The Foundation: Research Before You Write
A generic email is a deleted email. Before you type a single word, your first job is to become a detective. Don't just blast your resume to every company in a 50-kilometre radius. Instead, create a target list of 20-50 companies you are genuinely excited
about. Research their mission, recent projects, and company culture. Most importantly, find the right person to contact. Sending your email to a generic "info@" or "careers@" address is a recipe for failure. Use LinkedIn to identify the hiring manager for the department you're interested in (e.g., "Head of Marketing"), a team member a level or two above an intern, or a recruiter who handles early-career hiring. For smaller companies, even contacting a founder or director can be effective.
Your First Impression: The Subject Line
Busy professionals decide whether to open an email in seconds, and the subject line is your only hook. It needs to be clear, concise, and professional. Avoid clickbait or overly casual phrases. A strong subject line is short, specific, and relevant to the recipient. Name-dropping a mutual connection or your university can grab attention. Combining your area of interest with your purpose is a reliable formula. For example, "Internship Inquiry: [Your Name], [Your University] Student" or "Question about [Team Name] - [Your Major] Student". The goal is to make it easy for the recipient to immediately understand who you are and why you are writing.
Crafting the Perfect Email: Short, Personal, and Value-Driven
Your email should be brief and easy to read, ideally under 125 words or around five sentences. Long, rambling emails are rarely read. Structure your message clearly. Start with a personalized opening; mention something specific you admire about their work, a recent company achievement, or a project they were involved in. This proves you’ve done your homework. In the next sentences, introduce yourself, your area of study, and briefly mention one or two key skills or experiences relevant to their work. Crucially, shift the focus from what you want to what you can offer. Frame your interest in terms of how you can contribute to their team. Avoid a desperate tone; focus on mutual professional value.
The Ask: A Clear and Low-Friction Call to Action
Don't ask for an internship outright in the first email. The goal is to start a conversation. Your "ask" should be a low-friction request that is easy for a busy professional to say yes to. A great approach is to ask for a brief, 15-minute informational chat to learn more about their work and potential opportunities at the company. State your general availability (e.g., "Tuesdays and Thursdays after 2 pm") but remain flexible to their schedule. End your email with a professional closing like "Best regards" or "Thank you for your time," followed by a clean signature that includes your full name, university, and a link to your LinkedIn profile or online portfolio.
The Follow-Up: Persistence Without Being a Pest
Many students give up if they don't get a response to their first email, but a significant percentage of replies come from follow-ups. If you haven't heard back after about a week, it is appropriate to send a polite follow-up. Reply to your original email to keep the context. Your follow-up should be even shorter than the initial message. A simple, polite note is all you need. For example: "I just wanted to follow up on the email below and see if you had a few minutes to speak about potential internship opportunities at your firm." If you still don't get a response after a second attempt, it is best to move on to other contacts on your list.
