How to Write a Summer Job Cover Letter (With Examples)

Updated September 30, 2022

Securing a summer job can help you gain practical work experience while you pursue your degree. Your cover letter is an opportunity to communicate your goals, both long- and short-term. Understanding how to create a persuasive cover letter involves detailing your skills and how you can use them to benefit the company by working in that position. In this article, we explain how to create a summer job cover letter by detailing its purpose, listing the steps to make your letter objective yet persuasive, providing a template letter, and examples of cover letters for different situations.

What is a summer job cover letter?

A summer job cover letter is usually your first point of contact with a hiring manager. This correspondence explains that you are currently a student and expresses your field of study. During the letter, you can use the opportunity to explain the relevant skills education gave you and how you can apply those to the role. Detail your projected graduation date and, if you have above an 85% grade point average, you can also supply that information. Use the opportunity to explain how hiring you, a student, can benefit the company through your desire to learn or modern skill set.Read more: How to Choose a Cover Letter Font in 5 Steps (With Tips)

How to write a cover letter

You can use the following steps to create a cover letter that efficiently expresses your interest in the summer job:

1. Design the letter properly

The first step in creating an effective cover letter is to ensure that you use proper formatting. While, at one point, you would create a paper letter with your physical address. With e-mail, you can either use the body of the message as your cover letter or attach a document separately.If you choose to attach a Word document, because it's digital correspondence, there may not be a requirement for your physical address. The ideal format includes your name, e-mail, and phone number. Since it's a student letter, use your university or college e-mail account. Follow this with the date, the name of the hiring manager, the name of the company, and its address.Read more: How to Write a Cold Call Cover Letter (With Tips and Sample)

2. Use a strong introduction

Traditionally, you begin correspondence with an endearing formal introduction. Take the time to research the recipient of your cover letter, their pronouns, and chosen honorific. This helps you connect with the reader immediately and shows that you respect them and that you did research before actually applying.The introduction flows into a series of three to four paragraphs of text. In the first, you detail that you're a student seeking summer employment. Explain how your academic pursuits pertain to the position. Use the following paragraphs to create a narrative about your experience leading to the date of your application. Include any summer jobs you had during your high school years.Read more: Cover Letter for Volunteer Opportunity (Definition and Tips)

3. Detail your relevant skills

Students writing cover letters rely heavily on skills simply because they don't yet have the experience. Even with a lack of work experience, higher education provides a range of skills that help you in a career. Instead of listing your skills as bullet points like in a resume, explain the logic of hiring you. For example, consider a summer job for a marketing campaign. By sharing that you are a marketing undergraduate student, it shows that you have an interest in the field. Explain the skills the program provides and your eagerness to learn.Read more: What's the Difference Between Hard Skills and Soft Skills?

4. Include a call to action

All persuasive letters yield better results by including a call to action at the end of the document. When you close out the letter, emphasize your interest in the position. Use that opportunity to invite the reader to proceed with the hiring process. Depending on the tone of the cover letter, and the position itself, you can invite the reader to schedule an interview or read your resume.

Cover letter template for student jobs

The following template can serve as a guideline for your letter's formatting as you personalize the content:[Your name]
[Your phone number]
[Your e-mail address][Date][Name or title of the hiring manager or human resources professional]
[Name of the company]
[Address of the company]Dear [name],[indicate your interest in the position, outline how you heard about it, and detail your reasons for applying.][Explain your education and work experience.][Detail any skills that apply to the position.][Reinforce your interest in the summer position and use a call-to-action structure to invite the reader to peruse your resume or schedule an interview]Sincerely,
[If you sent a physical document, use your signature]
[Your name]

Cover letter example for undergraduate student

The following is an example of an undergraduate student's cover letter when pursuing summer employment:Jenny Johnson
651-444-6666
Jenny.Johnson@e-mail.comApril 9, 2022Samantha Tellson
General Marketing Productions
118 Severes Road
Vancouver, BCDear Ms. Tellson,I'm eager to express my interest in the marketing opening at General Marketing Productions. I learned about this role from your recent advertisement in the Vancouver Daily and through your digital posting on April 8, 2022. As a third-year student pursuing a marketing degree, I am passionate about using my education and current skills to contribute to this role. I'm excited to learn from the skilled professionals at General Marketing.I am proud to say that I interned with Markam Brothers Marketing and learned firsthand how to create a turnkey marketing approach. After my experience with that company, I returned to school as a peer tutor, providing support in a range of technical marketing courses.I used market analysis to resolve critical marketing issues and understand the most recent technology and analytics software. In my most recent semester, I studied advanced marketing law and am equipped to work with the high-calibre clients that your company has as clients. I am skilled with confidential information and office processes and, given the opportunity, could excel in this role.My background in customer service, dedication to advancing my marketing knowledge, and proven history of success in this industry make me the ideal candidate for this role. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications in further detail. Thank you for your time and consideration.Sincerely,
Jenny JohnsonRead more: How to Follow Up on a Job Application (With Email Template and Examples)

Cover letter example for graduate student

The following is a cover letter example for a graduate student pursuing summer work experience:Mark Sevveren 770-887-0989
sevverenm@email.comApril 3, 2022Jeff Collins
Albert Laboratories
166 Ottawa Street
Toronto, ONDear Mr. Collins,I am a graduate student at ValTech with a focus on dynamic systems in genetics. I'm excited to express my interest in the laboratory assistant position which recently opened at Albert Laboratories. After learning of this opportunity on the career section of your company website, I applied forthwith. My academic and professional studies that relate directly to enzyme reactions in protein structures complement your laboratory's current and projected research. I have the requisite experience, skills, and a passion for this type of study that distinguishes me as a candidate.My previous experience involves working as a teacher's assistant in the chemistry department for the past four years, achieving this position during my undergraduate. Previous summer positions involved work in oncological research and infectious disease studies. I have experience gathering data, working in sterile settings, generating and following procedures, and analyzing results.As a result of my success in implementing advanced safety protocols in the science department, I received several awards from the university. This resulted in my gaining a full scholarship to continue my studies. After working in genetics laboratories during my final year, I found my passion. Since that time, all my research efforts focus on understanding the epigenetics process by using my laboratory skills to help gather data.My academic background in the sciences field, proven record of commitment to safety, and dedication to the subject, all make me an ideal candidate for this position. I invite you to review my resume to see my professional and academic achievements in further detail. It would be an honour to contribute to the work your laboratory performs. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to discussing the next steps in the application process.Sincerely,
Mark SevverenPlease note that none of the companies, institutions, or organizations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.