The Iglu Guide | Blog
How to find an internship in Australia
Every year, thousands of students start applying for internships. Notoriously competitive and with rigorous application processes, securing your spot is certainly no walk in the park. But with so many good reasons to get your internship grind on, it’s not something you’ll ever regret. And most importantly, it gives your resumé that all important competitive edge when it comes to job applications.
Why bother with internships?
Internships provide a unique opportunity for students to experience real world industry scenarios. It’s a chance to lift all that theoretical learning out of the textbook and set it to good practical use. It brings fresh insight to day-to-day operations and lifts the curtain on behind the scenes practicalities. As well as helping you pick up new skills, it makes you a more appealing candidate for future jobs opportunities as it demonstrates your interest, ability and tenacity. Moreover, you will benefit from meeting a whole new network of useful professional contacts in a field you have great interest in – and that’s like career gold dust, right there. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Do your research
Firstly, identify the area you would like to work in and research the companies within that category. Scour their websites, follow their socials and keep an eye out on job boards like Seek or CareerOne for opportunities in your field. Certain websites are setup specifically for internships such as GradConnection or ECA Internships. Some companies have standard internship courses while others invite speculative applications, so don’t be afraid to reach out and sell your services. The type of internship available can vary by company and industry, with some formats more common than others. Always check your Visa eligibility before applying.
• Paid internships – offering either a wage or a stipend
• Unpaid internships – the most common type, sometimes with travel included
• Academic internships – work-integrated learning opportunities that are linked to your curriculum with clear learning goals, occasionally sourced by the university
• Summer internships – popular for not interfering with the academic year
• Virtual internships – gaining in popularity, free to access and available to all students, these can also be credited on your resumé
2. Utilise university services
Head to the careers support centre and find out what resources are available to help your application and keep your approach targeted. There will be information on upcoming careers fairs and graduate job vacancies as well as support on acing the lengthy application process. Maximise any university connections with industry, and keep on top of approaching deadlines.
3. Target each prospective employer
Tailor every resumé and cover letter to specific job applications. Employers can usually tell if they have received a cookie-cutter letter, or worse an AI-generated letter. Take the time to make it personal to you and explain why you are such a good fit for the role.
- Customise the letter and address it directly to the hirer where possible for a personal touch
- Start with a hook that immediately draws attention – give them a reason to want to know more
- Include keywords across the letter that are relevant to your experience and the role – this ensures anyone scanning the page will find what they need
- Be sure to highlight your relevant experience and academic achievements
- Share what you will gain from the role – not just what you will bring
- Make sure someone proofreads your work – it’s difficult to see your own mistakes
- Keep it short and sweet – 3-4 paragraphs is plenty
4. Attend networking events and career expos
Check out when your university is holding their schedule of careers fairs and get the dates locked in your diary. These events are full of prospective employers from the public and private sector, all looking to recruit interns and graduates and they are keen to access the cream of the crop. It’s a great place to network, make connections and find out more about prospective employers all in one place. Universities also offer employer information sessions which is useful for those students who have strong leanings towards particular employers. Some fairs are industry specific such as law or engineering.
5. Practise practise practise
Once you have searched the job portals, networked the fairs, perfected your resumé and cover letter, and completed the application process, you may be lucky enough to get shortlisted to the next round. As internships are so competitive, it has become increasingly common for employers to screen students across several rounds. This might involve cognitive testing, psychometric testing, face to face interviews, on-site days – or a combination of them all. It can be a stressful process and preparation is key. Access practise tests where possible, and ask for interview help at careers services. This will help prepare you for what’s ahead. If the interview is scheduled online, there are certain measures you can take to help you stand out in a virtual job interview. Remember, every interview you have improves confidence and adds to your experience, even if it doesn’t go as well as planned.
6. Stay positive
The world of internships can be extremely competitive, and it’s hard not to take rejection to heart. Play the numbers game and prepare yourself for multiple applications – and remember everyone else is going through the same experience.
- Set realistic expectations – it will take some time to land the right opportunity, but have faith in your ability and recognise that the multi-stage process does take several weeks. No news is good news!
- Celebrate the small achievements such as lodging an application, making it through to one round further than before, or receiving positive feedback
- Try to take something positive from rejections, even though every student finds that difficult. A road closed is always a learning opportunity, and possibly an indication of a new pathway. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. You have put lots of effort into your application so it’s important to understand why it didn’t land.
- Stay organised and on top of your schedule, and remember to take a break from the process. Schedule in time to do something completely different – get some fresh air, hang out with friends, or practise some self-care. Reducing stress and improving your mood is key to staying positive.
- Remember the bigger picture and focus on your goals. There are numerous pathways that will get you to the same spot, and you will find the right one!
