When it comes to finding an internship, it is very important to follow internship guidelines in order to have a successful career. But when you are a student and don’t know much about how internships work, it is very difficult to find a ways to ask for an internship.
But the question is how do you ask for an internship? Are there any ways to ask for an internship? This is what we are going to exactly check in this article.
What is an internship?
An internship is a short-term, hands-on learning experience in a professional setting that offers practical work experience related to a student’s degree or potential career interest. This experience allows the student to experience their chosen career path in a real-world setting, putting to use the skills and principles they’ve learned in school.
The employer offering the internship can benefit from the new perspectives and fresh energy interns bring to the workplace. They could also potentially develop a future full-time employee through the training they’re providing.
Because internships are typically unpaid and are a part of a student’s degree work, a proper internship should:
- Include less than 25% clerical duties
- Provide a clear description of the work to be performed
- Provide the opportunity for skills development and workplace culture introduction
In this article, we explain how to ask for an internship, offer interviewing advice and other tips for students seeking professional experience.
16 Ways To Ask For An Internship
Finished your college, or just reached the final year and looking for an internship, to get started with your career?
Well, worry not, there are multiple ways that you can look for an internship. And we are here to share the same internship ideas for you.
Here’s a guide on how to request an internship opportunity:
- Research companies
- Make contact
- Share your resume
- Market your skills
- Be straightforward
- Be cordial and follow up
- Tailor your resume
- Monitor your social media accounts
- Personalize your cold emails
- Create a professional email address
- Include details about yourself
- Provide references
- Be persistent
- Send an acceptance email
- Use professional language
- Update your contact information
1. Research companies
Find businesses in your local area that are engaged in the type of work you’re interested in pursuing. Browse their websites and make a note of the contact information for the internship coordinator at each company you’re interested in interning with.
2. Make contact
Contact the internship coordinator either by phone or email. Introduce yourself and mention a few points that demonstrate you’ve researched the company before reaching out.
This shows genuine interest and helps you learn more about the potential work you’ll be doing there. It’s a good way to assess whether this opportunity aligns with your interests before moving forward.
Share any relevant experience or interests you have, along with your availability and whether you’re seeking class credit for the internship. Relevant experience could be from coursework, previous jobs, or volunteering.
4. Market your skills
Describe the benefits the company can gain from hiring you as an intern and highlight the skills you possess that are relevant to the job you’re interested in.
You can also mention any academic achievements or relevant extracurricular activities. This helps showcase what you can bring to the table and how you can contribute positively to their team.
5. Be straightforward
Make sure your subject line clearly and briefly conveys the purpose of your email. For example, you could use “John Taylor – Potential Internship.” Including your name in the subject line can help prevent your email from getting filtered into the recipient’s junk folder.
6. Be cordial and follow up
To wrap up your letter, use a professional closing like “Sincerely” or “Regards,” and include the date you plan to follow up with them.
For instance, you can say, “I can be reached by phone at 555-555-5555 or via email at johntaylor@email.com. If I don’t hear back from you, I will follow up next Wednesday.” Be sure to follow through on your follow-up commitment.
7. Tailor your resume
Throughout your career, you’ll need to align the information on your resume and cover letter to fit each company you apply to.
Related: How to apply for an internship?
Start by researching the company you’re interested in. By gathering as much information as possible, you’ll be able to customize your cover letter and resume effectively to make the strongest impact with that specific company.
Adjust your privacy settings appropriately and ensure that any public information reflects you in a positive light.
This involves making private or removing content that you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see, such as photos showing irresponsible alcohol consumption, political opinions, or profanity. It’s important to present yourself online in a way that aligns with professional standards.
9. Personalize your cold emails
When you researched the companies you were interested in, you likely found the name and contact information of the appropriate person at each company. Make sure to use this information to address your email directly to that specific individual.
Instead of using generic terms like “Sir” or “Madam,” use their name at the beginning of your email.
This personal touch shows the recipient that you’re reaching out specifically to them and not just sending out generic messages. Using their name in the greeting can make them more inclined to continue reading your email.
10. Create a professional email address
Employers are much more likely to respond positively to an email address like “Jane.Doe@email.com” rather than something like “partygrl11@email.com.” Additionally, taking the time to create a professional email signature adds credibility to your entire message. It also shows that you value your professional image.
11. Include details about yourself
Focus on highlighting the experiences, education, or skills that match what the company is seeking in an intern. This demonstrates that you’re a strong candidate for the position.
Provide specific examples that illustrate your abilities and qualifications. This approach helps showcase why you’re a great fit for the internship opportunity.
12. Provide references
As a student, your professors are usually willing to provide a reference for you. Before sharing their contact information, make sure to ask for their permission.
Also, inform them when you provide their name as a reference so they have time to prepare. This ensures that your professors are prepared and ready to provide a positive recommendation when contacted.
13. Be persistent
People are often busy, and sometimes emails can get lost or buried under a pile of other messages that take priority. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the recipient isn’t interested in talking to you; it just means they have a lot on their plate.
If you haven’t heard back within about a week, it’s perfectly fine to follow up with them. Persistence can be beneficial as long as it’s not excessive.
14. Send an acceptance email
This shows your continued enthusiasm for the opportunity and also allows you to express gratitude to the person offering you the internship.
Even if you don’t ultimately secure the internship, it’s important to send a thank-you email to show appreciation for their consideration. Reiterate your interest in case any future opportunities arise.
15. Use professional language
Avoiding slang helps you come across as more professional and increases your desirability as a candidate. Always maintain politeness and refrain from using profanity.
16. Update your contact information
Ensure that your contact information is readily available. The first place someone will typically look for your contact details is in your email signature. When creating your email signature, make sure to include your current and accurate contact information so they can easily reach you.
In the closing paragraph of your email, mention how you can be contacted. This helps facilitate communication and makes it easy for the recipient to reach out to you if needed.
For instance, you can say, “Thank you for considering my application. I’m eager to discuss my interest in your organization and address any questions you may have regarding my qualifications. Feel free to contact me by phone at 555-555-5555 or via email at Jane.Doe@email.com. I look forward to our conversation.”
Remember these tips as you pursue internship opportunities, and you’ll be better equipped to prepare with confidence.
Hey, I am Sachin Ramdurg. I run and manage futuredecider.com website that helps students, graduates, and professionals, to find and decide on their future career with ultimate future career advices and future career guides. I have an overall 12+ years of career guidance experience in multiple domains which has helped multiple students, graduates, and professionals to find the best career path for their future.