Getting a communications internship is often the first step in a rewarding career path. From writing the perfect resume to networking with other professionals, there are many ways to land the perfect internship. To begin a career in communications, students should follow these tips for landing an internship.
1. Research the Company
With company websites just a click away, there is no excuse for sending in generic resumes and cover letters. Before applying for a specific internship, students should make sure that they know about the company. Research the company’s vision, culture, history and services. By knowing these details and using them in an application, it demonstrates to the hiring manager that the applicant is serious about the position. Companies want interns who are enthusiastic and engaged, so each cover letter must be customized for the specific business.
2. Be Proactive
Without experience, it is hard to get a job. Unfortunately, it is impossible to get experience without landing a job. To work around this dilemma, students should be proactive. Instead of waiting for a lucky opportunity, students can start by developing a portfolio in the field of communication. Writing for a college newspaper, doing freelance writing, running a blog or hosting a podcast are all ways to show the student’s capabilities. Later on, these examples can be included in the student’s portfolio. Many communications jobs require multitasking, so students should demonstrate through their portfolio and their college activities that they are able to manage multiple things at once.
3. Scrub the Internet
The Internet can be helpful in getting jobs, but it can also hinder a student’s job prospects. Many employers will search for an applicant’s name before or after an interview. If pictures of partying or youthful indiscretions show up, the employer may not be interested in hiring that applicant. Students do not have to delete their social media accounts, but they should limit the amount of information that is made public. A completely blocked or private account may appear suspicious to the employer. Instead of making it seem like the student has something to hide, they should leave a classy, professional profile picture and description public. The rest of the profile can be made private so that employers do not see every detail of the applicant’s life.
4. Make a Portfolio
New interns rarely have a job history or industry experience. To land an internship, they must show that they are able to do the work. A portfolio is the best way to demonstrate to the communications company that the student is talented and capable of doing the job. Students can make a portfolio from scratch, or they may be able to repurpose some of their university assignments.
5. Be Considerate
Attention to detail is a necessary skill for job applicants. The resume and cover letter must be carefully checked for grammar errors and spelling mistakes. In particular, students should make sure that they have spelled the company’s name correctly. Instead of using a generic cover letter, students can customize each cover letter to match the company that they are applying for. As a last step, students should reconsider their e-mail address. If their old e-mail address is unprofessional like CuteSweetie or Lover4Life, it needs to be changed before the application is sent in.
With the right research, portfolio and attention to detail, students can land their dream job in the communications industry. These internships are highly competitive, so students will need to make a portfolio and a perfect cover letter. If possible, students should network with people at their target company because it could help them to get the internship.