Find Internships

You have decided that you want to find internships that will help you get into college or even land a job after college graduation. The first thing to do is talk to your guidance counselor or advisor. They will often have internship leads that others may not be privy to. They will also often hold back the best internships for students that show a genuine interest in certain fields.

The next route to go is internship job boards. Just as there are job websites for professionals seeking work, there are also networks for students who are trying to find internships. These networks will have postings from the businesses for the exact characteristics that they are seeking in a student. If you fit the bill, throw your name into the hat.

Finally, contact a company that you are interested in if you do not see anything posted. Some companies do not advertise positions, but like to have students reach out to them to show initiative. This way, they know they are getting candidates that truly want to work for them.

When you have figured out who you want to work for, it is time to woo the employer. Since most students have little to no work experience, your internship cover letter is how you must sell yourself to the business. This cover letter will be a bit different from standard cover letters in that it should not be a template, but should offer a little more insight as to why you feel you are the best choice for the position. Keep it short, but also provide enough information that the employer will pick up that phone and set up an interview.

This is something that will pay off many times over. The best interviewees are the individuals that practice. Again, put your counselor or advisor to work and have them practice interview you. Put together a list of questions on a legal pad that you can ask when you are in the interview. This tip specifically will pay off in that employers will see that you are prepared. Check off your questions one by one and make sure you get every question answered that you have about the position.

You are also going to want to make sure you dress professionally. If you do not have a suit, try to borrow a coat that fits to offer a professional appearance. Make no mistake about it, this is an audition and first impressions mean everything. Show up looking like a slob and your answers will mean nothing to the interviewer. Approach this interview as though your entire professional career rides on it, because it just may.

When looking to find internships, a student needs to put their best foot forward and treat it like a true job. They are great experience in just about every facet of the job hunt that you will have to go through upon graduation from college. Take the search seriously, act like a professional, be prepared and you just might find yourself with multiple internship offers to choose from.

Find Internships