How to Become the Next Identity Intern

Finding an internship can be a daunting task. Some degrees require them, and some career tracks put great emphasis on how vital these roles can be. But internships can also be incredible experiences. 

Identity welcomes young PR professionals to join its team as interns—roles that help up-and-coming agency stars learn the day-to-day tasks and nuances of a constantly evolving industry with experiences in media relations, marketing, social media and creative. 

Here’s how to be considered as an applicant and earn a spot among the chosen few who intern with Identity each year.

Opportunity is Everywhere

It all starts with an application! Plenty of employers and agencies use well-known job search websites like Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter, SimplyHired, Glassdoor and CareerBuilder to post their internship positions. 

At Identity, we typically share our available internship roles on LinkedIn. If you haven’t already created a LinkedIn profile, now is the time! Use the job search tool or follow companies you might want to work with in the future—a great tip for prospective interns and employees alike. Like many companies, Identity will put out a call for internship applications on its LinkedIn feed (and other social channels), so it’s a great way to see what might be available. 

If you’re a current student, check with your internship coordinator in your department or an adjacent one who can connect you with an opportunity. Or, check your school’s physical or virtual bulletin board for internship postings or upcoming events. Some colleges participate in “internship fairs,” so whether it’s in-person or virtual, take advantage of the opportunities your school has to offer to meet prospective employers and make connections as early as possible.

No matter how you find out about the Identity internship, there’s one spot to submit all your information—this application form. 

From a former Identity intern:

• “I applied to the Identity internship program after hearing about the agency in one of my PR capstone classes. I remember the internship application being very robust and I was nervous about completing it, but I’m so glad I took the risk.” 

Do Your Research!

Conducting research is a vital part of looking into any internship or position. It’s the best way to learn more about a company’s history, culture and the type of candidates they seek–and why you might be the best fit! When you take the time to research a company, you not only set yourself apart from other candidates, but you’re better prepared to answer questions like, “What do you know about the company?” and “Why do you want to work here?” Being able to answer these questions, especially during an interview, will create a memorable first impression and show you’re serious about the position. 

From a former Identity intern:

• “I made sure to research Identity’s clients and read through some of their case studies. I wanted to be prepared to talk through some examples of work that really interested me and drew me to the company.”

Knowing what the company does is great but knowing why they do it is even better. While researching a company you’re interested in working with, browse through its about, values and mission pages to see how it aligns with your own beliefs.

For example, when you visit Identity’s culture page, you see key terms that truly describe what it’s like to work here: Fast-paced environment, collaborative, fun, inclusive and challenging. Learning the values a company holds, the mission they strive to achieve and the work they do can show you whether a job is right for you, before you ever receive an offer. 

From a former Identity intern:

• “For my research, I did a thorough overview of the website to get a deeper understanding of who Identity was, its industry expertise, recent client initiatives, and more. I also dove into content on social channels to get an understanding of what company culture and initiatives looked like.” 

Get Your Resume Ready

One of the most important steps when applying for any internship or job? Your resume. Make sure it’s up-to-date and aligned with the job you’re aiming for. Read the qualifications listed in the description and include your most relevant skills and abilities. This helps you stand out and shows why you’re qualified for the position.

From a former Identity intern:

• “It’s super important to read a job listing in its entirety. If the posting lists qualifications that you’ve got but don’t have on your resume, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage by not adding those qualifications to your resume.” 

If you don’t have previous work experience, don’t panic! Sometimes it’s the experiences that relate to the position you want, not specifically jobs. Your resume should be no longer than one page at this stage in your career. Think about classes you’ve taken and projects you’ve completed, groups or clubs you’ve been involved in or places you’ve volunteered. A previous jobs section is valuable, but sharing your skills and strengths can be just as beneficial when developing a resume tailored to an internship.

Try reaching out to a teacher or seasoned professional if you want to better organize your resume. You might find an online resume-building event that helps hone your skills—or organize one yourself and include it in your resume! There are plenty of resources out there to polish resumes, especially now, and you may be surprised at how willing people are to help young professionals.

Now’s the Time to Apply

If you’re looking to find an internship at Identity, this blog is a great first step! Doing your research, preparing for the interview and updating your resume will help you feel prepared, which means you’ll feel more confident when the time comes to schedule an interview. 

From a former Identity intern:

• “Identity offers a rigorous internship that, in the end, will prepare you for a career in digital marketing and PR better than almost any class, certification or program out there. You’ve got to be willing to take on real responsibility that will make an impact on a client’s bottom line. There’s very little “busy work” and no coffee runs to bloat your time at Identity. Right from the jump, they do a great job of making you feel like you’ve got a seat at the table; you’ve simply got to be ready to work for it.”