How to choose the right internship?
Choosing an internship requires taking into account some important factors. You're probably going to be working for several months and this will be marked on your CV, so you have to be careful with your choices! So, how do you choose the right internship?
The purpose of an internship
The internship (whether you are a student or not) is an interesting experience, which allows you to know what you want to do when you grow up! Being an intern is the opportunity to learn about a field that interests you (marketing, communication, publishing, cooking, medicine, etc.), while getting new skills to add to your CV. This first step towards the world of work can also allow you to expand your network of contacts! Finally, it's a way to get to know each other better.
What criteria should you keep in mind?
Looking Ahead
First of all, we have to think about the future! When choosing your internship, you obviously have to ask yourself what it can bring you in the future. Is there the possibility of getting a permanent contract in this company later? Will the experience gained allow you to stand out in certain areas? In short, think about what it can do for you in the long run, so that this internship is as useful as possible.
Expected tasks
Then, it is essential to know (and understand!) the tasks you will have to do during your internship. The question to ask yourself is: what will my supervisor expect from me? After all, after your internship, you'll write all of these assignments on your resume. So make sure that these are missions that suit you, your skills and, above all, your future aspirations !
The team
And let's not forget the team! While this may not be the most important point (depending on your point of view), the people you work with can be instrumental in determining how your internship goes. Don't hesitate to ask about the team of the company you are targeting!
Interest in the company
If you don't like cars but you get an internship in the automotive industry, it's pretty irrelevant. In the end, do something that you love and that will motivate you. To make the internship go as smoothly as possible, choose a company that suits you, and a position that is in line with your passions and values.
Link to studies
Of course, the internship is (often) part of a school/university curriculum. If you're studying medicine and doing an internship in baking, even if you really enjoy your internship, it won't make sense for your future career. Remember to stay consistent, so your resume is consistent too. The internship must correspond, directly or indirectly, to your studies!
Localization
Nor is it the most important criterion. Indeed, if you have found the perfect internship (great team, interesting missions, shared values with the company) then, no matter how far you have to travel, go for it. But, if the internship is not really worth it, spending an hour or two in transport takes quite a bit of time. The internship isn't supposed to take you that much time out of a day!
Mistakes to avoid
Contact informally
If you want to apply for an internship, do so according to the conventions! Above all, avoid sending your application by SMS. It doesn't look professional and will take away your credibility. Contact the person in charge by email (or via the company's website, if the company has a "Contact Us" section or other), including all information and documents relevant to your application. This will increase your chances of being selected and taken seriously.
Sending an overly busy resume
Then, keep your resume simplified and uncluttered! No one wants to read ablock of text, especially when you have a lot of resumes to read. In short , keep it short, simple and to the point. Clearly state your skills, qualities and experience in a beautiful layout, so that the recruiter can easily find their way around.
Making mistakes and oversights
In addition to making a clear and simple CV, it must be impeccable in terms of spelling, at the risk of no longer being credible! Proofread carefully and don't hesitate to have your friends and family proofread it. Also, be careful not to forget important information about yourself and/or the company.
Not inquiring about the company
Of course, don't forget, before applying, to find out about the company! What is the team like? What are the company's values? What content can be found on their social networks? Asking yourself is showing that you are genuinely interested in this company, and this will be felt during a job interview.
Send a copied and pasted cover letter
Finally, when writing your cover letter, make the recruiter feel like you're talking to him/her. There's no need to copy and paste the same letter for all the internships you're going to apply to. Recruiters will know if you've written a "robotic" letter, with no motivation or special touch. Stand out! Make a single letter that corresponds to you, so the recruiter (and therefore, your potential future internship supervisor) will retain your application more easily!
To choose an internship, you need to know yourself and take the time to select it according to specific criteria (listed above). If you choose something that you like and that suits you, you are sure to have an enriching experience, both humanly and professionally!
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