Internship Resume Guide:
Internship Selection and Targeted Resume
IMPORTANT MESSAGE
 Please bring an electronic copy of your resume to the Internship Resume Workshop
(e.g. save it to a flash drive, OneDrive, email, etc.), so that it is accessible for review
and editing.
 Use this guide to create a rough draft or so that it is accessible for review and editing.
revise an existing resume for your internship search.
 If you have chosen an internship site, please also bring the posting (or information
about the organization and your internship duties) to the workshop.
THE CAREER VALUE OF A WELL-CHOSEN INTERNSHIP
“They won’t hire me without experience, but I can’t get experience unless they hire me.”
A successful internship has become an essential tool in the “hire me” toolkit of new college graduates.
Future employers see internships as a way of measuring commitment to a specific career and industry
and identifying experience in doing work similar to the position for which a candidate is applying. For
you as a job seeker, internships can help you determine whether a career truly is a fit with your skills,
interests and personality.
Your internship is an important step toward your future career.
Think carefully and choose wisely!
Select an internship that offers the opportunity to build on your academic knowledge, do career-related
activities that build your resume and add to your portfolio, and are similar to the kind of work you want
to do after graduation. Consider your internship site as a way to establish connections in your future
industry. If you are considering an internship at your current employer, ask yourself:
 Will the internship give me new assignments and a new supervisor?
 Will the internship prepare me for my post-graduation career goal?
Basic Steps for Selecting an Internship
1. Identify 2 -3 careers that interest you (Options 1, 2, and 3 ) and require a college degree
2. Determine the skills and experiences desired when hiring new graduates in these areas
(http://www.onetonline.org/ is a good resource for this information)
3. Select an internship that offers development of the skills you identified (pt. 2) and that will
provide experiences that make you a good job candidate for your desired position
Is this a good Internship for you? Ask yourself:
 Will this develop skill sets related to my career aspirations?
 Will I use frameworks, theories, and knowledge learned in my major/support?
 What kind of projects or experiences are there (do presentations, write articles, etc.)?
 How will I be mentored? .
 Can I develop my professional network and identity in my field here?
 Will it help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional practice?
 How will this internship help me determine my first work destination after graduation?
Page 1
HOW TO ANALYZE A JOB POSTING:
A job posting is an employer’s way of saying “I have a business need for someone to do this specific
work, have these specific skills and experience, and work in this specific time frame.” An effective
resume is one that is targeted to the employer’s needs and expectations as outlined in the posting. To
create a targeted resume that starts off highlighting your best match to employers’ needs:
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create a resume analysis template with the components cited below
cut and paste the posting text into the appropriate areas
analyze the components of the job and rearrange them from best match to weakest match
in the right column, identify your achievements/activities that match each of the job components
design your resume to put your best matches at the top
Job title and employer:
The duties of this job are:
My experience doing similar tasks:
The skill sets and education required are:
My education and skill match:
The experience and/or training sought are:
Relevant experience/certifications, etc.:
The personal characteristics sought are:
Words that describe my attitude, skills:
List other aspects of the job to consider before applying: (e.g., future relocation required, travel
required, weekend or evening hours required, etc.)
Page 2
WHAT IS A TARGETED RESUME?
A targeted resume is one designed for specific position with a specific employer.
A targeted resume provides evidence that you can do the job as described. All items on it must
connect to the knowledge, skills and experience required by the employer.
A resume is not an autobiography!
Resumes cite only those achievements and activities from relevant course, employment and volunteer
experiences that relate to the position.
Always remain focused on the firm’s business needs and how you match those needs
For job fairs, you may create resumes with generalized objectives for the types of positions that
interest you (Marketing Intern, Elementary Teacher, Management Trainee, etc.). After the fair, follow
up with a targeted resume, focused on the job description of the position you seek.
THE OBJECTIVE STATEMENT
Computerized Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) make the inclusion of an objective essential.
 For the employer: the objective speeds up the hiring process by making it easy to determine
which position you are seeking and to forward your resume to the right reviewer.
 For you: the objective serves as a kind of “thesis statement” for the construction of your resume.
By referring to it, you can assure that everything on the resume is relevant to the specific job for
which you are applying.
A one-line objective is standard business practice!
Your objective is to interview for a specific position; therefore, the objective line is the title of the
position (as listed in the posting), division or department (if named) and the name of the employer.
That’s all! Here are some examples:
Objective:
Objective:
Objective:
Objective:
Marketing Intern, Miller Brewery
Payroll Specialist, Human Resource Department, St. Luke’s Hospital
Communication Coordinator, American Civil Liberties Union, Milwaukee
Accountant, Student Financial Aid, UW-Spokane
REMEMBER
A job exists for one reason: the firm has a business need for someone to do the described duties using
the described skill sets. You must show that you can meet those specific needs.
Page 3
CREATING ACHIEVEMENT STATEMENTS – NOT JOB DESCRIPTIONS
The most common resume mistake: presenting job duties, rather than achievements
Interviewers look for accomplishments; therefore, each line on your resume must present you as
effective at doing a task similar to the tasks of the job you seek. Alverno students often find that they
developed skill in tasks related to their targeted jobs through projects from upper level courses,
internships, field placements and clinical rotations.
Action  Result of the action (achievement)
Start each line with a descriptive verb in past tense; end with an accomplishment (why it matters).
For every line you write, ask yourself: Why is this important to the reader, given the job I seek?
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Did I indicate the impact or result of this action?
Did I show a positive effect or result?
Did I quantify: How many? How much? How often?
Did I show technological skill required by the employer?
Did I show skill in tasks that I would have in the internship/job?
So what?
Why does the
reader need
to know this?
Here are some before and after samples that show how asking “so what?” can improve your
presentation. Note how the underlined portion sites specific that enhance understanding
Original:
Example 1:
Example 2:
Have working knowledge of Dreamweaver and Photoshop
Created 5 business websites using Dreamweaver
Edited and customized athletic team photos for website using Photoshop
Original:
Example 1:
Example2:
Assisted cooperating teacher
Reviewed student math homework to identify problem areas
Designed lesson plans, including kinesthetic, reflective, and cognitive
strategies to address the diverse learning styles of each child
See the following page for samples of strong, descriptive verbs.
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A ONE PAGE RESUME? WHAT SHOULD I OMIT?
Photos, graphic designs, clip art (these will often be converted to code by the ATS)
Hobbies, interests, age, sex, weight, marital status, etc.
On electronic submissions: horizontal lines, italics, graphics, headers/footers, tables, fields
Page 4
DESCRIPTIVE VERBS: STATE WHAT YOU ACTUALLY DID
Each line of your resume will begin with a descriptive verb in past tense (the action you took) followed
by a phrase that the result of that action (the result of your action - the “so what?”).
Do not begin lines with adverbs, nouns, or adjectives. Whenever possible, incorporate verbs and noun
phrases that appear in the job posting; this helps you get a higher rating from the ATS scanner:
When using data,
I have:
Administered
Analyzed
Calculated
Compared
Composed
Computed
Compiled
Conducted
Consolidated
Controlled
Coordinated
Determined
Developed
Devised
Directed
Figured
Implemented
Innovated
Logged
Operated
Organized
Planned
Recorded
Reported
Researched
Synthesized
Theorized
Wrote
When interacting
with people, I have:
Advised
Assessed
Coordinated
Corresponded
Consulted
Counseled
Created
Diagnosed
Directed
Entertained
Evaluated
Initiated
Instructed
Interviewed
Led
Managed
Motivated
Negotiated
Organized
Persuaded
Planned
Processed
Promoted
Referred
Shared
Supervised
Taught
Trained
When dealing with
things, I have:
Adjusted
Altered
Assembled
Balanced
Built
Constructed
Created
Delivered
Designed
Distributed
Driven
Fabricated
Guided
Inspected
Lifted
Mixed
Moved
Operated
Ordered
Performed
Protected
Repaired
Restored
Set up
Shaped
Tended
Tested
Translated
Avoid weak verbs such as: assisted, attended, aided, collaborated, helped, handled, responsible for,
used, worked with, oversaw, provided, etc. To select verbs that create “pictures” of you in action; ask
yourself, “What did I actually do?” Follow the verb with the success or result of that action.
Weak:
Helped with New Student Orientation program (What did she actually do?)
Strong: Created New Student Orientation logo using Adobe Photoshop and designed event agenda
Wrote and delivered welcoming speech to 250 entering students
Page 5
CONTENT COMMON TO ALL RESUMES
All resumes contain the same basic information. It is how the writer chooses to present job-related
information (the layout and selection of items) that makes the resume an effective marketing tool.
Contact information: Name, email address and only ONE phone number (street address optional)
Objective: Job title, employer, and posting number (if given) exactly as they appear in the posting.
Education :
 List degree(s) correctly (B.A.,B.S., B.M., M.A., etc.) with correct title of your major
 First line contains year(s) of attendance and the degree in bold or capital letters
 Second line is Alverno College (see samples for different ways to present your education)
 Do not include high school on a resume or colleges from which you did not graduate
Achievement Section – Academics:
Lead with an academic section if your best qualifications for a position comes from your course
projects, not employment. Use a descriptive header that connects coursework to the job you seek:
Relevant or XXX Projects (replace XXX with name of major or course concentration)
Historical Analysis Projects
Student Teaching (or Field Experience), Grades X-X
Medical/Surgical Clinical Rotations
Business & Management Internships
Achievement Section – Work Experience or Employment History:
Avoid blandness: create descriptive headers to present relevant work experience. Some examples:
Sales (Teaching, Consulting, Accounting, etc.) Experience
Recent Marketing Experience
Management Achievements
Selected Employment History
For each job, type the years, tab over, type job title in bold (the focus is on you), followed by the
company name in regular type. Use the asterisk key or dash to start each line, followed by a descriptive
verb in past tense and end with the result, scope or effect of the action. Do not use boxes, arrows, or
other symbols instead of the asterisk key or dash.
Time Frames
Whether leading with academic or work experience, account for the time you spent on the activities you
cite. For academic projects, indicate the semester (Spring 20xx); for employment, indicate the years
without months (20xx – 20xx). Do not go back further than 10 years. Here are samples of each:
Spring 20XX STUDENT TEACHER, Grade 4, Silverado Grade School
Fall
20XX MARKET ANALYST, Happy Baby Daycare, Marketing Principles Course (MGT 300)
20xx-Present SALES ASSOCIATE, Boston Store, Southridge Mall
Highlight Value-Added Activities
Add headers that highlight important activities that enhance your candidacy, such as:
Awards & Recognition
Academic Leadership
Professional (or Community) Memberships
Performances, Art Shows, Publications
Page 6
SAMPLE FORMAT: BASIC REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME
This is the format is overwhelmingly preferred by recruiters hiring interns and new graduates.
Most recent activity is placed first under each header (reverse chronological order)
JANE ADDAMS
312-123-1234 | [email protected]
(Use a dedicated, professional email address and include only one telephone number)
Objective:
Education
2012 – Present
Bank Examiner I, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
B.A. Business & Management (make sure degree is correctly named!)
Alverno College (anticipated graduation: December 20XX)
Accounting Course Projects (Historical Research Projects, Music Therapy Internship, etc.)
 Bullet point, descriptive past tense verb (not adverb or adjective), followed by result of the action
 All bulleted items must be related to the job you seek; no set number of bullets per header
Fall 2014
Accounting Intern, R.W. Baird Co, Milwaukee, WI
 Created GAAP based questions to correct and revise financial statements
Spring 2013
Accounting Manager (Simulation), Principles of Accounting (MGA 202)
 Analyzed cash flow records to determine . . .
Relevant Financial Experience List years employed, job title and employer; no addresses
20xx – Present
Personal Loan Officer, MoneyBags Bank, Milwaukee, WI
 Reviewed loan applications to determine . . .
Organizations, Memberships, Affiliations, Volunteer Activities, etc.
Give dates, title of your position (if any), name of group. Include achievements, if relevant.
20xx – 20xx
20xx – 20xx
President (20XX), Member, Institute of Management Accountants (Alverno)
Treasurer, Good Luck School Athletic Boosters
 Include achievements here only if they are related to the job you seek
Awards & Recognition
List academic, civic, corporate, and club awards or recognitions in the same style as items above:
20XX
Student Panelist, Alverno Open House Event
20XX
Recipient, $20,000 Alverno Merit Scholarship
20XX
Accounting Tutor, nominated by Alverno Business School faculty
Note: “References provided upon request” is passé: do NOT include it on your resume.
1. References are not part of your resume; they are listed on a separate sheet.
2. References are not included with cover letter/resume unless specifically requested.
3. Always ask permission to use someone as a reference. Never assume agreement.
Page 7
RESUME STYLE TIPS:
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Do not use templates! Do not use tables! Do not use unique colors and fonts!
o Computers do not process clever and original formatting well (lines move,
formatting shifts, the ATS resume software cannot read it)
o Templates and tables often have poor spacing and generic headers
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The first 20-25 lines are the most important: your best information must be there.
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Use a readable and universal font such as Arial or Calibri.
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Avoid serif fonts and italics for body of text. In small type, the serifs can appear to
touch each other and a scanner will not recognize the shape of the letter. These are
also hard for human eyes to read. Examples:
o Andalus - every
o Times New Roman – every
o Centaur - every
These are set in 12 pt. font and
are hard to read on screens
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For aesthetic appeal, there should be no more than a 4 pt. difference between
largest/smallest font sizes.
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Never include paragraphs on resumes – reviewers want to quickly find the information
they seek and paragraphs slow them down.
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Achievement lines are phrases, not sentences: eliminate periods, pronouns (I, me, we,
our) and unnecessary “small words” such as “the” and “a.”
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Tips for on-line resume submissions
o Always use MS Word. HTML, PDF, RTF, WP are often unreadable by the ATS
o Do not use templates, tables, arty type, unusual bullets, boxes, columns,
PDFs, headers, footers, or graphics: ATS systems cannot read these items or
read data in tables, headers.
o Use only symbols that are on a typewriter keyboard such as *, -, #, + to start
lines or separate areas.
o Do a trial run: convert resume to 8 pt. type to see if it still reads correctly. Fix
any problems. Save as .txt and make sure it still reads correctly. Remember,
.txt is “plain text” and will eliminate dividers, underlining, bolding, and italics.
o For more information, go to: www.sovren.com/faq/TipsForElectronicResumes.pdf
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Tips for paper resumes:
o White or lightly-shaded paper is fine
o Slight texture (i.e., linen finish) is acceptable
o Do not use art or your photo unless you are in a graphic career, model or
actress. (Note: government agencies will automatically discard your resume
packet if it has a photo)
o Include white space (to separate sections) and adequate margins

Follow each firm’s submission instructions carefully! Some want the resume in
the body of an email and will automatically discard applications with attachments (to
protect the firm from viruses). If unsure, put your resume in the body of the email.
Page 8
Internship Resume
Alice Krusinska
[email protected]
414-987-6543
OBJECTIVE:
EDUCATION:
20xx-present
Resume
Communications Intern, Milwaukee Wave
B.A. Interactive Media Design, Global Studies Minor
Alverno College (Anticipated Graduation: Fall 2012)
WEB DESIGN PROJECTS (ACADEMIC)
Fall 20xx
Web Design Consultant, Professor Dorothy Dancer, Alverno College
 Constructed a 7-page website, using Adobe Dreamweaver, to market faculty-selected
research sites to students in advanced Global Studies courses (in process)
 Integrated photos customized and enhanced in Adobe Photoshop
Fall 20xx
Web Designer, Computer Information Technology courses
 Learned and applied basic web design techniques
 Learned HTML and coding required for style sheets, tags, linking, etc.
 Applied HTML concepts and coding to creation of web pages
ADDITIONAL VISUAL/DESIGN EXPERIENCE:
Spring 20xx
Brochure/Marketing Designer, Alverno Athletic Department
 Used Adobe Photoshop to crop and edit game, individual and formal team photos
 Used Adobe Illustrator to create brochure for the Alverno Athletic Department and distributed
to fans to promote Alverno sporting events
Spring 20xx
Graphic Designer
 Designed new logos for a start-up company to use on business cards and for other marketing
purposes, through a business simulation
 Created and integrated logos into marketing materials using Adobe InDesign
 Adjusted and cropped images using Adobe Photoshop
ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE
20xx-20xx
Captain, Alverno Basketball Team
 Collaborated with coaches on scheduling and communicating responsibilities to teammates
 Organized team fundraising activities, raising $3,000 for local food pantries
2009-present
J.V. Volleyball Coach (Seasonal), South Milwaukee High school
WORK HISTORY
20xx-present
20xx-present
20xx-20xx
Front Desk, Fitness Station
Server, Old West Saloon
Usher, Summerfest
Page 9
CAROL SHELBY
Psychology
Internship
(414) 123-4565  [email protected]
OBJECTIVE
EDUCATION
2012-Present
Intern for LGBT Resource Center
B.A. PSYCHOLOGY, WOMEN & GENDER STUDIES minor
Alverno College (Junior Standing)
ADVANCED PSYCHOLOGY COURSES
Fall 201X
EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (PSY 350)
 Conducted experiment using Qualtrics to observe the relationship between
online self-discrepancies and overall satisfaction with life and self
 Created questionnaire distributed to 25 adult participants
 Analyzed data using SPSS to identify response distributions
Spring 201X
ABNORMAL PYSCHOLOGY (PSY 250)
• Conducted literature research review on the connection between the social
oppression of women and the prevalence of mental health disorders
• Studied mood disorders using DSM criteria
• Examined a variety of therapy techniques and their applications
PROGRAMING EXPERIENCE
201X
PLANNING COMMITTEE, “Annual Alverno Drag Show,” Alverno Gay Straight Alliance
• Collaborated with LGBT Resource Center on print and social media marketing
• Contacted performers to retrieve music and created a playlist using iTunes
• Assisted with financial decisions regarding cover charge and tips
201X
PLANNER & COORDINATOR, “Disney Memories,” Taniec Dance Studio
• Organized a team of 9 volunteers to complete necessary tasks
• Generated schedule of performances and activities
• Created flyers using Microsoft Word and distributed to the public
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
201X-Present PEER TUTOR, Alverno College
 Created individualized instruction for students in Communication and Biology
 Taught study skills and reviewed key course concepts
 Tutored ESL international students, strengthening English writing skills
200X-201X
DANCE INSTRUCTOR, Taniec Dance Studio
• Adjusted teaching methods to incorporate each student’s needs
• Developed multiple choreographies for dancers aged 6-20
• Created lesson plans weekly for individuals and groups
HONORS & RECOGNITION
201X
TUTOR NOMINEE (Communication & Biology), at Alverno Faculty Recommendation
201X
RECIPIENT, $80,000 Merit Scholarship, Alverno College
Page 10
Nursing Externship
Mai Li
321 W. 2nd St. • Milwaukee, WI 53888 • (414) 341-1989
OBJECTIVE:
Nurse Extern, Froedtert Hospital
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
 3+ years of nursing assistant experience
 Clinical experience in medical-surgical unit
 Recognized for strong therapeutic communication skills and ability to build trust with patients
EDUCATION
20XX-Present
B.S. Nursing, Alverno College (Senior standing)
CERTIFICATIONS
20XX-Pressent
20XX-Pressent
Certified Nursing Aide, State of Wisconsin (#XXXXXX)
CPR Certified, American Heart Association
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Spring 20XX
Medical-Surgical Clinical, St. Luke’s Hospital
 Conducted intake interviews, health history, and physical examination on one patient each week; implemented
a nursing care plan
 Notified Registered Nurse or instructor of any observation of abnormalities in patient condition for further
intervention; recorded data on EMTEK software
 Established a comfort level of communication, collaboration and social interaction skills with patient to achieve
a more effective outcome
Fall 20XX
Geriatric Clinical, The Village of Manor Park: Wesley Park
 Conducted weekly Blood Pressure Clinic for clients to maintain health promotion
 Taught asthma care to client to avoid further progression of the disease
 Performed head-to-toe physical assessment for in-depth knowledge of normal/abnormal findings
HEALTH CARE EMPLOYMENT
20XX – Present Patient Care Associate, Cardio/Oncology & Critical Care, St. Michael’s Hospital
 Provided patients’ basic restorative and personal care to promote higher wellness
 Documented vital signs, weight, intake and output on chart for possible out-of-range numbers
 Collected specimens as required to detect for bacteria growth
 Discontinued and performed Foley catheter, intravenous, and nasogastric tube insertions
 Performed glucose meter check and Electrocardiogram to decrease the chances of distress
 Performed sterile technique on wound care and tracheostomy care to prevent infection
20XX-20XX
Nursing Assistant, Jewish Home and Care Center
 Provided basic nursing care for 15-20 long-term care residents, including assisting with activities of daily living
20XX
Caregiver, Harbour Assisted Living
 Obtained orders and served clients food in a professional manner, ensuring client satisfaction
 Engaged clients in recreational activities to increase social interaction and improve mental health status
AWARDS & AFFILIATION
20XX – Present Member of Alverno College Student Nurse Association (ACSNA)
20XX
Recipient of $20,000, 4-year Alverno Merit Scholarship
20XX
Recipient of $12,000, 4-year Milwaukee Metro Association Commerce (MMAC) Scholarship
Page 11
Education Senior: Focus on
Field/Teaching Experience
Pauline Anne Hornung
[email protected]
Objective:
Student Teacher, mathematics specialty, K5-5th grade
Education:
20xx
B.S. Elementary Education, Mathematics minor, Alverno College
Field Placement Experience:
Spring 20xx
5th Grade (19 students), General Mitchell Elementary
 Designed differentiated instruction based on students' strengths, needs, learning styles,
and learning differences to engage all students in learning
 Planned and implemented 4-week social studies research unit on Civil War
 Guided students through research process using online resources such as databases,
encyclopedias, and journals
Spring 20xx
3rd Grade (25 students), Lovell Elementary
 Developed classroom assessments including rubrics, self-evaluation, peer feedback, and
one-on-one conferences to measure student performance
 Assessed students’ math knowledge through observation, open-ended questions, and
student performance to form next step in lesson planning
 Designed lesson plans involving kinesthetic, reflective, and cognitive strategies to address
the diverse learning styles of each child
Fall 20xx
K5 (26 students), Llewellyn Elementary
 Created and implemented guided reading and read aloud lessons focused on enhancing
literacy skills and strategies for students
Fall 20xx
K4 (26 students) & K4-Exceptional learners (9 students), New Wales Elementary
 Designed and executed developmentally appropriate teaching strategies for children with a
variety of learning needs and styles
Tutoring Experience (Alverno College)
20xx-20xx
Math Resource Center Assistant, College Geometry and Trigonometry
20xx-20xx
Peer Tutor, College Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry
Community Service
20xx-Present Activity Assistant, Girl Scouts of Southeast Wisconsin, Troop 3493
Scholarships
20xx-20xx
Recipient, $1,000 Promise Scholar Award, Alverno College
20xx-2xx
Recipient, $18,000 Alverno College Merit Scholarship
Professional Memberships
20xx-20xx
Member, Alverno Student Education Organization (ASEO)
20xx-Present Member, National Education Association (NEA)
Page 12
RESUME CHECKLIST
To assess the effectiveness of your resume, use this checklist.
Layout and Formatting
Yes
No
N/A
Yes
No
N/A
Yes
No
N/A
Yes
No
N/A
Yes
No
N/A
The résumé is 1-page (preferred), 2-pages max
The layout is attractive, with consistent formatting (bolding, underlining) and fonts
Information is presented logically and is well organized
There are NO spelling errors, typos, poor grammar, etc. on the Résumé
Objective/Professional Summary
Job objective is clear (job title, employer, etc.) and work-oriented
Only RELATED knowledge, skills and experience are referenced
Does not claim personal qualities (e.g. energetic, friendly, etc.)
Education
Includes Alverno degree, indicating major, minor, and graduation date
Presents other degrees, relevant training, and study abroad experience
Does not include transfer institutions or high school information
Includes only related, intermediate-level or higher course work
Includes certifications and licenses (e.g. CPR, CNA, teaching, etc.), if applicable
Experience (Employment, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, class projects)
Most relevant experiences are positioned high on the résumé
Résumé does not present a list of job duties, but highlights relevant achievements
Specific results (stats, percentages, etc.) are presented whenever possible
Includes only related course projects and assignments
Unnecessary information (company address, supervisor’s name, etc.) is not included
Awards and Recognition
Presents special recognitions (e.g. scholarships, awards, tutor recommendations, etc.)
Page 13
HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER
The cover letter is your marketing tool. In it, you demonstrate your understanding of the
importance of the position by indicating how your skills and experience match the employer’s
business needs, and how you fit the corporate culture of the firm to which you are applying.
1. Do not send a generic letter. Letters must be targeted because each job is unique.
2. Do not use the letter to describe how the position will develop you, to catalog your
needs and wants, or to list benefits you expect to receive. Use the letter to state how
you can help the firm.
3. Use standard cover letter protocol. Email-specific options are noted in italics.
Email Subject line: Clear and specific to the job: “Application for Chemistry Internship”
Your Address – Type or use a letterhead. Do not do this on Email letters
Date – Spell out (May 5, 2016). Do not use abbreviations (Dec., Feb.) or numeral-only
formats (5/1/2016)
Internal Address
Mr., Ms., Dr., etc. with first and last name of an individual and title (e.g., Mr. James Brown, Director)
If you do not have a name, use:
Attn: Human Resources
Company Name
Company Address
Salutation
 Dear Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr. Plato, or Dear Hiring Manager:
o Do not use first and last names in the salutation
o Do not use only the first name unless the person is known to you personally
 Always follow salutation in a business letter with a colon ( : ) not a comma (,)
Body
Paragraph One
 State the specific position for which you are applying (scanners seek this information)
 State how you heard of the position or mention who referred you
 Add a statement that gives the reader a sense of your interest and enthusiasm for the
position
Paragraph Two
 Mention qualities you possess that indicate a fit with position/firm
 Cite ways that your experience and interests match the company’s business needs
Paragraph Three
 State clearly that you are interested in the position
 State that you believe you can contribute to the firm (not what the job will do for you)
 State what you will do next (and follow through!)
Closure
 Standard close (Respectfully, Respectfully yours, Sincerely)
 Skip three (3) lines; type your name on the fourth line
 Email letters: type your phone and email address under your name; address is
optional
Page 14
TECHNICAL DETAILS FOR PAPER COVER LETTER LAYOUT
Margins: Set the top margin to 1.5 inches and set the left, right, and bottom margins to 1 inch.
Date: Type out full name of month (September 1, 20XX)
With letterhead:
skip down two blank lines and type in the date.
Without letterhead:
type in your address (no name), skip a line, and then type the date
Internal Address:
Skip down 2 lines from the date.
Type name of the person to whom the letter is addressed, with title, if known. Go to next line.
Type name of the division or department, followed by the firm’s name, and address:
Ms. Jane D. Boss, Director
Publication Division
Association of Historians of American Business
123 Wall St.
New York City, NY 00011
Salutation:
 Skip down two lines from internal address
 Formal salutation is title and surname: Dear Ms. Boss, Dr. Smith, Professor Jones,
Director
 If writing to someone you know, use first name, but not nicknames: Dear Ben (not
“Bruiser”)
 If you do not know the person, use a title: Dear Human Resource Manager
 Salutations always end with a colon, i.e., Dear Mayor Rodriguez:
Body: This is where you market/create interest in reading the resume.
 No longer than one page
 Focus on marketing your preparation to take on the challenges of the job:
- Match your experience, corporate values, attitude to the firm’s need
- Cite ways you are prepared to contribute from “day one”
 Integrate phrases and language from the job posting into your text
Closing and Signature:
 Sincerely, Sincerely yours, Respectfully, or Respectfully yours, followed by a comma.
 Skip three lines (for your signature)
 Type your name with middle initial. (Several applicants may be named Maria Gomez.)
Enclosure: Use because you will be sending your resume, or other materials. Skip two lines and
type either Enclosure or the abbreviation encl.
Special Notes for Submitting by Email or in On-line applications:
Many employers request on-line submissions be set in plain text. Plain text eliminates dividing
lines, underlining, bolding and italics in your text, and will replace “black dot” asterisks with
traditional asterisks. It is not “pretty” but all computers and ATS systems can read it.
To do this, convert your document to 8 pt. type to see if it still reads correctly. Then save as .txt. If
you used a template, fancy fonts, wingdings, etc., you may find that you have to fix the text before
you send it to the firm.
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SAMPLE COVER LETTER
Laila Alexander
[email protected]
414-987-6543
May 16, 20xx
United Way of Greater Milwaukee
Attn: Human Resource
5001 N. Sherman Boulevard
Milwaukee, WI 53211
Dear Hiring Manager:
Please accept my application for the School Program Intern (574-983) position at United
Way of Greater Milwaukee, which I was referred to by my Psychology professor, Julia
Cruz. I have two years of experience working in Milwaukee area youth programs with
children and teens ranging in age from 6-18. Growing up in Milwaukee, I relied on
programs, such as those offered by the United Way, to form positive relationships with
adult role models and peers. Therefore, I was excited to learn about the School Program
Intern opening, which would allow me to continue to work with urban youth.
Currently, I am a senior Psychology student at Alverno College. Through my academic
work, I’ve developed strong knowledge of child and adolescent development, as well as
case management skills. In addition to my academic preparation, I’ve completed an
internship with the Teen Parent Program through the Glenfield School District. As an
intern, I worked with at-risk teens, assisted them in identifying and accessing community
resources, and instructed them in life skill areas. My experience also extends to
elementary school aged children. I’ve worked as an Academic Assistant at the Clark
Community Learning Center for the past two years, where I facilitated after-school activities
with children ages 6-12 that promoted social and cognitive skill development. I’m confident
that my experience working with at-risk children of all ages has provided me with the
qualifications to be successful at United Way of Greater Milwaukee.
I am eager to speak with you at your earliest convenience regarding the School
Program Intern position and can be reached at 414-987-6543 or
[email protected]. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Laila Alexander
Laila Alexander
Enclosure
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THANK YOU LETTER
Within 24 hours of an internship interview, email and/or mail a thank you letter to the professional(s)
who interviewed you. This is your opportunity to again draw positive attention to your
professionalism. You may reiterate your interest in the position, as well as present additional
pertinent information.
Example:
In addition to the foreign studies I mentioned during our discussion, I believe
you would be interested to know that I also attended three sales seminars
offered by The International Group, Inc. focusing on international marketing.
It is often most appropriate to email your thank you because of the momentum of the hiring process
(they want to fill the position quickly) or the preferred communication style (electronic) of the
employer. You can also follow up with a written thank you.
It is appropriate to either type or hand write your thank you letter, though there exists a slight bias in
favor of a brief, handwritten note, which is regarded as more personal and more confident. Use
quality stationery or a simple thank you card. A suggested format might be:
FORMAT
Dear...
Introduction: Thank interviewer for the opportunity to meet and discuss the position;
restate date and location of interview.
Second paragraph: Refer specifically to aspects of your discussion which were particularly
interesting to you.
Closing: Reemphasize specific skills and abilities which will enhance your
candidacy; indicate how eager you are to take on the challenges of the
position and join the organization.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Name Typed
SAMPLE THANK YOU
Dear Ms. Clancy,
I want to again thank you for the opportunity to meet with you yesterday to discuss the marketing
internship available at Shamrock Industries.
Your vision for international expansion is both exciting and timely. I am eager to be part of
Shamrock’s international launching. My success as an intern at International Marketing Network
(IMN), particularly with “first time internationals,” prepares me to significantly contribute to this
endeavor.
I look forward to our next meeting.
Sincerely,
Abbey Kennedy
Abbey Kennedy
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