How to Become an HR Intern Without Experience
HR internships are the first step to attaining a full-time job in HR.
Some programs require prior experience, even though internships are considered the first step for many candidates. However, there is no need to fret, as there are many factors that you can do to land your first human resources internship.
This article is your guideline for grasping a real job without experience. So, let’s get started.
What is an HR Internship?
An HR internship is a temporary work experience designed to provide hands-on training and exposure to various HR functions. Think of it as a bridge between your academic knowledge and real-world application. During an HR internship, you’ll work on recruitment, talent management, employee relations, and benefits administration tasks.
This practical experience is invaluable as it helps you develop key skills essential for a successful career in human resources. Whether paid or unpaid, various organizations offer HR internships, including companies, non-profits, and government agencies. The benefits of an HR internship extend beyond just gaining experience; it’s about building a foundation for your future career in HR.
Step 1: Get Your College Degree
As generations change, degrees do not hold the same importance as before. However, getting a reasonable degree from a reputable university is essential for getting into HR, as an HR manager requires that.
Human resources internships entail knowing your field. An intern’s responsibilities lie in giving valuable insight, having good communication skills, human resource management, organizational skills, and being detail-oriented. A degree teaches hard and soft skills, including speaking and negotiation skills and valuable knowledge of human resources.
If your school offers an HR program, it will include organizational theory, legal issues, compliance, performance management, employee training, working on labor legislation, company databases, and growth. A university degree in hand elevates your position to get into an internship.
Step 2: Reach Out to the Right People
When you are entering the job market, ensure that you reach out to the right network of people. Build your connections and expand your reach to get to know HR business partners.
HR professionals often work in environments that promote diversity and inclusion, ensuring non-discrimination based on national origin.
For example, you can maintain a relationship with your classmates so they can refer you to an internship once they land an opportunity. Or remember to attend career events to meet industry leaders, such as an HR generalist or manager. Professionals are always working for suitable candidates for open positions in the job market.
If done correctly, you will land a solid group of connections who will mentor and lead you to a fruitful future. Human resources means working with people, so building a network is helpful in your efforts to find a job in the field.
Remember to use social media platforms, join diverse HR organizations and associations, and look for people who will expand your circle. Furthermore, you can always connect with professors with connections, reach out to alumni who are already working in their respective fields, or contact HR staff who work for companies of particular interest to you.
Finding HR Internship Opportunities
There are many ways to find opportunities.
Job Search Strategies
Start by utilizing online job boards and career websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. These platforms are treasure troves of internship listings and can help you find positions that match your career goals. Networking is another powerful tool.
Attend job fairs, industry events, and informational interviews to connect with HR professionals who can offer guidance and potentially refer you to open positions. Don’t underestimate the power of social media; platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter can be excellent for connecting with companies and HR professionals.
Additionally, consider contacting companies directly to inquire about potential internship opportunities. Lastly, leverage the resources available at your school. Career counselors and academic advisors can provide valuable insights and help you develop practical job search skills.
Top Industries for HR Internships
HR internships are available across various industries, each offering unique opportunities to gain experience and develop your skills. In the healthcare and biotechnology sectors, internships focused on recruitment and talent management are essential for supporting the industry’s rapid growth. Finance and banking offer opportunities to work on employee relations and benefits administration, which is crucial for maintaining a motivated workforce.
The technology and software development industry is another hotbed for HR internships, where you can get involved in innovative talent acquisition strategies. Manufacturing and logistics companies often need HR interns to help manage large workforces and ensure compliance with labor laws. Non-profit and government sectors provide a chance to work on HR policies and community outreach programs.
Education and research institutions offer internships that focus on faculty and staff recruitment and development. The hospitality and tourism industry provides opportunities to work on employee training and customer service excellence.
Lastly, retail and consumer goods companies often need HR interns to assist with seasonal hiring and employee engagement initiatives. By exploring these industries, you can find HR internship opportunities that align with your career aspirations and interests.
Step 3: Put Effort into Crafting Your Resume
Before applying, update your resume with the skills and experience related to the human resources department. Look at job opportunities that suit your goal. Even if you have zero experience in an HR position, you can identify various skills gained during your education that make you a top candidate for an HR internship.
First and foremost, build a resume that sets you apart. There is a lot of demand for HR internships and numerous human resources interns, so how do you ensure your resume stands out?
- Have a good resume layout
- Keep it to one page
- Work on font, size, and styling
- Focus on impact
Secondly, be confident you know what content to put on your resume. Highlight any experience with senior leadership, as it demonstrates your ability to collaborate with higher-level executives and manage strategic projects. Look at job boards and internship programs, and see what is in demand. Here is an extensive list of things you must include in your CV:
Contact Information:
Full name, first and last name, email address, as professional as possible, and sometimes linking your social media profiles such as LinkedIn or Medium.
Personal objective:
An objective lists down the motivations and aspirations for the job.
Work experience:
The typical format consists of chronological logic, starting from any latest experience.
Skills:
As mentioned previously, there are two types of skills: soft and hard skills. Soft skills include attributes such as communication, leadership, openness, etc. Hard skills refer to technical knowledge or anything learned through experience, such as specific software or tools.
Education:
Ensure to add your university name, program name, and the years attended. GPA is an excellent addition to the resume, as it highlights your academic career. Adding honors and academic achievements embellish the resume further.
Other sections:
If you have any space left on the one page, which should be your entire resume, then feel free to include your hobbies, habits, interests, or achievements.
If you are an intern without any experience, there is no need to worry about the gaps in your resume, as HR managers do not require you to have a fully realized resume.
However, as a fresh graduate, you must ensure that your coursework list is fully filed and highlights your HR or administrative courses, academic accolades, and general skills.
Think of the skills you can develop at your university:
- Becoming an RA
- Working at the university magazine
- Becoming a professor’s assistant
- Becoming the head of any student-led club
- Any summer internships
You can gain many interpersonal skills in such positions, like communication, problem-solving, and time-management skills. So, no matter the internship you’re applying for, the HR department will consider these skills highly.
Don’t worry if your resume doesn’t include many assistant positions. You still probably participated in campus events or helped in multiple other ways.
Step 4: Get a Certification
Human resources professionals highly value certification, as it can demonstrate your professional achievements and proficiency in the HR field. To obtain a certificate, you usually have to take an exam to showcase your skills and knowledge. The requirements for each certification vary.
HR certifications often emphasize the importance of inclusive practices, including non-discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Top certifications for HR candidates include Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP), Professional in Human Resources (PHR), and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). The Society for HRM is a professional membership association that offers several of its certifications. SHRM also has student chapters at various college and university campuses, allowing students to network with HR professionals and find mentors.
You can nourish your skills with a certificate in human resource skills. Certification in the relevant field assists you in learning the skills from a professional standpoint and increases your chances of landing a good internship. You can get an HR Generalist certification to boost your chances of getting an HR internship.
Step 5: Make a Cover Letter
Cover letters are becoming increasingly important for companies, showing that individuals are investing time to understand the company’s vision.
Many companies value cover letters that reflect an understanding of inclusive practices, including non-discrimination based on veteran status.
Once you research the company, write a statement about why your vision aligns with theirs and why you want to work specifically for them. Your cover letter should include your plans for the company, what changes you want in the HR department as a human resources intern, and how you can effectively bring forth positive change.
A good cover letter can make your application attention-worthy and become the final push to land any internship you apply for.
Your main goal with the internship is to learn and gain practical experience. Your cover letter showcases your motivation for the job and the company.
You don’t need to mention any experience (especially if you have none) if you explain why you want the internship you’re applying for.
Step 6: Ace the Interview
After attaining your degree, college credit, skills, and certification, along with the cover letter and resume, the only thing left to do is to ace the interview.
Be confident about your skills and propose why you are an excellent resource for the internship at the company. If you deliver well, there are few chances you won’t be a viable candidate for selection.
Some of the most common questions asked in an HR interview are:
- Why are you interested in the HR department?
- Do you have any experience with human resources?
- Why do you want to work for this company, specifically?
Once you are clear about your game plan for the six steps above, only two questions should be on your mind: How to be a great HR intern and how to have a good internship experience.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about HR internships.
What is the role of strategic planning in HR internships?
Strategic planning in HR internships involves aligning internship programs with the organization’s overall goals. It ensures that the internships contribute to workforce development and prepares interns for future employment.
How can an organization demonstrate it is an equal-opportunity employer during HR internships?
An organization can demonstrate it is an equal opportunity employer by actively promoting diversity and inclusion in its internship recruitment processes, ensuring all candidates have equal access to internship opportunities, and implementing fair evaluation criteria.
What are the typical employment outcomes for HR interns?
Typical employment outcomes for HR interns include securing full-time positions within the organization after the internship, gaining relevant experience that enhances their resume, and expanding their professional network in the HR field.
What skills should HR interns develop during their internships?
HR interns should focus on developing skills such as communication, problem-solving, data analysis, and knowledge of HR policies and procedures. Additionally, they should gain experience with HR software and tools commonly used in the industry.
How can HR internships benefit both interns and organizations?
HR internships benefit interns by providing practical experience, skill development, and networking opportunities. Organizations gain fresh perspectives, support for HR initiatives, and potential future employees who are already familiar with the company culture.
New to Human Resources and are looking to become an HR Intern? We recommend taking our HR Certification Courses. You will learn how to cultivate your skillset in human resources, build your HR network, craft an excellent HR resume and create a successful job search strategy that lands you a sought-after HR Internship. As mentioned above, certifications can give you an edge over many other candidates.
