There can be a lot of competition when it comes to landing an internship, whether paid or volunteer. They can improve your chances of landing your dream job, give you invaluable experiences, and get your foot in the door with the employer you’re doing the internship with.
It’s important to look at an internship as a job or potential career. After all, the process of securing an internship is similar to landing a job. Just like any job, there is a process to getting hired. You to want catch an employer’s attention so you’re more likely to land temporary positions like internships.
Let’s look at 3 tips to scoring your prized internship.
Keep an Eye Out for Non-Summer Internships
Many companies are looking to fill internships needs year round. They aren’t limited to the summer. Internship terms (summer, fall, spring, etc.) can usually be found on the company’s website. If not, inquire about opportunities. Even volunteering to do a free internship with an employer who doesn’t have an internship program in place can get you where you want to be.
In addition, there are a lot of online opportunities for internship jobs. For opportunities that aren’t near where you live, you can still gain valuable work experience by working remotely from home. Be creative and proactive.
Related: 5 Ways to Land a Temp Job
Use All Your Experiences
When filling out internship applications and creating your resume, think outside the box. Experience isn’t limited to the jobs you’ve had, especially if you’ve never had a job. Volunteer work, extracurricular activities, course work, and unrelated jobs can be used to show off your desired skills and qualifications.
Employers have low expectations for interns compared to their employees. Make an impression by showcasing your skills and work experience in every form. Be sure to highlight the top 3 skills and qualifications they’re looking for.
End with a Thank You
Treat the internship process like you’re applying for a job. After you’ve been interviewed, follow up with a thank you. Hand-write a note and send it out in the mail. It shows you’re willing to put more effort in to the things you do.
It also shows employers you’re really interested in the job, you’re proactive, and you’re professional. Plus, it’ll keep you on their mind. You want to stand out from the sea of applicants they’ve interviewed.
Looking for internships? Sign up to connect with employers looking to fill freelancing, consulting, and temporary positions.