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17 Apr, 2018

Why You Didn't Get the Internship

One of the toughest things about internship searching is when you didn't get the internship. It could be any one of a number of reasons why you didn't get the internship and it can be hard to figure out what the reason is. We all know that the internship world is extremely competitive. Even if you feel you’re qualified, there might be few mistakes that you’re unconciously doing. Read on to find out which mistakes you might be making during the process and what you can do to make sure you get the internship next time!

Image source: usnews.com

You have no knowledge about the company

One major thing that recruiters look for in a candidate is knowledge of the company. Recruiters want candidates who know the company and can speak how their skills can benefit the company. If you didn’t do your research about the company properly and couldn’t answer this basic question, it might be the reason why you didn’t get the internship. Next time you want to apply for an internship, do your research. It’s a surefire way to impress your recruiter!

You didn’t follow instructions

Some companies will ask you to bring certain items with you to the interview. For example, an application, references, or copies of your resume. Whatever it is, they are requesting it for a reason. If you cannot follow these instructions or if you’re making up excuses for why you’re not prepared, you can bet they view that as an indication of how you will respond to job duties. Failure to follow instructions is one of the primary reasons why candidates didn’t get the internship.

You didn’t seem passionate about the company

Another reason why you didn’t get the internship might be because you seem disinterest in the company. Although you may be interviewing with several different companies, it’s important to convey to the recruiters the passion you have for this particular business. It will be great if you have a personal story and have good reasons on why you want to do internship for that specific company. When preparing for an interview, think about what it is that draws you to the company, whether it’s the company’s success or similar values you have to the company.

You didn’t sell yourself

An internship interview is an opportunity to showcase your talents and show the employer how awesome you really are. So, did you manage to sell yourself well? If not, that might be the reason on why you didn’t get the internship. As a potential intern, it’s your job to point out the strengths you have as well as why they are relevant to what you will be doing. By relating how one’s strengths will help perform a role in the internship, it reflects that the student has taken the time to research the role and company.

You don’t ask questions

Recruiters are looking for candidates who have interest in the company. If you have nothing to ask, it could be viewed as a lack of enthusiasm. It’s better to prepare a list of questions to ask. Find out what the atmosphere and dress code is like. The questions you ask should be thoughtful and relevant to the position you’re applying for. This is your opportunity to find out exactly what the company is looking for in a potential intern and what you can expect from the position.

Rejection sucks. But don't let the rejection to bring you down. If you find yourself do one or more of the mistakes above, it's time to fix yourself. And of course, prepare yourself for the next internship opportunity. Need help for preparing your internship and get some tips how to impress your Recruiter? Contact us or join our career preparation class!