AIP's Guide to Landing Your First Internship

Quick answer: To land your first internship, work out which field and country interest you, prepare for the interview, then apply with a clear story about your strengths. Dress well, stay confident and research the role before you talk to the company. If you want an internship abroad, AIP can help you look for one, starting with a free call with a career advisor.

I Don’t Know How to Get An Internship and It’s Frustrating

“Dear Adam, my name is Emmanuel and I’ve been having a lot of trouble figuring out how to find an internship but what worries most is the fact that I do not know which industry I want to work in. I really don't know where to start and I am hoping that someone at AIP can help guide me through the whole process. Thank you for your time.”

We have all been there. That weird transitional phase in life, otherwise known as adulting. It is confusing and honestly, pretty stressful and frustrating. Those countless hours spent applying for jobs on LinkedIn, or any other job application platforms. Landing an internship is hard and it is a lot of pressure. However, as impossible as it may sound, it is possible to find an internship and YOU can do it.

At Asia Internship Program, we realize every single interns’ potential and we want to help kickstart your professional career. AIP knows that finding an internship is difficult and finding one abroad is even harder. These are some questions that all aspiring interns should ask themselves. We encourage you to dig deep into your thoughts and find out who you really are. Here is AIP’s guide for getting an internship.

The Basics of a Normal Job Interview

Job interviews are necessary and everyone has to pass an interview before getting the job. There are certain steps that you should take before heading to a job interview. Some of them are rather obvious, while some are more discrete. It is always important to complete this “checklist” to nail your job interview.

Dress Up

Dressing up for the occasion is important. Finding the perfect job interview attire can be hard but always remember to balance out what you are wearing. Don’t overdress or underdress, so to speak. The type of job that you applied for also matters, for example, a  job interview for a large financial company would require a certain level of decorum. Dress simply with elegance, that’s what always works for occasions such as this one.

Radiate Confidence

Be confident in who you are and be confident in your abilities. No matter what happens, always remember that the interviewer called you in. To a certain extent, they must believe that you are a good fit for the company. Your resumé stands out and now the employers want to see how you interact and converse with them.

Playing to your strengths

Research on what the company does but dig in deep to what your position entails. It’s normal for the interviewer to ask you what your strengths and weaknesses are. Always acknowledge your weaknesses but remember to play to your strengths. Highlight your strengths and how they resonate with the position that you have applied for.

Pacing the Interview

Take control of the pace. Too slow and the interviewer will be bored, too fast and the interviewer won’t understand you. Find the middle ground, present your ideas, and talk at your own pace. This works best when the interviewer talks very, “aggressively.” Pacing the interview helps keep composure and you’ll be able to think clearly when being asked thought provoking questions.

A Strong Mindset

No matter what happens, always be positive. You win some, you lose some but the most important thing is to keep your head up high and have a strong mindset. Some interviews are hard, some are easy and more relaxing. However, if you do make it through a long interview, it proves that you are resilient and professional.

Figuring Out Yourself and Your Goals

Figuring out what type of job you want to do is important. It narrows down which positions you want to apply to as to just applying randomly. At this stage, really evaluate yourself and reflect on what you really want to do. Your first job can really give you an amazing impression about adulting and the work life! Ask yourself some of these questions during the job application process:

What Are Some of the Things I Do During my Free Time?

The things that anyone does during their free time says a lot about themselves. Obviously, doing something that you like will make the experience enjoyable but most importantly, it will give you incentive. If you are extremely passionate about coding, why not look for jobs in the information technology industry. A great way to go about this is to brainstorm things that you enjoy doing. Afterwards, figure out the specific skills you need to use in each activity. Finally, you can then search for jobs that will require these skill sets.

Which Industry Do I Want To Work in?

This is a major one. Always work within an industry that you like and are passionate about. It would not make sense for a college student majoring in arts to work as an engineer. AIP realizes the importance of the industry that interns want to work in. In today’s world a lot of industries are related to one another. Students that are studying in either business related majors or S.T.E.M majors will be able to find an abundance of jobs that have very similar cores.

Do I Want to Work Abroad?

Depending on the type of person that you are, you might want to work domestically, or internationally. Ask yourself this, do you have a desire to work abroad? Being able to work abroad is an excellent addition to your resumé, not to mention that you’ll get to explore a new culture and environment while expanding your perspective on the world and how organizations in other countries operate. Be sure to check out AIP’s services if you’re looking for an internship abroad.

Applying for internships with AIP

At AIP, we look for an internship that fits your goals, your field and your destination. So, how does it actually work? Your first step is to book a free call with a career advisor. An AIP advisor will talk with you to learn about you and your application.

During this call, the advisor will ask about who you are and what you want and need. AIP wants to understand you well so we can look for the best internship for you. It is also great practice before the actual interview.

You will have the chance to tell us who you are, what your ideal internship looks like and what you expect from the whole experience. In the actual interview, you will talk to a representative of the host company. This is a professional conversation, so speak clearly, present your ideas in an orderly way and really show the company who you are.

Intern with AIP

Let AIP help you look for your next internship. Book a free call with a career advisor, tell us your story and we will work with you to find an internship that fits. We only move forward when we are confident we can find you a good match, and if we accept you but can't place you, you get your full deposit back.

FAQs

How do I find my first internship?

Start by working out what you enjoy and which industry fits you. Then look for roles that match your skills, prepare for the interview and apply. If you want to intern abroad, AIP can help you look for a placement that fits your goals.

What should I wear to an internship interview?

Balance your outfit and match it to the company. A large financial firm expects more formal clothes than a creative studio. Simple and elegant usually works.

How do I work out which industry to choose?

Think about what you do in your free time, which skills you use for those activities and which industries need those skills. Your studies also help narrow down the options.

How does AIP help me find an internship?

Your first step is a free call with a career advisor, who learns about your goals. We then look for host companies that fit, and you have an interview with the company. If we accept you and can't place you, you get your full deposit back.

Ready to start? See how AIP works and book your free call.