It is never too late to think about a job as an intern, even if you’re still at college. Why? Why? Because there is more competition in the job market, making it is harder for new graduates to find work, even if they are in exciting fields like engineering. Employers are searching for people who have experience, and you won’t have much if you just graduated with your degree. An internship can be a great way for you to gain relevant experience and increase your chances of being invited to interview for a job. These are nine key pieces of advice to help you choose the right internship.
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Find out more about the Companies
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If I was about to graduate college, I would do my homework and research the companies I wanted to intern with before I made a decision. You should do more than just browse the company website. You should learn more about the company, its products, market position, plans, and the types of people they are looking for. You will be able not only to determine if you are interested in working at such a company but also to customize your resume to suit their needs.
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Do not focus on money
Although it is nice to get a paid internship, you should not let money dictate your decision. Focus on companies that offer experience and those that are open to hiring new employees. Because you know the company well and have done well in your internship, they will be more likely to hire you for new employees.
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Find companies where you can gain experience
Many students are tempted to take on the role of interns in big companies. Remember that your main goal in landing an internship is to gain experience. You might choose a smaller company that will allow you to grow your skills and meet people from your industry.
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Show initiative
Internships are something you might be interested in, but the company doesn’t allow interns. This shouldn’t discourage you from applying. Even though they don’t have interns on their payroll, the fact that you sent them your cover letter and resume shows initiative. It’s hard to find a company that doesn’t need people who are passionate about their work.
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Showcase Your Hobbies and Projects
When applying for an internship in engineering, be sure to list relevant projects that you completed in college as well as any work you did in your spare time. You can tell them about an app that you’ve built, contributions to open-source projects, or websites you have created. All of these are possible, even if they were not part of your curriculum.
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Get involved in networking
You can attend networking events, meet executives in your industry, and also contact your college mentors and advisors to see if they can help you connect with someone looking for interns. You can also talk to former classmates and colleagues from student organizations to find out how they got their internships. Get out there and build your network.
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Make a detailed LinkedIn profile
LinkedIn boasts over 400 million members. This is an impressive number and something you should keep in mind when searching for a job. You can use LinkedIn to contact your alumni and friends, as well as to keep in touch with people you’ve met in person. You might find someone within their network that you can reach out to. LinkedIn also allows you to share more information about yourself than your typical resume. This gives you a better chance of attracting recruiters’ attention.
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Get ready for your interview
You should not only dress appropriately and arrive on time, but you should also think about the questions that you might ask. You could ask questions about the company’s goals and products, and what their expectations are of you. This will make you appear to be interested in the company. You can also expect to be asked questions that aren’t necessarily related to your internship, such as about your five-year goals.
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Ask about a Full-Time Position
This will let recruiters know that you are interested in the company even though they may not be hiring right now. If they are pleased with your performance, there is always the possibility they will create a position for you or hire you full-time.
You don’t have to stress about your internship. Nobody expects you to be perfect. Your internship is meant to give you valuable experience that will lead you to a job. These 9 tips will help you get there. Good luck!