Whether you are a college student or a recent graduate, you definitely might have come across how to get an internship? Getting an internship may not be easy, but following the 9 steps listed in this article will help you get an internship easily.
If you’re a college student without work experience or a recent graduate looking for internship with no experience in order to jumpstart your career, internships offer a fantastic opportunity to take your initial steps in your chosen industry or field.
During your internship, you’ll get to work on projects, build professional connections, and enhance your skills and knowledge. In certain instances, an internship might open the door to a full-time job offer.
Yet, securing the internship you aspire to is no walk in the park due to intense competition. That’s why we’ve put together a guide outlining the steps to help you secure an internship of your choice.
How To Get An Internship [9 Steps]
Getting an internship without experience or learning how to get an internship as a college student requires certain steps to be followed. Well, here are 9 easy steps that help getting an internship in no time.
How to get an internship?
Here are 9 steps that guides you get an internship easily:
- Evaluate your qualifications
- Find internship opportunities
- Create an impressive résumé
- Prepare a cover letter
- Put together a stunning portfolio
- Clean up your social media profiles
- Prepare for the interview
- Send a follow-up email
- Send a thank you letter
1. Evaluate your qualifications
Internships offer valuable work experience, but applying for every internship isn’t productive. Focus on relevant opportunities in your field of interest to increase your chances of landing one.
Evaluate your qualifications to find the internship that suits you best. Some key questions to consider include:
- What kind of jobs can you get with your degree or qualifications?
- What relevant experience have you got?
- What are some of the skills you possess that will help you in a professional capacity?
- What areas of employment or career fields interest you?
- What industry can you see yourself working in?
By addressing the questions above, you can pinpoint potential internship opportunities to pursue. Don’t solely target major conglomerates or well-known institutions, especially for your first work experience.
Diversify your options by exploring smaller organizations or local businesses, as they may offer easier access to internship opportunities.
2. Find internship opportunities
To secure an internship, start by exploring various avenues. If you’re in college or university, tap into your institution’s career services and keep an eye on the career site for potential opportunities.
Attend career fairs to network and discover openings tailored to your qualifications. Online job sites offer a plethora of options where you can refine your search by industry, location, and field.
For a comprehensive search, consider using CareerAddict’s jobs platform, offering local and international internships. Don’t forget to check individual company websites, and even if there are no current openings, don’t hesitate to send an email expressing your interest in an internship.
Harness the power of your network by informing connections, including teachers, professors, alumni, and your career center, about your internship search and desired industry. Expand your reach by talking to friends who may have relatives in your field of interest—they could provide valuable insights and assistance.
3. Create an impressive résumé
Once you’ve identified the roles and companies that interest you, the next step is to prepare your internship application, and a key component of this is crafting an outstanding résumé.
Having a clean and aesthetically appealing résumé is crucial for standing out. Consider using a high-quality résumé template to enhance its contents and elevate your application, especially if you have limited experience.
A well-written résumé not only helps you but also creates a positive first impression for recruiters. For entry-level or student résumés, prioritize listing your education and volunteer history at the top, especially if you lack relevant work experience.
For instance, if you held a significant role like president of your college newspaper and are applying for an internship with The Telegraph, make sure to highlight this achievement.
When applying for a specific internship, tailor your résumé to match the internship description. If the recruiter has outlined specific skills required for the role, clearly demonstrate that you possess those skills.
For example, if you’re applying for a graphic design internship, emphasize relevant skills such as Photoshop and InDesign and showcase how you can handle the responsibilities associated with the role.
4. Prepare a cover letter
Crafting a compelling cover letter is crucial to convey your genuine interest in the company. If, for instance, you’re seeking an internship at Amazon, it’s essential to demonstrate your passion for the company’s mission and showcase your understanding of its culture and processes.
Avoid using a generic cover letter for every company; instead, tailor each one to match the specific objectives, mission, and internship role of each organization.
Clearly articulate why you are the ideal fit for each internship program, highlighting how your skills and experiences align with their requirements. This personalized approach enhances your chances of making a strong impression on potential employers.
5. Put together a stunning portfolio
Portfolios play a crucial role in internship applications, serving as a brilliant way to spotlight your contributions to various projects while refining your personal brand.
Creating an online portfolio doesn’t demand top-notch coding skills. Platforms like WordPress, Adobe Portfolio, and Squarespace provide simple and user-friendly tools to showcase an impressive collection of your work and highlight your abilities.
When developing your portfolio, prioritize featuring your best work. Even if you have only a handful of standout examples, showcase them prominently.
Lead with your most impressive piece and find ways to distinguish yourself from the competition. A valuable addition to your portfolio is an ‘About’ page, offering insights into your background, personality, and career objectives.
This section helps employers understand how you align with their culture. Don’t forget to include links to your social media feeds, creating a more comprehensive view of your professional identity.
Employers frequently turn to social media to vet candidates, underscoring the importance of ensuring your profiles are spotless before embarking on an internship search. Take the time to prepare your social media accounts, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, for scrutiny.
Opt for professional profile pictures, and meticulously curate your content to eliminate any irrelevant or unnecessary photos that might cast you in a negative light. Exercise caution in managing your social media presence, being mindful of what you share online.
Strive to post content that accentuates your professionalism, sharing material that aligns with the field you’re interested in. Steer clear of controversial topics, vulgar language, or negative comments in your online posts.
Consider making some of your personal social accounts private to restrict access from recruiters, ensuring a more controlled presentation of your online presence. This proactive approach helps safeguard your professional image during the internship application process.
7. Prepare for the interview
Once you secure an internship interview, it’s time to make some preparations! Start by thoroughly researching the company, delving into their objectives, key executives, competitors, and company culture to gain a comprehensive understanding.
Practice responding to common internship interview questions, integrating insights from your research to tailor your answers to the company and the specific role you aspire to secure.
During the interview, exude enthusiasm, maintain steady eye contact, and attentively engage with your interviewers. Dress appropriately, adhering to the company’s dress code, and respond to questions with specificity, drawing on your experiences and ideas to reinforce your answers.
Focus on showcasing your authentic and professional self rather than trying to guess what the interviewer wants to hear.
Remember to prepare a few insightful questions to ask your interviewers at the conclusion of the interview, demonstrating your genuine interest and initiative. This thorough preparation positions you to make a positive and lasting impression during the internship interview process.
8. Send a follow-up email
After the interview, take a moment to send a follow-up email expressing gratitude to the interviewer for their time. Highlight something memorable from the interview, emphasizing your enjoyment of that specific discussion.
This thoughtful gesture serves as a great way to set yourself apart from other candidates, potentially giving you a winning edge in the process.
If you don’t receive a response after a few weeks, it could be a good idea to inquire about the status of your application. However, be mindful of the time that has passed since your last interview, especially if you’re dealing with a large company managing multiple intern candidates.
Allow sufficient time before reaching out to show consideration for their internal processes. This proactive approach demonstrates your continued interest and professionalism in the application process.
9. Send a thank you letter
Whether you secure the internship or not, it’s crucial to express gratitude once you hear back from them. In the event of an unsuccessful application, take a moment to thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration.
Craft a gracious thank-you letter, conveying your continued interest in working for the company in the future. It’s also beneficial to request feedback about the interview, providing you with valuable insights for improvement.
Reflect on the interview, identifying areas for enhancement to better prepare for future opportunities.
Conversely, if your application is successful, promptly respond to the offer, ensuring you provide an answer no later than the following day. This timely response demonstrates professionalism and eagerness, setting a positive tone as you move forward with the internship.
Final Thoughts
Securing an internship demands patience, persistence, and diligence. While the journey of discovering and applying to internship programs can be time-consuming and demanding, following the steps above could lead you to the internship of your dreams.
In the face of rejections, keep pushing forward. With persistence, it’s only a matter of time before your efforts yield positive results.
Do you have any questions about internships? Feel free to share them with us in the comments section below!
Hey, I am Sachin Ramdurg. I run and manage futuredecider.com website that helps students, graduates, and professionals, to find and decide on their future career with ultimate future career advices and future career guides. I have an overall 12+ years of career guidance experience in multiple domains which has helped multiple students, graduates, and professionals to find the best career path for their future.