Brilliant Intern is the essential guide to what is fast becoming an essential part of every graduate's career path - an internship. It will take you through the process of finding a relevant, meaningful internship; how to get as much out of the placement as possible; and how to utilise the experience and the contacts you have developed to help you secure your first job.
Table of Contents
About the Author
Acknowledgements
Introduction
PART 1 Finding an Internship
1. Selecting a sector
2. Advertised internships
3. Internship agencies and recruitment services
4. Speculative applications and hidden internships
5. How to avoid bad internships
6. CVs and cover letters
7. Interviews
PART 2 During your Internship
8. Preparations and expectations
9. Your first day
10. Your mentor
11. Your boss
12. Your colleagues
13. Social media and the workplace
14. Day-to-day office life
15. Networking
PART 3 After your Internship
16. Securing that job
17. Your Reference
18. Your new CV
19. Staying in touch
Conclusion
PART 1 will look at all the processes involved in securing a beneficial internship, offering advice and insights into what areas are available (particularly emerging industries) and what kind of person might suit a sector. It will then offer guidance to the reader on the best places to find these opportunities - both publicised and hidden, and how to make the most of your application, from initial contact to interview stage. Crucially, PART 1 will also give expert advice on warning signs to look out for when applying for internships, ensuring candidates are not exploited or find themselves in a position they did not want.
PART 2 will walk the reader through all the aspects of conducting a successful internship, dealing with issues that a potential intern, particularly one who may not have experienced an office environment before, may not be aware of. It will range from ensuring you have everything ready to ensure your first day runs smoothly; keeping expectations realistic; managing relationships with superiors, colleagues and clients; and new potential stumbling blocks at work, such as the advent of social media and the implications thereof.
PART 3 will help the reader maximise their internship experience after it has finished. It will deal with securing a positive reference, how to update your CV/cover letter accordingly to include the extra experience, and give advice on cultivating the contacts made during a placement.
