Sample Internship Interview Thank-You Letters

Intern leaving job interview

  Luis Alvarez / DigitalVision / Getty Images

After you have finished your interview for an internship, the first thing you should do is to write a thank-you note to the people who interviewed you.

Not only is this a reflection of having good manners, it is also a strategic way of keeping you “top of mind” as they complete their decision-making process. It allows you to remind them of the training and/or experience that make you a strong candidate for the position.

During the interview itself, take notes about the conversation, making sure to jot down the names of your interviewers.

You should also note their description of what the new intern’s responsibilities will be, as well as particular points or concerns they emphasized (things like your availability to work, your time management skills, or your qualifications for the internship).

Tips for Writing an Internship Thank-You Note

Keep the interviewer in mind when writing your letter to show you truly valued their time and absorbed the knowledge they shared. Take the time to address any questions brought up during the interview, or, if there was a particular topic you two bonded over, mention it in the opening paragraph.

Use the sales approach when crafting your letter - it’s another opportunity to pitch yourself for the position:

  • You can restate why you want the ob, your qualifications, and how you would contribute to the betterment of the organization
  • Was there anything your interviewer didn’t ask or something you wanted to expand on? The thank you letter gives you the opportunity to address anything of additional importance. 
  • Be sure to check your spelling and grammar before hitting ‘send.’

If you have any doubts about the correct names, spellings, or titles of your interviewers, call or email the office to double-check. Doing so could mean the difference between getting the job and your candidacy being over.

Formatting Your Internship Thank-You Letter

Construct your thank-you letter as you would any other formal business letter. Type your full name, mailing address and the date, followed by the addressee's full name and address. Here's how to format your thank-you letter, and what to include in each section of it.

Greeting:
It’s best to use a formal greeting: “Dear Mr./Ms. last name.”

Body of Thank-You Letter:
Keep it brief and to the point. Single space your letter and leave a space between each paragraph. Use the typical left justification. A plain font like Arial, Times New Roman, or Verdana is recommended for clarity. Select a font size of 10 or 12 points.

First Paragraph: The first paragraph of your letter should express appreciation to the interviewer for speaking with you. You should also mention the position you interviewed for and briefly state why you want to work for that organization.

Second Paragraph: The second paragraph of your thank-you letter will include your qualifications for the position. List two or three specific skills that relate to the job you interviewed for, and provide concrete and quantifiable examples for illustration. If you don’t have any prior job experience you’ll want to emphasize the college courses you have taken that are applicable to the position itself. It is a good opportunity to remind the hiring manager of how much value you would add to the company.

Final Paragraph: In your closing paragraph, reiterate your appreciation for being considered for the job, offer to answer any additional questions they may have, and let the hiring manager know you are looking forward to hearing from him or her soon. 

Closing:
Use a formal closing such as: Sincerely, Regards, or Best Regards.

Signature:

Handwritten Signature (for a hard copy letter)

Typed Signature

Sending an Email Thank You

If you send an email message, you don't need to include the address information. You can start your letter with the salutation; however, do include your name in the subject line of the email message, to ensure it gets read.

Internship Thank-You Letter and Email Samples

The following are examples of thank-you letters to send after your interview for an internship.

Internship Thank-You Letter Template

This is an example of a thank-you letter for after you've interviewed for an internship. Download the internship interview thank-you letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Microsoft Word) or see below for more examples.

Screenshot of an internship interview thank you letter example

Internship Thank-You Letter (Text Version)

Wendy Lee
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-555-5555
wendy.lee@email.com

February 16, 2021

Laura Rodriguez
Director, Human Resources
Jones Corporation 
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

Dear Mrs. Rodriguez,

I appreciate your taking the time to speak to me about the internship position available at Jones Corporation. I am excited about the opportunity to intern with such a well-regarded organization.

The internship, as you presented it, seems to be an excellent match for my skills and interests. I am confident that my advanced coursework in accounting and my strong detail-orientation will enable me to be a productive member of the team. In addition to my enthusiasm, I will bring to the position a willingness to learn, both about the company and the accounting field.

I appreciate the time you took to interview me. I am very interested in working for you and look forward to hearing from you. If I can provide you with additional information, please let me know.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Your Signature (hard copy letter)

Wendy Lee

Internship Thank-You Email Message

Subject: Thank You - Your Name

Dear Mrs. Lee,

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about the internship position at the Graham Waters Foundation. The opportunity to work with the artists you showcase, as well as with your premier staff, would provide a wonderful experience for someone with my interests and goals.

My coursework has prepared me well for the responsibilities of this internship, as you described them. However, the best way to build job competency is through “hands-on” experience; I am very eager to spend some time in the field, applying what I have been studying for the past few years within a professional work setting. I will bring a willingness to learn all aspects of what it takes to swiftly become a contributing member of your organization.

Again, I truly appreciate your willingness to consider me as a candidate for this internship. Please let me know if there is any additional information that I can provide. I would welcome the opportunity to work with you and with all the talented people at the Foundation.

Thank you for considering me for this opportunity. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Justin Lau
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345 
555-555-5555 
justin.lau@email.com