Securing your dream internship brings excitement and fulfillment, making the entire journey worthwhile. Internships are key to showing you what the workforce is like, teaching you important hard skills, and sometimes – if you’re lucky – can provide a post-grad opportunity. But how do you find the best internship for you?
Step 1: Set Your Goals and Button Up Your Application Materials
Before beginning your hunt for an internship, there are a variety of factors to consider including personal interests, compensation, credit requirements and even post-graduation plans. Setting goals for yourself will help you determine where to start looking for internships.
Once you have your goals in mind, it’s time to dust off your resume. Think about the most impressive work you’ve done so far and organize it in a brief, impactful way. If you have a career center, professor or mentor that would be willing to look over your resume and give you a letter of recommendation, take advantage of that!
Consider also pairing your resume with a digital portfolio. Visuals are so impactful, and showing off your work through a digital portfolio can help you to stand out from the crowd.
Step 2: Finding Your Internship
Now that you’ve cleaned up your application materials, it’s time to find an internship! There are plenty of internships out there if you’re willing to look. Students may utilize the career centers at their schools, attend career fairs, ask friends and family for references or use online job sites like Glassdoor, Handshake or LinkedIn. And don’t forget about the people you have networked with in the past – who can you reach out to for an opportunity? Remember, it never hurts to ask!
Step 3: Interviews
After landing an interview, there are a few things you should do prior to your meeting. The first thing is to research your interviewer and the company at hand. Understanding your interviewer’s background and the company itself will help you ask the right questions and create connection throughout your interview.
During the interview, you should aim to be personable and take your time when thinking through your answers. Most importantly, remember that your interview should be a two-way conversation. Be sure to ask your interviewer specific questions about the role, such as day-to-day tasks, what to expect, and what they’re looking for in an intern. You should also confirm what the next steps look like and the timeline for the decision.
Finally, send a follow up note thanking the interviewer for their time and reiterating your excitement for the position. For some interviewers, this can make or break a candidate’s chance at getting hired!
With these tips and tricks, you’ll be on your way to securing the internship of your dreams and becoming a polished communications professional in no time!