9 Tips on Finding Business Internships for College Students

Doing a business internship during your college years can give you a competitive edge when you graduate. Not only will you have professional experience that’s relevant to your desired industry, but you’ll also have a better understanding of what you want from your career.

Finding the right internship can be tricky, and as a college student, you’ve already got a lot on your plate. However, our tips and tricks will help make applying for internships quicker and easier.

Where to Look for Business Internships for College Students

The more business internships you apply for, the higher the likelihood of getting an offer that interests you. The good news is that you have plenty of options for finding potential internships.

Job Boards

Most job boards are online nowadays. Check general-purpose job boards, such as LinkedIn’s, but also more specialized ones. You’ll find regional job boards, industry-specific job boards and job boards for college students.

Networking Events

Networking is an excellent way to discover potential business internships and also make a good first impression on companies.

You can network both online and offline. Look for events run by your college as well as industry-specific ones in your local area. Ahead of attending, brush up on your networking skills and prepare some easy conversation-starters.

College Job Databases

Your college might have a job database or list of business internships that aren’t otherwise posted on job boards. Internships advertised online can attract thousands of applicants. However, only people at your college will access this job database, so the numbers will be more in your favor. Ask your college career center if they have a database and how to access it.

Social Media and Newsletters

By following brands you’re interested in working with, you’ll be the first to know when they advertise an internship. Some companies, in fact, will only advertise openings via their newsletter, website and social media.

Plus, by following these companies online, you’ll have a better idea of what their brand is about. That will help you stand out when applying for an intern position.

How to Successfully Apply for a Business Internship

Now you know where to find business internships for college students, let’s look at how to ace the application process and get the internship you’re hoping for. Start Searching Early

The earlier you apply, the better. By getting your application in as soon as possible, you’ll increase the chances of companies viewing it with fresher eyes and a less application-fatigued perspective.

What’s more, by searching early, you’ll ensure you have as much time as possible to apply. Instead of rushing to submit your resume right before the deadline, you can plan your time carefully and spend longer perfecting your application.

Even more importantly, you won’t overlook interesting business internships that advertise early on in the academic year. It would be a shame to miss out on an excellent internship just because you didn’t see the listing.

Make Use of Your College Career Center

Your college career center isn’t just useful for job databases. It’s also a place to get helpful career advice and training. From guidance over selecting the best internships for your desired career path to resume reviews and interview workshops, most college career centers offer a huge range of free services. Find out what help they can provide at the start of the academic year, and then give yourself enough time to take advantage of these services.

Craft a Strong Resume and Cover Letter

As a college student, you might feel that you don’t have much to include on a resume. However, don’t neglect this step of the application process. Even if the application process also includes automated video interviews, online tasks or psychometric assessments, your resume still has an important role to play.

Fortunately, even with limited professional experience, you can still write a resume that will shine. Check out our guide to unexpected resume tips for college students to help you make the most of your education and work history on your resume.

Invest time in writing the cover letter or introductory email too. Although cover letters are falling out of favor, they can still influence hiring decisions, especially at the later stages of your application. When choosing between two evenly matched applicants, some recruiters use cover letters to make their decision.

Plus, since you probably have less information on your resume at this stage in your career, the cover letter can help demonstrate your passion for the role. These tips will help you write a compelling cover letter.

Curate Your Online Presence

If you reach the final stages of an internship application, the company may decide to look you up online.

It’s fine if you don’t have an easy-to-find online profile. In fact, it’s far better than a bad online identity, in which you’ve posted unprofessional comments, photos and videos.

However, if you feel comfortable developing an easily identifiable online presence, this can be a valuable tool in your hunt for a business internship. If you can show your interest in the industry on your social media accounts, potential employers will take note. LinkedIn is a great network for professionals, but don’t overlook the value of more generalized social media sites such as Twitter.

Prepare for Interviews

Interviews are one of the most important parts of the application process, but they can be a nerve-racking experience. Don’t worry: good preparation will help calm your nerves so you can speak with confidence.

Practice common interview questions, especially ones relevant to your industry, and prepare the interview essentials ahead of time. Make sure you have appropriate interview clothes and see if you can role-play interview situations with classmates or through your college career center. By taking these steps, you’ll set yourself up for interview success.

Get a Business Internship with a Professional Resume

A resume is one of the most important parts of your search for a business internship. It’s the first thing companies will see, so it has to convince them that you’re one of the best applicants in the pile.

Your resume needs to highlight your best features and be attractively laid out, while also being customized for the internship in question. What’s more, it should be machine-readable and keyword-optimized so that it makes it through the filters.

There’s no need to stress about your resume, however. Our resume builder will let you create it in minutes, and you can rest assured that it will be professionally designed and machine-readable.

The resume builder will recommend the ideal structure based on your experience and suggest recruiter-approved phrasing to help you emphasize your skill sets. Plus, you can draw inspiration from our resume templates specifically designed for college students.

Create your resume now so you can get a headstart on applying for business internships.