A couple of months ago, we published a blog post all about how to make the most of your internship.
As a student, it’s likely that the time will come where you’ll start to consider taking on an internship to securely place yourself on the path to your dream career. After all, it’s a pretty tough job market out there and an internship gives you the chance to gain real professional experience while making some very valuable contacts along the way.
But before you even get the chance to make the most of the opportunity, how do you actually go about landing the internship position in the first place?
Here are our top 4 tips for landing your dream internship.
1. Look for it.
Unfortunately, an internship isn’t something that is likely to easily fall into your hands. It’s likely going to be something that you will have to go out and look for. Take some time to research relevant companies and their intern vacancies, and failing that, send off a few emails to politely inquire about any potential openings. There’s certainly no harm in asking.
Networking is also particularly valuable. Often, building connections with key individuals will be a fantastic way to get some inside advice and even jumpstart your job search.
2. Proofread your CV.
It’s absolutely essential to double-check – even triple check – your CV when you’re applying for an internship, especially one that could be so valuable for your career. Proofread to check for any spelling or grammatical errors, as your CV needs to be as clean and clear as possible. Basic mistakes such as these can have a negative reflection on you and your skills right from the get-go, and that’s the very last thing you want. If possible, have someone else read it too for a second opinion. After all, this document is the one thing that determines whether or not you could land your dream internship.
Also make sure you’ve included all relevant information, skills and qualities about yourself that are appropriate for the internship position that you are applying for. These pieces of information are going to be exactly what your potential employer is going to be looking out for and will be interested in. And don’t forget that experience comes in many shapes and sizes – you may not have worked professionally in your dream industry before, however you may have a different kind of experience that your potential employer may see as valuable.
3. Punctuality.
This applies for both the application as well as the interview, and it really goes without saying. Don’t leave it to the last minute to submit your application, as you could potentially miss out on a fantastic opportunity. Likewise, when it comes to the interview stage, arriving early and on time reflects your determination as well as your respect for the interviewer’s time. A bad display of punctuality will inevitably leave a lasting negative impact.
4. Prepare for the interview.
Prepare yourself for the interview in every way you can. Take the time to conduct some research into the company you’re applying with. Turning up to the interview knowing at least a little bit of background information about the company will impress your potential employer and will prevent any awkward pauses when the subject is eventually brought up.
The interview process is a great chance to allow your personality to shine through. Don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm and positivity about the position, sell yourself to the interviewer to show them how you can be a valuable asset to the company above other candidates. Ultimately, this kind of genuine can-do attitude (that doesn’t go as far as egotistical) can do nothing but impress the interviewer.
4. Ask the right questions.
One particularly valuable part of the interview is getting to ask questions of your own. Asking questions to find out more information not only shows your seriousness about the position but gives you the chance to really consider the opportunity for yourself. You can find out exactly what you would be doing, with whom you would be working alongside and what your key responsibilities would include. This will give you an idea about whether the position fits into your career goals, whether it is something you will benefit from and learn from, and ultimately whether it is right for you.
The bottom line is, landing the internship of your dreams isn’t entirely impossible. If you take the right steps it’s certainly achievable and will not only benefit your career in the long-run, but it will also benefit you.
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