Get an Internship at LinkedIn: Embarking on an Internship at LinkedIn
LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional networking and recruiting platform, offers an enticing dream for students worldwide. Fortunately, this dream materializes for around 300 individuals annually. The best part? You don’t need an Ivy League background or an extensive CV to secure a spot in LinkedIn’s internship program. What you do need is a winning personality, robust transferable skills, dedication, and, of course, an impressive LinkedIn profile.
Get an Internship at LinkedIn
If you’re ready to embark on a life-altering journey, here’s a comprehensive guide to LinkedIn’s summer internships:
1. Grasping the Basics
Before diving into the application process, it’s essential to comprehend the intricacies of a LinkedIn internship and determine if you’re a suitable candidate. These internships vary in length, spanning from 3 to 18 months, contingent on the location and internship type. You must also be actively enrolled in a university program and intend to return to your educational pursuits after completing the internship.
The good news is that LinkedIn interns enjoy a plethora of benefits and perks, including:
- Competitive hourly salary, potentially reaching up to $45
- Complimentary housing
- Free meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Paid company holidays
- Access to onsite gyms and fitness classes
- Free flight tickets for family visits
- Engaging team-building activities
- Exclusive Q&A sessions with LinkedIn’s CEO and other prominent leaders.
2. Discover Your Ideal Role
LinkedIn offers diverse opportunities, typically falling into three key categories: technical, business, and creative internships. Let’s delve into what each entails:
Technical Internships
Technical internships typically become available in late August, and you can set up alerts to monitor current openings. These can be categorized into two main streams:
- Engineering Internships: Encompassing roles like Software Engineering, UI Engineering, Site Reliability Engineering, Machine Learning and Relevance, and Data Science Analytics programs.
- Product Management: Including the prestigious Associate Product Manager program, tailored for those aspiring to leadership roles.
Business Internships
Business internships typically open up from late October to early November and span three subcategories:
- Undergraduate Business Internships: Encompassing positions within the Global Sales Organization, Human Resources, and Intelligent Automation Intern programs.
- MBA Internships: These include opportunities in Business Operations, Content Marketing, Corporate Development, with applications accepted throughout November.
- Legal Internships: The JD Intern program focuses on educating interns about the legal aspects of the business, involving tasks like legal research and drafting technology transaction contracts.
Creative Internships
Creative internships offer designers a chance to shape user-friendly experiences. Currently, there’s a primary position available:
- User Experience Designer Intern: This role involves creating innovative, end-to-end user experiences for existing and upcoming products.
3. Submit Your Application
Having identified your desired role, it’s time to enhance your LinkedIn profile and submit your application, complete with a professionally crafted CV and an engaging cover letter. While doing so, ensure the natural inclusion of relevant keywords in your CV, enhancing its chances of passing through the ATS software and standing out amid other applicants. Completeness is key in the application form, and remember to meticulously proofread your CV and supporting documents before clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button.
4. Excel in Your Interviews
Should your application impress, a LinkedIn recruiter will reach out to guide you through the subsequent steps. These steps may vary slightly depending on your chosen role but generally include an initial telephone screening, a video conference, and an on-site interview.
Telephone Screening:
The initial interview stage entails a telephone call with a recruiter. During this conversation, expect a range of questions probing your interests and work methods to evaluate your cultural fit. Before the call, invest ample time preparing answers to common interview questions and conducting thorough research on the company and the specific department you’re applying to. Mentioning insights about the company during your interview showcases your awareness of its success and impresses the hiring manager.
Video Conference:
Advancing to the second stage, you’ll be invited to a video conference with your potential manager. No need to panic! The initial recruiter you spoke to will call you a few days prior to provide briefing and preparation. Take this opportunity to review supporting documents, refine your elevator pitch, and choose a professional interview outfit. Even though the interviewer will only see your upper half, maintaining a professional appearance is essential.
On-Site Interview/Practical Test:
The final interview stage can vary based on the role. You may be invited to an on-site interview or tasked with a practical test, such as solving a coding problem, before LinkedIn’s decision-makers finalize their choice. It’s beneficial to peruse details of previous intern interviews on Glassdoor, seeking information relevant to your applied role.
5. Await the Offer
After completing all three interview stages, the waiting game commences. Based on Glassdoor insights, the waiting period can span from three days to three weeks. Many LinkedIn applicants report limited feedback from recruiters, so don’t be alarmed if you encounter the same. If three weeks pass without communication, it’s advisable to follow up on your interview’s status. Pursuing your fate is a proactive approach with nothing to lose.
If you secure a position, congratulations! You embark on an exciting journey, instantly becoming an integral part of the team with your unique projects and responsibilities.
If, however, you receive a rejection, don’t despair! There’s always the option to reapply in the future. Moreover, numerous other companies, including Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Red Bull, offer outstanding internship opportunities worth exploring.
Have you ventured into the world of LinkedIn internships? Share your experiences and join the conversation below!