Getting an internship is among the best ways to gain practical skills and develop valuable ones, along with higher chances of getting a full-time job after graduation. In the UK alone, there are various ways where students and graduates can find amazing internship opportunities in almost every industry. It talks about the best UK websites to find an internship, tips on how one successfully lands an internship, leading companies hiring interns, and statistics of the internship trend and salaries within the UK.
Best UK Websites to Find Internships
The right opportunity can only be tapped into with the use of the right resources. Of course, there are quite a number of websites that connect students or graduates to employers. Here are some of the best platforms for finding internships in the UK:
RateMyPlacement: Probably the most popular job search site for internship jobs, RateMyPlacement boasts an awesome number of reviews from a huge number of students who have completed their internships, giving you much more of an idea of what to expect. It covers internships, work placements, and insight programs at UK companies, including a very strong focus on business, finance, and engineering roles.
Prospects: The well-established graduate careers website, Prospects lists a wide range of internships across various sectors. The site also provides career advice on such subjects as how to apply for an internship, how to write a CV, and how to be successful in an interview.
Indeed: Indeed is among the world’s largest job search websites and also shares an extensive list of internships in the UK. You can filter the available internships by location, industry, and experience level on the site for easier finding of roles that best fit your interests.
TARGETjobs: The TARGETjobs job site is also one of the UK’s top career websites, carrying a wide variety of internships in many sectors. It also provides a few useful career resources and advice for students and recent graduates on how to go through the application process.
Internwise: This UK-focused site connects students and graduates with employers offering intern internships. Internwise covers a host of industries, from marketing to media to IT, and allows candidates to build out profiles so that employers can contact them directly.
Linked In: Though it is a professional networking site, it is quite decent for job internship purposes, too. As most of the companies in the UK post internship opportunities on their LinkedIn accounts, while it may connect you with industry professionals or recruiters who can give you an idea about upcoming opportunities.
How to Secure an Internship
Competition in securing an internship may be very tight, considering that most leading firms receive thousands of applications yearly. Here are expert tips for a competitive advantage in securing an ideal opportunity:.
Begin Early: Most companies give early deadlines, sometimes as early as the fall of the previous year, for their summer internships. Starting early this way offers an edge over the pool of competitors and does not allow important opportunities to slip away.
Customize Your Application: As in applications for jobs, customize your application, CV, and cover letter to the internship you apply for; highlight relevant skills for the position and show a keen interest in the goals and values of the company.
Network: There is no superior weapon for fetching an internship than networking. Networking allows people to mingle with others at career fairs, connect through LinkedIn groups, and gurus in desired fields of study. Often, a majority of the internships are attained through referrals and personal networks. This further enhances the urge to create beneficial opportunities by building networks.
Smaller companies may be the ones that many students overlook, but not necessarily large ones. The potential in smaller companies is usually more experiential and affords the opportunity for meaningful responsibility that might not be immediately available in a larger concern.
Get ready for interviews: Most companies conduct competency-based interviews with internship applicants. Get ready for interviews by practicing common interview questions, learning about the company, and being prepared to talk about how your skills meet the job requirements. Enthusiasm about the industry and a willingness to learn will get you a long way with a potential employer.
The distinguishing factor in such a competitive market is an effective internship CV. An internship CV template would include transferable skills, relevant academic achievements, and any previous work experience, no matter how part-time or volunteer it may be. Also, don’t forget to show your interest in the industry and how eager you are to learn.
Best UK Companies Hiring Interns
Some of the leading UK companies have pretty established programmes of Internships to nurture talents for the future. Most of the programs offer a good opportunity for structured learning and, on occasion, a full-time position after completion of it. There are a number of best companies in the UK for recruiting interns.
PwC: Known popularly as PricewaterhouseCoopers, it is one of the leading consulting firms in the UK and offers excellent opportunities in internships for audit, tax, consulting, technology, etc. Internship opportunities with PwC are greatly in demand with its excellent training and mentorship for career development.
Deloitte is also one of the top consulting firms offering summer internships through various service lines such as financial advisory, consulting, and risk management. Deloitte is also highly recognized for its competitive intern programs and the possibility of securing a full-time job after graduation.
Unilever: This global giant in consumer goods offers internships in marketing, supply chain, finance, and research and development. From its internship program, students at Unilever will gain practical exposure and work on impactful projects.
Goldman Sachs: Students interested in finance will be able to definitely intern at Goldman Sachs within one of its many business units: investment banking, securities, asset management, among many others. The Goldman Sachs internship is known for comprehensive training and to work on high-profile deals.
BBC: The BBC offers several internships in journalism, production, and digital media for individuals keen to work within the media sector. These are some of the best places to have a work experience within one of the leading UK media institutions.
Statistics About Internships in the UK
Internship has grown into the core development issues in student and graduate careers. According to statistics represented by the Institute of Student Employers, 69% of employers provide students with internships, while 37% of students are offered permanent employment upon completion of the internship period. Such statistics point to the role of internships as one of the major steps toward permanent employment.
While internships differ in terms of pay, a good percentage of internships in the UK are paid; those given by larger corporations are more likely to offer paid internships. The UK’s National Minimum Wage Act stipulates that workers who can be deemed workers must get at least a minimum wage compensation, set currently at £7.49 per hour for those 21-22 years and £10.18 for individuals aged 23 and over. However, it is still a fact that unpaid internships are taken up widely in sectors where creativity is involved, such as in media, fashion, and the arts, though even this aspect is being increasingly challenged.
What to Expect from an Internship
It is one of the best ways to get experience, build a network, and explore career directions. In an internship, you can be given challenging projects, team work, and mentorship. The skills you develop during this time-whether it is communication, teamwork, or problem-solving-will be so invaluable in your future career.
In simple words, internships are the springboard through which freshers or undergraduates leap into the ocean of employment. With the best UK websites, tailoring your application, and effective networking, you’re just one step away from landing your perfect internship at top-notch companies. To stand out in a very competitive market, there has to be a good internship CV to help reflect an individual with skills and experience relevant to the job.
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