# No internship yet? Here’s how to approach it effectively **Authors:** Khadidja Addi **Categories:** Campus Life **Tags:** Stage, Recherche d’emploi, Réseau, LinkedIn, Candidature **Last Updated:** 2025-11-05T10:24:43.871Z **Reading Time:** 1 min read --- ## Summary Struggling to land a six-month internship? Activate your network (alumni, instructors), target the right platforms, and prioritize direct outreach with follow-ups rather than relying solely on job-dating events. --- If you still haven’t found your six-month internship, you’re not alone. It isn’t a foregone conclusion: by revisiting your method and acting strategically, you can still land an internship. ## The right method Mobilize your network: alumni from the B3 cohort, Business Deep Dive (BDD) instructors and guest speakers, and contacts you met at events. Business Deep Dive sessions have helped nearly half of a cohort find an internship through informal encounters. Reach out again, offer your help, and follow up to restart the conversation. ## Job dating events: not that beneficial This year, job-dating events haven’t always delivered. Don’t rely solely on institutional channels. Look for opportunities where they actually are: platforms (LinkedIn, Welcome to the Jungle) and direct approaches (social networks, startups that post spontaneously). ## Mistakes to avoid Avoid generic applications. Fewer, highly targeted applications beat a mass of standardized ones. Show that you know whom you’re addressing, why you’re interested, and what you can contribute. ## Stay hopeful There are still internships to fill. Some roles open up at the last minute. Other companies don’t yet know they need you. Make yourself visible, be proactive, and dare. “Knowledge is gained through experience; everything else is just information.” — A. Einstein ## Key Takeaways 1. Activate your network: **alumni**, **BDD instructors/guests**, and **event contacts** can open doors fast. 2. Restart stalled leads: **follow up**, offer help, and keep the conversation warm with value-added updates. 3. Don’t rely on job dating: prioritize **platforms (LinkedIn, Welcome to the Jungle)** and **direct outreach** to startups. 4. **Quality over quantity**: send fewer, **highly targeted applications** that show fit, interest, and clear contribution. 5. Stay visible and bold: **last-minute internships exist**—be **proactive**, post your work, and dare to ask. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### I don’t have an internship yet—how can I find one fast? Prioritize networking and targeted outreach over mass applying. Each week, aim for 5–10 highly tailored applications plus 10–15 messages to alumni, instructors, guest speakers, and event contacts, with timely follow-ups. ### How do I use my alumni network to get internship referrals? Use LinkedIn’s Alumni tool to find people in your target roles and send a short, specific message asking for a 15-minute chat. After the call, politely request a referral if there’s a fit and share a tailored resume that matches their team’s needs. ### What’s a good follow-up schedule after applying for an internship? Follow up 5–7 business days after applying, then again 7–10 days later if there’s no response (2–3 touches total). Add value in each note—share a short idea, project snippet, or relevant coursework that proves you can contribute. ### Are job-dating events worth it for internships? Treat them as a bonus, not your main strategy—they’re hit or miss. You’ll usually get better results from direct outreach on LinkedIn and Welcome to the Jungle, informational interviews, and contacting startups that post spontaneously. ### How many internship applications should I send per week? Five to ten customized applications per week usually outperform 30+ generic ones. Tailor your resume and a short cover email to the role, show why you want that company, and quantify how you can help. ### How can I optimize my LinkedIn to attract internship recruiters? Use a keyword-rich headline (e.g., “Business Analyst Intern | Data & Market Research”), add a focused About section with 2–3 achievements, and feature projects or case studies. Turn on Open to Work, follow target companies, and comment thoughtfully on relevant posts weekly. ### What if I have little experience—how can I show value in internship applications? Lead with coursework, projects, competitions, and club work that mirror the job’s tasks, and quantify outcomes where possible. Include a portfolio (Notion, GitHub, Google Drive) and highlight transferable skills like analysis, communication, and initiative. ### How do I cold email startups for an internship? Keep it short: subject line with role + quick value, then 3 sentences—who you are, why them now (reference a post/product update), and one concrete way you can help. Link a relevant project, ask for a 10–15 minute call, and follow up once or twice if needed. --- *Article from [Albert's Deep Dive](https://deepdive.albertschool.com) - Albert School's Journal*