Using email to ask about an internship is becoming increasingly common. Securing an internship itself, however, has become harder as more graduates and students compete for the same internships. Yet with a carefully considered and personalized email, you stand a good chance of catching the attention of potential employers.
Preparing To Write Your Email
Before you write the email, check that you have a professional email address. Where possible, avoid unnecessary numbers or symbols and definitely do not use nicknames. You may want to create a new email address for professional purposes.
Another area to consider is your social media accounts. You may need to adjust the privacy settings on your social media accounts and check that they don’t contain posts with bad language or photos which may not be appropriate for a potential employer to see.
Writing The Email
Follow this structure to create an appropriate and successful email:
- Subject line – this is the first thing an employer will see so you want it to be noticed. Make it succinct and accurate. If a particular subject line has been requested by the company, use it.
- Use formal address – start your email with “Dear Mr./Mrs.”. If the person you are addressing has a title, e.g. Dr or Professor, make sure you use it.
- Introduce yourself – use the first paragraph to introduce yourself, your status and how you found out about the internship. If you have established a mutual contact, mention this in your email.
- Qualifications and experience – describe your academic achievements, qualifications and any experience you have that makes you a suitable candidate. Include any information about volunteering or work you have undertaken, as well as any extra-curricular or academic success you have had, such as leading a committee or coaching a team. Explain what you can contribute to the company and how you would be beneficial to them.
- Reasons for applying – clearly explain your reasons for applying for the internship. Do you need it for course credit or is it primarily for experience? Tell the employer what skills you hope to gain from the internship. Mention what qualities or values the company has that you admire and contribute towards you wanting to work with them.
- Availability – share your availability, including any potential start and end dates. Make sure you state how many hours per week you will be available to work.
- Closing your email – it is polite to thank the recipient for having read your email. You should also include a call-to-action at this point, such as suggesting that they call during the week to discuss the available opportunities. Remember to end your email formally with, for example, ‘Yours sincerely’ or ‘Kind regards’. Include your full name and contact details at the end of the email.
“The key things to remember are to personalize each email and to keep it short and to the point,” explains James Yamada, a career writer at Academized. “If you’re attaching a resume, check that it’s updated. Finally, remember to proofread the email before you send it and double-check for any typos or mistakes. You want to make a good impression!”
Follow Up Email
After a week, if the company hasn’t contacted you, you can follow up with a friendly reminder email or call them. It can be easier to communicate via the phone, but remember not to overdo it or contact them too soon.
Summary
Writing these types of emails can be intimidating, but it is worth the effort. Even if you don’t secure the internship, you have made a valuable connection that may benefit you in the future. So, don’t delay! Do your research and send the email that will help you get your internship.
Author Bio:
Bea Potter is a successful writer at UK Writings. She writes about college life, including education and healthy living for students.
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