Where to find an Internship Do some Research to work out where would be good for you

It’s not what you know… It is far easier to approach someone you know so if you can use you network to make a connection and find and internship that will make it easier.

Your Network Your supervisors, they may well have a good contact but it isn’t their job to develop ones for you or to think too long about it so ask them first but if they don’t have one you’ll need to look elsewhere. The partnership have connections including industry partners Tozer seeds, Unilever and P&G Your family might have some connections that could help, remember you’re coming virtually for free so don’t feel bad about asking

Virtual Network There are a number of ways we use these accounts but don’t be afraid to use them to make a connection for work. Who has - leave your hand up if you would use it to contact someone about an internship? google+, Pinterest, Twitter, ResearchGate, Facebook, Flickr, LinkIn

http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/23454/The-Ultimate-Cheat-Sheet-for-Mastering-LinkedIn.aspx

Notable LinkedIn Tips Update your profile (Professional) Make connections Connect through LinkedIn Groups Send messages You can only send messages to people you are connected to so you need to make the connections to do so think about how you are going to ask them – I just use what’s there as standard but I’m not really looking for too much from them

? Making an approach eMail, Phone call or Letter? It is easier if they are a contact but if not don’t worry no one will be offended if you ask them but who should you approach? Try to find the person you would be working for – small company that might be the Director of operations or Research director at a larger company it might be the head of an R&D unit. You can often find names and contact details on company websites or via LinkedIn A named person is always the best option – try to avoid sending to HR! It is easiest to send an email but that is the easiest ignored. Letter with a request to call. Or email to with a request to discuss by phone. Size of the company is important, larger ones may have organised Graduate Internship schemes, which you might be able to fit in, others will be too prescriptive for your purposes. eMail, Phone call or Letter?

Understanding Company Needs Your Offer = your CV Company Needs = prior Research Do your research – show an interest in the company you wish to approach. There is lots of information online. Polish up your CV – tailor a little if necessary Your covering letter should demonstrate your interest in the company and what you can bring to the business. Your covering letter makes the link

Understanding Company Needs Your Offer Company Needs

The Covering letter Addressed to a named person Introduce yourself and explain your interest in the company – from your market research Explain what you bring to the company and how you see the experience will add to your personal development Make it your own letter Don’t play hard to get! Insert full contact details – as on your CV. Include on your email signature too

Follow-up your application within a week! If you applied by email it could have been read then forgotten Companies are busy places. Follow-up after five working days – ideally by telephone. And be prepared for an impromptu telephone interview!

Questions and Discussion