How to Find an Internship

Need to learn how to get that first "real" job? Or maybe build experience? You may have heard that you need experience to get experience... so here are all the steps you need to get your foot in the door for the first time.

Steps

1. Start by building up some type of work or volunteer experience that does not require a resume. For example, get involved volunteering at a homeless shelter or as part of a school activity. Or look for one of the many jobs that don't require a written resume, such as babysitting, camp counselor, retail sales, and some types of restaurant work or administrative assistance. Why is this important? Because to apply for a professional internship or job, you need a resume, and your resume should include a work or volunteer experience section. Also, remember that just by holding down a job--even one that seems totally unrelated to your future career goals--you are showing future employers that you have enough responsibility to show up on time every day, not get in fights, etc.
2. Write a Resume, including your educational background (if any), your work and volunteer activities, interests, etc. When writing about your experience, keep your points concise but be sure to quantify them. Make sure to emphasize any skills that might be related to the job or internship you want in the future. Most importantly, make sure you can be reached easily by phone or email. Make sure your voicemail message and email address are professional, and check them often. If you live with roommates or family, alert them that you are job hunting and your messages are of utmost importance-- or just put your cell phone number on your resume.
3. Search for internship or job opportunities. Good sources are various websites, networking with your friends, family, acquaintances, etc., professional associations and organizations in your chosen profession etc. If you attend a college, your school may have a career center with job or internship listings just for the students of your school--don't overlook such resources. People in other situations, such as mid-career professionals wanting to switch careers, may want to focus on the networking route more specifically. Some nonprofit organizations can also help people with special situations, such as people who are unemployed, who have disabilities, or homemakers returning to the (paid) workforce.
4. Be persistent! Continue pursuing leads. Rejection will happen no matter what. But if you put effort into your resume and are consistent and persistent in sending it out-- i.e. to 2-3 job or internship leads per day-- you will eventually see results3
5. Be sure to call or email employers back right away if they contact you for an interview. Don't be scared or hesitate -- you can lose an opportunity!
6. Prepare for your interview by practicing interview questions and researching the employer.
7. Arrive on time to your interview, and wear professional business attire. Be friendly in the interview, and make sure to emphasize your strong points. Be confident in your abilities, but not arrogant. Make sure you emphasize your enthusiasm, your ability to learn quickly (remember-- this is your first job or internship, so you are not expected to be an expert), and your ability to get along well with others. Ask questions in the interview when you get an opportunity. You need to take mental note of the work environment-- do people seem happy? Is it a professional place to work? What do they expect of you? What will you learn?
8. If you get an offer, make sure to take a moment to think about it before accepting, unless you are certain this job is for you. If you accept, you have now made a commitment. Be careful! If you have had other interviews, you may want to ask the employer for time to decide on the offer, so you can then contact the other employers you've interviewed with and see if they can make you an offer sooner. This way, you can choose between two offers rather than only going with the first one you get. Most companies will give you at least a few days to decide about it.
9. Make sure you completely understand all aspects of the offer before accepting. If it is an internship, is it unpaid? Do you need to register to get college credit for the internship? What is the time commitment required for the internship (hours per week, weeks worth of commitment etc.)? If it is a job, what is the salary, benefits, vacation package, retirement, etc.? Most importantly, what exactly will you be doing?

Tips

• Don't be afraid to ask for help. Ask questions of friends, family, school counselors, career counselors, etc.
• Practice your interview with friends or counselors-- it will reduce your stress.
• If an employer asks you what you expect to earn, try to dodge the question with a statement such as "I'm sure you would offer fair compensation" or "I'd be happy to discuss that if we both decide to work together in the future." If pressed, be sure to do your research first.

Warnings

• Ask the employer questions if you are unclear about any part of a job or internship offer.
• Don't accept a job or internship if the employer is asking you to make an investment of your own money!
• Make sure you understand if the compensation includes any commission--or draw from future commission.
• Don't falsify anything in your resume or interview... it will come back to haunt you later.
• If you are offered a job or internship without an interview, be wary. This might be because the job has such high turnover that they will hire anyone-- or because they expect so little from you that anyone will do for the job.