Ready to jumpstart your career but don't know how? Looking for internships can seem daunting at first, so why not take the opportunity now and get started!
- Find the right company for you
Narrow down the pathway to your ideal internship by researching what industry you'd like to break into. Then, be sure to reach out and ask help from those around you - friends, family members, or teachers/professors – for leads on companies providing internships. You can also search through job sites, as they normally have a section dedicated to internships. And don’t forget to hit up some career fairs and recruitment agencies too.
Do as much research as you can on particular industries and companies and figure out what suits you best. It’s a good idea to choose multiple opportunities to apply for so that you have a greater chance of getting accepted into an internship.
2. Time to prepare your application
Once you have chosen what companies you would like to do your internship, it’s time to tailor your application to suit the employers needs. This is the part where you analyse your professional profiles such as linkedIn and your resume and edit it to present yourself in a professional context that best suits the company’s requirements. Research about the company’s culture and gain an understanding of what they are looking for in their employees. Make sure you tailor your resume and cover letter to each application.
Tips when writing your resume:
- Use STAR format (situation, task, action and result)
- Quantify your impact whenever possible
- List your key accomplishments
- Highlight meaningful extracurricular and awards
- Emphasise skills and responsibilities found in the internship description
- Keep it clean and concise.
Tips on writing your cover letter:
- Start with a unique opening line
- Do some research into the company, and mention a few things you’ve learned about it throughout the letter to showcase your knowledge and skills
- Explain how your previous work experience has prepared you for this role
- Share a few ideas about how you would contribute to the company if hired
- Customise your cover letter for each new job that you apply to
Tips on creating your LinkedIn profile:
- Add recommendations
- Take assessments
- Connect with past co workers and companies you have worked with previously
- Share your published works
- Join groups
- Use numbers and bullet points when writing your summary
- Showcase your achievements
- Add a profile video
- Create a professional portfolio
Interview like an expert
Interviewing is the part of finding a job that many dread, but don't fear – with proper preparation it doesn’t have to be so intimidating! Make sure you've done your homework and practised what to say and before long, you'll feel totally confident in showing off why you're the perfect fit for this company.
You can search up things like the products/ services they offer, who’s on their leadership team, what milestones they’ve reached recently and who their competitors are. Any of these could be mentioned in your interview and now knowing the answer to one of them will show that you haven’t done your research.
You can also use the information to ask questions of your own. Asking your interviewer specific questions about the company will show that you are passionate, curious and well-informed. The interview process is not only a chance for the firm to get to know you, but also an important opportunity to gauge whether the firm is a good fit for you.
Fingers crossed
The hard part is finally over! It is best to send a follow up to anybody you spoke with. This can be a thankyou note or a check-in which should include a call to action where they can reach out to you.
And on a final note, don’t let the buzz and stress of getting a job get to you. An internship is, after all, an opportunity to experience a potential career path, and if you don’t feel that it is right for you, there are always other pathways you can explore. Goodluck on your internship hunting!
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