ByInternships are very important for students and fresh graduates to get a practical understanding in the chosen career.
Developing an outstanding internship application takes more than just a keen eye for detail. This needs an element of yourself embedded within, a lot of attention to specifics, and strategy.
This guide takes you through all mandatory steps so that your application can stand out.
1. Understanding the Company and Role
The initial step in writing a robust internship application is getting to know the company and position to which it is hiring. This can be done by:
- Visiting the company website to find out about the values, mission, and recent projects. -. Go through job descriptions and take note of specific qualifications and skills required. -. Follow its social media accounts to keep up with the latest news and updates of the company.
Pro-tip: Aim to align your skills and past experiences with the company’s needs and requirements. This alignment will indicate that you are a well-suited candidate.
2. Tailor Your Resume
Make a lasting impression with your resume since it is often the first one people see. You can prepare it for an internship by doing the following:
- Contact Information: Make sure your contact details are current and correct.
- Objective Statement: Clearly articulate your career goals and how they synchronize with the internship.
- Education: Emphasize relevant courses, projects, and academic accomplishments.
- Experience: List experiences from previous jobs, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities that are pertinent.
- Skills: Highlight skills that are relevant to the internship you’re applying for.
Pro-tip: Use dynamic action verbs to describe your achievements.
An instance is opting to say, “Managed social media channels, increasing engagement by 20 percent” in place of “Responsible for managing social media.”.
3. Write a Compelling Cover Letter
Your cover letter outlines what makes you qualified for the internship. It should also show how excited you are to be considered for that opportunity. Your cover letter should be divided into three main sections.
- Introduction: Introduce yourself and express your interest in the internship opportunity.
- Body: Explain why you are passionate about the role and how your skills and experiences make you an ideal fit, offering specific examples.
- Closing: Reiterate your interest and express your willingness to discuss your application in further detail during an interview.
Pro-tip: Keep your cover letter concise, yet specific. Personalize it for every application to avoid sounding generic.
4. Gather Strong References
Strong references can significantly bolster your application. Choose individuals who can vouch for your abilities and work ethic:
- Academic References: Professors or academic advisors well-acquainted with your work.
- Professional References: Former employers or colleagues.
- Personal References: Mentors who can speak to your professional growth.
Pro-tip: Always ask for permission before listing someone as a reference, and provide them with some background about the internship so they can tailor their recommendation.
5. Highlight Relevant Projects
Mention in your cover letter and resume any internship-related projects. Explain by using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result):
- Situation: Describe the context within which the project was carried out.
- Task: Explain the specific responsibilities you held.
- Action: Detail the steps you took to complete the task.
- Result: Share the outcome of your project, quantifying the results wherever possible.
Pro-tip: Relate these projects to the skills listed in the internship description to demonstrate your relevancy.
6. Showcase Soft Skills
Employers highly value soft skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and communication.
Highlight examples where you’ve demonstrated these abilities:
- Communication: Instances where effective communication led to project success.
- Teamwork: Projects or activities where collaborative effort was key.
- Problem-solving: Situations where you overcame challenges through innovative solutions.
Pro-tip: Use real-life examples to illustrate these skills, rather than simply listing them.
7. Craft a Professional Online Presence
Because many employers are checking the backgrounds of applicants online, a professional online presence must be maintained.
- LinkedIn: Keep your profile updated, complete, and polished.
- Social Media: Remove any content that could be perceived as unprofessional.
- Portfolio: If applicable, maintain an online portfolio that showcases your work and achievements.
Pro-tip: Utilize keywords and phrases that reflect your skills and experiences to enhance your online visibility.
8. Follow Instructions to the Letter
Failure to adhere to the application instructions can result in instant disqualification.
Make sure you:
- Submit all the required documents in the specified format.
- Adhere to any specific instructions regarding the application process.
- Meet all given deadlines.
Pro-tip: Double-check your application before submitting it to ensure there are no errors or omissions.
9. Prepare for Potential Interviews
Preparation for an interview is as vital as the right job application.
Ensure you are ready by:
- Reviewing common internship interview questions.
- running through your answers with a coach or pal.
- drafting a list of questions to ask the interviewer about the position and the company.
Pro-tip: Dress appropriately for the interview and ensure you arrive on time.
10. Proofread and Edit
Read over all of your application one more time before you submit it. Here are some tips to make sure that your application is perfect:.
- Proofread: Look for spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes.
- Edit: Ensure the content is clear, concise, and well-organized.
- Seek Feedback: Have someone else review your application to catch any issues you might have overlooked.
Pro-tip: Utilize tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor for an additional layer of proofreading and editing.
Conclusion
Developing an internship application that wins is very laborious and detail-specific. Applying a high degree of thoroughness to these steps will produce an application strong enough to make a real difference in helping you land your dream internship.
