It can be stressful to try and secure an internship, especially when you feel unqualified or underprepared. But today, I’m here to assure you that is not the case! You have tons of skills that make you a good candidate for the job you want, even if your only experience is in fast food or retail. Yes, really!
How can I get hired when I have no experience?
It can seem like everyone else is picking up these fancy jobs and taking expensive courses, while you feel like you are falling behind everyone else. However, the difference between you and them is smaller than you might think.
Here’s the thing. If you’re honest with yourself, you probably have some kind of relevant experience, even if it doesn’t feel that way. You have probably worked at a previous job before, done some volunteer work, been part of a club, or taken a course online to amplify your skillset.
For instance, although you might think your previous job at Starbucks is irrelevant for a particular role, it isn’t! You just need to show how your skills and experience are applicable to the job description.
Instead of writing about how you made drinks for customers, you could write something like this on your resume:
“Managed a POS system and sold multiple big-ticket items through customer connections.”
See the difference? An easy way to make your resume stand out is to reflect the job description in your experience section! If you’re applying for an accounting job, you can write about a class project you did that’s relevant to the role. Alternatively, you can write about the time you took the initiative to reorganize the bookkeeping at your part-time job or took on an extra project managing their accounts.
Be creative and showcase your relevant experience, whether at work, school, or through extracurricular activities; it’s still relevant experience (and it counts)!
How do I ace my interview for an internship?
The easiest way to have a great interview is to practice. You should never walk into a job interview without researching the company, what they stand for, and how you would answer common interview questions to be their ideal candidate.
1. Learn what the company values and what they are looking for in a candidate
Go onto the company website and look at their LinkedIn, Instagram, and any other social media accounts they might have.
- What sort of things do they post about?
- What’s important to this company?
Think about how these values relate to the position you’re applying for. How can you frame your skills and experience to match the company values?
Make sure to take another look at the job description, too.
- What is the company looking for in an ideal candidate?
- Which of your skills and experiences match that?
2. Do a mock interview
Once you’ve figured out how you want to frame your skills and experience in the interview, you should practice! Make a list of common interview questions for your position (these are easy to find online) and practice answering them.
Ideally, get into the clothing you plan to wear and practice in front of a mirror or a camera. Watching your practice interview back can be constructive to see which questions you struggled with if you spoke at a good pace and volume. Practicing the interview while wearing the clothes you plan to wear will also help you feel more comfortable on the actual interview day.
Another tip of advice is to do these mock interviews a few times to ensure you’re prepared. Each time, add at least one question that you haven’t answered before. This will help you get used to thinking on your feet and set you up for confidence in case you get an unfamiliar question during your real interview.
Using this strategy, you should feel much more comfortable and prepared by the time your interview comes along!
What if I can’t get the internship I wanted?
Unfortunately, this outcome is a common result, and it may be out of our control when it occurs. Internships in some fields are more competitive than others, and you might not get your first choice. Getting your second, third, or even fourth choice isn’t as bad as it seems.
In this scenario, the best thing you can do is be willing to compromise. You might not get the internship at the exact company you wanted or in your desired position. Maybe the internship you land will be somewhat relevant to your career goals but not spot-on. And that’s still okay!
You’re still getting relevant experience that will help you get the job you want in the future. You can always use the skills you gain in this internship to help you apply for something more ideal next time!
Conclusion
Getting an internship can be tough, but you’re probably more qualified than you think. By marketing yourself more effectively, practicing your interview skills, and being flexible, you can get an internship to help bring yourself one step closer to your desired career. You’ve got this!