How to Get a Marketing Internship: Essential Tips and Resources
Table of Contents
Looking to break into marketing? Our blog provides a comprehensive guide to landing a marketing internship. From industry insights to essential resources, resume crafting, and interview tips, we offer everything you need to kickstart your marketing career. Perfect for students and career changers alike, start your journey with us today!
What is Marketing？
Marketing is the process of communicating the value of a product or service to a target audience, which includes customers, investors, clients, or the general public.
What Do You Do at a Marketing Internship?
This section should clearly outline what tasks and duties the person in this role will be responsible for. When a candidate reads the job responsibilities section, they should be able to clearly understand what the role entails and how the role fits into the broader organization.
Types of Marketing Jobs
The job description you craft will need to be highly tailored to the role you’re hiring for. After all, if you’re hiring for a technical SEO role you don’t want to create a description that will attract aspiring social media managers. Here are some of the most common types of marketing jobs available for modern marketers:
- Digital Marketing: Promotes products or services using digital channels to drive online visibility and customer engagement.
- Content Marketing: Creates and distributes valuable content to attract and retain a target audience, driving profitable customer actions.
- Product Marketing: Manages product positioning, messaging, and go-to-market strategies to ensure successful product launches and adoption.
- Brand Marketing: Develops and maintains a brand’s image and voice to build equity and loyalty among consumers.
- Event Marketing: Plans and promotes events to create brand awareness and generate leads through engaging experiences.
- Marketing Analysis: Analyzes market data and campaign performance to provide insights and optimize marketing strategies.
Majors Suitable for Marketing
Students from various majors can excel in marketing roles. In addition to humanities and social science majors being better suited for this position, more and more computer science majors are pursuing careers in marketing. For example, with the rise of digital marketing, computer science students have an edge in data analysis, search engine optimization (SEO), social media management, and online advertising.
Resources You Need to Find a Marketing Internship
Using Your School’s Career Services Center
One of the most valuable resources for finding internships is your school’s career services center. Here’s how you can make the most of your career services center:
- Schedule Appointments: Regularly meet with a career advisor to discuss your career goals and internship options.
- Stay Informed: Subscribe to newsletters and updates from the career center to stay informed about upcoming events and new opportunities.
- Engage with Alumni: Many career centers have strong connections with alumni who are eager to help current students.
Leverage Social Media and Websites of Your Target Companies to Stay Updated
In today’s digital age, social media and company websites are indispensable tools for job seekers. Here’s how to effectively use social media and websites in your internship search:
Leveraging Social Media
- LinkedIn: Follow companies and join industry groups on LinkedIn. Engage with content posted by companies and connect with employees.
- Twitter: Companies often tweet about job openings and events. Use hashtags like #Internship, #JobOpening, and #CareerOpportunity to find relevant posts.
Utilizing Company Websites
- Career Pages: Regularly visit the career sections of company websites. Some companies also offer newsletters or job alerts you can subscribe to.
- Employee Blogs: Read blogs written by current employees to gain insights into the company culture and internship experiences.
- Virtual Events: Participate in webinars, virtual tours, and online Q&A sessions hosted by the company.
How to Write an Effective Resume
What is ATS？
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is computer software that human resource departments use to process the overwhelming number of applications they receive for job openings.
Here are some tips to make sure your resume can be read by an ATS:
- Use simple and clear language to avoid confusing the system.
- Stick to standard resume headers like “Education” and “Work Experience”. Avoid creative headers.
- Use common fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica for readability.
- Keep 1-inch margins on all sides to prevent your resume from looking crowded.
- Avoid unnecessary graphics or decorations, as they can confuse the ATS.
- Don’t use special characters or symbols that the system might not understand.
- Create your resume in a Word document to ensure it looks good and is easy for the ATS to read.
Follow Basic Formatting Requirements
Use a professional resume template to ensure your resume is neat and easy to read, effectively highlighting key information with clear headings, consistent formatting, and an organized structure.
Resume Formatting Rules
- Left-align the content.
- Use 1″ margins.
- Select a professional, easy-to-read font.
- Divide your information into clear sections.
- Set clear headers for each section.
- Use bullet points to explain your work experience.
- Keep your resume an appropriate length (one page for most candidates)
A resume should be concise, using bullet points and formatting to highlight key information, ensuring that recruiters can quickly understand your qualifications and achievements. Use formatting techniques such as bold, italics, or color to emphasize keywords and critical information, making them immediately noticeable during rapid scanning.
Demonstrate Your Fit for the Job
Provide a clear personal summary that outlines your resume, highlighting key points and skills directly related to the position, and emphasizing both technical and soft skills to show your alignment with the job requirements and your career aspirations.
Marketing Intern Example
Dynamic and driven International Marketing student with a proven track record of executing innovative marketing strategies, creating compelling digital content for social media channels, and conducting comprehensive market analysis. Proficient in various marketing software tools, meticulous in attention to detail, and adept in effective communication. Actively seeking a summer marketing internship with a progressive organization.
To ensure your resume meets the job requirements, tailor the content to the specific needs of the position, emphasize relevant achievements, use keywords from the job description for ATS optimization, and highlight experience in similar roles.
Employers value quantified achievements because they provide concrete evidence of your impact and abilities, which helps them better assess your potential performance in the new position.
Workload Achievements Example :
06/2018 – 08/2018, Marketing Intern, Hulu, Inc., Santa Monica, CA, United States
Conducted market research, analyzed current trends, and created content for multiple social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.
Implemented new marketing strategies and campaigns, and generated monthly marketing reports to track campaign effectiveness.
Actively participated in weekly team meetings, contributing to brainstorming sessions and idea generation.
Provided support to the Marketing Manager and Chief Marketing Officer on various assigned tasks.
Achieved a 25% growth in company’s Instagram page within a 3-month period.
What Can Be Added to a Marketing-Related Resume?
Add a Personal Website and Portfolio
Provide a link to your personal website in your resume to showcase your past works, project cases, and success stories. Your personal website can include:
- Detailed descriptions of your marketing strategies and plans
- Specific outcomes and data analysis of the projects you have participated in
- Advertisements, content creations, and design works you have produced
Include Social Media Accounts
Add your professional social media accounts to your resume, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram, to demonstrate your influence and activity on social media. Ensure these accounts reflect your professional image and marketing skills, for example:
- Professional articles and posts on LinkedIn
- Participation in industry discussions and sharing valuable content on Twitter
- Displaying visual creativity and marketing campaigns on Instagram
How to Build Your Network and Connections
LinkedIn Connection
Even if you don’t have inside connections, LinkedIn is your secret weapon for tapping into the power of networking with the company’s own team.
1. In the LinkedIn “People” section of the target company/industry, filter for positions of interest, preferably selecting alumni. Alumni are more inclined to offer assistance. Send a note to connect (briefly introducing yourself with your name, school, major, interests, and reason for contacting them).
2. Up on receiving an invitation to connect: Express gratitude, provide another brief self-introduction, inquire about scheduling a brief coffee chat, and briefly outline areas of interest.
3. Pre-chat preparation: Prepare a self-introduction; review the other person’s profile beforehand; prepare ten questions of interest (related to their profession or education).
4. On the day of the chat: Enter the chat five minutes early, tidy up appearance, confirm questions to ask, then chat as if with a senior colleague! Exchange greetings, introduce yourself, and ask questions. Respond to their answers with your own thoughts and experiences for deeper engagement!
5. At the end of the chat: Ask directly if they are willing to refer you; offer to provide your resume for them to learn more about you. Usually, they will agree at this point. It’s okay if they don’t. Regardless of the outcome, always express gratitude politely.
Offline Networking
- Participate in Offline Activities
Actively participate in school and industry offline events like job fairs and forums to understand industry trends and connect with experts.
- Volunteer at Industry Events
Volunteering at industry events demonstrates your enthusiasm and responsibility while providing valuable organizational skills and opportunities to network with industry veterans and potential employers.
- Attend Lectures and Seminars
Regularly attend lectures and seminars to gain industry insights, learn from experts, and network with speakers.
- Network During Other Internships
Utilize your internship to network with colleagues and supervisors, building professional relationships that can enhance your career development.
How to Stand Out in an Interview
Professional Behavior
First, present yourself as if you are already in the job. Treat the interview like a cosplay event where you play the role of a professional. Mimic the appearance and behavior of a workplace professional. Choosing appropriate formal attire is fundamental. When communicating with the interviewer, accurately expressing your thoughts, demonstrate the composure of someone with years of work experience.
Tips for Behavioral Interviews
With these kinds of questions, interviewers are usually trying to learn three things:
- They want to know how you behaved in a real-world situation.
- They want to understand the measurable value you added to that situation.
- They are trying to learn how you define something like “pressure at work”—a concept different people might interpret differently.
Success in a behavioral interview is all about preparation. There aren’t necessarily wrong answers. These questions are aimed at getting to know the real you. The important thing is to be honest and to practice structuring your responses in a way that communicates what you have to offer.
Here are some important tips to consider when preparing for your next behavioral interview:
- Review major projects you’ve worked on.
- Revisit previous job performance reviews.
- Make a list of your professional accomplishments.
- Use the STAR method to structure your response.
- Practice your interview responses aloud.
- Keep your answers under two minutes.
Showcase Your Extensive Experience
Even if you encounter work content during the interview that you haven’t experienced, don’t panic. Observe the work of others, learn from their experiences, and adapt these experiences as your own. For example, if a classmate mentioned a relevant technique or method in a school project, you can discuss your understanding of this topic during the interview and express your interest in learning and practicing it further.
What Questions Should You Ask at the End of the Interview?
At the end of the interview, if the candidate doesn’t have any questions to ask, he or she may appear to lack interest and initiative in the position or the company, and miss the opportunity to further demonstrate their curiosity and deepen the conversation.
HR（ Generally for initial interviews）：The main understanding of the company’s basic situation, assessment standards, departmental situation and other issues, reflecting stability and intentionality.
- Could you describe the day-to-day responsibilities of this role?
- What is the company culture and core values like here?
- What are the key success metrics for this position?
Final Interview
Immediate supervisors: mainly to understand the tasks of the position, the division of labor, and the problems of their own travel, reflecting professionalism and initiative
- How does the team typically collaborate on projects?
- Could you share some details about the current main projects the team is working on?
- How can I contribute most effectively in this role within the team?
Senior leaders: mainly understand the company’s development direction, departmental goals, personal improvement and other aspects of the problem, reflecting independent thinking and upward mobility
- What are some key goals or plans for the company in the coming years?
- How do you see this position contributing to the company’s long-term strategy?
- What support does the company offer for career development and growth?
Can’t Ask Anything
Questions that are too pointed or negative: For example, asking direct questions about why the company has a high turnover rate, internal conflicts, etc., may make the interview atmosphere awkward and affect the interviewer’s evaluation of the applicant’s attitude.
If you have any more interview questions, here’s a ChatGPT plugin I recommend: Interview Pro, It helps you excel in interviews across various job functions and levels.
How to Follow Up with HR on Interview Results
At different stages after the interview, you can follow specific scripts to inquire about the results from HR. Here are some recommended communication scripts to keep in mind:
On-site Inquiry Right After the Interview
“Thank you very much for the opportunity to interview with your company. It allowed me to showcase my abilities and learn more about your organization. I had a very pleasant conversation with the interviewer and look forward to the possibility of working together. Could you please let me know approximately how long it will take to finalize the interview results?”
Same Day as the Interview
Online Inquiry:
“Hello, I am (name) who interviewed for the (job tittle) position this morning. Thank you very much for arranging this interview. During the interview, I felt the professionalism and rigor of your company and learned about the career prospects of the position, which align well with my career plans. I hope to have the opportunity to work with your company. Could you please let me know when the interview results are expected to be finalized? Thank you.”
Three Days After the Interview
Routine Inquiry:
“Hello, I am （name） who interviewed for the ** position on Tuesday. I had a very pleasant conversation with the interviewer, and I now have a clearer understanding of the company and the position. I am looking forward to the opportunity to join the company. Could you please let me know if the interview results have been finalized? Thank you.”
Advanced Inquiry:
“Hello, I was very pleased to attend the interview with your company last week. I would like to inquire if the interview results are available now. And then I have received several offers from other companies, but considering the prospects of the company and the position, your company is still my preferred choice. I look forward to your feedback. Thank you!”
Things to confirm after receiving an offer but before starting the job:Indeed Career GuideGuide: Next Steps After You Got a Job Offer
How to Seek Professional Advice and Guidance
Here are some websites and tools to help you stay informed about industry trends and company operations:
Websites for Industry Trends
- Gartner: Offers insights and research on various industries, providing reports and market analysis.
- Statista: Provides statistics and reports on a wide range of industries and topics.
- McKinsey & Company: Publishes research and insights on global industries and market trends.
- Harvard Business Review: Covers a wide array of business topics, including industry trends and best practices.
- PwC: Offers industry-specific insights and analysis.
Tools for Learning About Company Operations
- Bloomberg: Provides comprehensive business and financial news, stock market data, and company analysis.
- Yahoo Finance: Offers financial news, data, and analysis on companies.
- Glassdoor: Gives insights into company cultures, employee satisfaction, and salaries.
- LinkedIn: Useful for tracking company updates, industry news, and professional networking.
- Crunchbase: Provides information on company funding, investments, and industry connections.
School Career Services Center Websites
Each school’s career center website offers a full range of career guidance that you can’t afford to miss!
Jobright will also become your partner on the path to finding an internship.
Embracing Growth and Seizing Opportunities
Getting a good Marketing internship needs preparation and perseverance. Though the procedure can be difficult, the experience gained from some internships will offer you an excellent basis for launching a career in your desired area.