You should approach
applying for internships in much the same way as looking for a job. Therefore
much of what appears on this page about CV writing and covering letters for
full-time jobs and career advancement will be relevant if you are trying to
find a placement for work experience or an internship. The tips and ideas on
the job interviews section are also relevant to seeking and applying for and
successfully gaining internships and work experience placements.
It’s essential to research
prospective internship employers. And plan this well in advance. People who
leave things until the last minute reduce their options, and increase the
amount of competitive pressures involved. Also, planning and researching early
in the process will maximize the chances of identifying and securing the best
placements.
The action plan starts with
researching your target market or sector, however you define it. Focusing on a
defined sector helps because certain economies of scale come into effect:
commonalities exist between similar organizations and situations which save our
time and enable efficient use of our efforts. We can get into a groove and a
mind-set that will work in lots of similar situations. Being vague and having
no focus makes it impossible to derive these advantages. Variety might be the
spice of life, but it’s not helpful in putting together a targeted action plan,
where focus, consistency, familiarity, knowledge, expertise and professionalism
are the important criteria for success.
Research is relatively easy
using the internet – but remember the phone as well, especially when you locate
a contact who might guide you. Try to identify the focal points where
information is gathered and disseminated for your target sector(s). Most
vertical industry sectors – and professions – are represented by at least one
trade association or professional body or institute. Large sectors will be
represented by many different trade associations, bodies and institutes – each
of which represents a sub-sector or ‘niche’ within the main sector. Each
representative body will generally have a trade magazine or journal, and also
probably a website. These pivotal points will enable you to find out most of
what you need to know so as to identify prospective internships (and
employers). Use the phone to talk to people in these organizations – editors
and secretaries are very knowledgeable and many are very helpful. Try to
network and seek referrals from contacts, each time asking politely for help –
just be honest and courteous about what you are trying to achieve and many
people will be extremely helpful. Accept the fact that you will find yourself
barking up the wrong tree on a few occasions – no problem – move onto the next
point of contact. Sooner or later you will find what you seek.
What you seek of course is
a good list of potential employers (and relevant contact details) who fit your
criteria. Your criteria will extend beyond market sector and job function.
Geography, organization size, market position, style and culture might also
feature in your ideal profile of an internship organization. Again, define and
describe to yourself what you are seeking – an employer profile – and use your
research sources to compile a list of the organizations that meet it.
Researching individual organizations
on the internet and by telephone, and by requesting details from them (sales
brochures, annual reports, etc) helps to build up a feel of the market and or
professional sector early on, and this individually focused research is very
beneficial later in the process when you begin to tighten your specification
and list of prospective employers. This detailed research will directly improve
your written approach and you performance at interview.
When approaching any
organizations for internship or work-experience-placements, resist the
temptation to send out lots of emails. Letters are best. Emails give a far
lower rate of response than letters. Letters have to be opened, but emails
don’t, and many are binned as junk or spam. Follow the principles on this page
to write and send the most impressive CV and cover-letters possible. It’s not
necessary to have had loads of work experience to create a great-looking
impressive CV. See the notes above about writing CVs with little or no work
experience.
Article by Juliah - Corporate
Staffing Services at Staff-Kenya
