How to Get an Internship: Tips and Tricks from Successful Interns
This guide to how to get an internship includes practical tips, expert advice, and real-world success stories to help you stand out.
✨ The 5-second summary
- When applying to internships, highlight the impact of what you've learned and done.
- Don't rely solely on online applications: leverage your personal and professional network to increase your chances of landing a position.
Please note:
This article will focus on tips and tricks for maximizing your chances of getting an internship.
You can go to these pages if you'd like to learn:
What is an internship?
An internship is a structured, temporary position offered by companies and organizations to students or young professionals, allowing them to gain practical experience in a specific industry.
Among other things, you can expect to gain:
- Real-world experience
- A strengthened resume or CV
- Opportunities to build a robust network
- Guidance and training from industry experts
- Academic credits (if it's a part of the university program)
You can read more about internships in our dedicated internship guide.
How to know if an internship is good
To know if an internship is worth your time and effort, analyze the job posting thoroughly and look out for:
✅ Mentorship and training: Good internships involve some sort of mentorship. You should have someone who will guide you and whom you can turn to if you have any questions.
✅ Reasonable qualification demands: Internships are entry-level positions. If the company has a long list of requirements that are more akin to a junior or even medium-level role, this could be a sign that the company may try to overwork you for low (or no) pay.
✅ Networking opportunities: A good internship will let you meet different team members and create a professional network. You can create a LinkedIn account and add people from your internship there.
✅ Flexibility: Some internships are less flexible, such as those in law and medical fields, but internships in most fields should give you more freedom in setting your own work hours and choosing your work location.
✅ Good company reputation: Don't apply to every company that posts an internship! Check their reputation and reviews on sites like Glassdoor, and see if there are any red flags there.
Prepare your internship resume
Why it's important to optimize your resume
A lot of students make the mistake of assuming that they should cast as wide a net as possible when they're choosing an internship. But this couldn't be further from the truth - you're more likely to land a position if you submit a handful of highly optimized applications.
There is a simple reason for this, and that's the fact that internship positions are incredibly competitive.
Recruiters won't bother looking through your application if they can tell that you've put little effort into researching the company and tailoring your resume/cover letter to the position they're advertising.
CV/resume tips
Your internship resume should:
💥 Leave a good first impression: You have about 3-6 seconds to make an impact on the reviewer. Make those seconds count by putting the most important information at the top of the resume. ("Important" means "strongest argument for getting hired" in this case.)
📏 Be a maximum of 1 page long: As an entry-level person, you shouldn't have much professional experience, so there's no reason to make an excessively long document. Make it concise and impactful.
🎯 Communicate why you're the right fit: Internships are competitive, so employers get to be quite picky. It should be very clear why you should be the one chosen among dozens or hundreds of other candidates. Focus on what you've learned from your previous education and/or experiences.
Need more help writing the resume?
Read our full guide on how to structure and optimize each section of your internship resume!
Intern tip: Be clear about what your offer!
Here's what Inga said about getting her Content Creator Internship:
I think strong, thoughful cover letter is important: I usually explain why I would love to work for the company, what can I bring to the table, and how the experience will help me grow peofessionally.
I think the key here is to keep it easy to read, since there's probably a lot of applicants.
It also helped me to have solid recommendations, a strong portfolio, and a good network. I went to local events meeting professionals, introducing myself, my skills and knowledge, and sharing my ideas, people often remember you from these events and contact you in case there is available vacancy.
Optimizing your cover letter for an internship
Cover letters for internships serve as a brief presentation of yourself, shining a spotlight on why you are the ideal candidate for the role.
Unfortunately, a lot of students overlook cover letters, leaving them as an afterthought. This is a mistake, as a good internship cover letter can absolutely sway the recruiter into interviewing you, even with a sub-optimal resume.
This is because when hiring managers are looking for interns, they hire for potential. You're not expected to have work experience as an intern, so the best way to stand out is to show authenticity and enthusiasm.
Here are some internship cover letter do's and don'ts.
| ✅ Do: | ❌ Don't: |
|---|---|
| Make your letter maximum one page long. | Waffle on to make the letter longer. |
| Highlight skills relevant to the internship. | List all of your accomplishments without context. |
| Explain 3 reasons you're a good fit. | Go into detail of every project - leave it for the interview. |
| Communicate your passion. | Tell irrelevant life stories. |
| Use clear formatting with a basic font. | Overthink the visuals - less is more. |
The structure
First paragraph
Present your main and strongest argument for why you're the right fit for the internship in the first sentence. Give a concrete example of a skill or relevant experience(s) you have under your belt that would be helpful during the internship.
- Were you volunteering at another company in the same industry?
- Did you learn transferrable skills from your previous experience?
Second paragraph
Explain a complementary or adjacent skill to the one mentioned above. You can also mention your general interest in the company's area of operation here, but make sure not to come across as self-serving. Your cover letter should first and foremost focus on why you would be an asset to the company.
Third paragraph
You can use this space to discuss any soft skills you may be able to contribute to the team. Remember that recruiters are still human, and that means that they want to hire people they want to work with!
👉 Also read: How To Write a Cover Letter For an Internship
Intern tip: Show that you're trainable!
Here's what Tetiana did to land her Content Research Internship:
When I was looking for internships, I was just looking for anything related to what I studied: System Analysis and Applied Statistics.
Since I didn't have much work experience, I focused on transferable and soft skills - things like adaptability, critical thinking, and being a fast learner. I feel like that's more important than having specific hard skills when you're applying for internships because employers know you're there to learn, so the ability to pick things up quickly is huge. Of course it varies from company to company, but most places will provide training, so they want someone who's "trainable".
On your CV, I'd recommend including any smaller roles, even if they're not jobs (for example, club or student organization activities). Employers like to see that you're responsible and can take care of things on your own, even if you don't have job experience. It's about showing who you are as a person, not just your technical skills.
How to grow and leverage your network to get an internship
In today’s fiercely competitive environment, knowing how to get an internship involves more than just browsing job boards and submitting applications. Let's delve into how networking can significantly boost your prospects of landing an internship.
Expand your professional circle
One of the key aspects of networking is expanding your professional circle. There are many ways of doing this, you can, for example:
✅ Reach out to your professors and academic advisors. A casual conversation with them about your internship interests might just be the doorway to promising leads.
✅ Connect with university alumni.
✅ Check if there are any free (or cheap) coworking spaces in your area, and if there are, start frequenting them. Not only are these places brimming with industry professionals, but they are often locations for great events you can attend.
Engage in industry events
Industry events such as workshops, seminars, and job fairs are excellent platforms for amplifying knowledge and networking.
You can find these events via:
- Online platforms such as Facebook and Meetup
- Your educational institution
Intern tip: Reach out!
Here's what Chris did to get his Social Media Marketing Internship:
I was searching for internships online and through my university, but I was also trying to see how I could leverage my existing network to find potential "hidden" positions.
What worked best for me at the end was cold-emailing companies with which I had previous contact, briefly presenting myself and my relevant experience.
Many positions you could be perfect for aren't available on job-seeking platforms, so prioritising internal recommendations or the career site of a company you'd like to intern for is a better strategy, in my opinion.
Nailing your internship interview
You've successfully completed the first stage of the application, and now it's time to talk to the company recruiters face-to-face.
Many students find internship interviews quite intimidating. The uncertainty of what questions they could ask, combined with the pressure of wanting to provide the "perfect" answer, is an excellent recipe for stress!
If this sounds like you, rest easy - here's how to confidently navigate your path to securing that internship slot.
Step 1: Research the company
Before your interview, you need to make sure to know the company's:
- Industry
- General information about their product/services
- Core values and mission
Use this information to tailor your responses to reflect that you are in sync with their corporate culture.
Step 2: Dress to match the company culture
What you should wear will depend on the company and its industry:
- An IT startup will most likely have a more casual approach
- A bank or consultancy will prefer formal attire
If you're unsure of what their policy is, go for a more formal outfit. It's better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Step 3: Prepare well
Know what to expect
Depending on the company and the industry, your interview may be structured differently.
- Some roles are more about discussing your general interest in the internship and the company
- Other fields, like computer science or engineering, may involve completing a technical interview
In any case, research the standards in your country, industry, and company, and prepare yourself well.
Check that you have everything you need
Make sure that you have all the tools and documents you need to complete the interview without any issues.
This includes but is not limited to:
- A physical copy of your resume/CV and cover letter
- Easy access to your portfolio - you can either bring a hard copy or bring your tablet/laptop in case you need to walk them through your projects
- A copy of your internship test assignment (if applicable)
- A notebook/tablet for any notes
- Any other relevant materials
Step 4: Polish up your communication skills
Once you've set the basis for a successful interview, the main section of the interview is the actual conversation with the recruiter/hiring manager.
If you've done your research and prep work, don't worry, you'll do great. Take a deep breath, smile, and respond to questions in a clear and concise way.
If you need to think about the answer, say that. Recruiters understand that interviews are stressful, and they'll be okay with you taking a second to think about your response.
Don't forget about body language!
- Offer a firm handshake (if the interview is in person)
- Maintain eye contact
- Avoid fidgeting if you can
- Nod occasionally to show you're actively listening
- Sit up straight and project confidence (even if you're not feeling confident!)
Step 5: Engage enthusiastically and ask questions
Prepare answers for some of the most common internship interview questions, like "Tell us a bit about yourself".
Also, prepare some questions to ask the company.
Asking questions not only shows your enthusiasm and engagement with the company (which is exactly what hiring managers will be looking for!).
Good questions to ask during an interview
- Can you tell me a bit about the training and onboarding process at [Company name]?
- What does a regular day during this internship look like? What tasks would I be doing every day?
- What is the profile of a student who succeeds in this internship?
- Would I be assigned a mentor, and if so, what would the mentorship process look like? What other resources, if any, are provided to interns to help them succeed?
- Are there opportunities for employment upon completing this internship?
Step 6: Post-interview etiquette
As you conclude your interview, remember that a genuine thank-you note can be a game-changer.
Express your appreciation for the opportunity and reaffirm your eagerness to join their team. This gesture enhances your prospects by leaving a favorable and professional impression.
If you don't hear back from the company within a week (and unless specified), send a follow-up email asking for an update.
Conclusion
Understanding how to get an internship abroad involves meticulous preparation and adherence to application guidelines. Embark on this enriching journey with enthusiasm and precision, and you'll be well on your way to securing an international internship that boosts your academic and professional growth.
We wish you good luck in your search!
Sara EvansAuthor
Sara is the Content Team Manager at educations.com, responsible for creating and managing editorial content for students worldwide. Her own study abroad experience in the Netherlands sparked a passion and commitment to international education. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Interactive Media Design and has worked in international education since her high school years.
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