Brace yourselves, the applications are starting

Is studying a degree at one of the best universities in the world enough to secure your future careers? Unfortunately, with jobs harder to come by, it’s simply no longer sufficient to be able to count yourselves amongst the intellectual elite.

With many graduate positions being filled by previous interns of any given company, a lot of you will be looking at these internships as your entry route. As a little introduction to the whole affair, here are my top five tips on landing that internship that you’ve always wanted, or at least, wanted since you heard about it.

1. Do your research
It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised at the number of applicants who have no idea what they are applying for.
In a lot of popular career choices here at Warwick, *cough cough*, Investment Banking, *cough cough*, the majority are only able to regurgitate a textbook definition of what their job would involve. Dig a little deeper, and they will resemble a fish out of water. I should know, I was one of the majority when I started. I didn’t have a clue what an Investment Banker was, yet, I wanted to be one. Sign up to all of the presentations you can, look out for society events and your knowledge will quickly build itself up. You’re reading the Money section of the campus newspaper, that’s a good start.
Try to think of a unique reason as to why you want to be in your chosen industry, and please don’t say “it’s the money”. There’s always one. Speak to senior students, they’ve been there, and worn the shirt and tie, they’ll be able to help you out.
The chances are, there isn’t only one company you are applying for, and recruiters will know that; but, even so, it’s vital that you’re able to demonstrate why you want to work for that company, and no one else. Make sure you know what makes them different from the other companies in the industry and demonstrate in your application that you’ve at least read their website.

2. Learn to sell yourself
Firstly, get your CV and cover letter checked by the right people; recruiters receive thousands of applications every day, they will look over your CV in 30 seconds, and make a decision as to whether or not they like you. All it takes is one spelling or grammar mistake, and that will be all that the recruiters remember from your application. Ask other people to check your application for you, and make sure recruiters only take away good things about you.
Again and again, you will be questioned as to why you think you would be successful, and what motivates you. Find out what qualities the company is looking for in their employees, and think of examples in your experiences up until now to demonstrate that those are the qualities you have.

3. Prepare at every stage
Although all are different, most applications will involve several stages. Online forms, competency questions, numerical and verbal reasoning tests, interviews, and assessment centres. As best you can, prepare for every stage. Take the online tests for instance. A lot of people will not do any practice before hand. Mess one of these tests up, and your whole application is over, no matter how long you spent explaining your extravagant work experience placement in Nepal. Spend time preparing for each stage, and your hard work will be rewarded.

4. Set aside enough time
These applications will take time; that’s the point of them. Companies want to see whether you actually want to work for them. They know that you will be applying elsewhere, but you should still spend time and effort trying to impress them. It’s a little game they like to play with you. You both know what’s going on, but it happens anyway. It’s far better to apply for a select few placements and take your time with the applications, than to apply for as many as you physically can. A small number of applications will be far stronger than a handful of rushed ones.

5. Get it done early
Go! Now! Before it’s too late! I know of a number of companies that have already closed applications for spring, summer and graduate placements. Be the eager beaver, and you will be rewarded.

All that’s left to say is good luck, hopefully the work done now will pay off in the end!