7 Ways to Get an Internship with No Experience

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By Kylie Garrett

Trying to find an internship, but don’t know where to start? Internships provide a hands on learning experience for students interested wanting to explore an industry. Oftentimes universities either require a student to have an internship to earn their degree or provide them with credit for completing one. Finding and applying for an internship can be an intimidating process, so we’re giving you seven ways to get an internship with no experience!

1. Start Looking For an Internship Early

One of the most important things to do when looking for an internship is to start your search early. The competition can be fierce, and you definitely want to be ahead! It is common for companies to screen applicants early, so getting your application in as quick as possible is key.

You also want to make sure you stay organized by writing down important dates and deadlines. This will ensure that you don’t miss the submission date, and remember the earlier you apply, the more likely you are to be considered for the position!

2. Identify Your Career Goals or Interests

Identifying your goals is something that might easily be overlooked, but this step is important so that you have objectives to work towards. If you don’t have a long term vision in place, getting started might become difficult or even procrastinated.

Goals are beneficial because they give you a path to get to where you want to be. Setting goals also helps you practice organization before you enter into an internship or a job down the road. Identifying the direction you want to head in is a great habit to start now!

3. Build Your Network

Did you know that about 80% of jobs are never posted online? This is why it’s important to network and build your professional relationships. Connecting with others is a great way to show recruiters who you are and what you can bring to the table. Both in person and online recruiting can be extremely beneficial, so don’t forget to use social media to your advantage.

Also, be sure to research and prepare for recruiting events. This could be anything from finding career fairs to practicing interview questions. Understanding what you’re walking into can help calm you and network efficiently. 

4. Learn Technical Skills

One easy way to set yourself above the competition is by arming yourself with technical skills. Anyone can do research on a company and practice interview questions, but being able to apply the skills that you’ve learned is sure to set you apart.

Become familiar with the tools employees use in your area of interest and start learning them! Rather than hoping that you are fit for a company’s internship position, recruiters can see the experience you have and how you have applied it so far. 

5. Create a LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is a social network specifically for professionals. Optimizing your LinkedIn profile is another way to display your personality as well as the skills you have to offer recruiters. While you want to present important aspects of your resume on your profile, LinkedIn is also a good place to tell more of your story too.

We mentioned networking in step three, and LinkedIn is a great place to do this. Often LinkedIn suggests people you might know based on your education and email address, and this is a very effective way to grow your connections and keep them up to date. LinkedIn also lists job offerings and internships that are relevant to you!

6. Prepare Your Resume

We all know that resumes are a crucial part of the application process for any internship. With the amount of students applying, you want to make sure your resume stands out! A general rule of thumb is that recruiters spend only 10 seconds looking at each resume.

Something important to focus on are keywords (industry specific terms) and make sure they relate to the job you’re applying for. When talking about your positions make sure you start each bullet point with an engaging adjective. Some of the best examples are words like strengthened, enhanced, resolved, and initiated. 

7. Practice Interview Skills

Finally, you want to be ready for interviews!

The interview process is known for being intimidating, but it is important to remember that you are also trying to get to know them as much as they are getting to know you. Before meeting the team you want to be well informed about their company and the position you’re interviewing for. This will help you appear more eloquent than your competition.

Before the interview, have answers to popular interview questions ready to go and make sure they relate to the position you’re applying for! Thoughtful answers will allow you to generate genuine connections with potential employers.

Even if you feel like you’re lacking experience, these seven things can help you find an internship. But if you need additional help that’s okay! Our mission at PathMatch is to help you throughout this process. We can give you a better chance of finding an internship or job that you are sure to love. Check out how it works! If you're looking to get into paths like Digital Marketing, Product Management, UI/UX Design, Management Consulting, and more, check out our available Accelerator programs.

Want to snag that perfect internship from your bed, a bus, or anywhere else in the world? Download the Pathmatch app to discover companies that match your interests, strengths, and goals! Pathmatch can help find the perfect career fit for you! 

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