8 things to take care of while applying for internships and jobs on Internshala

Getting an internship or job is nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. The process is filled with moments of sheer joy and feelings of dread. In the end, when you get off that ride, you have conquered your fear and feel a bit more alive. To ensure that this is the feeling you are left with at the end of your job search, we have compiled a list of things you can take care of to have the best experience.

Before applying for an internship or job

1. Research about the company

At Internshala, we follow a strict procedure to authenticate employers. Once we have verified the employer, we review their job advertisement and post it. This post contains a short description of the company and its website (if any). However, you can still learn more about the company through its social media presence and news mentions. It can help you understand if you will be the right fit for the company as well as help you in customising your resume and application to their requirements.

2. Make sure that you are qualified for the role

Before you apply for the internship/job, make sure that you have read the job description carefully and possess the relevant skills and qualifications for the job. Doing so not only improves your chances of getting hired but also builds trust among employers about hiring interns or freshers.

Additionally, you should also check other details such as location, starting period for the job, and duration if it’s an internship. This attention to detail will avoid any misunderstanding between you and the employer further down the road.

3. Beware of imposters

If you receive any communication from a company outside Internshala, such as an email or SMS, look out for any red flags. For example, if an employer asks you to pay (security deposit, registration fee, training fee, and so on) for a job or internship, please notify us immediately at complaints@internshala.com. We do not allow any employer to charge anything from our users.

If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a company, you can get in touch with our team at helpdesk@internshala.com, and we will assist you further in the matter.

During the selection process

4. Be professional

Professionalism is of utmost importance during a job search. This is true for both the employer and you. Here are a few things that you should keep in mind during your job search:

i. If you receive any communication from the employer regarding your application, you should respond to them as soon as possible. 

ii. If you have confirmed your availability for an interview, make sure you attend the same and are on time.

iii. When communicating with the employer, avoid using informal language.

An example of a formal message:

Dear Ma’am,

Thank you for shortlisting me and scheduling the interview. However, I have an exam scheduled during that time. Could you please let me know if it would be possible to reschedule the interview?

Apologies for the inconvenience.

An example of an informal message:

Hey Aman. Thanks for shortlisting me. But I have my exams going on. Can we do the interview at any other time?

Do not use obscene content in your communication. Internshala has a zero-tolerance policy for such misconduct and you will be banned from using the platform.

5. Report any misbehaviour

If the employer you are in touch with demonstrates any inappropriate behaviour such as using foul language, coaxing you to go for an unpaid internship, getting work done under the guise of an assignment, and so on, please reach out to us at complaints@internshala.com. 

We do not allow any unpaid internships on our platform, except for NGOs or NPOs and niche profiles like law and experimental physics. Therefore, any time you face such an incident, please bring it to our attention.

6. Get a written job offer 

A written job offer is crucial because it ensures that both the candidate and employer are on the same page about the job. Moreover, it can help you if legal action needs to be taken against non-compliance.

Any job offer that you receive should contain the following details:

i. Role and responsibilities
ii. Stipend/compensation
iii. Payment method
iv. Address of the company
v. Contact details of the company

If you find a discrepancy (stipend, responsibilities, working hours, etc.) between the job advertisement posted on Internshala and the job offer being extended to you, please get in touch with us at complaints@internshala.com. We will then contact the employer (email, call, and social media) to address the issue. If we are unable to get in touch with the employer, we will follow the strictest level of action available to us as an intermediary platform.

After selection

7. Start the internship or job on time

If the job post and the job offer mentioned a specific starting date, make sure you begin the job on time. Not doing so creates a poor impression on the employer and hurts the credibility of other applicants from Internshala. 

8. Do not quit the internship/job midway without notifying the employer

If you have started an internship or a job and find that the work or company environment is not what you were expecting, be professional and discuss the issue with your employer to reach a solution. 

While such circumstances may not be completely under your control, one thing you can do before starting an internship is research about the company during the selection process and go through the job description thoroughly to understand that you will like the work. Doing so will save time for both you and the employer.

If you want to quit the internship/job due to a remuneration issue, you can reach out to us at helpdesk@internshala.com. 

These are a few steps that you can take to have a positive experience during your job search. If you are looking for your next stint, register on Internshala and check out the internships and fresher jobs as per your preferences.