How to Get an Internship

What is an internship?

An internship is an organized, temporary role provided by organizations to give students or recent graduates practical experience in their field of study or career interest.

Here are some of the most common benefits of getting an internship:

• Practical experience in a professional setting
• Enhanced resume or CV
• Networking opportunities with professionals
• Guidance from experienced mentors
• Possible academic credits or stipends, depending on the program

Step 1: Craft an awesome resume

General internship resume tips

• Keep it to one page.
• Maintain simplicity for readability.
• Organize your education and experience in reverse chronological order.
• Exclude personal photos unless specifically requested.
• Always submit in PDF format.
• Education section: Detail relevant coursework and projects, linking directly to any applicable work or portfolios.
• Work experience: Focus on impactful achievements with quantifiable outcomes, using action verbs and numbers to demonstrate success.
• Skills section: Include relevant technical and soft skills, matching the internship requirements.

Internship resume template

Here is an internship resume template you can follow to create your own resume/CV.

Step 2: Write a motivation letter (and adapt it for that specific internship)

Cover letters offer a concise introduction to your fit for the internship, emphasizing why you're an ideal candidate.

• Keep the letter body to 3-4 paragraphs maximum.
• Highlight skills pertinent to the internship.
• Offer specific examples of relevant skills or experiences.
• Express genuine interest in the field and company.
• Maintain clear formatting and a professional tone.

Step 3: Start applying

Once you've prepared all the necessary materials, you can start applying for various internship opportunities.

But where do you find them? You can use:

• Online job boards: Platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor offer a wide range of internship listings.
• University career services: Many universities provide resources and databases exclusively for students to find internships.
• Company websites: Visit the careers section of company websites for internship opportunities, especially if you have specific companies in mind.
• Networking: Leverage your professional and academic networks. Attend career fairs, industry conferences, and workshops to meet potential employers.

💡 You may need to adapt your application documents for different companies and roles.

Step 4: Ace your internship interview

Research the company you're interviewing for

Research the company to understand their mission, values, and target demographic. It's important to show some interest in these things, especially if you'd like to stay with the company after your internship.

You should also prepare 1-3 (or more) questions to ask the interviewer. These can be in relation to the internship, the company, growth opportunities, mentoring opportunities and more.

Practice common interview questions

Some examples of common interview questions you may be asked include:

• Tell me a bit about yourself.
• Why are you interested in this internship/company/industry, and what skills or experiences do you hope to gain from this internship?
• Walk me through a project you've worked on in the past - what went well, and what would you have done differently?
• Is there a particular project you're proud of? Why?
• Do you have any questions about the company or the internship?

Exude a professional look

While dress codes are very loose nowadays, it's important to dress appropriately for your interview, according to the company's culture.

• IT/Gaming/Animation companies tend to be more relaxed, so you can generally get away with simpler, comfier clothes.
• Business/Banking/Security fields often still require you to dress in a professional ("smart") clothes.

If you're unsure what to wear, a general rule of thumb you can follow is to dress business-casually. It's always better to err on the side of caution, as it's better to be slightly over-dressed than under-dressed. That way you at least show respect towards the interview.

Virtual interviews

If you're having a virtual interview, you should still abide by the clothing rules outlined above, but there are a few more things you can do to stand out:

• Make sure your background is clean - by cleaning up the room, using a custom background overlay, or facing the camera towards a wall.
• The lighting should be appropriate so that the interviewers can see your face clearly.
• Double-check that the equipment (computer, headphones, microphone, software etc. work as intended to avoid any delays or stressors during the actual interview).

Conclusion

Securing an internship requires careful preparation, from crafting a standout application to effective networking and interviewing.

Approach the process with enthusiasm and focus, and you'll be well-positioned to secure a rewarding internship that enriches your educational and career journey.

Read more

• Where should you do your internship?