Wondering what to do after an internship finishes? You’re not alone! An internship abroad provides a unique chance for a young person to gain real-world work experience abroad. It’s the kind of resume-building experience that will make it easier to get a job once you’re back home. But how exactly do you translate your international experience into a job? Follow this post-internship career advice and make your internship position pay off in the long term. Learn how to leverage your experience in the competitive job market and prove that your internship abroad has prepared you to be a reliable professional!
What to do after an internship ends.
1. Take stock of what you learned
Spend time reflecting on your internship experience and how it has prepared you for career growth after an internship. Write down which soft skills for the workplace you’ve developed, the key responsibilities during your internship, and the valuable contributions you made as an intern.
Consider how you improved your adaptability, communication skills, and multicultural awareness—all essential for a successful career after an internship. How did you apply analytical thinking and problem-solving skills in a professional setting? Your internship takeaways should include a mix of industry-specific skills and universal workplace skills that employers value in entry-level job candidates. By reviewing your internship achievements, the new skills you developed, and the impact you made at the company, you’ll gain confidence in your ability to excel in a full-time job after an internship.
2. Update your resume.
It’s time to make your internship experience shine on your resume for job applications. Since your CV format should be in reverse chronological order, your international internship experience will be the first thing potential employers notice—a major advantage in your job search. Although it was an internship abroad, the time commitment likely mirrored a full-time job, demonstrating your ability to adapt to new work environments and thrive in a global workplace. Including your internship on your resume highlights not only your professional development but also your ability to work in diverse cultural settings. There's no doubt this global internship experience will be a key talking point in your job interview. While all internships are valuable, an international work experience sets you apart and makes your resume stand out to employers.
3. Actively look for jobs.
Start your job search after an internship by making a list of companies you want to work for, conducting research, and reaching out to see if they’re hiring. Attend networking events for professionals in your industry, create business cards for job networking, and actively expand your professional connections. Don't forget to check online job boards and company career pages for the latest job openings in your field. Leverage your internship networking connections—former supervisors and coworkers can help you find job opportunities and serve as strong references for job interviews. The key to landing a full-time job after an internship is to be proactive in your job search. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you—take action and make them happen!
4. Once you start getting job interviews, cater your experience to the job opportunity.
You can do this by reviewing your list of internship skills and accomplishments, including the key skills developed during your internship abroad and your work contributions. Compare these to the job description and required qualifications for the position you want. Analyze the company values and mission statement to see how your experience aligns with their goals. Think about how you can position yourself as the ideal candidate for the job by highlighting relevant internship experience that showcases your technical skills and soft skills for the workplace. To impress the hiring manager, provide quantifiable achievements and real-world examples from your professional experience that demonstrate your ability to excel in the role.
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5. Practice talking about your qualifications.
Prepare for your job interview after an internship by practicing different common interview questions. Become comfortable discussing your internship experience and explaining why it makes you a strong candidate for the position. Think about standout examples that demonstrate your internship achievements. Instead of saying that you worked abroad, share specific instances, like when you had to translate for the company’s CEO because of language barriers or how you built a network of international contacts during your time abroad. Ask friends or family to listen to your responses to help you sound more confident.
6. Nail your interview.
After practicing your job interview skills, it’s time to perform during the interview. Stay calm and go in feeling confident that you're the best candidate for the job. If you feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath to stay composed. If you lose your train of thought, smile and avoid panicking—maintain your confidence throughout. Remember, interview confidence is key to making a lasting impression and demonstrating that you have the skills and experience the company is looking for in an ideal candidate, which should be easy, thanks to all that overseas internship experience!
7. Follow up.
In a follow-up thank you email after the interview, express appreciation for the interviewer’s time and briefly remind them of who you are by referencing key points from the interview discussion. Now all you can do is wait and hope for the best. Remember, it can take several months of job applications and interviews to find a job that’s the right fit. Don’t let the competitive job market discourage you—use it as motivation to become a stronger and more resilient job candidate. With persistence, you’ll sharpen your skills and grow as a smarter professional!
