill-in-the-blank game that resulted in wacky stories? This collection is a little like Mad Libs, except that the intended result is not wacky, but serious, effective openers for cover letter. Following each customizable opening paragraph, you'll find a sample paragraph with the blanks filled in. This set of 16 customizable opening paragraphs is for cover letters for use in seeking internships. Read more about the FAQs about cover letters.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #1:
I am a [level in school] [type of student] at [name of college, university], and I am writing to express my interest in the [name of position] position. [Phrase describing how you learned about this internship], I have realized that my career interest in [executing actions relevant to the targeted internship] matches [name of employer]'s business objectives of [employer's mission or objective].
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
I am a first-year MBA candidate at Georgetown University, and I am writing to express my interest in the Summer Finance Manager position. After reading the material I received from Harvey Raymundo, your Georgetown intern from last summer, I have realized that my career interest in servicing market's diverse and complex financial needs matches American Express' business objectives of becoming the premier global provider of travel, financial and network services.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #2:
You would have to look far and wide to find someone who could bring as much [characteristic] and [characteristic] as I could to a [type of internship] internship at [name of employer]. [Flattering statement about your interest in the employer]. Ever since I was a young child, I've held a vision of the kind of creativity and energy I could bring to a position in [name of field]. I carried that vision all the way to college, where I majored in [name of major].
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
You would have to look far and wide to find someone who could bring as much enthusiasm and creativity as I could to a Programming internship at E! Entertainment Television. E! is my favorite network; I watch it religiously. Ever since I was a young child, I've held a vision of the kind of creativity and energy I could bring to a position in broadcasting. I carried that vision all the way to college, where I majored in broadcast journalism.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #3:
As a [name of college, university] senior studying [name of major], I seek an internship in which I can make a real contribution. My strong [type of skills] skills and [type of experience] experience, as well as my desire to pursue a career as a [occupation], have convinced me that this industry is the one in which I can add value.
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
As a Stanford University senior studying computer science, I seek an internship in which I can make a real contribution. My strong interpersonal skills and systems experience, as well as my desire to pursue a career as a systems analyst, have convinced me that this industry is the one in which I can add value.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #4:
I am currently a [year in school] [name of major] student at [name of college, university], and I am writing to express my interest in obtaining a summer internship position with [name of employer]. I would especially value a summer internship that eventually leads to a long-term position within your [name of entity within employer].
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
I am currently a junior-year business student at Rutgers University, and I am writing to express my interest in obtaining a summer internship position with DLJ Direct. I would especially value a summer internship that eventually leads to a long-term position within your financial management and strategic planning group.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #5:
I have a wealth of skills and talents to offer with regard to your [type of internship] internship. I am a [name of major] major at [name of college, university], and I am eager to put my attributes to work for you [name of employer].
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
I have a wealth of skills and talents to offer with regard to your editorial internship. I am a journalism major at the University of Texas, and I am eager to put my attributes to work for you at Texas Monthly magazine.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #6:
With previous experience working in the [name of field] field, I would bring more than the average student to an internship in [type of internship] at [name of employer].
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
With previous experience working in the finance field, I would bring more than the average student to an internship in investments at Prudential.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #7:
I am a [name of college, university] [name of major] student in my [year on school] year studying [subject-matter area(s)], and I seek a summer internship in the [name of geographic area] area. [Name of employer] is on the top of my list of internships I would like to pursue
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
I am a Clemson University business student in my junior year studying marketing and information systems, and I seek a summer internship in the Myrtle Beach area. Sidewinder Systems is on the top of my list of internships I would like to pursue.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #8:
[Person who referred you to internship], who [reminder of how letter recipient knows referral person], suggested I contact you about a summer internship at [name of employer]. As a [year in school] student expecting a [name of degree] degree in [name of major], I am ready to make a meaningful contribution to the [name of employer] team, as well as gain experience and develop strong ties to your company.
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
My college's career counselor, Lois deJocelyn, who works with you on the county School-to-Work Committee, suggested I contact you about a summer internship at Merrill Lynch Investments. As a junior student expecting a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in investment finance, I am ready to make a meaningful contribution to the Merrill Lynch team, as well as gain experience and develop strong ties to your company.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #9:
My solid academic background, [characteristic], and [characteristic] would make me an excellent addition to your staff as a [type of intern] intern. As a(n) [name of major] student at [name of college, university], I seek an internship with [name of employer] so that I may apply my skills and abilities to benefit your [type of business].
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
My solid academic background, work ethic, and keen attention to detail would make me an excellent addition to your staff as a credit intern. As an accounting student at Drexel University, I seek an internship with Wells Fargo so that I may apply my skills and abilities to benefit your bank.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #10:
I was excited to learn about the [type of internship] internship you are offering because I am both qualified and ready to contribute my talents.
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
I was excited to learn about the customer-service internship you are offering because I am both qualified and ready to contribute my talents.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #11:
[Person who referred you to internship] mentioned that you might be looking for interns this summer. I am prepared to bring an unusual level of [characteristic], [characteristic], and [characteristic] to such an internship.
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
Your new sales rep, Jessica Ribiero, mentioned that you might be looking for interns this summer. I am prepared to bring an unusual level of energy, dedication, and hard work to such an internship.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #12:
[Source from which you learned of internship] indicates that [name of employer] offers an internship in my hometown of [name of city]. As a(n) [occupation] and a recent graduate of [name of college, university] with a [type of degree] degree in [name of concentration, major], I am interested in bringing my business skills to your company.
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
The Internship Bible indicates that Equity Advertising Associates offers an internship in my hometown of Oklahoma City. As an industrial engineer and a recent graduate of Colgate University with a master's degree in engineering management, I am interested in bringing my business skills to your company.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #13:
I am very excited and interested in acquiring a [type of internship] internship during [timeframe] at [name of employer]. With my extensive classroom experience and [experience relevant to the internship], I am convinced that I will be a very successful and beneficial intern for [name of employer].
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
I am very excited and interested in acquiring a marketing internship during the summer months, at the Killington ski resort. With my extensive classroom experience and life experiences on and off a ski mountain, I am convinced that I will be a very successful and beneficial intern for Killington.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #14:
I spoke with [person who referred you to internship] [timeframe], and (s)he suggested I contact you regarding the potential opening of a [type of internship] position at [name of employer]. My experience and personal attributes are in direct accordance with your needs, as outlined by [person who referred you to internship].
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
I spoke with Judge Wiley James last week, and he suggested I contact you regarding the potential opening of a summer clerk position at Marks, Shearson and Westmore. My experience and personal attributes are in direct accordance with your needs, as outlined by Judge James.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #15:
As a(n) [occupation] who has finished [his, her] education [timeframe], I am writing you to request information about possible summer employment opportunities at your company. I am interested in a position in [field]. Because the first consideration in hiring an applicant should be the skills and services the applicant can provide, I offer extensive experience in [executing action relevant to the targeted internship], as well as in [executing action relevant to the targeted internship].
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
As a food chemist who has finished his education this year, I am writing you to request information about possible summer employment opportunities at your company. I am interested in a position in product development. Because the first consideration in hiring an applicant should be the skills and services the applicant can provide, I offer extensive experience in analyzing food compounds, as well as in using microbiological methods.
Customizable Opening Paragraph #16:
As a [name of college, university] [year in school] studying [name of major], I am looking for summer employment. I'm an energetic person with high work ethics who isn't afraid of taking on projects that require learning new skills.
Sample customized paragraph based on above:
As a Stanford University senior studying computer science, I am looking for summer employment. I'm an energetic person with high work ethics who isn't afraid of taking on projects that require learning new skills.
Go back to the main page of Customizable Opening Paragraphs for Job-Seeker Cover Letters. Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information (definitions and links) on key college, career, and job-search terms by going to our Job-Seeker's Glossary of Job-Hunting Terms.
Katharine Hansen, Ph.D., creative director and associate publisher of Quintessential Careers, is an educator, author, and blogger who provides content for Quintessential Careers, an electronic newsletter for jobseekers, and blogs about storytelling in the job search at A Storied Career. Katharine, who earned her PhD in organizational behavior from Union Institute & University, Cincinnati, OH, is author of Dynamic Cover Letters for New Graduates and A Foot in the Door: Networking Your Way into the Hidden Job Market (both published by Ten Speed Press), as well as Top Notch Executive Resumes (Career Press); and with Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., Dynamic Cover Letters, Write Your Way to a Higher GPA (Ten Speed), and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Study Skills (Alpha).
