How to Get an Internship in a Pharmaceutical Company in 2024?

The value of India’s pharmaceutical market is expected to double from $65 billion in 2024 to $130 billion by 2030. This expansion indicates promising learning and career development opportunities within the pharmaceutical industry. 
If you are a student who aspires to gain practical experience in the pharmaceutical sector, then India’s thriving market has a plethora of internship opportunities for you. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to apply for an internship in a pharmaceutical company.

Why Intern at a Pharmaceutical Company?

Getting an internship at a pharmaceutical company gives you an opportunity to gain valuable insights into the pharmaceutical industry. It allows you to gain practical experience in domains like drug development, regulatory affairs, and clinical trials. Here are the key benefits of an internship at a pharmaceutical company:  

• Build a Strong Network: Internships offer the opportunity to connect with industry professionals, fostering valuable relationships that can lead to mentorship, guidance, and potential career opportunities.
  Enhance Essential Skills: Through internships, students can improve various expertise such as research, scientific writing, and quality assurance skills. Moreover, an internship allows you to get acquainted with laboratory techniques and build proficiency in industry-related software. 
• Participate in Research and Publishing: Interns can contribute to scientific publications by participating in research projects, reports, and presentations.
• Understand Regulatory Requirements: Internships provide valuable opportunities for gaining insight into the regulatory compliance standards of the pharmaceutical industry, including FDA, GMP, and GLP. They offer hands-on experience and a practical understanding of compliance and quality control measures.
• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Technologies: By interning at a pharmaceutical company, you can gain experience with industry-related software such as SAP Business ByDesign, AspenTech, and more. You will also develop a deeper understanding of techniques like chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and more.

How to Apply for an Internship in a Pharmaceutical Company?

Applying for an internship at a pharmaceutical company can be a daunting process. However, by following a strategic roadmap, you can streamline the application process and secure an internship at your desired company. You can refer to these steps to secure an internship opportunity at a pharmaceutical company.

Step 1: Research and Identify Potential Companies 

Start by researching the best pharmaceutical companies in your desired location. Then go through their company website and check out their goals, values, and background. This will allow you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the company. 

This information can help you decide which top pharmaceutical company best matches your interests and career goals for your internship. Here are some important questions you should think about when researching pharmaceutical companies: 

• What is the company renowned for? 
• What are their achievements?
• What is the work culture and scope of learning? 
• Do they offer placement opportunities after the internship?
• How can the company assist you in achieving your professional goals?

Pro Tip: You can leverage platforms such as Glassdoor and Ambition Box to find employee reviews.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application Documents

Once you have identified the companies you’re interested in, it’s crucial to get your resume and cover letter ready. These documents play a significant role in showcasing your skills and suitability for the position. By tailoring them to each specific application you can improve your chances of getting shortlisted for the internship opportunity. 

1. Draft a Resume 

A resume is a document that outlines your profile, skills, experiences, educational background, and achievements. These elements offer a brief and comprehensive idea about your caliber to the employer. Here are the key elements that you should include while crafting a resume for an internship at a pharmaceutical company:  

1. Heading: The header of your resume must consist of your full name, contact number, and email address. Recruiters use this information to communicate to you about different opportunities and schedule interviews. 
2. Professional Summary: This section describes your career goals, personality, behavior, and long-term objectives.
3. Skills: This section lists your skills and abilities relevant to the position. You can include competencies, such as regulatory knowledge, proficiency in industry-related software, and laboratory techniques. 
4. Experiences: Here you can include your past experiences relevant to the internship opportunity you are applying for, such as internships, freelance work, research projects related to the pharmaceutical, etc. 
5. Educational Background: This section talks about your educational history including your schooling, undergraduate, post-graduation, and more.
6. Achievements: This is where you can shine and showcase your accomplishments. List any achievements you have made during your internship, university, or school such as winning a competition, best student award, best project awards, and more. 
7. Additional Qualifications: Lastly, mention any courses you might have enrolled in. This will showcase your dedication towards self-improvement and career development. 

Here are some tips that you can follow to impress the recruiter with your resume: 

• Make your resume ATS-friendly by incorporating keywords from the job description
• Highlight skills and experience relevant to the job requirements
• Make it personalized by incorporating company values in the profile section and emphasising how you resonate with them
• Use an easy-to-read and minimalist format to ensure the recruiter doesn’t skip on any essential information while glancing at the resume 

2. Create a Cover Letter 

A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume. It helps in demonstrating your interest in the position by highlighting why you will be an ideal candidate. It also provides you an opportunity to showcase your skills and distinguish yourself from other candidates effectively. Here are some tips that you can utilize while writing a cover letter: 

• Ensure the information penned in your cover letter is unique to the resume and offers a detailed look at your abilities.
• You can begin your cover letter with an anecdote to put your point across in an engaging manner. 
• Personalize the cover letter by incorporating company values and how you resonate with them.

Step 3: Search for Internships and Apply

Now that you have crafted the essential documents, it’s time come to search for internship opportunities. You can diversify your research and leverage various channels to find internships at pharmaceutical companies. Here are the best methods to find internship opportunities:

1. Leverage Job Search Portals

You can utilize job portals like Internshala to explore a wide range of internship opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry. By using specific keywords such as “pharmaceutical intern” or “biotech internship,” you can tailor your search to find the most relevant opportunities. 

Additionally, you can filter your results by location, company size, and other preferences, which will help you explore internships that align with your career goals. It’s important to stay proactive and check these portals regularly, as new opportunities are frequently posted. 

2. Connect with Your Network 

When seeking internships, it’s important to leverage your professional network. As a student, your network may be limited, but you can expand it by taking help from your professors, who often have strong industry connections. You can utilize networking platforms to connect with professionals in your desired industry and increase your chances of securing a valuable internship opportunity.

3. Participate in College Career Fairs

These events, organized by universities and job search portals, bring together numerous recruiters offering internship opportunities. At these fairs, recruiters collect resumes, conduct group discussions, and even hold on-the-spot interviews to hire students for internships. These fairs also provide an excellent opportunity to build connections and network with potential recruiters from the pharmaceutical industry.

4. Cold Email Potential Prospects 

When you are reaching out to potential recruiters via cold email, it’s important to approach it in a way that adds value and shows genuine interest. You should begin your email with a brief introduction about yourself and highlight relevant experiences or skills that align with the company. You can then politely inquire about internship opportunities or express interest in setting up an informational interview.

Tip: You can find the email addresses of employers through networking platforms or company websites.

5. Explore Company Website

You can leverage company websites to find internship opportunities. By visiting their career pages, you can actively seek internships that align with your career goals and aspirations. Additionally, you can follow the company’s social media pages, as many companies use these platforms to announce internship openings. By actively monitoring both their websites and social media, you can increase your chances of finding and securing valuable internships in pharmaceutical companies. 

Step 4: Prepare for Interview 

Preparing for an interview gives you a chance to practice how to showcase your genuine interest, industry knowledge, and suitability for the role. This interview preparation enables you to provide tailored responses that highlight your relevant skills and experiences. By preparing diligently, you can enhance your chances of leaving a positive impression and secure the internship opportunity. 

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for an internship interview at a pharmaceutical company:

• Research the company: Understand the company’s background, products, and any recent news or developments. 
• Practice common interview questions: Review common interview questions and prepare answers accordingly to sound confident. Here are some questions usually asked during an interview:
  • “Briefly introduce yourself.” 
  • “Why are you interested in this job role?” 
  • “Why do you want to work at our company?”
• Prepare questions to ask: Think of insightful questions to ask the interviewer about the company, the team, or the internship responsibilities. This shows your proactive approach and genuine interest in the opportunity.
• Dress appropriately: Choose professional attire that is suitable for the company culture and industry.
• Provide Concise and Accurate Answers: Utilize the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to craft answers with concrete examples.

Step 5: Follow-up 

Following up after an interview for an internship at a pharmaceutical company is crucial as it demonstrates your continued interest in the position. It also reinforces your qualifications and provides you with a competitive edge over other candidates. Here are some tips on following up after interviewing:

• Send a Thank-You Email: Within 24 hours of the interview, send a personalized email expressing gratitude for the opportunity.
• Clarify Any Points: Address any follow-up questions or provide additional information that may strengthen your candidacy.
• Express Enthusiasm: Emphasize your excitement about the internship and how you believe your skills align with the company’s goals.
• Professional Tone: Maintain a professional and courteous tone in all communications, showcasing your communication skills.
• Follow Up Periodically: If you haven’t heard back after a week or two, send a polite follow-up email to inquire about the status of your application.

Conclusion 

Securing an internship at a pharmaceutical company requires strategic planning, dedication, and a genuine interest in the industry. This blog explored the steps on how to apply for an internship at a pharmaceutical company. By following these steps, you can increase your chances of landing your dream internship and take the first step toward a rewarding career in this growing field.

Also, check out the top highest-paying medical jobs to explore more career prospects in the medical field.

FAQs