This is how you score that internship

We have mentioned it before; one of the best ways to get started is by doing internships first. I once started with an internship at ELLE and was sure then: this is what I want. Through that internship, I learned to write, how to create a magazine, and conversely, the editorial team saw what I could (and couldn't) do. May started her career in the television world with an internship in Singapore, and Josselin began with an internship at the magazine La Vie en Rose, where May happened to work as an editor/producer at the time. In short, an internship is your ticket in. You get that internship by having an outstanding job interview, and since so much depends on that, we will tell you how to do it best.

Ensure thorough preparation

Of course, you know everything there is to know about the company where you want to intern. Suppose you are going for an interview for an internship at Amayzine.com, then you have at least read all the posts from the last few weeks and let that show, you know what we do on the social media channels, and you know who works at Amayzine. Bring a printed version of your CV for everyone you will be speaking with and, if necessary, your portfolio. Oh, and don't be late, so plan the route in advance. And do that yourself, don't ask the person you are emailing how to get to their office (this really happened).

Know the field

If you are applying to a fashion magazine or website, you can bet your bottom dollar that you will be asked which other magazines or websites you read. Don't just say that you read ELLE and NSMBL.com, but show that you really know those titles. For example, say that you love ELLE, especially the pieces by Stefanie Bottelier, and that you really miss Ilonka Leenheer's column, and that you find the Guy Talk videos on NSMBL.com so much fun. This way, you show that you are not just rattling off some big brands, but that you actually know something about them.

Show why you want to intern at this company and not at another?

Why specifically at Amayzine? Why not at I Love Fashion News, Chapter Friday, or NSMBL? Why does Amayzine suit you better and you suit Amayzine better? Otherwise, it becomes a general talk that you could give anywhere, and that immediately reflects your enthusiasm. Moreover, this way you show once again that you have done your homework. By the way, make sure you don't get stuck in too many generalities, saying “I think the site is so nice” doesn't say much, why do you think the site is so nice? And why do you read the site every day?

What do you want to learn?

Do you want to become the best writer? Or create the most beautiful designs? Make sure you have a clear plan in mind, of course, you want to “tackle everything” and “learn as much as possible” but a bit of vision is not a bad thing. This brings me to the next point.

Show that you have ambition

Show that you are not just doing it because “it has to be done for school.” A company invests a lot of time and effort in an intern, and if there is a wet blanket who is not really interested, that is not very motivating. Share your dreams (“I want to become editor-in-chief later”) but be careful, don't be arrogant, so find a middle ground that shows you are willing to work incredibly hard to become editor-in-chief when you grow up.

Leave your attitude at home

I mentioned this a bit already, but oh this is important. Don't walk in with an attitude of “oh I already know everything and just give me a job right away, forget about the internship.” As an intern, you start at the bottom, and yes that means you sometimes have to take on the crappy tasks. But don't see crappy tasks as crappy tasks but as a way to show that you don't feel too good for anything and therefore want to tackle everything to move forward.

Ask good questions

Very important, ask at least two questions during or at the end of the interview. According to Josselin, these can also be trivial questions like: “What are the working hours?”. Also, ask what you can expect from your internship, if that hasn't already been covered. Or: “What developments are currently happening within the company?” “Are there projects planned that I can help with?”, “Where do you see the company in a year?” etc.

Have you secured the internship? Then read this post as well, because here we explain how you will become the best intern.