Winning Internships For Non�College Students � Tips For Career Changers

One of the best ways to land a job is through performing an internship program. With an internship, you are able to gain valuable experience while also making the many needed contacts required to land a job in a particular profession. And, of course, your work on an internship will also provide potential employers with a clear insight into what you can do on the job. This is why internships are so popular among college age would be professionals. However, it is also important to point out that not everyone who is an intern is a college age student. Many older professionals also follow the internship route as a way of gaining professional achievements. And, yes, such a plan is far more common than most people realize. And, for those looking to make a career change, this process can prove to be the most viable strategy of them all.

The first step to make sure your plan works is to select an internship that would be the right one for your needs. If your goal is to seek a strong position in a company, you will want an internship that best helps facilitate this goal. In other words, if you want to work in a human resources capacity, selecting a position in a marketing department may not be the best route to follow. It may very well work out for you, but it is not the most strategic plan for an older intern.

When you enter into an internship while possessing a great deal of professional experience, you can consider the venture a long and extended job interview. And, more importantly, you can clearly display your skill and maturity. In other words, the powers that be in the company you are interning for can look at you in action. This is a huge plus over any applicant that may apply for an opening when it becomes available. Remember, no matter how excellent a ''stranger's” resume may be, there are just too many question marks surrounding the person. This is because no one will have a clear idea on how exactly the person works. With an intern, they will have all the answers for such questions.



Additionally, by being on the proverbial inside, you will have access to a number of positions that are not open to the public. As such, this will give you a leg up on your competitors since they must rely exclusively on public postings which are often a poor place to look for good job offers.

It is also wise to look outside the box when it comes to seeking these internship opportunities. That means you can look for opportunities with local community centers or organizations. You need not be limited to the traditional circles people will usually apply for an internship through. This strategy may lead to inroads into a number of excellent programs that could lead to that elusive career change you have sought. Yes, thinking outside the box can deliver some excellent results and that is why this strategy is highly recommended.