Application tips for an internship

Make sure you know exactly what you want to learn, try out or experience in your internship. You can use the questions under "How do I find a suitable internship?" to do this. It ensures that you can present yourself well during your application. Also for an internship, companies are more likely to hire someone who has thought about this and can articulate why he or she specifically wants to work for them. So delve into organisations and make your personal top 10.

When will you start looking for an internship? How will you approach your top 10? What will you do when you receive no response or a late response? Or when you can't get an internship at the company you most want? Consider in advance how you will deal with these setbacks. Also take time into account. When is the deadline for finding something? An action plan will ensure that you start on time and therefore have less stress if things do not go as you had hoped.

Even if you haven't done an internship or worked before, you do have a network. Think parents, friends, colleagues at your side job, friends at your sports club, in your neighbourhood or from your high school, uncles and aunts and there are probably more. Talk to others around you about the fact that you are looking for an internship and also discuss what you are looking for. That way, you can be sure not to miss out on the golden tip. Don't have a Linkedin account yet? Then create one and start following the companies that interest you. Here, too, you can see vacancies for internships. This way, you can easily keep in touch with the people you already know (but don't speak to very often) or the network you will be building in your internship.

A good starting point is to create a CV that highlights your qualifications, work experience (including from side jobs or previous internships) and skills. Make sure your CV fits the type of job you are applying for and the corporate culture of your potential employer (to the extent that you can assess this). If you want to do a job where creativity is very important, your CV may also show that you are creative. It is not compulsory to add a photo of yourself to your CV, but if you use a professional photo (preferably not Snapchat filters) it can work to your advantage.

Yes! You have been called and you can come for an interview! You may find this very exciting. That is why it is good to bear in mind that they will not only ask you questions, but you should also think about what you would like to know from your potential employer. By asking questions, you make a good impression because you really show interest. Of course, this requires you to have done some research on the company.

You may apply to several internship companies before finding an internship. If you are rejected for a particular internship that you thought would be a match, it's okay to feel a little bummed. It may help to ask for feedback, which is a very common thing to do. For example, ask why you were not the right intern after all. You can also ask if he or she has any tips on how to increase your chances in the future. You do not yet have much application and work experience, so all these tips can help you. Every interview will bring you one step closer to your internship!