College Student Cover Letter Example
While you may not have a lot of relevant work experience as a college student, you’ve certainly got plenty of transferable skills that will make you an appealing candidate to a potential employer. To showcase these skills, however, you must know how to write a great cover letter for college students. On that note, let’s dive into some cover letter examples college students can use to wow hiring managers.
Why a profession-specific cover letter matters
A tailored cover letter is crucial for college students. It demonstrates your ability to connect your academic experiences and any part-time work or internships with the job you’re applying for.
When it comes to writing a cover letter, college students like you can use this tool to show employers you’re interested in the opportunity and understand the role.
That said, creating a great cover letter can be tricky. While you can certainly take advantage of cover letter templates, you’ll also need to familiarize yourself with some basic dos and don’ts.
Once you master the art of writing a college student cover letter, you’ll be well on your way to landing a job interview.
Key components of a profession-specific cover letter
Every college student cover letter needs the following components:
- Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself, using the hiring manager’s name to transition into the content
- Academic Achievements: Highlight relevant coursework, projects, or academic successes
- Extracurricular Activities: Discuss clubs, sports, or volunteer work that have helped you develop skills relevant to the job
- Work Experience: Mention any part-time jobs or internships, focusing on transferable skills
- Personal Qualities: Share qualities that make you a good fit for the role
- Closing Statement: Express enthusiasm for the opportunity and mention any attached documents, like resumes or academic transcripts
Along with a college student cover letter, you’ll also need an awesome resume. Make sure the style of your cover letter and resume template match without simply repeating the same information in each document.
It’s best to treat your resume like a basic rundown of your achievements, skills, certifications, educational experience, and work experience, if you have any.
When writing your college student cover letter, elaborate on some of the key attributes that make you a good fit for the position you’re applying for. Where possible, use real-world examples or brief stories to illustrate how you've used your skills to solve a problem, complete a project, or improve collaboration.
Cover letter format
Your cover letter should begin with an introduction, followed by the body, which is where you’ll detail your achievements in and out of school.
From there, transition into your extracurricular activities and work experience. Make sure you include a section about why you’re interested in the position and why you believe you’ll be a good fit for the company.
End with a strong closing statement reaffirming your interest in the role and readiness to discuss your application in further detail. Always thank the reader for their time and wrap things up with a short, professional close like “Sincerely” or “Respectfully,” followed by your name.
Sample cover letter for college students
John Smith
123 Broadway Ave. Tampa, FL 33880
johnsmith@gmail.com
(813) 123-4567
Sandra Hires
Premier Solutions
456 Main St. Tampa, FL 33880
26 November 2023
Dear Mrs. Hires,
I am writing to express my interest in the administrative assistant position at Premier Solutions, as advertised on Jobseeker. As a recent graduate from the University of South Florida with a degree in Business Management, I am eager to apply the skills and knowledge I’ve gained through my academic studies and extracurricular activities to a real-world setting. While I may be new to the workforce, I am enthusiastic about the opportunities to grow and contribute meaningfully to your team.
During my time at USF, I participated in various projects and activities that honed my abilities in teamwork, communication, and time management. For instance, in my final year project, I led a team of five and ensured that we completed our project in a manner that exceeded the professor’s expectations. We received university-wide recognition for our hard work. This experience not only sharpened my emotional intelligence but also taught me the importance of collaboration, which I believe is vital for the position I am seeking.
Additionally, my role as a member of the school’s debate team allowed me to develop strong communication skills. Organizing events and coordinating with different teams gave me a practical understanding of the complexities of maintaining order within a fast-paced office environment. Balancing these responsibilities alongside my academic workload has also instilled in me a strong work ethic and time-management skills.
What excites me most about the opportunity at Premier Solutions is the possibility of long-term growth and progression within the company. As a Business Management graduate, I aspire to grow into a leadership position within the organization and contribute to the innovative work you do at Premier Solutions, both now and for years to come.
I am confident that my educational background, though not extensive in professional experience, equips me with a fresh perspective and an eager approach to learning that will bring immediate and long-term value to your team. I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to discuss how my education and personal qualities align with your company’s needs.
Thank you for considering my application among the many who are no doubt vying for this position. I am eager to discuss my application further and can make myself available for an interview at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
John Smith
Attachments: Resume
Dos and don’ts
Now that you’ve seen an illustrative college student cover letter example, let’s go over some basic dos and don’ts for your cover letter.
Do:
- Tailor each cover letter to the specific job and company
- Highlight skills and experiences relevant to the job
- Proofread for grammar and spelling errors
Don’t:
- Repeat your resume verbatim
- Write a generic cover letter for all applications
- Overlook the importance of expressing your personality
One of the most common mistakes associated with college student cover letters is making them too stuffy.
While it’s important to use professional language, you also need to include some of your personal sensibilities in the content. Remember, you want your college student cover letter to stand out, not get lost in the sea of applications the hiring manager is reviewing.
Additionally, make sure your resume and cover letter complement one another. They’ll include some similar information, but one document should enhance the other and vice versa.
Additional tips
When writing your cover letter as a college student, make the most of what you’ve learned and experienced.
Do your homework on the company and job to make your letter read just right. Mention things you’ve done in school, any part-time work you’ve taken on, and activities you’ve been involved in on campus to show you’ve got the right skills for the job.
If you haven’t had a proper job before, focus on personal skills like working well with others, talking things through, solving problems, and being flexible.
Your letter must show that you’re keen on the job. Keep the tone upbeat and confident, but don’t go over the top. If you’ve got any links to the company, whether through past internships, events, or knowing someone who works there, make it a point to note them.
Finish your letter by saying how much you’d like to chat more about the job in an interview. A strong cover letter will grab the hiring manager’s attention, even if you’re just starting out in the working world.
Turning academic experience into career success
A well-crafted college student cover letter can bridge the gap between your academic life and your career aspirations.
By tailoring your letter to the specific role and highlighting your academic and extracurricular achievements, you can win the attention of potential employers. Use these tips and our helpful template to jumpstart your writing process.
Want to get more tips and tricks from Jobseeker? If so, check out our college student resume example so you can create a high-performing resume to go with your cover letter. We also have a huge library of profession-specific and generalized cover letters and resumes you can review to draw inspiration and put your best foot forward.
