7 tips for finding a (great) internship
Looking for an internship can sometimes feel like a marathon... Except that the finish line is not always very clear. To avoid running in all directions and put all the chances on your side, here are 7 concrete tips to find an internship that is not just a line on your CV, but a real experience that makes you move forward.
Anticipates (well in advance)
Many companies start their search for interns 3 to 6 months in advance. If you wait until the last moment, you may come across offers that don't suit you, or simply... that there is nothing left. 🙅 ♀️ Anticipating means giving yourself time to identify the structures that inspire you, to adapt your CV, and to prepare solid applications. In other words: the earlier you start, the more you choose your internship, instead of having to endure it.
Ask yourself the right questions
Before you send your first resume, take a break. Ask yourself: what do I want to learn? In which sector? What missions motivate me? It is this work of clarity that allows you to target the right opportunities. 🧐 And above all, it changes your speech in the interview: you don't apply "by default", you know why you want to be there. Recruiters feel it... And that makes all the difference!
Activate your network and dare to submit spontaneous applications
Your network isn't just LinkedIn. It can be a teacher, a friend, a former colleague, a member of your family... Sometimes, it is through these informal contacts that you can get an internship.
What if you are interested in a company but have not (yet) published any offers? Try an unsolicited application. Show your interest, your energy, your desire to learn. You might be surprised at the number of structures that open a place just because they have received a motivated application... Just sayin'! 👀
Take care of your profile and bring it to life
Your CV and LinkedIn profile are your showcase. They must be clear, simple and aligned with your professional life project. Warning: a static profile is quickly forgotten. Update it regularly, share your projects and ideas, your background, publish posts or even a small article if you dare. 🚀
A little hack: on some platforms, republishing your CV every 2 or 3 weeks allows you to automatically go up in recruiters' searches. More visibility, more opportunities !
Uses events and trade shows
Student forums and job fairs are real gold mines. They allow you to exchange directly with recruiters, ask your questions and sometimes even have a mini-interview on site. In addition, it's an excellent opportunity to get away from the simple "paper" application: you become a person, with an energy, a smile, a story. And no CV can replace that. 😏
Clarify your availability from the start
A point that is too often neglected: the dates. Many applications get lost because recruiters don't know if your availability matches their needs. Save time by clearly indicating in your email and CV: the duration of your internship, your period of availability, and whether you are flexible. 📆 It gives an impression of seriousness and professionalism from the start.
Smart Reminder
You applied... and no news? It's not necessarily a refusal. Recruiters receive dozens of applications and sometimes yours gets lost in the crowd. A polite and motivated follow-up can be enough to put your profile back on the table.
Example: "Hello, I would like to get back to you about my application. I remain very motivated by your missions and would be delighted to discuss them." In short, show your interest, without insisting heavily. A balance that can prove to be a winner! 👌
But in the end...
Finding an internship is not just about sending CVs on a chain : it is a real work of reflection, preparation and strategy. The more you know what you want, the more you dare to activate your network and personalize your applications, the more you multiply your chances of finding the internship that really makes you evolve... and enjoy it! ✨
And if you want to save time and make sense of your search, Meet My Job is always there to support you. Here, we select internships that combine learning, impact and a caring environment, in short, experiences that really matter.