A Letter of Recommendation for Internship is a document crafted by someone familiar with the candidate’s abilities and character. It highlights the candidate’s specific strengths and accomplishments to boost their chances of securing the desired internship position.
Key Takeaways
- Even if not required, including a well-crafted letter of recommendation in your internship application can significantly enhance your chances of securing the position.
- Choose a knowledgeable referrer like a teacher or employer who can detail your skills and believes in your potential.
- The writer should highlight the candidate’s relevant skills, qualities, and how the candidate’s career aspirations align with the internship position.
- The letter should adhere to a professional business letter format.
Why It’s Important
While letters of recommendation are sometimes explicitly required for student internship applications, it is a good idea to include one even when not mandated.
A well-crafted internship recommendation letter can significantly boost a candidate’s chance of getting an offer for several reasons:
- Competitive Edge: In situations where applicants have similar qualifications, a compelling recommendation can provide the critical edge needed to stand out.
- Enhanced Credibility: An endorsement from a respected source adds credibility to your claims about your skills and achievements.
- Broader Perspective: A recommendation letter can highlight aspects of the candidate’s personality and capabilities that aren’t immediately evident from their application, such as leadership potential, teamwork, or adaptability.
Who to Ask
Ideal candidates for your letter writer include a teacher, professor, or employer familiar with your work and character. They can also be a respected member of your professional community or someone with connections within the company you are applying to.
No matter from whom you choose to request your recommendation letter, your referrer should be someone who:
- can dive deep and provide specific examples of your skills;
- has a positive impression of your professional conduct;
- believes in your capabilities to excel in the internship position.
Avoid asking family or friends to be your referrers. Their bias can detract from the letter’s credibility.
How to Request
Requesting a recommendation letter should be done respectfully and considerately. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Ask in Person: Approach your preferred referrer face-to-face or over the phone. This personal interaction allows you to explain why their endorsement is significant and how it could impact your application. If they agree, express your gratitude; if not, thank them for considering your request.
- Provide Context: Share all relevant details to your referrer to make the job easier. Inform them about the specific internship, the company or organization, and how your qualifications align with the role.
- Draft Beforehand: Create a draft or outline of the recommendation letter to simplify the process for your referrer. Highlight your major accomplishments, skills, and goals. Provide a list of projects you worked on with the referrer and key experiences relevant to the internship. This ensures the most critical aspects of your qualifications are captured.
- Give Enough Time: Avoid last-minute requests that could pressure your referrer. Ideally, approach them at least a month before the deadline. If you’ve identified a professor, teacher, or employer who’s an ideal referrer, ask them for a recommendation while their memories of your work and contributions are still fresh. Getting a head start also allows your referrer to craft a thoughtful, detailed letter to strengthen your application.
Recommendation Letter Request: Email Sample
Dear [Referrer’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well.
Thank you again for agreeing to write a letter of recommendation for my internship application with [Company/Organization Name]. I truly appreciate your support and believe your endorsement will significantly enhance my application.
I have attached a document outlining key details about the internship, along with a summary of my relevant experiences and achievements that we discussed. This includes my work on [relevant, specific project or task] and my role in [relevant, specific event or activity].
Additionally, I have included a draft of the recommendation letter to provide a starting point, which you can modify as you see fit.
Please feel free to reach out if you need any more information or if there’s anything specific you would like to discuss regarding the letter.
Thank you once more for your time and for supporting my professional growth.
Warm regards,
Follow-Up
After receiving the results of your internship application, it’s important to follow up with your recommenders. Send a personalized thank-you note, regardless of the outcome, to show appreciation for their support. If you have successfully secured an offer with an agreement, update them on your progress and maintain the relationship. This can be beneficial for future opportunities and ongoing professional guidance.
What to Include
A strong recommendation letter for an internship should focus on the following:
- Career Goals Alignment: This aspect is crucial because companies seek interns with a genuine interest in their field and the potential to become valuable long-term hires. If the candidate’s aspirations align with the internship role, it shows they are prepared and motivated to contribute meaningfully to the organization.
- Skills Relevant to the Internship: Specific skills tailored to the internship confirm that the candidate is technically capable of handling the job responsibilities.
- Unique Qualities: Employers want to know what makes the candidate stand out among their peers. Highlight qualities unique to the candidate to assure the hiring committee that the candidate can contribute in ways that other students cannot.
- Work Ethics: Since internship applicants often lack extensive work-related experience, work ethics become particularly important. Employers want candidates who can manage deadlines, work responsibly, and show commitment to quality.
- Concrete Examples: Including incidents when the candidate demonstrated valuable traits provides credibility. Concrete instances of their leadership, initiative, or problem-solving help the hiring committee visualize how the candidate can apply these qualities in the company’s context.
- Academic (and Professional) Performance: Key academic achievements, such as high GPAs, honors, or scholarships, demonstrate the candidate’s knowledge and preparedness.
How to Write
Like most professional recommendation letters, a letter of recommendation for an internship should adhere to a professional business letter format.
Step 1: Introduction
The writer should start by stating the purpose of the letter and introducing the following:
- Who they are;
- In what capacity they know the candidate and for how long;
- Their relationship with the candidate; and
- What makes them qualified to recommend the candidate.
Introduction Sample
Dear Hiring Committee,
It is my privilege to enthusiastically recommend Amanda Johnson for the position of Marketing Intern at Bright Ideas Inc. As Amanda’s mentor for the past two years, I have had the pleasure of working with her during her time at North University. In this capacity, I have observed Amanda’s growth and unwavering commitment to digital marketing, and I’m confident she is the ideal candidate for this opportunity.
Step 2: Body Paragraphs
Convince the hiring committee of the candidate’s suitability for the internship position by:
- Stressing how the candidate has the potential to become a valuable long-term hire;
- Mentioning the candidate’s qualities and skills relevant to the position;
- Supporting the arguments with concrete examples and incidents.
Body Paragraphs Sample
Emily has demonstrated incomparable enthusiasm for environmental conservation. For example, Emily took the initiative during a key project and organized a campus-wide sustainability campaign. Her efforts led to a 20% reduction in waste across the university.
Emily’s skills in research, project management, and teamwork have been consistently apparent. These were especially notable during the Green Solutions Symposium, where Emily successfully coordinated a panel discussion with industry experts. She gathered data on effective waste management techniques and synthesized the findings into a comprehensive report for future initiatives.
In addition, Emily’s capacity to handle complex situations was evident when she resolved a scheduling conflict between two major symposium events while ensuring that all stakeholders’ needs were met. Coupled with her academic prowess, Emily is well-prepared to take on the challenges of this internship and excel in your esteemed organization.
Step 3: Conclusion
Reaffirm the endorsement for the candidate and offer to provide additional information if needed. Contact details may be included directly in the signature section or in the return address for a printed letter.
Closing Sample
To conclude, I wholeheartedly recommend Harry Wilson for this internship role. I firmly believe that he has the ability to excel in this internship role and that he will be a valuable addition to your team. Should you have any further inquiries, feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 555-555-5555.
Yours sincerely,
[Signature]
Ted Smith
Sample Letter of Recommendation for Internship
Copy the free sample below or download our customizable internship recommendation letter sample in both PDF and word formats.
