How to Write a Work Placement Cover Letter in 2024 (Template & Examples)

If you're seeking work placement, you need a well-written cover letter to showcase your CV strengths and personality. Searching for a new work placement or experience may seem intimidating at first. If you're unfamiliar illiar with it, it refers to a work placement at an accredited organisation, usually lasting between 6 to 12 months. It is a part of your degree program, requiring you to apply your learning from your studies to the work placement, and vice versa.

Whether you are a student or a graduate, our step-by-step guide provides a complete breakdown of how to write a cover letter, what to include, and the best format for work placement. See our tips, examples, and templates to sharpen your writing skills.

For more information, check out our diverse collection of cover letter templates to guide you further.

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Work placement cover letter example

This cover letter example features Finn Turner, a civil engineering student applying for a summer work placement at EA Engineering Solutions. As evidenced by his strong educational background, he is a quick learner with a strong foundation in the field. This cover letter follows a professional format with easy-to-read language and good structure. It explicitly shows his contact details, position applied, and reasons for applying.

For more inspiration, check out our related blog article on how to add work experience to a CV.

How to write a work placement cover letter with no experience

Whether you're writing with zero experience or already had a couple of positions, clarity is key. By ensuring you're specific about your career goals and qualifications you can assist the company in preparing for your placement period.

If you're interested in an internship or apprenticeship at a company that doesn't have a job opening at the moment, it is best to write an open cover letter or letter of interest. In it, you can briefly outline how qualifications align with the company's needs.

If you’re looking for a summer work placement, ensure to check the core information, such as the duration, salary, full-time or part-time, industry type, company culture, and job criteria. Following this advice can help you tailor your cover letter efficiently.

To learn more, refer to our related blog article on how to write a CV with no experience.

What to include in a work placement cover letter?

Much like a good CV, a strong cover letter needs to be brief and specific to the job you're applying for. Apart from a job requirement, the work placement cover letter (also referred to as 'year in industry') aims to elaborate on details missing in your CV, providing a deeper insight into your relevant experience, skills, and achievements. Ensure to follow this simple structure:

• Personal details

• Introduction

• Body

• Conclusion.

Before jumping into writing, consider the following details and questions that you need to answer for yourself first. Some of them you can find in your job description. Doing this will get you started and help direct your focus to the right keywords and topics to address. So, consider making an overview for yourself in which you answer the following questions:

• What course are you following, and what year are you in?

• How long is your work placement period?

• Is there a required word limit set by an employer?

• What relevant skills and qualities do you possess?

• What would you like to learn during your placement?

• Where do you see yourself working in five years?

With this information, you have sufficient means to write a strong cover letter for your work placement. 

For more examples and valuable tips, refer to our related blog article on how to structure your cover letter.

For more details, check out our related blog post on how to make an ATS-friendly CV.

1. How to start a work placement cover letter

Your cover letter's introduction acts as a brief yet impactful overview of your relevant qualifications, tying back to your personal profile, also known as a personal statement, on your CV. Choose a captivating opening statement that grabs the recruiter's attention, ensuring you make a strong initial impression.

• Contact information: Provide your name, address, date of application, phone number, and email at the top of your cover letter.

• Salutation: Address the hiring manager or recruiter by name if available. Otherwise, use a general greeting such as "Dear Hiring Manager."

• Introduction: Begin with a strong opening that briefly outlines your qualifications and demonstrates your interest in the position.

For additional guidance, refer to our blog article on how to start a cover letter.

For more inspiration, check out our related guide for a medical CV.

For more details, read our guide for an undergraduate CV.

For more information, consult our related article for a civil service CV.

2. How to write the body of a work placement cover letter

In the body of your cover letter, show your enthusiasm for the placement by mentioning specific skills and achievements from your academic or extracurricular activities. Clearly state why you are the ideal candidate, aligning your abilities and goals with the company's values and objectives. See the following tips to ensure your cover letter is top quality.

Highlight your key skills and eagerness to hone them during your work placement. Convince your company that you can be of value to the company's needs. Show that you're ready to help with various tasks and projects, and you gain experience for your future career in return.

To learn more, see our related blog articles on how to list achievements and skills in your CV.

3. How to end a work placement cover letter

Close off your cover letter with a simple call to action, reiterating your enthusiasm for the position and showing your eagerness to discuss your application in the next interview. Show gratitude for the reader's time and consideration, and provide your contact information for any follow-up inquiries.

• Appreciation: Show gratitude for their time and attention, thanking them for considering your application.

• Positive note: End on an optimistic note, reinforcing your eagerness for the role and leaving a memorable impression.

• Call to action: Consider a subtle call to action, such as reiterating your phone number and signalling your openness to schedule a follow-up interview.

• Sign off: Conclude with a professional sign-off, choosing phrases like 'Best regards' or 'Yours faithfully' to maintain a courteous tone.

For more information, check out our blog article on how to end a cover letter.

Key takeaways

This article has covered the essentials of writing a cover letter and explained how to get work experience that you can eventually add to your career documents. Ensure that you carefully proofread your cover letter to eliminate mistakes and iron out the inconsistencies. Remember, brevity is key and could help you get noticed in this competitive market.

• Research the job position and company culture.

• Choose the cover letter format that aligns with the brand personality.

• Include essential information such as contact details and an introduction to your current situation.

• Write a strong opening statement.

• Write in concise and clear language, preferably without personal pronouns such as ‘I’, ‘me’, and ‘us’.

• Explain how you can contribute to the company by showcasing your career goals.

• Focus on accomplishments, relevant experiences, and skills.

• Add a call to action, such as asking about the next steps in the recruitment process or asking them to schedule an interview.

Next steps?

Using our easy-to-use cover letter builder you can create one in just a few minutes! You can create and download unlimited cover letters using one of our professional templates, which you can easily customise to your needs. If you have difficulties deciding which information to include, consider using our CV Writing Service to help you tailor and personalise your cover letter to a specific job.

For more valuable career advice, refer to one of our blog articles below:

• Good questions for an interview

• Apprenticeship CV

• Internship CV.

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FAQ

What do you say when asking for a work placement on a cover letter?

You may not have much relevant work experience yet, which makes it difficult to name your experience and skills at first. However, your advantage is motivation and eagerness to learn new skills. By using the right persuasive techniques, you can move one step closer to landing more job interviews. If you want to gain experience for your future career, it is crucial to make use of all available resources and courses that can help with career development.

How to write a good cover letter for work placement?

Focus on the company culture and describe in your cover letter why you want a work placement at that company. A good cover letter can be divided into three essential parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. Having work experience is often mandatory for jobs, but try to think about why you chose a certain education and what you would like to do with it. You can also use this as information for your cover letter. Although describing your motivation may seem difficult highlight your eagerness to learn and

How to write a cover letter for social work field placement?

Target the specific agency and its mission, briefly outlining your reasons for applying. Focus on your strengths and explain how your background aligns with a social work placement. Demonstrate your social work knowledge from specific courses you've taken or previous volunteering or part-time job experience. Showcase your empathy, communication, and problem-solving skills, keeping it concise and easy to read. Remember to express your eagerness to learn and contribute to the success of your clients.

What is a letter of intent for placement?

It refers to a career document that outlines your interest in securing a work placement or internship at a specific organisation or institution. It delves into qualifications, skills, and reasons for seeking the placement opportunity. These letters can help job seekers differentiate themselves from similar CVs and get you noticed. Think of a letter of intent as a form of an elevator pitch in which you have three to four paragraphs to describe why you would be the best fit for an open position.