A well-written cover letter—paired with a solid résumé—can help you secure an interview for the internship or entry-level job you’ve been dreaming of.

You’ve probably asked this question before:

“How can I get an interview for my dream internship or job?”

I have good news for you:

The power is in your hands.

A well-written cover letter—paired with a solid résumé—can help you secure an interview for the internship or entry-level job you’ve been dreaming of.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a one-page document you submit along with your résumé when applying to an internship or entry-level job. By writing a cover letter, you provide additional information about why you’re the best candidate for a specific position with a unique organization.

After the employer reads your cover letter, you want them to read your résumé, visit your LinkedIn profile, check out your digital portfolio, or better yet, do all three.

Think about it this way:

When you write a cover letter, you get to share who you are as a professional. It’s your first opportunity to answer one of the most common interview questions: “Tell me about yourself.” You can grab the recruiter’s attention and make a positive first impression.

What is the best way to format a cover letter?

As with any good story, your cover letter should have a beginning, middle, and end. I will refer to these as the introduction, body, and closing. Let’s check out a four-part cover letter formula that can help you seal the deal.

1. Open strong.

   The introduction to a cover letter is crustal. Terrible, right? If you want your cover letter to end up in the trash immediately, make an ugly spelling error in your first sentence.
   
   Errors quickly eliminate applicants from consideration. A typo not only communicates poor spelling or grammar but, more importantly, weak attention to detail. Take your time, double-check your work, and open strong.

2. Be creative, yet professional.

   If you open your cover letter with a sentence similar to, “I am writing to apply for [job] with [company],” you will immediately bore the recruiter. As one of the most common introductions, that’s not an effective way to distinguish yourself from other applicants.
   
   Instead, begin your cover letter with a sentence that expresses your personality. One way to accomplish this is by starting with a personal anecdote. For instance, you could write:
   
   I believe in the following notion: “Don’t show up to a party empty-handed.” Whether in a business or social setting, I always consider what I can bring to the table.

   That opener is not only unique, but it’s full of personality. Don’t feel confined by what is considered “standard” or “traditional.” As long as your content is professional, you can be a little creative.

3. Connect the dots. The body of your cover letter should make it clear that you’re not looking for any old internship or entry-level job, but this one in particular. Prove to the employer that you have done your research and not only understand their organization, but you appreciate what the company does.
   
   The purpose of the body is to prove your qualifications to the reader. Be specific about your qualifications and clearly describe how they relate to the position. Spend time matching the requirements outlined in the internship or job description with your most relevant skills and qualifications.

4. Close with confidence.

   Just like the strong opening, you want to close confidently, too. Steer clear of template phrases like, “I hope to hear from you soon.” Instead, express your genuine interest with a tailored statement. For example:
   
   Thank you for your consideration. I’d love to learn more about your marketing initiatives and how I can target millennial and Gen Z customers.

A well-written cover letter—paired with a solid résumé—can help you secure an interview for your dream entry-level job or internship. This cover letter formula will help you prove your qualifications and demonstrate why you’re the best candidate.

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