A proactive and well-prepared approach is necessary for every internship or job search.
To be effective, you must use the right tools and start your search with a basic method and organisation.
We offer documentary resources that outline the main steps in every internship and job search.
Reviewing your personal and professional skills
Reviewing your personal and professional skills is a key stage in your internship or job search.
This involves taking stock:
- of your strengths and your abilities, i.e. your knowledge and your professional and interpersonal skills. It is important to identify and describe them by analysing all your past experiences (academic, professional and personal);
- of your motivations, i.e. what drives you: your goals, interests and values.
You can also go through this assessment by using the university's Experience and Skills Portfolio (PEC). Learn more about the PEC.
Market research
This involves gathering as much information as possible on different professions, sectors and businesses. You will study the expectations of companies and the realities of a particular market. Just like a salesperson who researches their future clientèle, you need to validate your “targets” through practical work. This research will help you set realistic professional goals.
To help you with this step, you can consult our practical guide: Identifying and targeting your market
Creating communication material
Good communication means knowing your target and your objective, and then adapting your style and language to reflect them.
A CV is a personal presentation, it is the first impression you give of who you are.
The cover letter should reflect your motivation and clarify your goals; the aim is to get you to the interview stage.
The interview when others can get to know you, when your personality comes through, when you can meet your future employers, ask questions about their business, the position you're applying for, etc.
Here are several resources that can help you create high-quality communication material:
- Creating a CV
- Drafting a cover letter
- Presenting yourself in a few minutes
To practice answering interview questions, you can also use the APEC simulator.
Would you like to meet with a careers advisor or use the Careers Service resources? Find all the information you need on the Careers Service website and Facebook page.
