how to write a cover letter for work experience placement

8 September 2023

Writing a Placement & Work Experience Cover Letter

When you apply for a placement, you’ll need to send a cover letter along with your CV. A placement cover letter supports your application by explaining who you are and why you’re interested in the role.

The aim of your cover letter is to persuade an employer to read your CV, (over the fifty others they received), and eventually invite you for an interview.

Want to write the perfect one? Read on for the how…

What goes into a work experience cover letter?

How to write a cover letter for a placement

Placement cover letter example.

Things to remember

What goes into a work experience cover letter

Although you should always tailor your cover letter for each job you apply for, there are a couple of things that all cover letters must include.

On top of the usual letter niceties, these are…

Your name and contact details
The role you’re applying for
Why you’re interested in the role
Your skills and previous experience
What you’ll bring to the company
Your career goals

Step 1: Dear Sir / Madam?

The first three words of your cover letter are crucial. Make no mistake!

Recruiters and employers get itchy eyes when they read a work placement cover letter addressed to [Dear Sir/Madam]. And they really lose their minds when they see [To whom it may concern]. It’s best to address your letter to the reader directly. So…

Dear Full Name , e.g. Dear David Attenborough – this is ideal as it’s gender-inclusive and doesn’t rely on the use of ‘Mr’ or ‘Ms’

Dear Mr Surname , e.g. Dear Mr Attenborough

Dear Ms Surname , e.g. Dear Ms Attenborough – never presume marital status. Write Ms instead of Miss / Mrs.

Don’t know who to address your cover letter to? There’s a few things you can do.

1. Browse LinkedIn – Lots of companies have a profile that lists their employees

2. Contact the employer – Ask for the name of the person who is tasked with reading placement cover letters. You can do this by phone or email

3. Address your cover letter to the department manager

4. If you can’t locate the person who handles recruitment, address your placement cover letter to someone who works in HR .

how to write a cover letter for work experience placement

Step 2: Swift intro

Next, you need to disclose what placement you’re applying for.

A company might be hiring placement students in a number of different departments. Be specific to make sure you’re being considered for the right role.

Write something like this –

“ I am writing regarding the vacancy for the marketing placement with IBM, as advertised on RateMyPlacement. Please find my attached CV. “

Let the recruiter know where you found the vacancy for the placement. Employers are always keen to know what channels students use to find jobs. It makes a good impression.

Step 3: Why are you interested?

Now you’ve introduced yourself, it’s time to explain why you’re interested in the chosen placement or work experience scheme.

It’s important to do some research about the company you’re applying to and the content of the programme. Use it to give convincing reasons for your interest in the placement.

Step 4: What can YOU bring?

In this section, you want to explain what you’ll bring to the company as a placement student. There’s no need to mention everything.

Be specific and keep it relevant to the role. What unique skills will you bring to the organisation?

It’s also a chance to talk a little bit about your hobbies and interests – keeping them relevant to the role you’ve applied to.

“ I am halfway through a Marketing degree, and on course to achieve a 2:1. So far, I have focussed on digital marketing modules, which have imparted strong analytical and problem-solving skills. I am also now proficient in basic coding. My three years at Mecca Bingo have provided experience with customer service practices and other useful soft skills. “

Step 5: Final flourish

Aptly named the final flourish, you will end your placement cover letter in this section. Thank the recruiter for considering your application, and register your interest in attending an interview.

“Thank you for considering my application, I’m looking forward to the prospect of discussing the placement in greater detail in an interview. “

Step 6: Farewell

If you found the name of the recruiter/employer, end your placement cover letter with ‘Yours Sincerely’. If you rebelled and wrote “to whom it may concern”, put ‘ Yours Faithfully’.

Want to set yourself up for success with your work experience application? Sign up to our FREE Career Coaching Course, a four-day virtual programme in October, to upskill yourself on CVs, applications and interviews.

Here is an example of a placement cover letter. This is the structure and general length you should be aiming for (approx 250 words) …

Dear Mr Attenborough,

I am writing regarding the vacancy for the marketing placement with IBM, as advertised on RateMyPlacement. Please find my attached CV.

I am particularly interested in this placement at IBM because of the focus on different areas of digital marketing. IBM is at the forefront of the digital marketing industry, and I am fascinated by the cloud-based software IBM provides for companies on email, web and social media.

I have been reading about IBM’s most recent project, which aimed to improve customer experience across the buyer journey. It links closely to a project I completed in the first year of my Marketing degree, which centred around optimising the user experience for online retail.

I am halfway through a Marketing degree, and on course to achieve a 2:1. So far, I have focussed on digital marketing modules, which have imparted strong analytical and problem-solving skills. I am also now proficient in basic coding. My three years at Mecca Bingo have provided experience with customer service practices and other useful soft skills.

Thank you for considering my application, I’m looking forward to the prospect of discussing the placement in greater detail in an interview.

Yours Sincerely,

Kevin McCloud.

Things to remember…

Now you have the tools needed to craft a superb piece of career prose, there are a few things to keep in mind…

Online Placement Applications

1 . If you’re applying for a placement online, you’ll need to write your cover letter in a text box. Write it in Microsoft Word or Pages first, then copy and paste it into the text box. That way you can check your grammar and spelling beforehand.

2. If you’re sending your cover letter via email or attaching it to an online application, save it as a .pdf rather than a Word/Pages file. All computers can read PDFs, so there’ll be no problem when an employer opens the file.

3 . Always save your cover letter as ‘[Your Name] Cover Letter ‘. It looks clean, and employers will be able to find you easier.

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Written by Conor

Placement cover letter examples

Placements are a great way to gain valuable experience, but this is also the reason these roles are so competitive.

Your cover letter gives you a chance to expand on your CV and persuade the employer to invite you for an interview over the other 50 applicants. So it needs to be good!

Find out how to write an attention-grabbing application with our detailed guide and placement cover letter examples below.

CV templates

Placement cover letter example 1

Placement cover letter example 2

Placement cover letter example 3

The example cover letters here should give you a good general idea on how your Placement cover letter should be formatted and written.

The rest of this guide gives more specific guidance on how to create your own cover letter in this format, and even includes some templates you can copy and paste.

How to write a Placement cover letter

A simple step-by-step guide to writing your very own winning cover letter.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

You should write your cover letter in the body of the email (or messaging system if sending via a job board) and never attach it as a document.

The reason for this?

You want your cover letter to start connecting with the recruiter from the moment they open your application.

If they have to open a document to read it, it will slow things down and they may not even bother to open it.

Start with a friendly greeting

To kick your cover letter off, start with a friendly greeting to build rapport with the recruiter instantly.

Your greeting should be personable but professional. Not too casual, but not too formal either

Go with something like…

Hi [insert recruiter name]
Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid old-fashioned greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very formal companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

Check out the company website and look at their About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

Once you’ve opened up the cover letter with a warm greeting to start building a relationship, it is time to identify which role you want to apply for.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so you need to ensure you apply to the correct one.

Be very specific and use a reference number if you can find one.

I am interested in applying for the position of *Placement position* with your company.
I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 406f57393)
I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
I saw your advert for a junior project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The sole objective of your cover letter is to motivate recruiters into to opening your CV. And you achieve this by quickly explaining your suitability to the roles you are applying for.

Take a look at the job descriptions you are applying to, and make note of the most important skills and qualifications being asked for.

Then, when crafting your cover letter, make your suitability the central focus.

Explain why you are the best qualified candidate, and why you are so well suited to carry out the job.

This will give recruiters all the encouragement they need to open your CV and consider you for the job.

Keep it short and sharp

It is best to keep your cover letter brief if you want to ensure you hold the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers. A lengthy cover letter will probably not get read in full, so keep yours to around 3-6 sentences and save the real detail for your CV.

Remember the purpose of your cover letter is to quickly get recruiters to notice you and encourage them to open your CV, so it only needs to include the highlights of your experience.

Sign off professionally

To round of your cover letter, add a professional signature to the bottom, giving recruiters your vital contact information.

This not only gives various means of contacting you, it also looks really professional and shows that you know how to communicate in the workplace.

Include the following points;

A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm regards”
Your full name
Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
Email address
Profession title
Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Gerald Baker Senior Accountant 07887500404 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip : To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application email, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.

What to include in your Placement cover letter

Your Placement cover letter will be unique to your situation, but there are certain content guidelines you should stick to for best results.

To attract and entice recruiters, stick with the following key subjects in your cover letter – adapting them to fit your profession and target jobs.

Your professional experience – Employers will be keen to know if your experience is suitable for the job you are applying to, so provide a good summary of it in your cover letter.
Your qualifications and education – Highlight your most relevant and high-level of qualification, especially if they are essential to the job.
The positive impact you have made – Employers love to hear about the benefits you can bring to them, so shout about anything impressive you have done, such as saving money or improving processes.
Your reasons for leaving – Use a few words of your cover letter to explain why you are leaving your current job and ensure you avoid any negative reasons.
Your availability – Let recruiters know when you can start a new job . Are you immediately available, or do you have a month notice period?

Placement cover letter templates

Copy and paste these Placement cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

I hope you are well. I would like to apply for the Health and Social Care academic placement at Lifetime UK. With a heartfelt commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of individuals who require support, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute towards delivering success to organisation.

I am in my final year of my BSc in Social Psychology at the University of London, where have gained fundamental knowledge of how psychological principles apply to behavioural problems. In my current role as a volunteer at Ellesmere House Care Home, I treat each individual with dignity, respect, and kindness, as well as believe in tailoring care to people’s unique needs, preferences, and routines to promote comfort and well-being.

I maintain a safe environment and have played a role in helped conduct exercise sessions that increased residents’ physical health and mobility by 20% as measured by physicians. Additionally, I was pivotal in preparing nutritious meals which lowered obese lowered obese residents’ weight by 10%.

Enclosed is my CV, which provides further details about my skills and additional achievements. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule an interview.

Kind regards

James Goldstein

Good day Mark

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Accounting Placement opportunity at Jameson Stone LLP, as advertised on the company’s website. As a current BSc Finance student, I am excited about the opportunity to expand my knowledge by learning from my experienced team members.

During my academic tenure I have developed a solid understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, and taxation. Alongside my studies I work part-time as a Retail Assistant at McColl’s Retail Group, where I have exceeded snack sales targets by 10% and helped boost CSAT score by 25% through offering outstanding customer service. Moreover, I played a key role in revamping the store’s visual merchandising layout, resulting in a 30% increase in the visibility of featured food products.

My bookkeeping and ledger management knowledge, commitment to professional growth, career aspirations, as well as attention to detail makes me the perfect candidate for the placement opportunity.

I welcome the opportunity of discussing my other achievements and competencies in an interview, at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Neil Stapleton

Good afternoon, Shannon

I would like to write to express my interest in the culinary placement opportunity at Accor Hotel. As a culinary arts student with a strong desire to learn/grow within a professional kitchen environment, I am excited about the opportunity to develop my competencies under your mentorship.

My culinary journey began as a volunteer at ND Care & Support, where I experimented with different flavours and techniques in the home’s kitchen. I had the privilege of honing my knife skills, and expanding my knowledge of cooking methods and food safety standards to ensure that all residents were served with nutritious meals, which is demonstrated by improving residents’ health outcomes by 15% on average through preparing well-balanced dishes, as well as supporting the implementation of ingredient inventory management processes that resulted in a 30% reduction in food waste.

This passion has only grown stronger over time, leading me to pursue formal culinary education, and I am now seeking a placement opportunity to further hone my skills and experiences.

Thank you for considering my application. I am immediately available for an interview and look forward to discussing the possibility of joining your esteemed hospitality company.

Harry Arnold

Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing a Placement, so taking the time to perfect it is well worth while.

By following the tips and examples above you will be able to create an eye-catching cover letter that will wow recruiters and ensure your CV gets read – leading to more job interviews for you.

Good luck with your job search!

Cover letter examples

Work Placement

Finn selected the Edinburgh cover letter template, hoping to find summer work experience.

"I am writing to ask if you would consider allowing me to gain some work experience this summer."

Table of contents

How to write a work placement Cover Letter: Example and tips

Are you seeking work placement and in need of a well-written Cover Letter? Searching for a new work placement or experience may seem intimidating at first and we fully realise it. But don’t worry, we’re here to help meet your career needs. Our experts at CVMaker have compiled a Cover Letter example alongside brief guidelines below to boost your chances of landing more interviews.

To match your qualifications with the company’s needs, ensure to make your Cover Letter simple and, most importantly, ATS-friendly . ATS stand for an applicant tracking system that is used by recruiters to organise and track candidates for the recruitment process. It filters out your application by criteria such as years of experience, relevant technical or language skills,

This article is for anyone who wants to learn how to write a Cover Letter for work placement. It covers the essentials of writing it to get work experience that you can eventually add to your CV. Using our easy-to-use Cover Letter builder you can generate one in just a few minutes! You can create and download unlimited Cover Letters of your choice in 20+ professional templates. See our tips, examples, and guidelines to sharpen your writing skills.

Enhance your job application with a cover letter

How to write a work placement cover letter.

The clearer you are, the better the company can prepare for your work placement period and all other conditions. Perhaps you’re keen to do an internship at a company that doesn't have a vacancy at the moment. In this case, it is best to write an open Cover Letter where you briefly outline why your qualifications are needed for the company. If you’re looking for a summer work placement, check some core information to make sure you’re on the right page. These could include the duration, salary, full-time or part-time, industry type, company culture, and job criteria. Follow our step-by-step instructions below to write an outstanding Cover Letter.

Step-by-step writing tips

Research the job position and company culture.

Choose the Cover Letter format that aligns with the brand personality.

Include essential information such as contact details and an introduction to your current situation.

Write a strong opening statement.

Write in concise and clear language, preferably without personal pronouns such as ‘I’, ‘me’, and ‘us’.

Explain how you can contribute to the company by showcasing your career goals.

Focus on accomplishments, relevant experiences, and skills.

Add a call to action ( request the next steps in the recruitment process or thank the interview after the first interview).

Read it aloud and proofread it before handing it in

What to include in a work placement Cover Letter

Before jumping into writing, consider the following details and questions that you need to answer for yourself first. Some of them you can find in your job description. Doing this will get you started and help direct your focus to the right keywords and topics to address. So, consider making an overview for yourself in which you answer the following questions:

What course are you following, and what year are you in?

How long is your work placement period?

Is there a required word limit set by an employer?

What relevant skills and qualities do you possess?

What would you like to learn during your placement?

Where do you see yourself working in five years?

With this information, you have sufficient means to write a strong Cover Letter for your work placement.

Try to shorten your Cover Letter and keep it to a maximum of one page of A4. Once it is written, ask a close acquaintance, or family member to proofread your letter.

What do you say when asking for a work placement on a Cover Letter?

Writing a work placement Cover Letter is exciting. You may not have much relevant work experience yet, which makes it difficult to name your experience and skills at first. However, your advantage is motivation and eagerness to learn new skills. By using the right persuasive techniques you’ll be one step closer to landing more job interviews. If you want to gain experience for your further career, it is crucial to make use of all available resources and courses that can help with career development.

Describing your motivation may seem difficult. Possessing work experience is often mandatory for jobs, but try to think about why you chose a certain education and what you would like to do with it. You can also use this as information for your Cover Letter. Focus on the company culture and describe in your Cover letter why you want a work placement at that company. Every letter needs to be divided into three essential parts: introduction, body, and conclusion.

Cover Letter Tips for a work placement

In your Cover Letter, emphasize what your skills are. To make it stand out, indicate your eagerness to hone these skills further and your wish to develop new skills during your work placement. Convince your company that you possess the right relevant skills to be of value to the company's needs. Show that you're ready to help with various tasks and projects, and you gain experience for your future career in return.

Be clear, precise, and to the point

Tailor your Cover Letter to each job you are applying

Focus on relevant achievements and work experience

Clearly express your career goals

Show what you can bring to the company instead of vice versa

Read it aloud and proofread it before publishing

Use the same generic Cover Letter for every application

Include irrelevant or generic information such as your hobbies or academic knowledge

Include personal pronouns

Use slang or colloquial language

Use an unfitting layout format (e.g too many visuals)

Land the interview for your dream job with CVMaker

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How to Write a Cover Letter When You’re Changing Careers (or a New Grad)

Apr 16, 2024

By Nancy Koziol

Across the world, people as young as 15 are put in the position of choosing the line of work they'd like to pursue. At this early age, we're barely beyond aspiring to be astronauts or superheroes. Forced to choose, be it during the early teen years outside of the US or the late teens and early twenties in the US, many of us find ourselves in one of two positions. Either we decide changing careers is the right move, or we're entering the workforce with zero experience and approaching a job application. We discussed how to craft a resume if you find yourself in this position but didn't cover the other half of the application equation. How is it possible to accomplish writing a cover letter with no experience? That's today's topic.

Stats on Career Changers

Career changes are more common than you might think.

70% of the workforce is actively seeking a career change . That's not a typo! Most people seek a change in their career path. In 2020, 87% of people under 25 were considering a career change . The five most common reasons for changing careers probably won't surprise you.
Most (41%) consider leaving because their employer ignored their distress during the pandemic .
In 2020, the main reason people considered changing careers was to make more money . That accounted for 39%.
27% of people change careers for improved work-life balance . This was the #1 reason in 2021.
26% of workers planned to change careers once the pandemic ended . This likely links back to the fact that many felt their employers weren't responsive to the significant emotional toll the pandemic took.
22% of workers wanted to leave their career to start a business . A bold, but fairly common move!

Understanding the Career Change Cover Letter

When changing careers, or as a new entrant into the job search, it's common to have to submit a well-crafted cover letter and resume to hiring managers.

There are several approaches to this task. Some people choose to introduce themselves and turn their resume into a narrative. Most hiring managers find these resumes at best boring and, at worst, lazy.

Candidates can capture the reader's attention by drafting a personalized cover letter that illustrates how the candidate fits the position. This can be communicated through sharing quantified metrics, platform fluency and relevant skills.

But what about when you're a new grad or career changer? Here, the key is showing prospective employers what you bring to the table while not drawing attention to the fact that you're lacking experience.

An Effective Cover Letter Hooks the Reader

We're not suggesting you do anything too outside of the box for your cover letter, but if you're in the position we're discussing today, it's important to take a bold approach to your cover letter.

The most important thing, just like when crafting a resume, is to understand what the company's values are and what skills match you and the position. There are two ways to discover this information.

Research Your Prospective Employer

Before writing a cover letter with no experience, be sure to understand both the position and the company you're applying to.

The two best resources to help you on this first step to your new career path are the company website and the job description.

Peruse the company website. See if you can find the mission statement (where they are now) and vision statement (who they'd like to become). Words used in these that are repeated elsewhere on the site will give you a good sense of their values and what they're seeking.

For example, if the mission and vision include words like "community-minded," "independent" and "fresh perspective" and you see these elsewhere on the site, you know these are important.

Does the job description include these? Chances are it does. Jot down the most common words and phrases and use those to plan your cover letter.

Organizing a Strong Cover Letter

If you're writing a career change cover letter or one where you don't have experience, do not lead with this information. Instead, structure your introductory letter to show how you embody the keywords you noticed.

Using our existing example of "community-minded," "independent," and "fresh perspective," the first thing you'll want to do is make three columns. Under each, list examples of how you've exhibited these traits. The lists don't have to be equal in length or quality, it's even okay if you can't think of anything under a list.

Review your lists and highlight places where you have direct experience. Including this will make a strong impression.

Drafting The Meat of Your Letter

Pick two things from your list that exemplify both that you align with the values of the company and that you have relevant skills.

You'll craft two strong paragraphs illustrating this. For example, if you did an independent study project that you won an award for, this shows independence. It may not be directly related to the position or career, but it shows the ability to work both doggedly and independently.

Your paragraphs should feature two different aspects of their values, the job description and your lists. Follow the sage writing advice "show, don't tell," and approach it as storytelling.

Craft a Strong Opening Paragraph for your Cover Letter

Imagine you're meeting someone for the first time and when they hold out their hand to shake yours they say, "I've never shaken someone's hand before." Whether or not their handshake is a good one, you'll go into it expecting a mediocre one at best.

Do not start a cover letter with a self-deprecating statement like, "I know you can tell from my resume that I don't have any transferable skills or relevant experience."

Instead, start stronger.

If you're feeling particularly brave, you can dive right into one of your middle paragraphs. But, it's fine to start with a more traditional opening.

Many people choose to start with an introduction and why they are applying. The hiring manager is also going to see your resume, so don't be redundant. We recommend showing that you're excited by the job. Here you can weave in some of those words and values you've found.

Starting with, "When I saw that [COMPANY] was hiring a [POSITION APPLYING FOR], I knew I had to apply," is an example of a strong opening statement. It shows interest and knowledge and that the cover letter is not just a boilerplate. Remember, hiring managers want personalized resumes and cover letters.

Keep your opening brief and punchy. Balance your language. Don't use overly casual language, but don't try to sound too formal. This can give the impression that a candidate is lacking communication skills.

Ending Your Letter

Near the end of your cover letter, it is okay to acknowledge that you are a career changer or new to the workforce . Your letter, thus far, has been engaging and showed off how you're a good fit. You've told a story of who you are and how you'll fit in.

Never Complain, Never Explain

Don't apologize or put yourself down over a lack of experience. A cover letter should convey confidence. Try language like, "My experience may not be exactly what you'd expect from an applicant but my proven ability to work independently and innovative approach to budgeting align with your values and needs."

Downplay what you don't have. Highlight what you do.

Cover Letter Tips for Everyone

No matter the job opening you're applying for, your level of experience or transferable skills, here are the most important tips for your cover letter.

Do not go Over one Page

The hiring manager in charge of reading cover letters and resumes is not going to spend much time, so make sure your letter is tight and doesn't require going onto a second page.

Use the Active Voice

Consider the following two sentences:

I have been managing lower-ranking employees at my place of work and was responsible for creating a system to get people to show up on time.
I increased timeliness by 90% as a manager. (Also acceptable: As a manager, I increased timeliness by 90%.

The first sentence uses more words to say less.

The second sentence better communicates information and adds quantification. You've not only saved room; you've gotten your point across!

Don't be Fancy

Do not use unusual or paid fonts, colored text or extensive formatting. And please, do not ever include a picture on your resume. Hiring managers will not take these seriously.

Use a serif font (one with feet like Times New Roman) if you are submitting a print copy. For digital and online resumes , use a sans serif font (like Arial).

An 11- or 12- point font is the right choice. Be sure the font color is set to black.

Proofread Carefully

Proofreading is very different from using spell check. Yes, you should use spelling and grammar checkers (Google now includes a decent proofreading functionality in its workspace) but take time to actually read it yourself, too.

If possible, ask someone you trust to proofread for you. We recommend asking for specific feedback. For example, "Can you proofread this and only focus on places where you think I could be more concise?" This will avoid everyone trying to rewrite your letter to suit their personal tastes.

Don't Give up

The job search is grueling. But if you take the time to craft personalized, job opening specific cover letters and resumes that follow these guidelines you're far more likely to get a response.

Reading next

Take time and care with your resume, it will improve your chances.

How to Write a Resume With No Experience

How to write a letter for work experience (with template!) ✉️

by thegrownupschool

How to write a letter for work experience (with template!) –

What we're covering..

Introduction 👋

Getting work experience can be one of the most valuable ways to develop your career.

A study by CBI found that after attitude (82%), having relevant work experience/industrial placements is the most important thing that employers look for when recruiting graduates (58%).

This means that your work experience is so important, some employers might even value your work experience over your qualification results !

This makes it really important that you get some brilliant quality work experience .

And how can you get great work experience?

Writing a great letter! ✍️

Here’s our ultimate guide to writing work experience letters.

(Skip ahead to the letter template here ! ⏩)

1. research the organisation 🕵️‍♀️.

When you’re writing a letter to an organisation to ask for work experience, it’s important to know as much as possible about them ! 🧠

Start by researching different organisations and potential positions you could work in within them.

Each organisation that you write to should have a tailored letter/email , so that it feels personal and shows that you really care about gaining the work experience . 💖

If you send the exact same letter to different organisations, it won’t feel as personal and may make them less likely to offer you a work experience placement .

Before you start writing your cover letter, make sure to research the organisation’s :

Goals – what is their mission? What problems are they trying to solve? 🏆
Values/culture – what’s it like to work there? Are they very professional, laid back, creative? 🤝
Services available for customers – do they sell products, or give people different services? 🏢
Work they’ve done in the past – what have they achieved? 🏅
Customers – who do they serve? 🙋‍♀️
Best qualities – what do you like about them? 🤩

2. Start with a template ✍️

Once you’ve done your research, get started with a template for your cover letter . There are plenty of letter templates available online , or on different document editing software packages e.g. Microsoft Word.

Make sure that the letter template you use is:

Easy to read
Professional-looking
Fits on one page

3. Add contact details 📱

Your contact details 🤳.

Next, write your contact information at the top of your letter.

Make sure to include your:

First name and surname
Phone number
Email address

The organisation’s contact details 👩‍💼

Make sure to add to the letter :

The date you’re sending the letter 📆
Organisation’s name 🙋‍♀️
Organisation’s address – you can usually find this on their website! 🏢
Dear [recipient name], – ideally try to find the name of the person in charge of work experience placements and use their name and job title to make the lesson feel personal (they might work in HR/Human Resources). If you can’t find an individual person’s name, you could write something like “Dear HR,” “Dear [Organisation name]”, or “To whom it may concern,”. 👩‍💼

4. Introduce yourself briefly 🙋‍♀️

Next, start writing your letter by explaining:

what school year you’re in
where you attend school

This gives a quick bit of background so they know who they’re being contacted by, but also helps you to get to the point of explaining why you’re writing pretty quickly. 🎯

Organisations don’t have a lot of spare time these days , so it’s important to try and avoid waffling!

You could say something like,

“My name is Laura Abraham, and I’m a Year 10 student at The Grown-Up School in Cardiff.”

5. Briefly explain why you’re writing ✍️

Next, briefly explain why you’re contacting the organisation .

This could be a few short sentences to explain:

that you’re interested in gaining work experience at the organisation
the work experience relates to your career goals and would help you
why you’d like work experience from this organisation specifically – are you connected to them in any way?

You could say something like:

“I’m writing to you today to express my interest in gaining a work experience placement at Big Boss Business. I’m keen to explore a career in [insert industry], and gaining experience at Big Boss Business would be invaluable towards my career development.”

6. Explain how the work experience would benefit you 💞

Now that you’ve briefly introduced yourself and explained why you’re getting in touch, you can start to go into a bit more detail about yourself and why you’re a great person to do work experience with .

Make sure to include:

What you’re studying and your career/experience/qualification goals 🏆 Next, explain what you’re studying (organisations love helping students, so it’s important to play this card!)

“I am currently studying towards 9 GCSEs, including English, maths, science, art, history, and Spanish, with a view to complete further qualification in [insert topic]. I’m hoping to gain practical work experience related to [insert topic].”

Why the organisation are a great fit for you 🧩

Next, explain why:

this organisation takes your interest (a compliment goes a long way!)
the organisation are a great fit to help you achieve your career goals . 🔗

Based on your research, you could say that they’re a great fit because :

they work with customers you want to support in the future 🧑‍🤝‍🧑
their previous work is really impressive and you’d love to be a part of something similar 🏆
their organisation/company values really align with your beliefs 💖
you really believe in their mission, and want to help them achieve it 🚀
you really love the products/services they offer and would love to do something similar in the future 🎁

“I’m particularly interested in the work Big Boss Business does because your company values really align with my beliefs, and the kind of colleague I want to be in the future.”

7. Explain how the work experience could benefit them 🙌

As a busy organisation, they might worry that you:

Will have a bad attitude e.g. not being respectful, being lazy, not listening 🙄
Won’t be very helpful 🤷‍♀️
Might offend people 🤬
Won’t work very hard for them 😴

This is your opportunity to reassure them that you’re a worthwhile investment for their valuable time and expertise . 🙌

In the next paragraph you can highlight your valuable qualities and skills such as:

Writing skills
Confident speaking skills
Customer service skills/experience
Maths skills
Work or volunteering experience you’ve already got
Personality traits – enthusiasm, confident, detail-oriented ( 38 good personality traits to talk about in job interviews 😎 )
Clubs you belong to that give you work skills e.g. writing clubs, sports clubs
Hobbies that give you work skills hobbies or interests.
Skills ( What am I good at? 25 valuable skills 🤩 )

If possible, include examples of where you demonstrate those skills (as evidence!) e.g. “I have excellent numeracy skills, and am part of the top set for my year group for maths.”

“In exchange for your generosity, time, and professional expertise I can offer you an enthusiastic, hardworking, detail-oriented work placement candidate, with confident written and organisational skills. I have advanced technical ability, with excellent skills in Microsoft Excel.

In addition to my schoolwork, I successfully balance a variety of extracurricular activities, and also volunteer at a dog rescue centre. I consistently demonstrate maturity and an exemplary work ethic, and believe that I would be an asset to your organisation. “

8. Offer a personal reference (if possible) ✅

If you can, it’s always great to offer the organisation someone who will speak to them and vouch that you’ll be a great worker .

If you already know someone who already works at the organisation that is willing to do this for you – even better!

In general, you could say something like:

“My supervising teacher Mrs. Sarah Jones is also very keen to act as a positive referee, to reassure you of my aptitude and suitability for working at your organisation.”

9. Next steps 👣

Next, invite the organisation to contact you by putting a “call to action” at the end of the letter.

“I would be delighted to meet you (at your convenience), and look forward to hearing from you soon.”

10. Thank them and sign off🙏

Next, thank the organisation for taking the time to read your letter and for considering you for the opportunity .

“As a student who’s passionate about [what the organisation does], I would be grateful for the opportunity to complete a work experience placement with Big Boss Business.

Thank you for your time and consideration for this opportunity.”

Finally, sign off the letter with by saying a closing phrase like :

Best regards,
Best wishes,

then write your first name and surname e.g.

“Best wishes,

Laura Abraham”

11. Double check the letter, and send! 📨

Once you’re done writing, make sure to double check your letter for:

spelling mistakes 🔡
correct punctuation ⚠️
incorrect information 🔍
long sentences (try and keep it snappy!) 📏

You can ask family, friends, and teachers to double check your letter, and make sure that it reads well before you send it.

Work experience letter example 📨

Laura Abraham 10 Grown-Up Street Grown-Up City Cardiff, CF11 0LH

Contact email: [email protected]

Contact telephone: 07457 795748

Big Boss Business Skyscraper Office Grown-Up City, Cardiff, CF12 5BL

24 January 2023

Dear Mrs. Boss,

My name is Laura Abraham, and I’m a Year 10 student at The Grown-Up School in Cardiff.

I’m writing to you today to express my interest in gaining a work experience placement at Big Boss Business. I’m keen to explore a career in [insert industry], and gaining experience at Big Boss Business would be invaluable towards my career development.

I am currently studying towards 9 GCSEs, including English, maths, science, art, history, and Spanish, with a view to complete further qualification in [insert topic]. I’m hoping to gain practical work experience related to [insert topic].

I enjoy [insert interests], and I believe that gaining work experience in [insert industry] could allow me to develop my skills further. I’m particularly interested in the work Big Boss Business does because your company values really align with my beliefs, and the kind of colleague I want to be in the future.

In exchange for your generosity, time, and professional expertise I can offer you an enthusiastic, hardworking, detail-oriented work placement candidate, with confident written and organisational skills. I have advanced technical ability, with excellent skills in Microsoft Excel.

My supervising teacher Mrs. Sarah Jones is also very keen to act as a positive referee, to reassure you of my aptitude and suitability for working at your organisation.

As a student who’s passionate about [what the organisation does], I would be grateful for the opportunity to complete a work experience placement with Big Boss Business.

Thank you for your time and consideration for this opportunity.

I would be delighted to meet you (at your convenience), and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Laura Abraham

Conclusion 👍

So that’s it!

To write a letter for work experience, you should:

Research the organisation🕵️‍♀️
Start with a template✍️
Add contact details📱 Your contact details🤳 The organisation’s contact details👩‍💼
Introduce yourself briefly🙋‍♀️
Briefly explain why you’re writing✍️
Explain how the work experience would benefit you💞
Explain how the work experience could benefit them🙌
Offer a personal reference (if possible)✅
Next steps👣
Thank them and sign off🙏
Double check the letter, and send!📨

Hopefully this article has helped you to feel more confident about writing letters to request work experience placements.

If you know any friends or family members who might benefit from learning about how to write a letter for work experience, share this post with them!

Finally, don’t forget to check out our similar articles below!

19 ways to stop arguments from exploding 💣

What is inflation? (easy explanation)🎈

5 questions to ask yourself before you buy anything🎙️

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Letter Templates & Example

Sample Letter for Work Experience Placement: Tips and Examples

Are you a student or recent graduate looking to gain some valuable work experience? Securing a work experience placement is a great way to do just that, but it can be daunting to approach potential employers. Fear not – we’ve got you covered with a sample letter for work experience placement that you can use as a starting point. You can find examples and edit them as needed to personalize your approach. With this letter, you’ll be highlighting your skills and enthusiasm in a professional manner that will make you stand out from the crowd. So let’s get started on that journey towards your dream job!

The Best Structure for a Work Experience Placement Letter

If you’re looking to apply for a work experience placement, it’s important to have a well-structured letter that will impress employers and increase your chances of landing the placement of your dreams. In this article, we will guide you through the best structure for a work experience placement letter that will make you stand out from the rest.

The first thing you should include is your contact information, which should go at the top of your letter. This should include your name, address, phone number, and email address. This should be followed by the name and address of the company you are applying to.

The next section should be an introduction. This should be your opportunity to explain who you are and why you are interested in the company. You should also express your interest in the work experience placement and why you believe that the skills you have will be valuable to the organization.

The body of your letter should be where you expand on your qualifications and experiences and explain why you are the best fit for the position. You should be specific and measurable in your language. Be sure to highlight any relevant qualifications, skills, and experiences you have that match the requirements of the work experience placement. You can also include any achievements from previous work or academic experience that show how competent you are in the industry or field.

Lastly, be sure to end your letter on a positive note. You can express your gratitude for the opportunity to apply for the work experience placement. You can also express your willingness to answer any further questions the company might have for you and how grateful you will be to gain the experience of working with the organization.

In conclusion, your work experience placement letter should reflect your personality and highlight your capabilities. Follow the guidelines mentioned above, tailor your letter to the specific organization, and showcase the value you can bring to the company to impress your potential employer.

Sample Letter for Work Experience Placement

Request for work experience placement – high school student.

Dear [Employer Name],

I am a Year 11 student at [School Name], and I am writing to inquire about a work experience placement at your company. I believe that your organisation would be an excellent learning opportunity for me due to your [industry/field] expertise and reputation.

During my two-week work experience program, I hope to gain practical skills and knowledge related to [specific area of interest], observe workplace operations, and learn about the different career paths available in the industry. I am willing to assist with general tasks such as filing, data entry, and customer service.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you to discuss my work experience placement.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

Request for Work Experience Placement – University Student

I am a third-year student at [University Name], studying [Course Name]. I am writing to express my interest in completing a work experience placement at your company during my upcoming summer break.

As a motivated and passionate student, I am eager to immerse myself in the industry and gain hands-on experience in [specific area of interest]. I believe your organisation’s [areas of expertise] and [company values/mission] align with my personal and academic goals.

My work experience placement could include tasks such as [detailed responsibilities], which will help me develop skills in [specific industry skills]. Additionally, I am committed to contributing to your team’s success in any way that I can.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I am available to discuss my work experience placement and look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Request for Work Experience Placement – Career Change

I am writing to you today to inquire about the possibility of obtaining work experience placement at your company. Currently, I am undergoing a career transition and am seeking a challenging opportunity to explore the [industry/field] as a potential career path.

I am confident that your organisation’s [areas of expertise] will provide me with valuable first-hand experience to help me better understand this industry. I believe that your company is at the forefront of innovation and can offer me the chance to work with some of the best team members in this industry.

During my work experience placement, I am keen to assist with any tasks that will help me gain experience and skills in [specific area of interest], such as [detailed responsibilities]. I am a hardworking and dedicated individual who is eager to understand more about the industry and its dynamics.

Thank you for considering my request for work experience placement. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Request for Work Experience Placement – Returning to the workforce

I am reaching out to you today as I am keen to explore the possibility of returning to the workforce. I am seeking to obtain a work experience placement opportunity in your company to gain a better understanding and update my skills in the [industry/field].

My background as a [previous job title] will allow me to contribute professional expertise to your team, and I am eager to continue learning and growing further. The opportunity to observe and work alongside your dedicated team of employees is something I will find invaluable both personally and professionally.

As an individual who is looking to refresh and update my skillset, I am eager to assist with tasks that will allow me to do so, such as [detailed responsibilities]. I am adaptable, innovative, and ready to take on new challenges.

Thank you for taking the time to review my application. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.

Request for Work Experience Placement – International Student

Greetings from [Country Name]! I am writing this letter to express my interest in a work experience placement at your esteemed organisation. I am an international student studying at [University Name], and I am eager to gain practical experience in [industry/field] to further enhance my career prospects.

I am fascinated by your company’s reputation for [areas of expertise]. You are renowned for being a respected industry leader, and I believe that my placement at your organisation would help me gain insights into [specific area of interest]. Apart from this, I am willing to assist with day-to-day tasks, administrative duties, and any other assistance the team requires.

Thank you for your precious time. This opportunity is paramount to my future, and I hope you will consider my request for the work experience placement.

Yours faithfully,

Request for Work Experience Placement – Undergraduate

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am an undergraduate student at [University Name] studying [Course Name]. I am writing to express my keen interest in a work experience placement at your company.

I am eager to pursue a career in your industry and gain practical experience, knowledge and develop my professional skills. I am particularly interested in the [specific area of interest] aspects of your organisation and how they contribute to your overall success.

If successful, I am keen to contribute to the team in any way possible by completing tasks such as [detailed responsibilities], which will help me gain a deeper understanding of the industry.

Thank you for considering my application; I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards,

Request for Work Experience Placement – Postgraduate

I am writing to express my interest in a work experience placement at your organisation. Currently, I am undertaking a [Course Name] at [University Name] and looking to gain valuable practical experience in the industry.

I am fascinated by the [specific area of interest] conducted by your organisation and would be thrilled to be part of such an accomplished team. During my placement, I am eager to gain practical skills and experience that would be invaluable in developing my career prospects.

I am willing to assist with tasks ranging from administrative duties to any project or initiative related to your work, tasks such as [detailed responsibilities]. I believe this opportunity is vital to my career progression, and I appreciate your efforts in considering my application.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information. Thank you for your valuable time and consideration.

Tips for Writing a Sample Letter for Work Experience Placement

Work experience placements are a fantastic way of gaining valuable skills, experience and exposure to particular industries or sectors. If you’re looking to apply for a work experience placement, writing a clear and concise letter is essential to help you stand out from other applicants. Here are some useful tips for writing a sample letter for work experience placement:

Start with a clear introduction: Begin your letter by introducing yourself and explaining why you’re interested in the work experience placement. Explain what your goals are and what you hope to achieve from the placement. This should immediately grab the attention of the employer and highlight your enthusiasm for the role.
Highlight your relevant skills and experience: It’s important to highlight any relevant skills and experience you have that may be useful to the employer. For example, if you’re applying for a work experience placement in a marketing agency, mention any marketing-related activities you have undertaken, such as volunteering your time to help run social media campaigns for local charities or groups.
Show enthusiasm and commitment: Employers want to see that you’re enthusiastic and committed to the placement. Explain why you’re interested in the particular industry or sector and how the work experience placement will help you achieve your career goals. The more passionate and driven you appear, the more likely you are to be offered a placement.
Be specific: Make sure you include specific details in your letter. For example, if you’re applying for a placement in a law firm, mention the particular area of law you’re interested in, such as family law or criminal law. This helps the employer to understand your interests and tailor the placement to your needs.
End with a clear call-to-action: End your letter by thanking the employer for considering your application. Make it clear that you would be keen to discuss the placement in more detail, and provide your contact details so that the employer can get in touch with you easily.

Writing a sample letter for work experience placement can be a daunting task, but by following these tips, you should be able to submit a well-written letter that showcases your strengths and qualities. Remember to proofread your letter carefully before submitting it, and tailor it to the specific role and employer you’re applying to.

FAQs about Sample Letter for Work Experience Placement What is a work experience placement letter?

A work experience placement letter is a letter written by a student or job seeker to a potential employer requesting an opportunity to gain work experience in their field of interest. It outlines the purpose of the placement, the duration, and the applicant’s qualifications.

What should I include in my work experience placement letter?

Your work experience placement letter should include a brief introduction about yourself, your field of interest, your purpose for seeking a placement, and your qualifications. Also, indicate the length of the placement, your availability, and any other pertinent details related to the placement.

How long should my work experience placement be?

The duration of your work experience placement is usually determined by the employer. However, a typical work experience placement can last from a few weeks to a few months depending on the employer’s preference and the skills to be learned.

Should I send my work experience placement letter by mail or email?

You can send your work experience placement letter either by mail or email. However, most employers these days prefer to receive applications and letters via email. Make sure to follow the employer’s instructions regarding the mode of application.

Should I attach my resume with my work experience letter?

It’s always a good idea to attach your resume with your work experience letter. Your resume will give the employer a more detailed view of your qualifications and experience. Make sure that your resume is updated and relevant to the job you are applying for.

What if I don’t have any work experience?

If you don’t have any work experience, you can highlight your academic achievements, activities, hobbies, and any relevant skills you have acquired that could be useful in the placement. Also, you can seek advice from your teachers or guidance counselors about how to craft an effective letter despite having no work experience.

When should I follow up after sending my work experience placement letter?

You should wait for at least a few days or a week before following up after sending your work experience placement letter. You can either call or send a polite email to inquire about the status of your application. However, make sure to be patient and not to sound pushy in your follow-up communication.

Wrapping It Up

Well, that’s all folks! I hope this sample letter for work experience placement will help you get your foot in the door. Remember, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and pursue opportunities that interest you. And if you ever want to come back for more career advice, you know where to find me. Thanks for reading, and best of luck on your job-seeking journey!

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How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship

If you are applying for an internship, you are most likely a student without much industry experience—hence the need for an internship. But don’t despair! What you lack in experience, you make up for with enthusiasm.

Apply that same enthusiasm to your cover letter, and a hiring manager will be excited to find out more about who you are, what skills you have, and what an internship can do for both of you.

This article offers cover letter tips, explains how to sell yourself, and lays out a template and cover letter example that you can and should tailor for each internship.

First, Your Internship Resume

Before we get to the cover letter format, let’s discuss your resume. For students, recent graduates, and people switching careers, functional resumes are the best format to use in a job search rather than chronological resumes.

That’s because functional resumes are designed to highlight your skills and core competencies, whereas chronological resumes focus on your work experience—of which you probably have none. Here’s a helpful article “ How to Write a Killer Internship Resume .”

Now, let's get to the cover letter.

Is a Cover Letter Necessary?

Really? You’re already running out of steam and losing enthusiasm if you're asking this question. The answer is a resounding yes. A cover letter is absolutely necessary because you only have two ways to differentiate yourself from your competitors at this stage. Your resume and your cover letter. Why handicap yourself so early?

Your resume is a one-page document that will show your skills and your education, but it doesn’t really show you. Your cover letter, on the other hand, reveals a little more about your personality. It gives the hiring manager a better idea of who you are and why you are the perfect fit for this specific position. It will allow your enthusiasm to show through!

A Few Golden Rules

There are a few golden rules to follow when writing a cover letter.

First, tailor each letter to each internship. It can be very obvious to a recruiter if you use a standard cover letter, and doing so might be worse than not sending one at all. When you are just starting out in an industry, it’s important not to take shortcuts.

Second, read the job description and include keywords so that applicant tracking software does not discard your application. Don’t try to respond to all the requirements on the job description, rather, emphasize one or two key areas in the letter because that will have more impact.

Third, research the company by reading the website and any articles that you find online. You may find information that you can refer to in the cover letter to show the depth of interest you have in the company and make you stand out.

Lastly, review and proofread your cover letter, and ask a trusted mentor to do the same. Typos sabotage a well-curated cover letter.

How to Structure Your Internship Cover Letter

Here’s an internship cover letter template with some guidelines on each section.

[Full Name] [Telephone Number] [Email address] [LinkedIn Address]

In the contact information at the top of the letter, include your phone number, but there is no need to add your street address unless the company is looking for local interns. For the email address, make sure it is professional and current; for example, [email protected] and not [email protected]. Only include social media links if they have content that is relevant to your career.

[Salutation]

For the salutation, don’t open with “Dear Hiring Manager” or "To whom it may concern" if you can possibly avoid it. It smacks of laziness. If you don’t know the hiring manager's name, try calling the company and asking for their name and email. Also, look at the company website or the LinkedIn page to see if some detective work might help. If you show that you’ve taken the time to find out the name of the person you are addressing, it shows …. you guessed it …. enthusiasm!

[Subject Line]

Include your name and the job title in the header.

[Opening Paragraph]

Your opening paragraph should start with a bang. Your first sentence should draw the reader in so that they want to read more about you. This is probably the most challenging part of writing the cover letter, so spend a lot of time on the first paragraph and the first sentence in particular. Think about what makes you the best person for the internship and convey that to the reader. This first sentence is the jackpot. Grab attention here, and you’re golden.

[Second Paragraph]

Now you have the reader’s attention, it’s time to provide the evidence to support your claim. Here’s where you can expound on what your relevant skills can do for the company, not why you want the internship. That’s an important distinction. Everyone will say they want the internship for one reason or another, but the hiring manager is most interested in what you have to offer.

Choose one or two items to write about in the body of the cover letter. They should be the most critical points that make you a good fit for the job. For example, you might have completed a course that is directly relevant to the company’s operations. You might be seeking an internship as a software engineer, and you have just won a coding competition. You might do volunteer work that is aligned with the work of the company or enjoy extracurricular activities that are relevant.

Explain why what you have mentioned makes you a good fit for the role, and don't forget soft skills. Here's a reminder, " What's the Difference Between Hard Skills Vs. Soft Skills ?"

[Closing Paragraph]

Sign off by saying thank you and offering to provide any other information the hiring manager might need.

[Complimentary Close and Signature]

Below is an internship cover letter sample.

Catherine Smith

(903) 846 1234

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-smith-dataanalyst/

October 20, 2021

Dear Mr. Foster,

Application for Data Analyst Internship

My recent Google Data Analyst certification has spurred me on to apply for the internship program with your esteemed firm. The coursework confirmed that I am pursuing my passion, and I am confident that my proven analyst abilities and relevant experience would benefit your firm.

[Note: The first paragraph is bold and interesting. It captures the reader's attention and establishes the candidate as the best fit for the job.]

In addition to data analyst certification, during the last three years at Columbia College, I have completed coursework as part of my computer science degree, including programming in Javascript and C++, which I understand are languages widely used in your organization. I have also completed design courses for mobile applications, such as developing skills in journey mapping and wireframing.

I have also spent the past semester volunteering my time with a local non-profit and helped the web team launch and manage an application that helps them with food delivery operations.

[Note: The body of the letter shows that the candidate has researched the firm and provides evidence of the candidate's value to the firm].

I believe that I have much to offer your organization as an intern and I would be delighted to discuss my suitability for this internship opportunity at your convenience. Thank you for considering this application.

How to Send Your Cover Letter

There are two options for sending your job application by email. Unless there are strict instructions on the job posting, the first option is to attach the cover letter and your resume to an email. If you do this, use the same subject line for the email that you used in the cover letter. In the email body, you can simply say, “Attached please find my resume and cover letter with regard to the position of [add internship position]."

Name your resume and cover letter files sensibly. For example, Catherine_Smith_cover_letter.doc

The other option is to include the cover letter in the actual email and attach the resume. In this case, state in your cover letter that the resume is attached.

You’re almost ready to submit your application, but review the golden rules below before you do.

Did you tailor your cover letter and make sure there are no residues from the last iteration? It’s often easy to redo a cover letter but forget to change a phrase or two.

Did you include keywords that correspond to the job description (without overdoing it)?

Did you refer to something that you researched to show that you are VERY interested in the company’s activities?

Have you reviewed and proofread your cover letter, resume, and email?

If the answers are all yes, click “send” and start preparing for an interview!

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How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job

I ’ve read thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of cover letters in my career. If you’re thinking that sounds like really boring reading, you’re right. What I can tell you from enduring that experience is that most cover letters are terrible — and not only that, but squandered opportunities. When a cover letter is done well, it can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, but the vast majority fail that test.

So let’s talk about how to do cover letters right.

First, understand the point of a cover letter.

The whole idea of a cover letter is that it can help the employer see you as more than just your résumé. Managers generally aren’t hiring based solely on your work history; your experience is crucial, yes, but they’re also looking for someone who will be easy to work with, shows good judgment, communicates well, possesses strong critical thinking skills and a drive to get things done, complements their current team, and all the other things you yourself probably want from your co-workers. It’s tough to learn much about those things from job history alone, and that’s where your cover letter comes in.

Because of that …

Whatever you do, don’t just summarize your résumé.

The No. 1 mistake people make with cover letters is that they simply use them to summarize their résumé. This makes no sense — hiring managers don’t need a summary of your résumé! It’s on the very next page! They’re about to see it as soon as they scroll down. And if you think about it, your entire application is only a few pages (in most cases, a one- or two-page résumé and a one-page cover letter) — why would you squander one of those pages by repeating the content of the others? And yet, probably 95 percent of the cover letters I see don’t add anything new beyond the résumé itself (and that’s a conservative estimate).

Instead, your cover letter should go beyond your work history to talk about things that make you especially well-suited for the job. For example, if you’re applying for an assistant job that requires being highly organized and you neurotically track your household finances in a detailed, color-coded spreadsheet, most hiring managers would love to know that because it says something about the kind of attention to detail you’d bring to the job. That’s not something you could put on your résumé, but it can go in your cover letter.

Or maybe your last boss told you that you were the most accurate data processor she’d ever seen, or came to rely on you as her go-to person whenever a lightning-fast rewrite was needed. Maybe your co-workers called you “the client whisperer” because of your skill in calming upset clients. Maybe you’re regularly sought out by more senior staff to help problem-solve, or you find immense satisfaction in bringing order to chaos. Those sorts of details illustrate what you bring to the job in a different way than your résumé does, and they belong in your cover letter.

If you’re still stumped, pretend you’re writing an email to a friend about why you’d be great at the job. You probably wouldn’t do that by stiffly reciting your work history, right? You’d talk about what you’re good at and how you’d approach the work. That’s what you want here.

You don’t need a creative opening line.

If you think you need to open the letter with something creative or catchy, I am here to tell you that you don’t. Just be simple and straightforward:

• “I’m writing to apply for your X position.”

• “I’d love to be considered for your X position.”

• “I’m interested in your X position because …”

• “I’m excited to apply for your X position.”

That’s it! Straightforward is fine — better, even, if the alternative is sounding like an aggressive salesperson.

Show, don’t tell.

A lot of cover letters assert that the person who wrote it would excel at the job or announce that the applicant is a skillful engineer or a great communicator or all sorts of other subjective superlatives. That’s wasted space — the hiring manager has no reason to believe it, and so many candidates claim those things about themselves that most managers ignore that sort of self-assessment entirely. So instead of simply declaring that you’re great at X (whatever X is), your letter should demonstrate that. And the way you do that is by describing accomplishments and experiences that illustrate it.

Here’s a concrete example taken from one extraordinarily effective cover-letter makeover that I saw. The candidate had originally written, “I offer exceptional attention to detail, highly developed communication skills, and a talent for managing complex projects with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and multitask.” That’s pretty boring and not especially convincing, right? (This is also exactly how most people’s cover letters read.)

In her revised version, she wrote this instead:

“In addition to being flexible and responsive, I’m also a fanatic for details — particularly when it comes to presentation. One of my recent projects involved coordinating a 200-page grant proposal: I proofed and edited the narratives provided by the division head, formatted spreadsheets, and generally made sure that every line was letter-perfect and that the entire finished product conformed to the specific guidelines of the RFP. (The result? A five-year, $1.5 million grant award.) I believe in applying this same level of attention to detail to tasks as visible as prepping the materials for a top-level meeting and as mundane as making sure the copier never runs out of paper.”

That second version is so much more compelling and interesting — and makes me believe that she really is great with details.

If there’s anything unusual or confusing about your candidacy, address it in the letter.

Your cover letter is your chance to provide context for things that otherwise might seem confusing or less than ideal to a hiring manager. For example, if you’re overqualified for the position but are excited about it anyway, or if you’re a bit underqualified but have reason to think you could excel at the job, address that up front. Or if your background is in a different field but you’re actively working to move into this one, say so, talk about why, and explain how your experience will translate. Or if you’re applying for a job across the country from where you live because you’re hoping to relocate to be closer to your family, let them know that.

If you don’t provide that kind of context, it’s too easy for a hiring manager to decide you’re the wrong fit or applying to everything you see or don’t understand the job description and put you in the “no” pile. A cover letter gives you a chance to say, “No, wait — here’s why this could be a good match.”

Keep the tone warm and conversational.

While there are some industries that prize formal-sounding cover letters — like law — in most fields, yours will stand out if it’s warm and conversational. Aim for the tone you’d use if you were writing to a co-worker whom you liked a lot but didn’t know especially well. It’s okay to show some personality or even use humor; as long as you don’t go overboard, your letter will be stronger for it.

Don’t use a form letter.

You don’t need to write every cover letter completely from scratch, but if you’re not customizing it to each job, you’re doing it wrong. Form letters tend to read like form letters, and they waste the chance to speak to the specifics of what this employer is looking for and what it will take to thrive in this particular job.

If you’re applying for a lot of similar jobs, of course you’ll end up reusing language from one letter to the next. But you shouldn’t have a single cover letter that you wrote once and then use every time you apply; whatever you send should sound like you wrote it with the nuances of this one job in mind.

A good litmus test is this: Could you imagine other applicants for this job sending in the same letter? If so, that’s a sign that you haven’t made it individualized enough to you and are probably leaning too heavily on reciting your work history.

No, you don’t need to hunt down the hiring manager’s name.

If you read much job-search advice, at some point you’ll come across the idea that you need to do Woodward and Bernstein–level research to hunt down the hiring manager’s name in order to open your letter with “Dear Matilda Jones.” You don’t need to do this; no reasonable hiring manager will care. If the name is easily available, by all means, feel free to use it, but otherwise “Dear Hiring Manager” is absolutely fine. Take the hour you just freed up and do something more enjoyable with it.

Keep it under one page.

If your cover letters are longer than a page, you’re writing too much, and you risk annoying hiring managers who are likely sifting through hundreds of applications and don’t have time to read lengthy tomes. On the other hand, if you only write one paragraph, it’s unlikely that you’re making a compelling case for yourself as a candidate — not impossible, but unlikely. For most people, something close to a page is about right.

Don’t agonize over the small details.

What matters most about your cover letter is its content. You should of course ensure that it’s well-written and thoroughly proofread, but many job seekers agonize over elements of the letter that really don’t matter. I get tons of questions from job seekers about whether they should attach their cover letter or put it in the body of the email (answer: No one cares, but attaching it makes it easier to share and will preserve your formatting), or what to name the file (again, no one really cares as long as it’s reasonably professional, but when people are dealing with hundreds of files named “resume,” it’s courteous to name it with your full name).

Approaching your cover letter like this can make a huge difference in your job search. It can be the thing that moves your application from the “maybe” pile (or even the “no” pile) to the “yes” pile. Of course, writing cover letters like this will take more time than sending out the same templated letter summarizing your résumé — but 10 personalized, compelling cover letters are likely to get you more interview invitations than 50 generic ones will.

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IMAGES

Sample Job Cover Letter
How to Write a Cover Letter in 2022
25 cover letter examples
Cover Letter For Work Experience Placement
Sample Cover Letter For Work Experience printable pdf download
Tips and examples to write for a work placement cover letter

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COMMENTS

Placement Cover Letter (for Work Experience): Example & Tips
See how to write your own letter for work experience: 1. Head up your placement cover letter with a well set-out header. Use the right header format for your placement cover letter. Simply align to the right your full name, postal address, email, and phone number. Leave a line and add the date of writing. Leave another line and align to the ...
How to write a work experience cover letter (With example)
Place your contact information at the top of your letter. Include your first name and surname, address and postcode. You can also include your phone number and email address, but this is optional. 4. Address the letter. Add the date you'll send the letter, and write the organisation's name, address and postcode.
Writing a Placement & Work Experience Cover Letter
1. Browse LinkedIn - Lots of companies have a profile that lists their employees. 2. Contact the employer - Ask for the name of the person who is tasked with reading placement cover letters. You can do this by phone or email. 3. Address your cover letter to the department manager. 4.
3 Placement cover letter examples [Get the job]
Placement cover letter example 3. CV templates. The example cover letters here should give you a good general idea on how your Placement cover letter should be formatted and written. The rest of this guide gives more specific guidance on how to create your own cover letter in this format, and even includes some templates you can copy and paste.
Placement Cover Letter Examples & Expert Tips · Resume.io
Placement Cover Letter examples Write the best Cover Letters in 5 minutes samples and expert guides used by millions of users. ... Work placements give you the chance to try a field before you decide to pursue a role within it. You will gain invaluable hands-on experience while learning about a chosen sector from the professionals who work ...
Work experience letter template
A work experience letter is something you attach on your application for work experience, to let a company know you're interested in finding a placement with them. It's similar to a cover letter , although it will tend to focus more on your skills and education, rather than your previous experience (although it is possible to find work ...
How To Write a Cover Letter (With Examples and Tips)
Cover letter format. Your cover letter should be one page long and use a simple, professional font, such as Arial or Helvetica, 10 to 12 points in size. Your letter should be left-aligned with single spacing and one-inch margins. Video: When and Why to Write a Cover Letter - Plus, Top Tips for Formatting.
Tips and examples to write for a work placement cover letter
Write a strong opening statement. Write in concise and clear language, preferably without personal pronouns such as 'I', 'me', and 'us'. Explain how you can contribute to the company by showcasing your career goals. Focus on accomplishments, relevant experiences, and skills.
Writing an Internship Cover Letter With Examples and Tips
Here are a few steps you can follow when writing an internship cover letter: 1. State the exact role you want. Starting your cover letter with the position you're applying for shows you thoughtfully considered what makes you the best candidate for this specific position while reminding the reader what role you're hoping to earn.
How to Write a Cover Letter (Expert Tips & Examples)
Place your name, city, state, ZIP code, phone number and email address in your cover letter heading. Your email address should be professional like "[email protected]," and not personal like "[email protected]." Include links to your LinkedIn profile or professional online portfolio if you have one.
How to Write a Cover Letter When You're Changing Careers (or a New Gra
A cover letter should convey confidence. Try language like, "My experience may not be exactly what you'd expect from an applicant but my proven ability to work independently and innovative approach to budgeting align with your values and needs." Downplay what you don't have. Highlight what you do.
How To Write an Entry-Level Cover Letter (With Examples)
Here are six steps to help you write a strong entry-level cover letter: 1. Address your letter professionally. Because your cover letter will be part of your candidate portfolio, use a professional format to address the letter. Begin with your contact information written in the top left-hand corner.
Top 10 Cover Letter Examples for Practicum Placement to Land Your Dream
So, sit back, relax, and let us take the stress out of writing your practicum placement cover letter. With these examples and a little bit of creativity, you'll be well on your way to securing the practicum placement of your dreams. ... Sample Letter for Work Experience Placement: Tips and Examples 10 Impressive Cover Letter Examples for ...
How to write a letter for work experience (with template!) ️
5. Briefly explain why you're writing ️. Next, briefly explain why you're contacting the organisation. This could be a few short sentences to explain: that you're interested in gaining work experience at the organisation. the work experience relates to your career goals and would help you.
Writing A Placement & Work Experience Cover Letter
What goes into a work experience cover letter. Although you should constant cutter your cover letter for each job you apply for, there are a married of things that select coverage alphabetic must include. On top in the usual letter niceties, these are… Your name and please details; The role you're applying fork; Why you're interested in ...
Writing a Placement & Work Experience Cover Letter
When you apply for a placement, you'll need to send a cover letter along with your CV. A placement cover letter carrier your application by statement who you been and why you're interested inches the responsibility.. The goals of thine cover letter is to persuad an boss up read your CV, (over the fifty other they received), and eventually invite you for an interview.
Sample Letter for Work Experience Placement: Tips and Examples
Request for Work Experience Placement - Undergraduate. Dear [Employer Name], I hope this letter finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am an undergraduate student at [University Name] studying [Course Name]. I am writing to express my keen interest in a work experience placement at your company.
How to Write an Internship Cover Letter (Best Examples)
Salutation: Dear (hiring manager name). Using their name will instantly activate their brain, helping your cover letter get their full attention. First paragraph: a well-researched and targeted introduction. Second paragraph: your key skills (both hard skills and soft skills) and why you fit the internship.
How To Write A Cover Letter
Your cover letter should be ⅔ to ¾ of a page long (we'll cover formatting later!). We'll break down what to include in each paragraph and take a look at some examples. At a high level, your cover letter will include: Paragraph 1: Reel them in 🧐. Strong hook that makes them smile. Research to show you know your stuff.
How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship
If you do this, use the same subject line for the email that you used in the cover letter. In the email body, you can simply say, "Attached please find my resume and cover letter with regard to the position of [add internship position]." Name your resume and cover letter files sensibly.
How To Write an Internship Cover Letter (With Examples)
Here are some steps you can use to write an effective internship cover letter: 1. Convey your interest in the specific internship. You should always start your cover letters by stating which internship (or role) you wish to apply for. This will show that you haven't simply sent out the same cover letter for multiple internships.
How to Write a CV for Work Experience Opportunities
Put your name in a larger font than the body text, 16-18 is ideal. Include your phone number, and your email address, making sure it's a sensible one based on your name. But don't include your address, a photo of yourself or your date of birth. Don't write too much, your end result should be a one or two page CV .
How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job
You don't need a creative opening line. , If you think you need to open the letter with something creative or catchy, I am here to tell you that you don't. Just be simple and straightforward ...
How to Write a General Worker Cover Letter (with Examples)
To help you out, here is a sample cover letter for a general worker. Charles Ferris. Sydney, NSW. 0491 578 888. [email protected] 1 March 2024 Bob Richardson. ABC Ltd Dear Mr Richardson, I am writing in response to your job advertisement for the position of general worker at ABC Ltd. With my experience in various manual labour jobs, coupled ...
How To Write a Placement CV (With a Template and Example)
Placement CV template. Consider using this template to help write your own CV: [First name] [last name] [Address] [Phone number] [Email address] Personal statement. [Three to five sentences telling the employer about yourself, your studies and why you want the job] Skills. [Three to six relevant soft and hard skills]
How to Write a Training Manager Cover Letter (With Examples)
Here is a cover letter template you can use to create your own cover letter. Your name. City, state. Your phone number. Recipient's address Dear [Recipient's name], I am writing to express my interest in the training manager role at [company name], as advertised on [where/how you found the job posting]. With [your years of experience] in ...
How To Write a Field Engineer Cover Letter (With Examples)
Field engineer cover letter template. Here is a cover letter template you can use to create your own cover letter: [Your Name] [City, State] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email] [Today's Date] [Recipient's Name] [Company's Name] Dear [Recipient's Name], I am writing to express my interest in the open field engineer position at [Company's Name].
Health Care Resume Skills: What to Include (+ Examples)
For example, you could begin with "Organized care coordinator with five years experience in….". 3. Weave skills throughout your resume. Your health care resume should have a section devoted to your skills as a professional in health care with brief examples. It's also vital to integrate skills throughout your resume.
Public Relations Cover Letter Example and Template for 2024
Atlanta, Georgia. 771-555-0199. [email protected] April 29, 2023 Dear hiring manager, My name is Theo Harrington, and I'm writing to express my interest in the open position of Public Relations Manager at Morningside Critical Care Hospital. As an experienced public relations professional with over six years of experience in the health ...

Writing a Placement & Work Experience Cover Letter

How to write a cover letter for a placement

What goes into a work experience cover letter

Step 1: Dear Sir / Madam?

Don’t know who to address your cover letter to? There’s a few things you can do.

Step 2: Swift intro

Step 3: Why are you interested?

Step 4: What can YOU bring?

Step 5: Final flourish

Step 6: Farewell

Things to remember…

Online Placement Applications

Written by Conor

Placement cover letter examples

Placement cover letter example 1

Placement cover letter example 2

Placement cover letter example 3

How to write a Placement cover letter

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

Start with a friendly greeting

How to find the contact’s name?

Identify the role you are applying for

Highlight your suitability

Keep it short and sharp

Sign off professionally

What to include in your Placement cover letter

Placement cover letter templates

Work Placement

How to write a work placement Cover Letter: Example and tips

Enhance your job application with a cover letter

What to include in a work placement Cover Letter

What do you say when asking for a work placement on a Cover Letter?

Cover Letter Tips for a work placement

Land the interview for your dream job with CVMaker

For Individuals

How to Write a Cover Letter When You’re Changing Careers (or a New Grad)

Stats on Career Changers

Understanding the Career Change Cover Letter

An Effective Cover Letter Hooks the Reader

Research Your Prospective Employer

Organizing a Strong Cover Letter

Drafting The Meat of Your Letter

Craft a Strong Opening Paragraph for your Cover Letter

Ending Your Letter

Never Complain, Never Explain

Cover Letter Tips for Everyone

Do not go Over one Page

Use the Active Voice

Don't be Fancy

Proofread Carefully

Don't Give up

Reading next

How to write a letter for work experience (with template!) ✉️

Introduction 👋

(Skip ahead to the letter template here ! ⏩)

2. Start with a template ✍️

3. Add contact details 📱

The organisation’s contact details 👩‍💼

4. Introduce yourself briefly 🙋‍♀️

5. Briefly explain why you’re writing ✍️

6. Explain how the work experience would benefit you 💞

7. Explain how the work experience could benefit them 🙌

8. Offer a personal reference (if possible) ✅

9. Next steps 👣

10. Thank them and sign off🙏

11. Double check the letter, and send! 📨

Work experience letter example 📨

Conclusion 👍

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Sample Letter for Work Experience Placement: Tips and Examples

The Best Structure for a Work Experience Placement Letter

Sample Letter for Work Experience Placement

Request for Work Experience Placement – University Student

Request for Work Experience Placement – Career Change