Your Guide To Landing A Job

Guide to Landing a Job

Internships are particularly helpful when it comes to gaining experience and honing an employee’s skills. There is no way around them in life, especially if you are a college student. Internships help to shape personalities, work ethics and habits for the future. It helps cement how much further more schooling or actual industry experience is needed.

With the global job market becoming increasingly competitive, employees need to acquire as many skills and experience as possible. Internships are temporary positions that college students often pursue to differentiate themselves from the pool of job candidates. The National Association for Colleges & Employers (NACE) reports that more than 91% of employers prefer applicants that have work experience. The majority of this group prefers industry-specific internships over volunteer work.

The value of relevant work experience to employers and graduate schools is understood by colleges and universities. They offer career counseling and placement services, and often require students to complete an internship as a requirement for their degree. An internship offers the opportunity for hands-on learning in a real-world setting, allowing you to build relationships with peers, industry experts, and potential employers.

This guide contains information to assist you in finding and completing internships. You’ll gain insight into the application process and learn about intern responsibilities. Additionally, the guide provides tips on how to maximize your gains while working as an intern.


Your Guide To Internships

While the U.S. jobs market has experienced noticeable improvement since the Great Recession of the 2000s, most college graduates still fail to find jobs in their fields. The Economic Policy Institute reported that the underemployment rate — which includes part-time workers seeking full-time employment and workers whose qualifications exceeded the requirements for their current job — was 11.1% in 2018. For perspective, the rate was 9.4% in 2007 and 6.9% in 2000.

Whether you take paid or unpaid internships, these experiences will enhance your resume/CV and help you attain a position that pays well and is relevant to your degree. The following sections detail four major benefits of internships.



Benefits of Internships

While the U.S. jobs market has experienced noticeable improvement since the Great Recession of the 2000s, most college graduates still fail to find jobs in their fields. The Economic Policy Institute reported that the underemployment rate — which includes part-time workers seeking full-time employment and workers whose qualifications exceeded the requirements for their current job — was 11.1% in 2018. For perspective, the rate was 9.4% in 2007 and 6.9% in 2000.

Whether you take paid or unpaid internships, these experiences will enhance your resume/CV and help you attain a position that pays well and is relevant to your degree. The following sections detail four major benefits of internships.



What To Consider When Searching For Internships?

If you’re considering an internship, you’re probably curious about the different types and how internships fit into your overall career path. The first thing to think about is why you want an internship. Do you want a practical experience or elective credit? Are you interested in a semester-long program, a single summer or both? These questions will help define your search before you begin applying for programs.

Internships can give you the opportunity to explore a potential career path and get valuable experience, so it’s important to choose a program that fits your needs. There are several internship types based on duration, location, funding and whether credit is available for the experience. If you’re unsure whether to pursue an internship, weigh both the benefits and drawbacks of a program that is offered.

The best way to find internships is first, by searching through job databases, online applications and company websites. If an internship doesn’t appear to be a good fit for you, or if your schedule won’t allow you time to do an extracurricular activity, don’t worry — you may still be able to get the skills and experience you need from a co-op course or job shadowing .

In the following sections we will cover additional attributes to take into consideration when searching for an internship.

The traditional, in-person internship is representative of the path to take for most students. They offer hands-on training and the opportunity to use your new skills in a real-world setting. However, with the rise of collaborative software and telecommunication platforms, remote internships are on the rise. As the name suggests, remote interns work through a virtual platform and connect with colleagues and supervisors via email, phone calls, and conferencing programs like Google Hangouts, Slack, and Skype.

In a traditional internship, you live in an unfamiliar city and are provided housing, meals, and transportation. While this may seem like the ideal internship, it’s not the only option. Remote internships allow you to gain professional experience without having to move away from home and develop career-relevant skills without breaking your bank.

With a remote internship, you can gain experiences that are career-relevant, so you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when you graduate. These skills will look great on your resume and are often transferable to any company. Plus, if you’re going after an entry level position, it’s helpful to have some hands-on experience because it helps your resume stand out.

Working remotely for an internship can have its advantages because you’re not tethered to a particular office location. But the lack of office community that comes with an internship can be a potential disadvantage.

Where To Search for Internships?

Many students consider internships during their first or third year of university. Therefore, you should begin your search early and use every resource to find the perfect internship. Seek the support of friends, peers, mentors, and family. A number of resources are available at universities and colleges, including counseling services and internship fairs. Websites are a major source of internships, particularly for remote positions and international opportunities.

Searching for the perfect internship involves a significant amount of research. This is particularly true if you’re looking for remote positions or internships in foreign countries. Internships can be found through a multitude of resources. To find the best internship possible, there are many websites and other resources you should utilize throughout your search. If you begin early, gather support from others, and explore all potential resources, you will greatly increase your chances of landing the right internship for you.

In the following sections, we will explore these internship search tools in more detail.

Internship Application Tips

Just like any other job, acquiring an internship requires you to plan and navigate the application process carefully. In the following four sections, information on how to apply is provided. You will also learn to boost the effectiveness of your resume and cover letter by emphasizing transferable skills and relevant accomplishments. These aspects are important especially to first-time interns who may not have industry-specific skills and experience. Finally, you’ll gain insight into the interview process.

How To Succeed As An Intern

While internships are primarily for students’ benefit, they need to generate value for employers as well. The remaining chapters shed more light on the strategies you can apply to optimize your performance and build a strong foundation for future opportunities.

The transition period before the internship begins should be used to become familiar with the company culture and policy. Make sure you ask as many questions as possible. There is friendly competition in all work settings, but supervisors, personnel, and other interns generally welcome inquiries and offer guidance wherever possible.

In addition to formal introductions, you should socialize with your colleagues as needed to foster camaraderie. Work friendships can help you succeed in your internship while also laying the groundwork for future career entry and advancement. Work friendships can be formed by completing your own tasks and assisting others with theirs. At the same time, your coworkers will regard you as helpful, hardworking, and trustworthy.

One very important aspect of a successful internship program is the development of work friendships with both colleagues and supervisors. These relationships will allow you to develop expertise that will assist you in the future. You should engage in social exchanges at appropriate times, such as after work or on breaks, and make an effort to develop friendships.

Attend every social and networking event that your organization organizes. Pursue mentorships, which frequently emerge from working relationships between interns and their colleagues/supervisors. Concentrate your efforts on those who have a vested interest in your success. Invite potential mentors to coffee or lunch (while maintaining workplace propriety). For more tips on cultivating a lasting mentorship, check out this networking guide.