How to Land a Competitive Internship

Landing a competitive internship looks good on the resume.

Landing a competitive internship is an accomplishment that often leads to company perks, career benefits and increased job opportunities. Due to the many benefits associated with internships, students often find competition is fierce even for unpaid internships. The most competitive internships are usually with organizations that have the reputation of being an industry leader, provide interns with important networking opportunities, cover intern living expenses or offer substantial work experience. The rewards of securing a competitive internship make it worth the challenge and can mean having to compete less later on, when seeking employment.

Instructions

1. Apply to internships that have previously accepted other students from your school. Organizations will be more familiar with your program of study and school, because they have met other students who have the same preparation.

2. Research internship opportunities and find multiple ones that interest you. Since internships can be quite competitive, it is important that you apply to more than one to increase your chance of getting one. Seek intern positions that are a good match with your qualifications and career goals.

3. Ask your program's staff or your school's career service department for advice in getting a competitive internship. They are excellent resources and can provide helpful tips that worked for previous students. Schools and programs often have relationships with organizations that offer internships that can benefit you.

4. Apply for internships early. Most internships have deadlines and require a lot of paperwork during the application process. Students seeking competitive internships should prepare for the application process similarly to how they prepared for college.

5. Prepare for the interview process thoroughly. Research the organization and the intern position. Put into words why you are a match for the position. Be prepared to sell yourself for the position, using selling points that you can back with evidence (such as excellent grades or leadership roles).

6. Incorporate some strategy in the search process. Find out who the recruiters are for internships at organizations you are interested in and contact them personally. Solicit opportunities by email, sending emails out late at night, so your message will be one of the first in the recruiter's inbox in the morning. Ask for help from friends and family.

7. Intern in the spring or fall semester instead of summer. Summer internships can be the most competitive, because more students compete for them since most students have the summer free. Fewer students take time off during the semester for internships, making for better odds.

References

• Internshipfinder.com: When to Intern - Academic Year and Summer Internships
• Studentbank.com: Look for College Internships
• Fox News; Internships Becoming So Competitive That Students Paying Thousands for Placement; Shelby Holliday; May 2009
• Antoinemoss.com; Who's Interning Like a CEO Testimonial; Rebecca Tran
• Investopedia; Internships: Find the Best One For You; Jonas Elmerraji; June 2011
• Fox Business-College Planning; Internships are Important, But How Do You Land One?; Emily Driscoll; January 2011