Your turn to intern
Real business experience will vastly improve our prospects with European employers.
In today’s increasingly competitive graduate job market, work experience is one thing that singles out go- getting candidates from the mass of other applicants. Formal internships rate highly with recruiters, which is why increasing numbers of students and graduates see them as a way to add serious credibility to their CVs. If you’re considering working abroad there is also no better way to get a feel for the culture of a foreign workplace than to undertake some real business experience.
Business insight
Placements with European employers offer maximum scope for you to showcase your talents in an international environment. While you’re likely to work predominantly in one department, you will get to observe the workings of the organisation as a whole, giving you a fantastic insight into the business. If your future career is likely to involve employment in a large-scale organisation then overseas work experience with a big name can really give you the edge – both in terms of showing you the ropes and allowing you to prove that you can flourish in a busy working environment.
Internships vary dramatically from country to country and with no Europe-wide regulations to guide you it is vital to do your research.
UK
Internships are not regulated and they can be paid or unpaid.
France
Interns are usually paid a reasonable amount according to their level of studies. A tripartite legal document
(convention de stage) has to be signed by the interns, their universities and the companies offering the
internships. This document outlines each party’s responsibilities.
Germany
Internships are mostly paid but there are no rules and regulations governing them. If an internship is a compulsory part of a degree course then a contract may be made between the educational institution and the company offering an internship.
Placements with European employers offer maximum scope for you to showcase your talents in an international environment.
Show your employer appeal
Securing an internship can be just as competitive as applying for a full-time position and they often involve an online application and first and second interviews. This might seem like a lot of effort to put in for a placement but bear in mind interns are often fast-tracked onto employers’ graduate schemes. Be organised and check employer websites for deadlines – they often fall in spring and autumn. When you come to make your applications it is important to convey that you have a genuine interest in working in the profession and for the specific organisation you are approaching. Employers are looking for interns who are commercially astute and enthusiastic so be sure to include evidence to back up any claims to this effect.
Perfect applications
Online applications are the order of the day for many European employers, where the volume of applicants
means that speculative applications aren’t practical. To clear this first hurdle you need to take as much care as you would over a paper application, rather than trying to dash off a load of e-applications in an afternoon. Employers will spot a default application a mile off so do your research and be sure to appeal to their specialisms. Draw on any relevant skills that you may have developed either at university, through part-time work or from your outside interests. It is also useful to highlight previous work experience – the more relevant to the industry you are applying to the better.
Draw on any relevant skills that you may have developed either at university, through part-time work or from your outside interests.
Make your placement permanent
European organisations expect internships to yield a proportion of their yearly graduate intake. It’s in everyone’s interest to convert successful interns into long-term employees so in order to impress during your placement you need to show a genuine interest in the business. Try to get to grips with processes and be willing to lend a hand when anyone needs extra help – although not at the expense of your own work. If you have a successful internship it is likely that your organisation will fast-track you to the final stages of its graduate application process. You will probably still have to undergo at least one interview but your chances of being selected are dramatically improved.
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