5 Steps to land one as an international student.
Photographs: Unsplash
Text: Luke Hannon
The internship period is upon us! Or very soon to be, at least. That means that students are well underway in their internship applications. Depending on your studies, there are usually two internship periods in the university year. Even though the Danish university system is beneficial, it can still be challenging for an international student to find an internship - I'll show you how.
Step 1: Do your research
There is no better advice I'll give you than this - "Do your research!".
If you want to land yourself an internship position, then you'll need to do your research. Many students fail to get a job as an intern because they don't do the most basic research into the company. Reading up on the company's website, recent news and social media is vital. If you want to secure an internship, you need to be able to talk about why you want to work for that company and no other.
Trust me, they'll be glad you did!
If you want to land an internship, then do your research!
Step 2: Learn to ace the application
Acing the application process is the key to getting an internship at any company.
"But how do I do that? I have ZERO experience?!". Well, I'm very glad you asked! Just because you don't have much work experience, you can still highlight the skills you've gained from your education. In your CV and cover letter, you need to explain as fully as possible the skills you've learned and (most importantly) what you've used these skills for. So, if you are looking to land a position as a Software Engineer Intern, you don't only want to say you know C# but also what you have developed using it. The more detail you can give, the more you can separate yourself from the pack.
Learning to ace your application is one of the most essential steps to landing your internship.
Step 3: Stand out online
How do you stand out as a candidate when your experience is the same as everybody else?
The best way is to stand out online. Everyone's CV will look the same, but having an online presence can show what you can do. If you're a budding engineer, you must be active on GitHub. If you're an aspiring artist, ensure your updated portfolio is online. For everyone else, being active on Linkedin and sharing your learnings, expertise, and opinions can set you apart.
Want to land that internship? Make sure you stand out online!
"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” - Winston Churchill"
Step 4: Show the right attitude
"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."
Winston Churchill said that. A positive attitude and a growth mindset is your greatest asset in finding and thriving in an internship position. I said that! The thing is, when you interview for an internship, the recruiter and the hiring manager understand that you're not the finished article. They understand that you are at the beginning of your career and you're not yet an expert.
So don't pretend to be!
If there are areas that you don't know or understand, be sure to let the interviewer know. It's far better to be humble, be honest and approach with a growth mindset.
If you want to land an internship, then you must show the right attitude.
Step 5: Understand failure is only feedback
You won't always get every single internship you apply for.
And that's okay! Internship positions in Denmark are in high demand. The chances you won't get the first internship position you apply for are very high. The most important thing to do in this situation is to get the feedback, self-reflect and get out there again!
Understanding that failure is only feedback will help you not only in your internship and every job after. I wish you all the best!
There you have it! Use these tips to find your perfect internship and the first steps into your new career. Stay tuned for next month!
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