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Cover Letter help!
AlyceInWonderland
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I'm currently applying to Marvel (nerves!) as an intern, but I haven't had much experience with cover letters. I have one all written out, but I really would love some tips and critiques to make it better and to give me more of a chance at getting this internship.
heeeelp
Dear Marvel Entertainment,
I am a student at the School of Visual Arts, and diligently working towards my BFA in Illustration. I’m extremely interested in this internship position, and I know that with my skills, and education, I am qualified to be a Production Intern.
Having much experience with Mac computers, and Adobe products/applications, and also having a very strong artistic background, I know that I will be an asset to your company. I am responsible, and motivated, and eager to put my skills and desire to work in a challenging environment to use. This internship would provide me with the ideal opportunity to assist in the production of comics and to expand my knowledge and artistic skills.
Thank you for your time and consideration, and I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
AlyceInInternshipland
heeeelp
AlyceInWonderland on
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I can draw better than Rob Liefield.
Best regards,
Alyce
Ok the real advice hehe...
I am student, currently enrolled at the School of Visual Arts and am diligently working towards my Bachelors Degree of Fine Arts in Illustration. The intern position at your company interests me very much and I know that with my skills, experience, and education, I am qualified to serve as a Production Intern.
I have experience with both the Windows XP/Vista operation systems and Macintosh personal computers. I also have extensive on-hands knowledge of the following applications from Adobe: list these here. With this experience and knowledge, I know that I will be a capable asset to your company and am eager to put my skills and desire to work in a challenging environment to use. The internship at Marvel Entertainment would provide me with the ideal opportunity to assist in the production of comic books and expand my knowledge of the industry. It will also motivate me to push the bounds of my artistic skills and strive to exceed my own expectations.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to hear from you soon.
Best regards,
Alyce
2) "I’m extremely interested in this internship position" take out the extremely. no need to declare yourself as a diehard marvel fan in the first 2 sentances. spell out I am.
3) "Having much experience with Mac computers, and Adobe products/applications" much is the wrong word. describe specifically what experience you have that would benefit the job. a cover letter isn't a summary of the resume its an extension that allows you to go into detail where you think detail is necissary.
4) the rest of the cover letter is what I would consider the ending paragraph, needs to be separate from any other thoughts. save any instances of sucking up or summarizing to this paragraph.
Paragraph two should build on your statement as to why you're the best by re-stating the merit, and proving a backing for that.
Like
Dear Bob,
I am writing to you to express my interest in the Marvel illustrator internship program advertised on X. I am squiggle, loop and circle, fitting well the duties of the position outlined on the posting. I am a magna cum laude rhodes scholar with many fancy hats from the university of lupus.
I am squiggle, as demonstrated by my waving my hands about in this related class. etc.
Then write your closeout paragraph summarizing the letter, thanking them for their consideration, mentioning that you have included your resume for their review, and something about looking forward to hearing from them to set up an interview. Sign it off with a
Regards, (or Sincerely,)
Your Name
... I heard about your internship program through <Nigerian email scams> and was interested in the chance to work for a company that <offers dead bugs for company lunches.>
In short, tell them what makes you interested in them and what makes you interested in the particular aspects of the internship. Let them know what makes you interested in them specifically, not just the prospects of having a job.
Don't tell them what you want, focus on explaining how you would help them and why you'd be great for them to have instead.
As for the structure of the cover letter, others have nailed it, but I do have my basic cover letter out-line. General Tip: If you apply for more internships, make a new cover letter each time, tailored to each company and position.
Dear so and so (I've been told its ok to put "To Whom It May Concern" if you can't address the letter to an actual person)
First Paragraph: Introduce yourself, state the position you are applying for, and where you found out about the position. If you met a recruiter/talked to someone about the job/have a contact at Marvel, mention him/her here.
2nd: Here is where your skills come into play. Something I always try to do is pick out Job Responsibilities listed in the job posting, and respond directly to them. It lets them know that you can do the job, and have actually read the job posting, and didn't just see a job for Marvel and applied. Let them know how you can help them, not just that you can help them. Also, you are applying for an intership, they expect to teach you something, so let them know you want to learn stuff too, but not just I want to learn to make comics.
3rd: Summarize your experience. Thank them for reading and taking the time to consider you. Let them know you look forward to hearing back. All that good stuff that makes you look ultra-considerate and polite.
Sincerely,
You