How to find your dream internship. 7 working tips

1. Assess your capabilities

List your skills and describe your experience. Compare this data with the requirements for interns at the companies you are interested in. Check if there are discrepancies, assess how critical they are, and try to close the gaps. Don't despair if it can't be done quickly. In this case, in your response, focus on the desire to develop.

This step is useful not only for defining the boundaries of the search, but also for drawing up a resume. And it is also necessary for an internship. Important: if you plan to look for offers in different specialties, it is better to prepare several resumes - in each, focus on the skills and experience that are important for a particular profession.

2. Describe your ideal internship

Understanding what you want from a future internship is important to make it easier to search for suitable offers. Describe the ideal option for you on paper. Indicate what tasks you want to perform, what skills you want to improve, how many hours you are willing to devote to work, and whether payment is important to you. There is a possibility that there is no option that fully meets the requirements, but you will most likely be able to find something similar.

By the way, this exercise will be useful to you later, directly at the time of discussing cooperation. The question “What do you expect from the internship?” is usually asked to all potential candidates, and you will have a ready answer.

3. Search everywhere

Job aggregators are not the only place where employers share advertisements for interns. Options for such cooperation can also be found on the official websites of companies and on their pages on social networks. Another way is the site "‎Professional development. Internships»‎: there are now over 200 offers from more than 85 employers. Here you can also get cheat sheets for passing entrance tests from HR managers.

The more resources you use, the higher your chances of finding a suitable offer. There is no need to limit your search to online platforms alone. Master classes, hackathons, business games and other professional live events are a chance to express yourself. Companies often look for fresh personnel there: if you cope with the tasks with a bang, there is a chance that the internship will find you on its own.

4. Don't be afraid to ask

If your dream company isn't currently looking for interns, still don't hesitate to introduce yourself via email. Properly present your skills and show your interest - there is a chance to get a position in the future without long searches and competition with other applicants. Don't forget to attach your resume, portfolio or examples of work. This way, the employer can quickly create a complete professional portrait of you.

If you haven’t been offered anything right now, check to see if the company has any mailing list or messenger channels with programs for young professionals. Subscribe to them to quickly respond to offers.

5. Write motivational letters

If a resume cannot be adapted for different applications for one specialty, then a motivation letter should always be personalized. Tell it why you want to work for this company and how you will be useful to it. There’s no need to go too wild with volume. Write specifically, without lyrical digressions, otherwise the letter may not be read enough: you are probably not the only candidate for the position, and the employer’s working hours are limited. For the same reason, it is better not to put off the main thing until the end - place the most important points immediately after the greeting.

Another rule: check the text before sending. If an error creeps into the company name, even a simple typo, the chances of success will decrease.

6. Prepare for entrance tests

There will be no chance to retake, so you need to make an impression the first time. Before the interview, research the company and your potential job responsibilities, practice your answers popular questions such as “What are your expectations from the internship?” and “What achievements are you most proud of? Total?". It is also important to ask counter questions to the employer - this will not only show interest, but will also allow you to clarify significant details. For example, find out from your interlocutor how the adaptation program works, what tasks you will perform and whether there is a chance of full-time employment in the future.

If you have a test coming up, such as a theory test or coding for developers, review the information you covered in courses and work on professional problems.

7. Do not give up

If you can't get an internship quickly, don't give up and keep looking. And to increase your chances next time, identify points of growth. Ask recruiters for feedback: find out why you weren't a good fit and what you need to work on. Then make an action plan and gradually fill in the gaps.