7 answers
Aiden
Student
Locust Grove, Georgia
3
Questions
Asked
1031 views
What is the best way to get an internship?
I understand internships often lead to great careers. However, I also understand landing an internship isn't the easiest thing in the world. How should I 'stand out' as a student looking for an internship, compared to other students (or even graduates) looking for an internship?
#Intern #Career #Student
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7 answers
Jonny Petsch
CMAAS (Capital Markets Accounting Advisory Services) Intern
1
Answer
Austin, Texas
Updated
Jonny’s Answer
There are a variety of paths towards accepting a great internship role. Employers and companies want to see if you're passionate and intentional about working within a specific group or practice at the firm. From a recruitment standpoint, I suggest networking with employees from the company through on-campus events or even reaching out through LinkedIn for a quick phone call. In order to stand out from other students, I recommend getting involved on campus in organizations that you are truly passionate about. As you progress throughout your college career, don't be afraid to take on leadership roles in your extracurricular activities. Lastly, develop strong friendships with your classmates and relationships with your professors. They are there to help you along your career path and can give great advice on what to do specifically in order to achieve your goals.
Jessi Batterman
Intern
1
Answer
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Jessi’s Answer
I think the best way to stand out during an interview for an internship is to have real-experience and "stories" to talk about when asked questions. The best way to gain these experiences is to get involved in an organization you're passionate about and eventually hold a leadership position. That way, the interviewer can see how you progressed through the organization and it will give you real situations to discuss with them. You don't have to be involved in a million different things, but find an organization you love and can improve and make a difference in while you're a part of it. Also, be able to hold a conversation and come prepared with questions to ask them!
Ian Liu
Student/Intern
5
Answers
Middletown, New York
Updated
Ian’s Answer
I think the internship application process can be divided up into 3 parts: searching, applying, interviewing.
To be accepted to an internship, you'll need to be able to do these 3 parts decently well to even be considered.
TLDR;
Searching: use multiple methods to find jobs, apply to a variety of companies (don't put all eggs in one basket), job descriptions/requirements are not always accurate
Applying: good resumes are so important, don't just apply via one channel, be proactive, use application autofillers to save time, apply early, make sure resumes are tailored for the job,
Interviewing: tell your own story, be prepared for the questions that come up, show your interest and ambition, show them how they can benefit by hiring you
1. Searching
You won't be able to apply if you don't even know about the job/company.
The ways to know about a job/company are through: career fairs, online platforms/websites, friends/families.
Internship job search platforms: Google job alerts, LinkedIn, Handshake, Monster, Indeed, Glassdoor.
Internship companies: https://www.nationalinternday.com/top100-2021
Reddit
The idea here is to not just search for jobs at big companies, and not just search for startups. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Sometimes, you may not entirely meet the internship requirements, but you should apply anyway. The 2 offers I got this summer were both very different from the their initial job descriptions, and sometimes recruiters just copy and paste job descriptions.
2. Applying
I recommend using an application autofiller such as Simplify (https://simplify.jobs/) which can speed up the process a lot. However, please don't spam applications like I did, at most apply to 10 positions from the same company. Sometimes recruiters manage multiple positions, and seeing your resume pop up in every position will only make you seem like you don't know what you're doing.
Apply through a variety of ways. There's cold-emailing/LinkedIn direct messages, referrals, company career site applications.
Sometimes LinkedIn is so saturated that it's hard to get a position. What you can do is use LinkedIn as a "company discoverer" if you will and go directly to their website to apply or find their email there.
Be proactive. If you don't hear back in a long time, it's your job to reach out, NOT theirs.
Apply early. Start fixing up your resume in August or July so you can start applying September or October, a few applications a week.
When applying, make sure your resume is tailored to the position that you are applying to. Remove irrelevant experiences (ex. applying for SWE but including Girls Scouts volunteer as a job experience may not help you) if they don't show who you are. Alter your word choice and syntax to match closer to the job description so that the bots won't automatically filter you out.
I would say the most important part of the application is the resume, and the most important part of the resume is the previous experiences you've had (or your projects, if you don't have any previous experience). This article here helped me tremendously: https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/google-recruiters-say-these-5-resume-tips-including-x-y-z-formula-will-improve-your-odds-of-getting-hired-at-google.html
3. Interviewing
Depending on your role, the interviews will vary from behavioral to whiteboard sessions. If you're in a tech internship, make sure you do the proper preparation (like LeetCode, company specific questions posted online, etc.) The most important part of the interview is for you to tell your own story, show them your ambition, and make them feel that you are interested in them.
They need to feel that hiring you will bring value to their company, so show them that you can.
Good luck!
To be accepted to an internship, you'll need to be able to do these 3 parts decently well to even be considered.
TLDR;
Searching: use multiple methods to find jobs, apply to a variety of companies (don't put all eggs in one basket), job descriptions/requirements are not always accurate
Applying: good resumes are so important, don't just apply via one channel, be proactive, use application autofillers to save time, apply early, make sure resumes are tailored for the job,
Interviewing: tell your own story, be prepared for the questions that come up, show your interest and ambition, show them how they can benefit by hiring you
1. Searching
You won't be able to apply if you don't even know about the job/company.
The ways to know about a job/company are through: career fairs, online platforms/websites, friends/families.
Internship job search platforms: Google job alerts, LinkedIn, Handshake, Monster, Indeed, Glassdoor.
Internship companies: https://www.nationalinternday.com/top100-2021
The idea here is to not just search for jobs at big companies, and not just search for startups. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Sometimes, you may not entirely meet the internship requirements, but you should apply anyway. The 2 offers I got this summer were both very different from the their initial job descriptions, and sometimes recruiters just copy and paste job descriptions.
2. Applying
I recommend using an application autofiller such as Simplify (https://simplify.jobs/) which can speed up the process a lot. However, please don't spam applications like I did, at most apply to 10 positions from the same company. Sometimes recruiters manage multiple positions, and seeing your resume pop up in every position will only make you seem like you don't know what you're doing.
Apply through a variety of ways. There's cold-emailing/LinkedIn direct messages, referrals, company career site applications.
Sometimes LinkedIn is so saturated that it's hard to get a position. What you can do is use LinkedIn as a "company discoverer" if you will and go directly to their website to apply or find their email there.
Be proactive. If you don't hear back in a long time, it's your job to reach out, NOT theirs.
Apply early. Start fixing up your resume in August or July so you can start applying September or October, a few applications a week.
When applying, make sure your resume is tailored to the position that you are applying to. Remove irrelevant experiences (ex. applying for SWE but including Girls Scouts volunteer as a job experience may not help you) if they don't show who you are. Alter your word choice and syntax to match closer to the job description so that the bots won't automatically filter you out.
I would say the most important part of the application is the resume, and the most important part of the resume is the previous experiences you've had (or your projects, if you don't have any previous experience). This article here helped me tremendously: https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/google-recruiters-say-these-5-resume-tips-including-x-y-z-formula-will-improve-your-odds-of-getting-hired-at-google.html
3. Interviewing
Depending on your role, the interviews will vary from behavioral to whiteboard sessions. If you're in a tech internship, make sure you do the proper preparation (like LeetCode, company specific questions posted online, etc.) The most important part of the interview is for you to tell your own story, show them your ambition, and make them feel that you are interested in them.
They need to feel that hiring you will bring value to their company, so show them that you can.
Good luck!
Susan Arford
Director, Product Management
3
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Susan’s Answer
For some internships your current GPA really matters. Make sure you conduct yourself well in the interview process. Be prepared. Research types of interview questions you might be asked and practice with friends on how to interview. Research the company and have questions prepared. Your resume should include your experience but in a way that relates to a career. For example. If you are a leader of a club or team-how does that experience relate to teamwork, leadership, etc.
Keep an open mind for type of work and pay to get the "real world" experience. You will not be doing the work of more experienced full time employee but treat everything as a learning experience.
Keep an open mind for type of work and pay to get the "real world" experience. You will not be doing the work of more experienced full time employee but treat everything as a learning experience.
Gina Ringer
National Account Manager
114
Answers
Wheaton, Illinois
Updated
Gina’s Answer
Hello-- Here are a few suggestions and be sure to start your search earlier than you planned:
Identify your career interests--( Decide what you want to do, but don't worry about being overly specific)
Network
Check online resources
Attend career fairs
Contact Employers you're interested in working for and contact them directly
Identify your career interests--( Decide what you want to do, but don't worry about being overly specific)
Network
Check online resources
Attend career fairs
Contact Employers you're interested in working for and contact them directly
Shruti Tandon
39
Answers
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Updated
Shruti’s Answer
Hi!
I think the best way to get an internship is to network. Networking through LinkedIn and through various people you know in your major or field is key. People who you network with can potentially become mentors and can fight for your application in the recruiting process. Other than that, stay updated with jobs posted on various job platforms such as LinkedIn and Handshake if your school has one. Also remember that this is a tough process and do not give up.
I think the best way to get an internship is to network. Networking through LinkedIn and through various people you know in your major or field is key. People who you network with can potentially become mentors and can fight for your application in the recruiting process. Other than that, stay updated with jobs posted on various job platforms such as LinkedIn and Handshake if your school has one. Also remember that this is a tough process and do not give up.
Yasmine Agyekum
Human Resources Generalist
7
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Yasmine’s Answer
Great question! As someone who graduated Spring 2020, I can agree that obtaining an internship is not easy. It's all about how you market yourself. The company could find any undergrad or graduate student, but why should it be you? My advice - take every opportunity you can. Join student organizations, be apart of any events they host where they bring members of companies or industries you're interested in. Social media is so important these days. Make sure your LinkedIn is updated and you're active. Post when you work a student org event, volunteer in your community, win an award. Research the companies or industries you're interested in and connect with their university recruiters. Networking is extremely important for getting an internship, it pays off to know people.