A cold email for an internship should be short (five to seven lines), sent to a specific person, and built around one piece of evidence: a project link. Say who you are, what role you want, why this company, what you have built, and make a small, clear request. Personalised, short emails get far more replies than long, generic ones.
Key takeaways
- Email a specific person, not a generic info@ address, where you can.
- Keep it to five to seven lines.
- Mention something specific about the company.
- Include one project link as evidence.
- Follow up once after about a week, then move on.
Who to Email
At startups, the founder or CTO; at mid-sized companies, an engineering manager or team lead; at larger companies, the campus recruiter. Find names on the company website and LinkedIn. Read How to Get an Internship Directly From Companies.
Subject Lines That Get Opened
- Backend intern | Java & Spring Boot | Final-year student
- Internship enquiry: QA intern, available from May
- [Your college] student interested in your data team
Template
Cold email template
Hi [Name], I'm [Your name], a final-year B.Tech (CSE) student preparing for a backend developer role. I've been following [Company]'s work on [specific product or project]. I recently built [project] using [technologies]: [GitHub or live link]. I'd love to contribute as an intern from [month]. Would you be open to a short conversation, or could you point me to the right person? Thank you, [Name] · [LinkedIn] · [Phone]
Follow-Up Template
Follow-up
Hi [Name], I wanted to follow up on my note from last week about an internship on your team. I've attached my resume in case it helps. Thank you for your time.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Long life stories or multiple paragraphs.
- Copy-pasted emails with the wrong company name.
- No project link, or a broken one.
- Unprofessional email addresses.
- Following up every day.
Related Guides
- How to Get an Internship Directly From Companies
- How to Ask for an Internship on LinkedIn
- Build a GitHub Portfolio That Gets You Interviews
- How to Apply for an IT Internship
Back to the stage guide: How to Apply for an IT Internship, or the full IT Internship Guide for Students in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cold emails for internships work?
Yes, especially with startups and smaller companies, when they are short, personalised, sent to the right person, and include a relevant project link.
Should I attach my resume to a cold email?
You can, but keep the email itself short. Many people prefer a link to your project and LinkedIn in the email, with the resume attached or available on request.
How long should a cold email be?
Five to seven lines: who you are, the role, why this company, one project link, and a small request.
When should I follow up on a cold email?
After about a week, once. If there is still no reply, move on to other companies.
Your next step
Reach people on LinkedIn too: How to Ask for an Internship on LinkedIn.
How to Ask for an Internship on LinkedInMore Free Resources for IT Students
- Free test: IT Internship Readiness Test. Check your technical foundation, projects, communication, and interview readiness in about five minutes.
- Free assessment: Which IT Role Suits You Best? Explore which of ten IT roles match your interests, strengths, and working style.
- Free reference: IT Internship Glossary. The terms you will hear before and during your internship, explained simply.
- Book: The Lost Intern: The Complete IT Internship Guide. Practical answers on choosing a role and company, and preparing for your first internship.
- Free mentoring: feeling stuck as a fresher? Apply to the Fresh Start cohort.
About the author
Dhaivat has 16+ years of experience in the IT industry, working on AI and cloud technologies, project delivery, and engineering leadership. He has interviewed and mentored many interns, wrote The Lost Intern, and runs the non-commercial Career Impact Initiative, mentoring students for free.