When is the best time to apply for an Internship?

Missing the opportunity is worse than getting rejected. Recruiters may not notice your application if you apply for an internship at the wrong time. Furthermore, you may be placed on a waitlist and offered an earlier or later start date.

Summer is considered the best time for an internship because students can commit to a full-time internship with the college on break. This is seen as an advantage by employers who are looking for full-time interns.

However, internships are rolled out throughout the year.

But before you apply for an internship, you must know:

Why should students apply for an internship?

What is the best time to apply for an internship?

What are the important dates for applying for an internship?

When to apply for a summer internship?

Is it too late to apply for an internship?

So, let’s begin by learning the importance of applying for internships.

Why should I apply for an internship program?

Any internship aims to get real work experience and develop skills before entering the job market.

•  By acquiring a proper skill set related to the job of their choice, it strengthens the resume.
• A strong candidate profile sets them apart from those who haven’t interned.
• By doing an internship, they get to decide if it’s the right career path for them or not. And, of course, an experience of the work culture for students. 

Here are some resources that will help you with tips and tricks to increase your chances of getting an internship: How to get an Internship with no experience, How to get an internship, and How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship in 2023.

When to apply for a summer internship Program?

A large number of students apply for summer internships, so don’t be surprised by the competitiveness. This is because summer break allows college students to commit to work full-time. Fall and Spring internships, on the other hand, require you to work side-by-side along with attending classes. 

To land an opportunity in a summer internship program, large organizations like

• Goldman Sachs starts rolling out internship listings sometime around November and December

Other popular summer internship programs are

• J.P Morgan Internship Programs
• Apple Summer Internship Program 
• Tesla Internship Program
• Morgan Stanley Summer Analyst & Associate Internship Programs

You should apply around this time since the application process is completed much in advance before the program commences. 

They complete assessment rounds and interviews sometime in January. You can keep up with the application process by logging in to company dashboards.

They allow you to track the status of your application when you create your own account on the company website.

Some of the larger organizations will use an application tracking system. You can keep track of the application steps and deadlines using these ATS. 

When to apply for fall and spring internships?

If you want to apply for a Fall or Spring Internship, you have more chances of securing an opportunity because it’s not as competitive as summer internship programs. But when should you apply?

For a Fall Internship Program, you should aim to apply between April and May, as these commence between August and October.

Meanwhile, it’s best to start looking and applying for Spring Internships when fall/autumn begins in September.

When to apply for internships that are there throughout the year?

Smaller organizations, companies, or startups may not have a defined internship program like large organizations. They roll out internship openings based on their needs and urgency.

You should be on the lookout for such opportunities throughout the year as they keep coming out. 

The application process and waiting period before the internship commences won’t take as long as seasonal internship programs. 

Here are 10 best websites to find an internship. So you can expect to join soon!

When is it too late to apply for an Internship?

Applying too late for an Internship depends on the season, the type and size of the organization, and the availability of positions. 

If you’re applying to big techs, big 4s that carry out seasonal internship programs, then you need to apply months in advance according to the season type. 

For example, if you want to apply for a summer internship program, applying too late in March or April will reduce your chances of landing an opportunity. This is because most of the candidates are finalized by then. It will be too late by then.

Meanwhile, many startups and local companies, on the other hand, don’t have defined internship programs, so it doesn’t have a definite period to apply. You can apply whenever the positions are listed, which can be any time throughout the year. You also have pretty good chances to land an internship here.

Factors to consider when choosing the best time to apply for an internship

Factors such as the internship type, internship goals, and your personal schedule are crucial to determining the best time to apply for an internship for you. Here’s how:

The type of internship do you want

How competitive is the internship of your choice? Some internships are more competitive than others.

For example, internships at large tech companies or in high-demand fields may receive a large number of applications. If you are interested in these types of internships, it is important to apply early to give yourself the best chance of being selected.

Your academic and professional goals

What are your specific academic or professional goals? You may want to focus on applying for internships that are relevant to those goals. Are there specific companies on your list? Then you should consider at what time they roll out offers.

For example, if you are interested in a career in marketing, you may want to apply for internships at a time when marketing agencies offer internships.

Your personal schedule

If you have other commitments, such as classes or work, you will need to factor those into your decision about when to apply for internships.

For example, if you have classes during the summer, you may not be able to intern during that time.

Tip:

If you are running tight on schedule and it’s getting difficult to balance between study and internship, you can join Wiingy’s one-to-one online tutoring to learn anywhere, anytime, besides your internship program.

Tips to apply for an internship

Internships are a great way for students to gain valuable experience and make connections in their field. However, with so many students applying for internships, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. Here are a few tips to help you write a standout internship application:

Complete courses and tests

To create an impressive resume, you should be able to show online courses and tests that underline your potential as an applicant. The courses will keep you at a cut above the rest and help you in your future journey.

Personalize your resume

Your resume is one of the most important documents you will submit when applying for an internship. It is your chance to showcase your skills and experience to potential employers. To make sure your resume stands out from the crowd, be sure to personalize it to each internship you apply for.

Showcase your skills

When applying for an internship, showcasing your skills in your resume and cover letter is important. This will help potential employers see how you can contribute to their company.

Use strong action verbs and keywords that are relevant to the internship you are applying for. Highlight your soft skills as well as your hard skills.

Quantify your skills whenever possible

This will help employers see the impact of your skills. For example, instead of saying, “I have experience with social media marketing,” say, “I increased website traffic by 20% through social media marketing.”

Avoid these mistakes to increase your chances of getting an internship

You can increase your chances of getting an internship by avoiding some common pitfalls, such as:

Avoid applying last minute

If you’re aiming for summer/fall/spring internship programs, you should apply as soon as you come across an opportunity. Internship Programs are competitive. The longer you wait to apply, the lesser your chances are to get hired. 

Avoid applying for only a few internships

If you apply to only a select few internships, you may not get any internship because of how competitive it is. 

There is no guarantee you’d get an opportunity from the few you applied to. 

Avoid using a generic cover letter for every internship

Every cover letter should be tailored according to the different positions you’re applying for. It should also be modified according to the requirements of the organization. Sending a generic one for every position you’re applying to can make it vague and won’t stand out.

For example, if the organization specifies that they want someone with experience in content marketing, make sure your resume reflects this.

Hence, it is important to proofread your resume and cover letter and correct any such errors present in your application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References:

1. Elsie Boskamp, 20 + Compelling Internship Statistics [2023]: Data, Pay, and Trends. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2023, from https://www.zippia.com/advice/internship-statistics/
2. Pete Grieve, 25 Internships that pay $7000 a month or higher. (n.d.). Retrieved May 20, 2023 from https://money.com/highest-paying-internships-2023/