How to Get an Internship in Big Companies: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

Interning at a big company like Google, Goldman Sachs, or Tata Consultancy Services offers significant advantages. These well-established organizations provide structured internship programs with clear roles and responsibilities. The prestige of such internships can make your resume stand out, enhancing your chances of job selection in the future.
Although the hiring process at big companies is stringent, securing an internship can be a rewarding and valuable experience. With a strategic path, as provided in this guide on how to get an internship in big companies, you can understand the steps to secure an internship at these well-recognized companies and build a successful career.

How to Get an Internship in Big Companies

If you are aspiring to intern at big companies, you may feel nervous or overwhelmed. However, there’s no need to be worried. This guide on how to get an internship in big companies will walk you through the entire process of preparing in advance for the internship application. Here are some strategies that you can use to secure an internship in a big company:

1. Create an Insightful Resume 

A resume is a document that mentions skills, educational qualifications, experiences, and accomplishments. Recruiters scan each resume to shortlist the applications. It is crucial to present the information concisely and professionally. 

A well-crafted resume will convince the hiring manager of your suitability for the role, increasing your chances of securing an interview. Here’s how you can craft an impressive resume: 

• Be Clear and Concise: Use simple, professional language and avoid clutter.
• Tailor Your Resume for the Role: Customize your resume for each internship application. Align your skills and experiences with the internship description to show you are the perfect fit.
• Highlight Your Achievements: Focus on your accomplishments. Use numbers and specific examples to quantify your successes.
• Use a Professional Format: Use a clean and easy-to-read format. Ensure sections are well-organized and use bullet points for clarity.
• Include Relevant Skills: List skills that are directly relevant to the job. Avoid generic skills that don’t add value.
• Proofread Thoroughly: Ensure your resume is free from grammatical or typing mistakes. A polished resume reflects your attention to detail.

2. Prepare an Impressive Cover Letter

A cover letter can highlight your skills beyond those listed on your resume. Using a good cover letter format can help you get an internship at a big company, through which you can share your strengths, unique attributes, and enthusiasm for interning at the company. To write an effective cover letter, you can implement the following strategies:

• Customize for Each Application: Tailor your cover letter to the specific role and company. Mention the company’s name, recent achievements, projects, and how your skills align with the internship requirements.
• Highlight Achievements: Use specific examples and quantify your accomplishments. It could be your academic achievements or any previous internship experience.
• Use Professional Format and Be Concise: Limit your cover letter to one page, making every sentence count. Ensure that it is well-formatted. 
• Strong Opening and Closing: Start with a compelling introduction and end with a strong closing, expressing eagerness for an interview.
• Showcase Your Personality: Let your personality shine through while maintaining professionalism. You can achieve this by emphasizing your passions, interests, and values that align with the company.
• Extension of Your Resume: Ensure you utilize the cover letter wisely and keep the content unique to your resume. 

3. Keep your Target List Ready 

To get an internship at a big company, make a target list of preferred organizations. Shortlist companies that align with the industry in which you want to build a career, the type of work you desire to do, and the skills you want to acquire. 

To determine your preference, skim through the company’s website. It will help you gain deeper insights into what they do, their projects, their mission, values, and background. These details will help you understand whether your career aspirations align with company values. 

You can also leverage platforms like GlassDoor, Reddit, Quora, or Ambition Box to read the employee reviews, as they can offer you an unfiltered view of the company. While creating your target list, ensure to follow this check-list: 

• Culture Alignment: Investigate the company’s culture, values, and work environment. Ensure the company’s culture aligns with your values for better internship experience and professional development.
• Internship Program Quality: Examine the structure and opportunities of the company’s internship program. Look for programs offering meaningful learning experiences, mentorship, and exposure to various business aspects.
• Location Convenience: Consider the company’s location and its accessibility from your current place. A convenient location makes the internship experience more manageable and enjoyable.
• Career Goals Alignment: Assess how the company aligns with your long-term career goals. Choose companies offering growth and development opportunities in your desired field to set the right path for future success.

4. Know When to Apply 

Timing is crucial when applying for internships. Well-known companies post internship openings and programs on their websites and social media handles. To place the internship application at the right time, check the company’s website, especially its career page, and take note of the deadlines.

Applying well before the application deadline can significantly increase your chances of securing a position. Several companies have summer or winter internship programs, and others keep posting internship opportunities throughout the year for different departments. 

Here are a few tips to help you prepare in advance for applying for the internship before the deadline:

• Research the Eligibility Criteria: Read the internship description to understand their eligibility criteria, requirements, and expectations.
• Additional Documents: Gather any necessary documents, such as transcripts or letters of recommendation well ahead of time.
• Double-check the Deadline: You should double-check the application deadline and set a reminder to submit your application a few days before to avoid any last-minute technical issues.
• Follow Directions: Pay close attention to application instructions. Don’t take a chance to miss any step or instruction, which may lead to disqualification.
• Avoid Generic Applications: To outshine your competition, it is essential to tailor your application according to the internship. 

5. Diversify Your Search 

Diversifying your search is crucial to getting an internship at a big company. Relying on multiple channels increases your chances of finding the perfect opportunity and ensures you don’t miss out on potential internships. Here are some of the best strategies for searching for an internship:

• Job Search Portals: Job search portals like Internshala are dedicated to internship listings. They offer a wide range of opportunities across various industries and locations.
  Many big companies like Coca-Cola, Amazon, Nykaa, Nestle, HCL, Practo, Paytm, and others use the Internshala platform to post internships and job openings. 
• Company Websites: Many big companies post internship opportunities directly on their career pages. Regularly checking these sites ensures you catch new listings as soon as they appear.
• Social Media Handles: Companies often use platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to advertise internships. Following your target companies on social media can provide timely updates on openings.
• Cold Emailing: Reaching out directly to companies through cold emailing can be effective. Craft an email expressing your interest and attach your resume. This proactive approach can sometimes open doors that aren’t publicly advertised.
• University Internship Fairs: Universities often host internship fairs where you can meet recruiters from various companies. These events provide a chance to network and learn about opportunities that may not be widely advertised.
• Networking: Utilize your personal and professional networks. Inform your professors, classmates, family, and friends about your internship search. Sometimes, word-of-mouth recommendations can lead to valuable opportunities.

Pro Tip: It is essential to apply to numerous internships rather than limiting yourself to just a few. Applying widely increases your chances of getting hired for the perfect internship and allows you to compare different opportunities. Each application is a learning experience, helping you refine your resume and cover letter. 

6. Stand Out in the Selection Process 

Any company receives hundreds of applications for internship openings. Therefore, making a significant effort to create a refined application that adheres to all instructions can increase your chances of success. Here are some strategies to apply for an internship at big companies: 

a) Online Assessments

Once your application is selected, you will get a call or email from the company to appear for an online assessment. Companies conduct assessment tests or provide assignments to shortlist candidates. Here are a few tips to prepare for an online assessment:

• Understand the Format: Familiarize yourself with the types of questions and formats of the assessments for the selection process. Practice mock assessments using online resources. The practice tests will sharpen the speed and accuracy needed to appear for an online assessment. 
• Review Fundamentals: Strong fundamentals are key to performing well. Brush up on the basics related to your domain, whether quantitative questions, logical reasoning questions, or writing tests to assess verbal skills. 
• Time Management: Practice completing assessments within the given time limits. Learn to allocate time efficiently to avoid spending too much time on difficult questions.
• Enroll in Online Courses: Taking up online courses can assist you in gaining deeper insights from industry experts, learning new things, upskilling, and enhancing your resume. It can be beneficial during interviews as you will acquire the right knowledge and understanding to answer the questions.

b) Interviews

To conduct yourself confidently and maintain professionalism, you need to prepare thoroughly before the interview. Here are a few tips you can follow to create a positive impression on the recruiter:

• Research the Company: Understand the company’s mission, values, and recent achievements. Tailor your responses to align with the company’s culture and goals.
• Prepare Responses: Practice common interview questions and prepare structured responses. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to answer behavioral questions.
• Showcase Your Skills: Highlight relevant experiences and skills, such as business communication skills, analytical mindset, and problem-solving abilities that make you a strong candidate. Provide concrete examples of how you have demonstrated these skills in the past.
• Ask Insightful Questions: Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the company.
• Dress Professionally and Be Punctual: Make a positive first impression by dressing appropriately and arriving on time. The same professionalism should be applied to video interviews as well.

7. Follow-up and Seek Feedback 

Following up after submitting your internship application is crucial. It shows the recruiter that you are genuinely interested in the position and eager to contribute to the company. A well-timed follow-up can keep your application at the top of the recruiter’s mind and increase your chances of securing the internship.

Seeking feedback, whether you get the position or not, is equally important. It demonstrates your willingness to learn and improve, which can impress the recruiter and benefit your future applications.

When sending a follow-up email to the recruiter, follow these points:

• Be Prompt & Patient: Wait about one to two weeks after submitting your application to send a follow-up email. This gives the recruiter enough time to review your application without feeling rushed.
• Keep It Professional: Write a professional email using a formal tone and address the recruiter by their name. Ensure your email is free from errors.
• Express Gratitude: Thank the recruiter for considering your application. Show appreciation for their time and effort in reviewing your materials.
• Reiterate Your Interest: Briefly mention why you are excited about the internship and how your skills align with the company’s needs.
• Seek Constructive Feedback: If you are not selected, politely ask for feedback on your application. This can provide valuable insights for future opportunities.

Conclusion 

Whether you desire to secure an internship at TCS, Deutsche Bank, Amazon, or other big companies, you need a well-thought-out plan of action. By following the steps outlined in this guide on how to get an internship in big companies, you can significantly improve your chances of getting selected. Remember, persistence is key. The selection process can be challenging, however, it is important to persevere. Every application and interview is a learning experience that brings you one step closer to your goal. 

Kickstart your preparation by practicing common interview questions for internships.

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