Plan to succeed

Students who prepare effectively for the internship subject are more likely to succeed in securing an opportunity.

Most internships you apply for will require you to address selection criteria via a cover letter and a resumé. It is important to ensure you research and tailor your application documents for the local job market in the country where you are applying. The requirements for documents such as resumés vary by country.

Keep an eye out for any relevant information sessions listed via Careers Online and the Eng & IT Express newsletter as specific information sessions are held periodically for students applying for jobs overseas.

There are two key areas in which preparation should be focused:

Create or update your application documents

Internship employers will be interested in the skills and experiences you have gained so far. These experiences will be conveyed via your application documents. To ensure you are able to put an effective application forward, consider if you need to add to your resume by:

• Undertaking some volunteer work
• Working in a part time or casual role
• Joining and contributing to a professional association
• Getting active in your professional student club
• Brushing up on skills in demand in your industry
• Practising your written and spoken communication skills
• Keeping up to date with developments in your industry

Set up a plan a semester prior to when you expect to undertake your internship and upskill in areas where you have gaps.

Prepare for interviews

If your application is shortlisted for an opportunity you may be invited to an interview for the internship. A range of career orientated and professional skill workshops are advertised on Careers Online which you are encouraged to attend prior to an interview. Before your interview you should also look to undertake the following:

• Study the organisations website or look for articles about the organisation in the media
• Re-read your application
• Review the most common interview questions available [PDF]
• Review the selection criteria and ensure you can provide interesting examples to demonstrate the skills that are listed
• Prepare some questions for your interviewer to ask at the conclusion of the interview