How to land my first internship in France?
During your training course, the internship serves as an opportunity for the student to put into practice what they have learned in the field they have chosen.
Mandatory or Optional, the student internship also helps confirm or reconsider your career choice, gain practical experience, meet professionals, enrich your CV, and even earn money… Furthermore, at the end of your internship, your employer might offer you a job contract based on your performance within the company.
How to Stand Out?
Aligning with Your Study Project
Before searching for an internship, it’s essential to think about the skills you want to acquire that align with your academic goals. For instance, if you have a background in graphic design and want to develop skills in user experience (UX), consider internships in web design or UX design, which are often found in the digital departments of companies.
Perfect Your CV
HR departments receive numerous CVs, and on average, a recruiter spends only 10 seconds reviewing a CV. Highlight your experiences, student jobs, and extracurricular activities. A good CV should be easy to read, original in format (depending on the industry), and include references (e.g., a former manager or colleague).
Write a Motivational Letter
As the name suggests, this document reflects your motivations and interest in a future collaboration. Don’t hesitate to emphasize your previous accomplishments, your strengths, and what you can bring to the company.
How to Successfully Find Your Student Internship in France?
Contact Your School’s Network
Some schools have partnerships with companies that offer internship positions based on the courses provided. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your school to find out if any internship opportunities are available. Some institutions even publish internship offers on their internal networks.
Browse Internship Offer Websites
There are numerous websites that aggregate internship offers such as Indeed, stage.fr, regionjob.com, letudiant.fr, apec, and more. These sites are very practical because they allow you to filter internship offers by contract type (e.g., alternation, gap year internships, observation internships), duration, remuneration, and location.
Participate in Internship Speed-Dating Events
Quelques Salons proposent des stages-dating pour décrocher un stage. Connaissez-vous le principe ? Vous avez quelques minutes pour convaincre le recruteur. Ce dernier évalue les candidats (CV, personnalité, motivation…) et choisit le meilleur !
Apply with Unsolicited Applications
If there’s a company you’re interested in, you can send an unsolicited application. To increase your chances, Studely recommends tailoring your motivation letter and CV to the company’s sector and the position you’re applying for.
Leverage Your Own Network
Look within your own network (friends, student union, family, etc.) for people who can help spread the word about your internship search. Sometimes, it’s quicker and easier to secure an internship through personal recommendations.
Stay motivated and apply to as many companies as possible to increase your chances of landing your first internship. Not yet in France but planning to pursue your studies there? Contact us now to speak with a consultant.