You should treat an Internship application like any other job application by preparing properly. Not only will it give you the best chance to secure an internship, it is good practise and employers are sometimes thinking about the longer term – could you be a suitable employee for them?

From researching the company through to the interview stage, there are certain things worth considering. These are just few pointers to help maximise your chances, and remind you what to avoid.

Remember, this is only a short guide to give you the key points at a glance. More detailed information can be found through following the links, and at http://www.uea.ac.uk/careers

Top Tips

1. Be Prepared – In all aspects of the job hunting process, from your application to your interview, to give yourself the best chance.
2. Research – Spend some time finding out about the company you are applying to, the specific role and what the current news for that sector is like. This will all be useful in your covering letter and interview questions
3. Cover Letters – These are really important, so take your time with them. If a company is advertising several roles don’t just fire off the same letter for them all, tailor each letter to the specific job or you will leave a bad impression on employers
4. Use your resources – Make the most out of your alumni services and schemes like ours while you are still eligible. 
5. Keep your focus – If you have a goal with your career don’t give up on it, just be realistic to the fact it may take time to achieve it. If you don’t have a clear goal just yet, then focus on what you enjoy doing and what you think you do well. 
6. Get Experience – Through internships, placements and any voluntary and personal achievements possible. Not only does it boost your CV, you never know where it may lead.
7. Show your Interest – Research three questions about the company and three questions about your job for your interview. 
8. Support each other – It is a tough economy at present, so sharing experiences with others in the same boat is a good way of learning and supporting each other.
9. Network – You never know who you are going to meet, what it might lead to, where people are going to end up in a few years and when you might meet them again, so get out there and start introducing yourself!
10. Believe in yourself - if you don’t then nobody else will!

Support and Advice for Graduates

Careers & Employability at the University of East Anglia provides support to UEA graduates for up to 5 years after graduation. For more information about the services available, please go to http://www.uea.ac.uk/careers

If you did not graduate from the University of East Anglia and do not live in Norfolk, please contact the Careers Centre at the university where you studied, to find out about the services available to you.