In today’s working world, relevant work experience is gold!
It is very common that recruiters want candidates who have sufficient experience in the world of work.
For a university graduate of student, this can be daunting given the diminishing number of companies willing to take a chance on a candidate with very little or no experience at all.
This raises the question – How or where can I obtain relevant work experience is everyone is asking for it?
What is an internship?
An internship is a great way for someone at the start of their career to gain experience and open doors for career advancement. An internship is a professional learning experience where candidates can be offered practical work to gain necessary industry insights and knowledge.
Internships are generally geared towards students looking for practical experience. However, internships can also be undertaken by professionals at the middle stages of their careers looking to switch. These instances are most common when the internships are guaranteed or at least, very likely to lead to a lucrative and permanent position within the company. For the most part, when recruiters receive CV applications for internships, it is usually from students or graduates at the very beginning of their careers.
Internships are facilitated in Barbados through multiple institutions and companies. University graduates can apply to the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus Internship Program which allows students to apply their classroom learning in practical situations. Companies such as Deloitte and DHL also offer a Summer Internship Program in business, hospitality & tourism, or in culinary fields.
Internship Career prospects
These can be part-time or on a full-time basis, where interns work on special projects that facilitate practical training of skills. Interns are generally not regarded as permanent staff or are entitled to any company benefits such as sick leave, retirement plans or paid vacation.
Often the application process can be quite competitive given the number of graduates entering the workforce every year. Additionally, competition for internships can be competitive given that Barbados also opens internships to students across the wider Caribbean.
As such, it is critical to craft an effective CV that would convince a hiring manager of your enthusiasm and drive to learn and contribute to their organisation.
How to write a CV for internship?
Your personal statement
Your opening personal statement ought to give a concise understanding of what your goals are and what your contribution will be. This section of your internship CV states very clearly why you’re applying – to gain relevant industry knowledge, to develop critical skills and to include the company you’re applying to as part of your career success story.
What are your key skills?
Whether you’re an intern or a seasoned industry professional, skills are the currency of the modern working world. Employers crave valuable skills – skills that would provide fresh ideas, content, strategies, insight and solutions into their organisations. Being an intern does not necessarily mean you possess no skills.
Young millennials often possess technical skills many 21st century organisations require such as IT, social media marketing, coding, web development, programming, database management and statistical analysis. If you’re tech or social media savvy, you could place those skills on your CV. Other items you can include are computer software you are proficient in, foreign languages you speak, even if it may be conversational or skills relating to communications, administration or project management.
The skills you include on your internship CV must be relevant as well as evergreen. Meaning, evergreen skills are easily transferable if you’re moving from intern to permanent employee. Evergreen skills are also applicable regardless of advances in time or technology. These include accounting, sales, client relationship building, customer service and teamworking skills. If you have solid evidence to back up these skills in action, be sure to include them on your CV.
Educational achievements
In selling yourself in the best possible way, highlight clearly your educational background in terms of certifications, diplomas, degrees and awards.
Start with your highest qualifications, perhaps at the tertiary level and come down to secondary Advanced levels and Ordinary level achievements.
Highlight important details such as GPAs, awards or first-class honours you’ve received as well as additional courses you would have taken. For example, if applying for a creative internship at an ad agency such as Katalyst Creative (Barbados) Partners Inc., additional courses in digital marketing, copywriting or graphic design gives you a competitive advantage.
Work Experience
As an intern, your work experience may not be extensive. However, this does not necessarily apply to only paid or corporate work. Vital details to include are relevant coursework, special projects or assignments, volunteer work, positions held in clubs or student organisations, travel experiences you’ve had as well as extra-curricular activities such as sports, you would have participated in.
You are essentially showing the recruiter that despite lack of significant work experience, you can perform within a particular role. Student work and volunteering illustrate leadership and performance. Sport participation can demonstrate teamwork and discipline. Travel gives you new perspectives and ideas. Look closely at your life activities and draw valuable experiences which can show you as a capable intern.
References
If your recruiter has requested references, you can include those at the bottom or on a separate page under the heading. ‘References’. Your references can consisting of teachers, lecturers, student body officials and community leaders.
CV for internship Recommended Reading
- Internships your first professional experience
- How to become a permanent employee from an Internship
- Teamwork skills
- Transferable Skills
- Technical Skills
