As a new week begins, I feel compelled to share some advice, especially after receiving numerous requests from students and recent graduates hoping to intern with us at Sycamore. While we’re eager to help, our capacity is limited. The common advice of offering to work for free is still relevant, but it’s no longer enough on its own.
If you’re searching for an internship, either for yourself or someone else, I highly recommend the following strategies:
1. Focus on Smaller Businesses
When I say “small businesses,” I don’t mean a lean startup with five employees that has just raised $10 million. Those companies often attract a lot of attention, making competition fierce. Instead, aim for companies with around 10 employees and credible ownership. Many such businesses exist, and offering to work for free there is more likely to be successful.
2. Target Department Heads or Gatekeepers
If you’re set on interning at a big or well-known company, skip the CEOs, founders, or influential employees—they receive countless requests daily. Instead, focus on team leads, department heads, or executive assistants. You’d be surprised by how much influence these individuals have over hiring decisions.
3. Consider Unpopular or Challenging Departments
This point is often overlooked but can be very effective. Some departments are tough but highly competitive, like tech, product, and marketing. Many people seek internships in these areas, so competition is fierce. From every 10 internship requests I receive, 9 are for roles in tech, product, or marketing. While these departments seek senior talent, entry-level positions are less in demand. On the other hand, if you’re willing to work in sales—especially in growing companies or for emerging products—your chances improve significantly.
4. Treat Your Internship Search Like a Sales Process
Approach your search with the same mindset you’d use in sales: start with a good product (you), identify your target audience, create a list of warm and cold leads, reach out to them, understand their needs, offer your solution, handle objections, follow up, and close the deal. It’s practically a full-time job. If you simply hand your CV to a well-connected relative at Nigerian Breweries and then spend the week watching Netflix, I wish you the best of luck.
Happy internship hunting!
Wishing you a productive week ahead.