An internship is the perfect opportunity to put your college education into practice. Plus, it can help you dip your toes into your dream career, or explore the many avenues that you can take with your future degree.
But landing your dream internship can be easier said than done. You may need to overcome hurdles ranging from competitive hiring processes to financial barriers. Not to mention, due to the many internships canceled due to COVID-19, there may be larger applicant pools than usual.
This article will provide six key tips on how to get an internship so you can succeed in your search.
1. Create a Stand-Out Resume
A resume is a basic part of every internship application. Generally, this should be a one-page document that includes details about your relevant experience, education, achievements, awards, and technical skills. Students may also list leadership positions if they don’t have prior internships or other related experience.
Keeping your resume simple is key. It shouldn’t be a wall of text — and if you’re applying to a creative brand, it should be visually appealing, too. Only include the highlights to ensure your most impressive self shines.
Making your LinkedIn profile stand out with a great headline, recommendations, and a professional photo is a good idea, too. Many employers request LinkedIn profiles in place of resumes nowadays, so make sure yours is just as impressive as your resume.
2. Focus Your Search
Hunting for an internship is much easier when you know what you’re looking for. To understand what internships you may qualify for, consider your:
- Degree program
- Past experience
- Grade level
- Existing skills
Once you know what you might be eligible for, think about what you’re interested in learning. What types of internships are most relevant to your ideal career path?
Finally, think about when you want to do your internship. Many companies offer fall, spring, and summer internships, so you can participate when you’re out of school (which allows for full-time and out-of-state internships) or intern during the semester.
3. Search in the Right Places
Not all internship hunting opportunities are gold mines. To make the most of your time, identify the best places to search.
In addition to looking on traditional job sites and the sites of companies you already know and love, you can also look on niche websites dedicated to internships, your industry, or even remote opportunities.
Many colleges even have career centers (or career websites) that can help you find internships that you qualify for. Your college may even be able to connect you to opportunities that are exclusive to students at your school.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to your network for opportunities. And if you find an internship you really want, see if you know someone who works there and can give you a solid insider recommendation.
4. Practice for Your Interview
You know what they say: practice makes perfect. While you don’t want to memorize a script for your interview, it’s helpful to practice your responses to common interview questions and know the key points you want to make.
Common questions that hiring managers ask include:
- Can you tell me about yourself? The bulk of your response should show why you’re a good fit for the company.
- What’s your greatest strength? Offer a quality that could make you a great asset to the team and provide an example that makes you stand out.
- What’s your greatest weakness? Be honest, but don’t choose a skill that’s essential for performing the job. Also mention how you’re taking steps to improve, with examples.
Researching a company — including its mission, values, and past work — can help you put your best foot forward by showing your interest in the specific brand.
Glassdoor can be a great resource for aspiring interns, too. When you search a company, you can get insight into a company’s hiring process and the questions it asks. But take the information you see with a grain of salt. Hiring processes change, and you don’t want to be thrown off just because it doesn’t go as you expect.
5. Send a Thank You Message
Even if you submitted the perfect resume and had a stellar interview, it never hurts to give yourself one more opportunity to stand out. Following up with a thank you note after your interview can help you do just that.
Your thank you message doesn’t have to be fancy — just a paragraph or two in an email will do. But make sure you show both your gratitude and attentiveness and be specific. For example, you may explain why you’re excited about the company. Bring up something unique that you spoke with your hiring manager about during the interview.
Putting a little thought into your message can keep you at the top of mind, especially since not every applicant will take this extra step.
Don’t forget to ask your interviewers for their business cards, so you have their contact information readily available.
6. Plan Financially for Your Internship
Internships can cause financial strain if you’re reliant on an existing job to pay your way through school. To get an internship you can confidently take, make sure to do some financial planning and research your options ahead of time.
Paid internships can be a great path for those in need of income. But keep in mind that they’re usually more competitive. Plus, some colleges won’t offer credit for paid internships. At the same time, if you take an unpaid internship in the summer (when you have extra time for your job), many scholarships won’t cover your credit.
Even if you have your tuition costs covered, out-of-state internships often require you to pay for room, board, and flight expenses yourself.
Consider applying for student loans and extra scholarships to cover the cost of your internship semester or create a strict budget for your financial needs.
Get Your Dream Internship
Looking for an internship doesn’t have to be a dead-end search. When you put some best practices into play, you can find internships that are great fits for you, while standing out during the application process. Start your search (and financial planning) early to ensure you’re prepared to start your enriching experience.
About the Author:
Jori Hamilton is a writer from the Pacific Northwest who has a particular interest in social justice, politics, education, healthcare, technology, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @ HamiltonJori.
