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.

Internships are a great way to gain valuable hands-on experience of working with other professionals, develop your hard and soft skills, network and explore different career paths available to you.

Among other things, you can expect to gain:

• Real-world experience
• A strengthened resume or CV
• Opportunities to build a robust network
• Guidance from industry experts
• Academic credits or allowances (subject to availability)

How to choose the right internship for you

There are tons of things to consider when choosing the right companies to apply for. Before we helve into how to find an internship, let's first look at different types of internships that are out there.

Different types of internships abroad

Paid vs unpaid internships

Is an unpaid internship worth it?

If you can afford to live and study without relying on a pay-check, it may be a good option for you.

Unpaid internships will give you hands-on work experience, skills within the field you're looking to develop, and networking opportunities.

What's more, the company may decide to hire you after the internship - many companies use internships to find new talent.

Upgrade 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 of a net as possible when it comes to 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, than a plethora of general ones.

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 next to no effort in researching the company and tailoring your resume/cover letter to the position they're advertising.

Part 1: The general structure of your internship resume

Before we get into the details of how to optimize your resume, here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to the general structure:

• The resume should be maximum one page long.
• It should be simple and easy to read. A basic one-column resume will suffice in most cases. The only exception is if you're applying for a designer internship, in which case you should use your resume/CV to showcase your design acumen.
• The resume should be structured in reverse chronological order - the most recent work experience/education should be listed first.
• Any relevant work experience should be at the top, above graduation. If you're fresh out of university, and have no (relevant) work experience, your education should be at the top of the resume.
• Don't add a photo of yourself unless they ask for it specifically. This will also depend on the country you live in, and what the custom is there.
• Always submit your resume/CV as a PDF document.

Here's an example how it should look:

Part 2: What to include in your resume

Education section

• If your education is relevant to the internship you're applying for, list the courses and skills relevant to the tasks you'd be doing as an intern.
• If you've worked on projects relevant to your internship during your studies, make sure to link to them directly from your resume/CV. Don't count on the recruiter manually typing out the URL of your portfolio.
• Add any extra relevant courses or certifications you've completed to the education sector. It shows forward-thinking and commitment from your end.

Work experience section

• When crafting your Work Experience section, approach is as a highlight section, not "list every task you've done" section. Choose the three most impactful things you've done in your previous roles, and explain what results they accomplished.
• Each work experience should have 2-3 bullet points explaining what you did and the impact that work had.
• Each bullet point should start with an action word (i.e., designed, executed, created, launched...).
• Try to use a number or another quantitative method to support your impact statement.
• Your bullet-points should highlight skills and achievements that are easily transferrable to your job.

Example: Developed a customer relationship management system that increased customer retention rates by 20%.

Skills section

• The skills section should include any hard or soft skills that are relevant to the internship.
• Keep a lookout for the technologies, software, or other skills that are listed in the internship ad, and spell them exactly like they did - this is to make sure that your application passes any ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) the company is using.

How to write a 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.

They understand that presenting yourself well in a resume is hard, but if you can communicate clearly why you'd be a good fit for the internship through your cover letter, they'll certainly be interested in you.

Here are some internship cover letter do's and don'ts.

Now we'll delve into the specifics of how to write a cover letter for an internship. This is the general structure you want to follow:

Introduction

Don't make the introduction too long. It should be maximum 2-3 short sentences. You only have a few seconds to capture your recruiter's attention, and it's good to get into the main point of the letter as soon as possible.

Example: I am writing to express my interest in the [Internship title] Internship position at [Company Name]. I believe I am a great fit for this role due to my knowledge and skills in [mention a few relevant skills].

Body

• 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 another 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!

As mentioned above, you should always give an example of where you used the particular skills you mentioned.

Don't be afraid to use formatting options like bold, italics or bullet points to highlight your arguments! Recruiters read dozens, hundreds and sometimes even thousands of applications, and all those words on the screen get blurred together after a while - so they'd appreciate you taking the extra time to make your letter easier on the eyes.

Conclusion

• The conclusion of your cover letter should summarize all the points you outlined in the body, and connect them to why you're the right choice.
• It should be 2-3 sentences long.
• End your cover letter with something simple like "Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you."

Here's an easy-to-follow internship cover letter template:

To wrap up this section, here are a few extra general internship cover letter tips to keep in mind:

• The tone of your internship cover letter should be formal. This means that you shouldn't use contracted forms (i.e. "doesn't" or "you're"), and that you should avoid any colloquialisms.
• There should be no grammatical mistakes or spelling errors in your letter. You can use a tool like Grammarly to spell-check your writing.
• Assume that the recruiter has zero time or interest to look over your application. Make it super easy for them to skim everything and find the most important information easily.
• Consider bolding key phrases or highlights in your cover letter.
• Depending on the recruitment platform the company is using, you may need to copy-paste the text you've written in a separate document into a text box. If this is the case, take a few extra seconds to make sure that the paragraphs and formatting are still correct! Applicants sometimes ignore this fact, and the end result looks like a wall of text on the recruiter's side. Some of them may not mind, but there's no reason to even risk it.

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:

• Connect with university alumni who have carved a niche in your field of interest. These individuals can offer firsthand insights and even refer you to potential opportunities.
• 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. Ask them if they're working on any research or industry projects, and if you could help them.
• 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 professioanls, 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 to amplify your knowledge and network.

There are many ways to find events like this:

• You can use online platforms such as Facebook, Meetup, Eventbrite, and others to sign up.
• Big industry names usually host free events and webinars where people can network. You can sign up via their website, or subscribe to their newsletter for any relevant event updates.
• Your educational institution may be organizing events where you can meet professionals and industry experts.
• Engaging with industry LinkedIn groups and participating in relevant discussions can enhance your visibility, making it easier for potential employers to notice you.

Participating actively in these events not only broadens your understanding of the latest trends but also puts you in touch with professionals who can guide you on how to get an internship that aligns with your career goals.

Leverage online networking platforms

Online platforms, especially LinkedIn, are indispensable tools in your quest on how to get an internship. Craft a compelling LinkedIn profile that showcases your academic milestones and noteworthy projects, and start engaging in discussions that are relevant to your career and interests.

Don't be afraid to follow up

Following up every fruitful interaction with a thank-you message or email not only reflects your etiquette but also fosters a positive relationship with your connections.

Keeping in touch with periodic updates can sustain these professional relationships, paving the way for future opportunities.

Lastly, if you already discussed the possibility of getting an internship, but the person never got back to you - don't be afraid to follow up and ask for an update! Worst case scenario is that they don't have an opportunity right now, and the best case scenario is that they simply forgot to reach out to you, and you've landed a position!

Nailing your internship interview

So you've passed the first stage of the application successfully, and it's now time to talk to the company recruiters face-to-face.

Internship interviews can be quite intimidating for many students. 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

Begin your journey with detailed research about the company.

You should already have a vague idea of their industry and general product/services they offer. Now you need to dig deeper.

Understand the core values, mission, and recent developments of the company - not only will this give you valuable insights but it also demonstrates your sincere interest in being a part of their team. Tailor your responses to reflect that you are in sync with their corporate culture.

This strategic approach is sure to set the stage right for a positive interview experience.

Step 2: Dress to match the company culture

Your attire plays a significant role in carving the first impression. Select an outfit that resonates with the company's culture and reflects your professional attitude.

What you should be wearing will depend on the company and their industry - an IT startup will most likely have a more leisurely approach to attire than a law firm.

Bottom line - a neat and polished appearance can be your silent ambassador.

Step 3: Prepare well

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 company, and other roles may involve completing a technical interview and answering industry-specific questions.

In either case, research what the standards are in your country, industry and at the company, and prepare yourself well.

Among other things, you should also 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

If your interview is online, you should make sure that:

• All your devices are working properly ahead of the interview
• Your internet connection is stable
• Your camera and microphone are on and not choppy
• The company website is open (this is helpful in case they ask any specifics about their mission/values/ongoing projects to check if you've done your research)
• Your resume, cover letter and portfolio are open and ready for use
• Your desktop is clear and presentable (in case you need to share your screen)
• The background of your video is not messy

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, you should be golden. Take a deep breath, smile and simply respond to questions in a clear and concise way. If you need to think about the answer, verbalize that - recruiters and HR professionals understand that this is a stressful situation for you, and they'll be okay with you taking a second to craft your response.

Complement your verbal communication with non-verbal cues such as maintaining eye contact and projecting a warm, confident demeanor, to create a lasting positive impact.

Step 5: Engage enthusiastically and ask questions

As for the exact questions that you may be asked, there's no universal answer, but here are a few examples of the most commonly asked interview questions:

• Tell me a bit about yourself.
• Why are you interested in this internship/company/industry, and what skills or experiences do you hope to gain from this internship?
• Walk me through a project you've worked on in the past - what went well, and what would you have done differently?
• Is there a particular project you're proud of? Why?
• Do you have any questions about the company or the internship?

Remember that interviews are a two-way street! You're interviewing the company just as they're interviewing you. What's more, asking questions not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals that you are geared to extract the maximum value from the internship opportunity.

Here are some 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 that 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 suceed?
• 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!

Read more about getting an internship:

• What You Can Gain from Work Experience Before Master’s Studies
• How To Write a Cover Letter For an Internship
• Four Tips for Balancing Your Master’s Thesis and an Internship
• Networking Skills for Students