Finance Internship Cover Letter Example

a business person working on finance reports

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If you are an undergraduate applying for an internship in the finance industry, you'll likely need to write a cover letter.

This part of your internship application should be customized to the specific role. Your cover letter is an opportunity to stand out in a positive way from other applicants. 

Find out what information to include in your letter, review a sample, and get advice on the best way to send it to prospective employers.

What to Include in a Finance Internship Cover Letter 

Include the Details

Cover letters follow a very specific format. The first paragraph should mention the internship you hope to get. Many financial companies have large-scale internship programs, with opportunities ranging across departments and divisions.

Specifics help as well, so mention the name of your school if you are an undergrad or in graduate school. 

If you have a personal connection—for instance, if you know someone at the company or met the recruiter at a job fair—be sure to mention it in the first paragraph. 

Share Relevant Experience

In the body of your email, include details on relevant coursework or projects, as well as previous finance-related work experience, volunteer positions, or prior internships. 

What to Include When You're Short on Experience

If this is your first internship, you may feel like you don't have any relevant experience to highlight. If that's the case, look for the qualities and responsibilities mentioned in the internship description, and come up with examples of how you've demonstrated those abilities in the past. Time spent volunteering and extracurricular activities can all be valuable here.

Read through the internship description carefully and make sure to connect your experience with the responsibilities and qualifications laid out. 

Explain Why You're a Fit for the Role

Your letter should demonstrate your familiarity with the company and its goals, and make it clear why you would be a good candidate for the internship.

Tips for Writing Your Cover Letter 

Your goal in this cover letter is to show that you're a strong candidate for the finance internship. That means writing persuasively, and also paying attention to the details. Keep these tips in mind as you craft your cover letter: 

  • Pay attention to formatting: Follow the appropriate cover letter format, from choosing the right font to making sure you include all the required elements. 
  • Pay attention to the internship description: The company's write-up of the internship offers valuable information. Take some time to read through it, and consider jotting down some notes about the company's priorities. Then, use these insights within your cover letter. For instance, if the company mentions looking for an Excel wizard, you can describe a project you've worked on or mention a class you've taken on using the program. A targeted cover letter will outperform a generic letter. 
  • Proofread your letter carefully: Even small errors, such as misspelling the company name, diminish the strength of your application, so take the time to proofread before hitting send.

Finance Internship Cover Letter Example

Take a look at an example of a cover letter written for a finance internship program. Don't copy it exactly. Instead, use this text for inspiration when writing your own cover letter. 

Finance Internship Cover Letter Example

Your Name
Address
City, State Zip Code
Phone Number
Cell Phone Number
Email

Date

Name
Title
Company
Address
City, State Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms. LastName:

Through ABC Financial Group's website, I learned about your bank's present career opportunities.

I am extremely interested in securing a position in the ABC Financial Group's Global Equity Summer Internship Program.

I am currently in my second year at the Smith Business School of the State University and am concentrating on finance, accounting, and real estate. Over the summer, I completed an internship with First National Bank. I am currently interning with the University's Student Federal Credit Union.

My experiences have provided me with a detailed knowledge of financial institutions and have enhanced my interest in pursuing a financial career. I feel that an internship with ABC Financial Group would be a logical next step in my development as an investment banker.

My main interest in joining ABC Financial Group stems from its impressive reputation. The prestige of the firm is best captured through its recent decoration as "America's Most Trusted Corporation" for the second consecutive year. I feel the firm's diverse clientele, large market capitalization, and well-established summer internship program would provide me with an invaluable experience to complement my studies at Business School.

I believe that I would succeed in the firm's exciting and motivated environment and that my strong work ethic, ability, and passion would make me a valuable asset to your firm.

I would prefer to work in global equity. However, I am willing to consider any position that you offer me. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to speaking with you in the near future.

Sincerely,

Your Signature (hard copy letter)

Your Typed Name

Sending an Email Cover Letter

If you are sending your cover letter via email, list your name and the job title in the subject line of the email message:

Subject: Finance Internship—Your Name

Include your contact information in your email signature, and do not list the employer contact information or the date. Instead, begin your email message with the salutation. Aside from these relatively minor differences, an email cover letter is very similar to a printed-out version. The body of your email, from salutation to sign off, will remain the same.