How to apply
Before you start looking for an internship, ask yourself:
- what career are you looking for?
- where do you want to work - and can you be flexible in terms of location?
- when can you start?
- how long are you available for?
- are you looking for a paid place, one that's unpaid - or one that will cover your expenses?
It's important to have a clear idea of what kind of internship you want, but being flexible will improve your chances. If you can't find an internship in your ideal line of work, try looking at related fields.
Make sure you also know what to expect from your employer. For example, if you’re effectively performing as a ‘worker’, in most cases you should be paid the national minimum wage. See ‘Graduate internships and placements’ to find out about pay, conditions and more.
Once you've decided what sort of place you're after, you're ready to Find an internship. Don't worry if you can't find the right internship straight away – employers add vacancies regularly.
To see details of how to apply for each internship vacancy, you’ll need to register with the Graduate Talent Pool. Once you’ve registered, you can also ask to get emails with the latest vacancies.
Tips on making your application
When you bring up details of a vacancy, you may be asked a series of 'key questions'. It's important to answer these accurately: they're questions from the employer, aimed at helping them check that you're the sort of graduate they're looking for.
Once you've got the details, double-check how the employer wants you to apply - and make sure your CV, covering letter or application is up to scratch. If you're asked to attend an interview or assessment day, it's well worth doing some preparation.
