Landing Your First Internship: Strategies for Success in the UK

If you're a student or a recent graduate, then internships hold the utmost importance to your career graph. They not only provide you with experience and exposure but also help you to kick-start your professional life on the right foot. 

But how to get one? How to land the right opportunity? What all is needed? How to approach potential employers? Relax, we got you! In this article, we'll take you through a stepwise ladder, right from starting your research journey to finally landing your first internship.

Landing an internship in the UK requires a strategic approach and perseverance to stay until you get the right one. So, let's get started!

8 Steps to Land Your First Internship in the UK

1. Start Early
   
   

It's rightly said, “The early bird catches the worm”. Similarly to give yourself an edge and stay ahead of others, it is crucial that you start at the right time. Know what your peers are looking forward to, take advice from industry professionals or your professors, and then according to your interests start on your career journey as soon as you are a graduate. This is the perfect chance to grab experience that’ll help you in your future growth. 

2. Research Thoroughly

Once you know your interests, it's time to do extensive research. To make your internship hunt a successful one, it's important that you know about companies, industries, and sectors. Then ask yourself: What benefits or learning exposure are you looking for? What is your future vision? What is your preferred work culture? These answers will help you to filter out the roles that suit your requirements and skill set the best.

3. Online Platforms

To get the right internship roles, it's important to stay updated with highly sought-after online websites. For example, career platforms like Huzzle, support early careers and provide brimming opportunities to students every other day. Moreover, you can also use tools like CV building, career assistance, and trend searches to start your journey in full swing. Always tap for job alerts so that whenever there's an opening you can get notified on time.

4. Craft an Impressive CV

After you're all backed up with research and tools, it's time to start applying for internship roles. And for this, your CV will serve as the first point of contact between you and your potential employers. So, make sure you make this first impression a positive one! To build a structured CV include your:

• Contact information

• Resume summary or objective

• Education details

• Work experience

• Skills 

The optional sections include extracurricular activities, hobbies, and interests. Put all of your relevant information in a bullet list to make it clear and concise. 

5. Cover Letter

While a CV gives a brief idea about you to your employers, a cover letter is for explaining “why you are a perfect fit for this position?”. So, taking advantage of this opportunity, customize your cover letter and express your enthusiasm for the role. Showcase your skills and recent projects to curate a compelling cover letter and stand apart from other candidates. Here’s a format example:

• Introduce yourself

• Talk about your qualifications

• Tell them how you can contribute well to their company

• Explain points like job changes or career gaps

• Finally, convince them by giving your strong points

End with your right contact information and closing lines thanking the hiring team as you show your interest in their company.

6. Prepare for Interviews

You got a decent CV and cover letter, but is that all? Once you grab the attention of your employers, there's still a very crucial step that lies ahead. And it's your interview with your employer or hiring manager. Your chances of getting an internship will depend on how your one-to-one conversation goes. So, it is important that you prepare yourself through company background and some common interview questions like:

• Tell us about yourself.

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?

• What makes you unique?

• How can you contribute to this role?

• What motivates you for this role?

Once it's done, send a quick follow-up, thanking your employer for their valuable time and expressing your further interest.

7. Networking 

Networking plays a major role if you're out there to find job or internship opportunities. For this, you can take good advantage of the resources available. For example, sign up for your university's career services, get involved in your alumni network, and attend all the trending industry events or conferences. Moreover, platforms like Huzzle offer a number of student societies that can provide you with invaluable information, guidance, and the right direction toward your path to internship success. By this, you’ll not only have all the resources but also moral support throughout your journey. 

8. Stay Persistent and Flexible

In this whole process, you need to stay motivated and consistent. Landing your first internship might take time and you might have to struggle to find a perfect company for your future growth. But always remember, a little patience goes a long way. Be open and flexible to new roles and feedback. This way you can not only make your internship successful but also open doors to full-time opportunities. 

End Note

The fruit of hard work and constant effort is always sweet! Landing your first internship requires both practical and emotional strength. As you do your research, build a solid CV and cover letter, at the same time you need to have a strong mindset. A mindset to face rejections and keep working until you achieve your dreams.

Thus, with the steps we discussed above and your efforts you can nearly double the chances of securing your first internship. Here's to a journey filled with learning and growth. Cheers!