How to choose the right internship?
Choosing an internship requires taking into account certain important factors. You will probably 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 the CV. This first step towards the world of work can also allow you to expand your network of contacts ! Finally, it is a way to get to know each other better.
What criteria should be kept in mind ?
Future prospects
First, we have to think about the prospects for 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 obtaining a permanent contract in this company later ? Will the experience gained make it possible to distinguish oneself in certain areas ? In short, think about what it can give you in the long term, so that this internship is as useful as possible.
Expected tasks
Secondly, 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 internship supervisor expect from me ? After all, after your internship, you will write all these missions in your CV. So make sure that these are missions that suit you, your skills and, above all, your future aspirations !
The team
We must not forget the team either! Although it is not necessarily the most important point (depending on your point of view), the people you work with can be decisive in the course of your internship. Don't hesitate to ask about the team of the company you are targeting!
The interest for 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 you enjoy 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 are studying medicine and doing an internship in pastry, even if you really enjoy your internship, it will not 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, values shared 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 a lot of time. The course is not supposed to take you so much time in 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 " Join us" section or other), including all the information and documents relevant to your application. This will increase your chances of being selected and taken seriously.
Sending an overloaded CV
Then, keep your resume simplified and uncluttered ! Noone wants to read a block of text, especially when you have many resumes to read. In short , keep it short, simple and effective. Clearly mention your skills, qualities and experience with a beautiful layout, so that the recruiter can easily find his way around.
Making mistakes and forgetfulness
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 ! Read it carefully and don't hesitate to have your friends and family read it. Also be careful not to forget important information, about you and/or the company.
Not inquiring about the company
Of course, don't forget, before applying, to find out about the company ! How is the team ? What are the company's values? What content can be found on their social networks? Finding out is showing that you are genuinely interested in this company, and this will be felt during a job interview.
Send a copy and paste cover letter
Finally, when you write your cover letter, make the recruiter feel that you are talking to him/her. There is no need to copy and paste the same letter for all the internships you are going to apply for. Recruiters will know if you have written a " robotic " letter, without any particular motivation or touch. Stand out! Make a single letter that suits you, so the recruiter (and therefore, your potential future internship supervisor) will retain your application more easily !
To choose a course well, 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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