Different types of internships
An internship is an opportunity (normally considered a graded module) for final year students to utilise their schools beyond classroom walls and in the working industry. Students are usually hired to gain work experience or satisfy requirements for qualification by shadowing a senior in the organization. An internship can last up to six months. There are usually three different types of internships that are usually offered to students, these are local, overseas and online.
Local Internships
Local internships are the most common. You are based in Singapore and usually work in the company’s office.
Main costs usually come in the form of transport and meal expenses, but most companies usually give an allowance of about $300 to $600 which should cover most if not all your expenses.
Some students can also opt to go for a local internship under the civic route, which can also be known as a civic internship. Ngee Ann Polytechnic hosts such internship opportunities for their students. A civic internship enables students to work in socially responsible workplaces, and apply their skills and knowledge to promote social good. While this develops them to become work-ready professionals, it also nurtures them to become advocates who help build a better world.
Overseas Internships
You intern in a different country (Yay!). These are usually quite hard to get with very limited slots. Overseas internships offer the experience of living and working in a different country, and you may get to go to regions such as Europe, the US or other parts of Asia!
Most schools would usually offer one or two placings for an overseas internship. These slots are hard to get as there are a high number of applicants.
Costs of doing an overseas internship vary widely as different companies have different benefits and allowance. Companies usually do follow one of the following when it comes to benefits and allowances:
- Fully funded, costs of travel, accommodation and living are fully borne by the company.
- Partially funded, where the company may only subsidise accommodation and travel but may not fully cover all the costs. There will be a standard allowance for costs of living.
- Allowance only, company may only pay a fixed sum of allowance every month.
- Self funded, where the company does not pay you an allowance or help to subsidise any costs.
Therefore do check with your lecturers or the company itself to ensure that you don’t end up broke in a foreign country!
Online Internships (Remote Overseas Internship)
Some overseas companies offer local internships where you Work From Home. However the caveats to this is that you may need to work with the company’s timezone (e.g. if the company is based in New York, US there is a 12 hour time difference, 12pm meetings in US time is 12am in SG time). Support from the company may also be minimal and mainly online as your supervisor / manager may not be based in Singapore.
How to find the right company to intern for?
There are many companies that offer internships in a variety of industries and fields, some even cover multiple fields. However there are a few key things that you can look out for to decide which company you want to intern in.
Secondary and Primary Research
If possible look at websites such as glassdoor or if possible talk to seniors. Seniors who have previously interned in the company may be able to provide insights such as job scope, company culture etc. Websites such as glassdoor do provide insight into company culture but may not be as updated or accurate. You can also visit the company’s website and take a look at their values and mission to see if it aligns with your strengths and allows you to grow. It is also important to research about the external partners of the company, those who you would be working with as an intern with them. For example, if you are looking to intern with an advertising firm, it is best to work with clients/organisations from various industries to gain the most from your internship
Industry of company
If you are applying to a company sourced by the school, it is usually related to your field of study and diploma. However, it is also completely fine to look for a company that is different from your course of study. You can look at industries that may interest you and give you new horizons!
In most fields there are usually the big players (e.g. for Aerospace engineering there’s Rolls Royce, Pratt & Whitney), however you may also consider smaller companies/agencies (e.g. for Aviation Management companies based in Seletar that deal with general / private aviation). Different types of companies offer very different types of experiences during your internship. Bigger companies tend to have a more structured training and give opportunities to their interns while smaller companies tend to be more on the job training wise. This may vary across industries, and it is best to first conduct research and speak to seniors/lecturers to gain an insight into company culture and policies. Regardless of company size, it does not mean you’ll learn less, just that the way of training differs.
Insourced Vs Outsourced Internships
Insourced internships are companies that are sourced by the school. Usually these companies are related to your course of study and industry. There may be a few companies outside of this scope that are offered too. There are a few pros and cons to this.
Pros:
- Internship details are usually readily available for you to consider.
- Usually offered in previous years, thus you would be able to find seniors who have interned in these companies before.
Cons:
- May not offer the company that you are looking for.
- Somewhat limited in the scope of these companies, usually related to your field of study. (e.g.. Aviation related courses usually offer companies such as Airlines, CAG, Selatar based companies or CAAS)
Outsourced internships on the other hand, are internships that you find yourself. If you are already working with the company, have contacts in it or just cold email / call them, you can consider approaching them for an internship that is graded by the school. As you are the one sourcing your own company, you are free to choose what industry or any specific company you want to work for. There are no issues in sourcing your own internships, as you may be able to find opportunities that your school may not offer. However, this is dependent on your lecturer in charge/school as well, and advanced preparation is crucial when it comes to an outsourced internship. Preparation is required to allow for administrative work between the school and your company of choice, to convince both parties that they should be open to this internship.
Pros:
- Able to choose what company and industry you want to work in.
- More flexibility with scope and period of internship.
Cons:
- Internship company may not be accepted by the school. Leading you to needing to find a new company to intern for.
- Schools also may not offer as much protection for you from the company (e.g. during disputes over allowance).
- Internship period may not be in-line with the school period allocated for internships.
- Company/School may not reply and accept the internship. This is why advanced preparation is required.
How to write your Cover Letter
An application letter, also known as a cover letter, is required when applying for a job position. Collectively, the cover letter and résumé are known as job search documents.
The cover letter is an attention-getter, containing several reasons why the reader should want to meet you. But it should do much more than say: “Here, please read my résumé”.
Although you would be sending similar résumés for several internship (and job) applications, you should tailor the application for each potential employer, using a cover letter. In it, you should highlight any unique qualifications and experiences for that particular internship position, and tell the reader what you can do for their organisation.
The cover letter is very similar to a persuasive sales letter. It should:
- Catch the reader’s attention (1st paragraph)
- Create a desire for the “product” (you) and the service that you can offer because of your strengths (2nd & 3rd paragraph)
- Cause the reader to invite you for an interview (final paragraph)
Cover Letter Vs. Emailing
Is the formal cover letter still necessary, or are candidates better off writing an email?
The answer is simple – do whatever that gives you the most effective impact on the employer. Regardless of the format, be concise, but write enough to convince whoever is reviewing your materials that you are worthy of serious consideration for the internship.
An email cover letter should be sent with your résumé to provide additional information on your competencies. It is written to highlight why you are qualified for the job you are applying for, and to explain the reasons for your interest in the company.
Analysis on how to write a cover letter
Message: What message or information do you want to give?
An email cover letter should persuade you with reasons why your reader should meet up with you.
Audience: Who are you giving this email cover letter to?
HR personnel and the management of the organisation where you are applying for the internship position.
Purpose: What is the purpose of giving this message?
To highlight your qualifications and to show a match between your competencies to the requirements of the advertised internship position, so you can get an interview.
Strategies: How do you make your email cover letter effective?
- Catch the reader’s attention (1st paragraph)
- Create a desire for the “product” (you) and the service that you can offer because of your competencies and qualification (2nd & 3rd paragraph)
- Cause the reader to invite you for an interview (final paragraph)
Useful Phrases
Introduction (Opening Paragraph)
- Please consider the attached résumé for the position of ……, as advertised on your website/Glints on (date).
Contents – When describing your Academic Qualifications and Relevant Skills
- In my studies, I completed relevant modules such as ___ which enable me to …
- During my course of study, I took modules in …
- Although I have limited work experience, what I have learnt in my Diploma course has …
- As a current student from Temasek/Republic/Ngee Ann/Singapore/Nanyang Polytechnic, I have …
Contents – When describing your Personal Qualities
- Apart from academic pursuits, I was also active in co-curricular activities…
- My part-time work experience in …
- I am confident that my ability to …
- My current part-time job has inculcated in me skills such as …
Suitable for Closing Paragraph
- I look forward to discussing this opportunity with you at an interview …
- I look forward to an opportunity for an interview at your convenience.
- I hope for an interview at a mutually convenient time.
- Thank you for considering my application.
- Thank you for your consideration of my qualifications.
Tips for writing Cover Letter
Don’t Waste Your Subject Line
What you write in the subject line can determine whether your letter gets read. The subject line should be clear and specific to the job you’re looking for. An example: “Application for Marketing Executive Internship Position at Ace Markers Pte Ltd.”
Use Standard Cover Letter Protocol
Write your letter as the body of the email and include a salutation (use the receiver’s actual name if you know it) and a standard closing. (“Sincerely” or “Warm regards” work as well.)
- Leave blank lines between paragraphs, and use appropriate signature and closing lines.
- Include all relevant contact information in your signature line, including residential address, phone number and email address.
Keep It Short and Dynamic
Give busy recruiters and HR personnel the gist of your job application pitch in 150 to 200 words. Use short paragraphs and short sentences to give a very brief description of who you are and what you can do for them, and conclude in the second paragraph.
Be Specific
Don’t respond to an advertisement for a specific job if you are not at all qualified for it. HR personnel and recruitment officers look for specific competencies; skill-oriented keywords in email cover letters will boost your chance at being shortlisted for an interview.
Check It Again
Thoroughly spell-check and proofread your email letter. Since your email software’s spell-checker will not catch grammar mistakes, send it to a friend first and ask him/her to check it for content and style. Or email it to yourself, and put yourself in the mind-set of an employer when you read it.
Emoji
Email writers often use emoticons to convey a certain feeling. In business correspondence, using emojis shows a lack of professionalism; so stick to words only.
How to build your resume
The difference between a resume, Cover Letter and portfolio
A resume (can also be called a CV), is a document created and used by a person to present their background, skills, and accomplishments. One might ask, so what is the difference between my resume, portfolio and cover letter? There are benefits provided for all three, with different aspects that the employer (your future boss) can focus on about you as an intern. A portfolio gives possible employers a more detailed look at the work that you’ve done. It is given as a form of depth to what you have stated in your resume. On the other hand, a cover letter elaborates on why you are qualified for the job. This letter is given to your employer with the intention to persuade them that you are the most suited person for the job in the company. These usually go hand in hand when applying for a job application or an internship.
How to get started on resume writing
A resume is ever changing. It is updating as you move forward in the workforce, a reflection of your journey through your various experiences. Hence, you can start by collating a master list/overview on your computer, including all the information which you’ve ever included on a resume: past positions, skill sets, unusual projects that only make sense to add on occasion; etc. What you include in your resume may change depending on the job that you are looking at applying for. Then, it’s only a matter of copying and pasting relevant material together while creating each unique resume. Read on to find out some potential information to include in a resume.
What to include in your resume
Listed here are some information that you would need in your resume. It is encouraged that you pick information that defines you as the ideal person for the job. Hence, this means that not all the information listed here is necessary in your resume. Remember, it is something that is unique and may not be the same always!
- Contact information
- Your name
- Your career/Job you identify with
- Your work number
- A professional email address
- Relevant social media (e.g. LinkedIn)
- A photograph
- Work Experience (Past and Present)
- Show the most recent years of your career history – only include the experience relevant to the positions to which you are applying.
- Remember to allocate priority according to importance. If there’s a choice between including one more internship or talking about the project in school…. Talk more about the internship!
- Relevant and transferable skills alongside any related side or academic projects
- You can pair it with a strong cover letter, explaining why you’re ideal for the job
- Skill Sets (Soft and hard skills)
- Think about how you can demonstrate these attributes in your bullet points with strong vocabulary that stands out
- List the skills in the order of what the job application needs and is looking for
- Education
- List in reverse chronological order. But if older coursework is more specific to the job, list that first to grab the employer’s attention.
- Don’t be afraid to include continuing education, professional development coursework, or online courses as well!
- Certifications/Awards/Licenses
- These show that you have drive and can achieve results! Especially so if they are relevant to the job in mind.
- Hobbies/Interest
- Shows the employer your life beyond work, giving them a deeper depth of understanding you
- If possible, try to only add those that are relevant to the job (playing guitar as a hobby and applying to be a manager at a music company)
- Community Involvement/Volunteering
- This can be attractive especially for companies with Corporate Social Responsibility projects
- Volunteer experience is much like work: you apply yourself, execute projects, and learn new skills.
Tips for resume formatting
- Make sure the top half of your resume is filled with your best experiences and accomplishments.
- This is the first portion that the hiring manager will view, and it will function as a hook to entice someone to continue reading.
- Keep the content succinct
- Forcing yourself to stick to one page is a smart method to do so. This is to assist in keeping information easy and readable for you and the hiring manager.
- Use Helvetica, Arial, or Century Gothic as a simple but modern typeface.
- A font size of 10 to 12 and plenty of white space on the page makes your resume easy to read.
- For your name and resume headings, you can use a different font or typeface, but keep it simple and consistent.
- Hiring managers usually don’t devote much time to each resume. Assist them by making material as simple as possible to read in the shortest time possible.
Websites for Resume templates
- Canva – You would first have to create an account, but there are many free design templates to choose from
- Microsoft Office Word
- Google Documents – [You can select out of a variety from here, simply by making a copy!: https://tinyurl.com/resumegoogledoc
- Alternatively, you can web search for dedicated resume templates websites online as well. However, these usually cost some form of payment.
Building your LinkedIn profile/portfolio
Linkedin is basically social media, but for professional working people (aka cough boomers, JKJK). Launched on May 5, 2003, Linkedin is used mainly for people to connect and network with each other professionally and get to know others within their industry. Job seekers utilizing Linkedin to hunt for job openings and employers using the site to post job openings have both grown in popularity as well. Hence, Linkedin is important when you are a fresh graduate looking for a job opening in your preferred industry.
As a student, you may be required to create a Linkedin profile as part of your career readiness module. Lost and confused? We got you. Here are some tips on how you can improve your Linkedin profile.
Refine, Reorganise and Replace
Linkedin comprises of a few basic sections: (very similar to sections that you need in a resume)
- Introduction
- Your Work Experience
- Your Educational Qualifications
- Licenses and Certifications
- Volunteer Work
The most important sections here are mainly your work experience and licenses and certifications that you might have. If you have worked in part time jobs before, do give a brief description of your job scope and any skills that you have picked up. Such skills can range from generic ones (e.g. communication) to job specific ones (e.g. how to brew coffee on a semi automatic espresso machine).
However, there are character limits to what you can write on your profile. (LinkedIn counts a ‘character’ to include letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation. ) Hence it is important to refine your sentences (if you are copying and pasting from your resume), and reorganise them into what is most important. As you progress forward, it is also important and crucial to stay up to date on your profile by replacing old achievements with new ones. Here are some limits of a few basic sections:
- Name – First name: 20 characters and Last Name: 40 characters.
- Headline – 120 character limit.
- Profile Summary – maximum 2,000 character limit
- Website URL – 256 maximum character limit. (Hint: Do create your own URL: 5-30 characters after www.linkedin.com/in/’ ^______ Your custom URL can have 5-30 letters or numbers. You cannot use spaces, symbols, or special characters.)
- Position title – 100 maximum character limit.
- Position description – 200 character minimum (2000 maximum characters).
Capitalise on what is important, and what it is that you are looking for. Is it a job offer? Is it to connect with another executive in the field? Similar to a resume, not a lot of time will be spent looking at your profile. So, do always refine, reorganise and replace what you are displaying on your profile towards potential employers.
How to make your profile stand out
Did you know that when someone Googles your name, your Linkedin profile will appear on page one of Google 90% of the time? Now you know! It’s critical to properly and professionally brand your page, as well as find ways to make it stand out from the crowd. Here are some things that you are able to do to your profile to make it stand out!
(https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/10-ways-to-create-a-winning-linkedin-profile)
- The most simple thing you can do to upgrade your Linkedin profile is to put a face to your name and add a profile picture — and a good one at that. Be creative if that fits with what you do or who you are, but remember that this is the first impression people will get from your page. If you don’t have a professional headshot to use, it’s worth the investment. With the huge numbers of people on Linkedin, those without a photo are easily pushed aside.
- Your Linkedin URL is the web address for your profile. The default URL will have your name and some gibberish numbers on it. Why not make it something more relevant? Along the right side of your profile, you will see the option to edit your public URL. Use that option to make your URL more concise and neat — again, it only takes a couple of minutes and it can make your URL much more memorable.
- It seems obvious to start connecting with people, but it can be easy to forget sometimes. You need to keep growing your connections as you meet people because of Linkedin’s system of first, second, and third-degree connections; having a lot of connections helps keep you visible to others.
That being said, while you can connect with people you don’t know, it’s preferable to connect with individuals whom you know personally, have worked with, or met in a professional capacity. If you do decide to connect with individuals you haven’t met, or don’t have a direct connection to, send a note with your request explaining who you are and why you’d like to connect.
Admittedly, you may not have much to put on your Linkedin now, which is understandable as most of us would not have worked in many jobs. However, it is still good to start a Linkedin profile and add the link of your profile to your resume. When utilised correctly, Linkedin has a vast potential to be explored and used to your advantage when going into the working scene.
Interview tips & how to follow up an interview
An interview has two purposes: it demonstrates to the employer what you can achieve for the firm, and it allows you to analyze whether your skills and career goals correspond with the position. There is a lot to gain from the job interview process if both parties listen carefully and speak clearly. Though interviews may seem daunting and challenging at the start, with preparation and some experience, interviews will become quite routine and will not look as scary!
What to wear to an interview
Dress appropriate for your job scope. A standard long sleeve shirt, pants with tie should suffice for most interviews. Do ensure that you are well groomed, as wearing crumpled clothes does not project a professional image of you. This dressing can also be applied when you go for formal presentations during your modules.
It’s also crucial to keep track of the colors that you are wearing to the interview. The best colors for a job interview are neutrals like navy, gray, black, and brown. A white button-down shirt or a blouse is also a great choice. This is because these colors are typically associated with sentiments of serenity, trust, and confidence, all of which are desirable attributes for an interviewer to detect in you.
How to prepare for an interview
Do some background research about the company that you are applying for, such as their values and mission. You also can look at what they specialise in and the key aspects of their business. (E.g. Airline representative position would ask about things such as customer service and background aviation knowledge)
It is also critical to map out your route to the interview place. A failure to plan is a plan to fail. Make sure you arrive on time, or at least 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Make sure you know the address well and, if possible, do a test run a few days ahead of time. Keep in mind that unforeseen circumstances can occur at any time (rip SMRT breakdowns), and you don’t want to miss your interview!
Some tips would be to check the traffic reports the morning before the interview and plan a backup route just in case. If you’re using the train or bus, check the weather forecast the night before and monitor for any delays. Keep an eye out for track work or traffic conditions that could cause your train or bus ride to be delayed.
Of course, do go to bed early the night before and wake up early to give yourself plenty of time to prepare and ace the interview with confidence.
Interview Questions
There are a few standard interview questions that most interviewers would ask. Some of the few questions that are typically asked. Such questions include what are your strengths and weaknesses or why did you choose this specific internship to apply for.
Make sure that your answers are prepared and well thought out. They need not be fully truthful, but should be believable at least.
It would also be recommended to ask the interviewer questions when you are prompted by the famous “Do you have any questions for me?”. This can help you determine whether or not the position is a good match for you. It also demonstrates to the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the job. Having no questions could be interpreted as an indication that you did not prepare or are not serious about the internship. Remember, an interview is meant to be a two-way process for both parties to understand each other. So, what can you ask the interviewer?
Questions that you have prepared to ask should reflect answers that cannot be Googled. For example, company culture, day to day activities and personal team challenges that employees have faced. These are also crucial as they allow you to gain insight to whether or not the company is right for you.
Following up after an interview
If you have their contact, it’s optional for you to drop a short thank you email for their time taken to interview you. After an interview, it usually takes anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks for a company to get back to you.
Should the company not get back to you after 4 weeks, you can drop them a follow up email to enquire about the status of your application. If you don’t get any reply after this, chances are you have been rejected. This is the time then to start looking and applying for another company so that little time is wasted.
An internship is one that can provide you an experience like no other beyond the school walls. Hence, it is important to be well prepared and impress the company that you are looking to intern for. Here at FBM, we wish you all the best in your internship applications! But what happens DURING the internship? Keep a lookout for our next article in the internship series. 🙂
