What Recruiters Look for in Internship Applicants (That Students Overlook)

Understanding the Recruiter’s Mindset

The Purpose of Internships for Companies

To you, an internship is a chance to gain experience.
To a recruiter, it’s a chance to test whether you can grow into a valuable employee.

Internships help companies:
Identify future talent
Fill simple but important tasks
Train people in their internal systems
Reduce hiring risks

What Recruiters Want vs. What Students Think They Want

Students think recruiters want:
Straight A’s
Fancy English
A perfect CV

Recruiters actually want:
A reliable person
Someone teachable
Someone who communicates clearly
A good attitude

Once you understand this shift, your chances improve immediately.

Core Qualities Recruiters Prioritize

Basic Job Readiness
Most recruiters don’t expect interns to be experts. They want someone who can start with the basics.

Communication Skills
Can you express yourself clearly?
Do you respond to messages on time?
Do you listen before replying?

Reliability and Punctuality
Arriving late "because of traffic" is still arriving late.
Consistency matters.

Ability to Follow Instructions
Internships require learning.
If you can follow simple instructions, you become valuable fast.

Skills Students Often Overlook

Soft Skills Over Hard Skills
Soft skills, such as teamwork, listening, and attitude, matter more to recruiters because they cannot teach personality.

Adaptability and Willingness to Learn
Workplaces change quickly.
Students who resist learning new tools or methods lose opportunities.

Problem-Solving Mindset
Recruiters love students who try to find solutions instead of waiting to be told what to do.

Importance of Presentation

A Clean, Simple CV
A neat one-page CV beats a colorful, crowded one.
Recruiters want clarity, not decoration.

Professional Email and Phone Etiquette
If you use an email like swagmaster@gmail.com, recruiters notice.
Your phone should be reachable, voicemail polite, and responses timely.

Dressing Appropriately for Interviews
You don’t need expensive clothes, just clean, simple, and presentable.

Attitude and Trainability

Why Humility Matters
An intern who acts like they know everything becomes difficult to work with.

Showing Eagerness to Grow
Ask for guidance.
Look for tasks.
Show interest.

Demonstrating Respect for the Work Environment
Respect goes beyond greeting people. It includes:
Handling company property well
Avoiding gossip
Being present and focused

Understanding the Company

Doing Basic Research
Before an interview, learn:
What the company does
Who their customers are
Their values

Aligning Your Interests With the Company’s Goals
If they do marketing, show your interest in communication.
If they do finance, show your passion for numbers.

Asking Smart Questions
Don’t ask about salary first.
Ask about:
Growth opportunities
Tools they use
The team structure

Practical Experience and Exposure

Volunteer Work
Recruiters value volunteer experience because it shows you take initiative.

School Projects
Group projects, clubs, and leadership roles count as experience.

Online Certifications
Short courses from Google, Coursera, or IBM boost your CV.

Digital Presence

Keeping Your Social Media Clean
Recruiters check your profiles.
Avoid:
Insults
Extreme opinions
Unprofessional posts

Using LinkedIn Professionally
A simple, updated profile increases your chances.

Showcasing Your Portfolio or Skills
If you’re a designer, attach samples.
If you’re a writer, link your articles.
If you’re in IT, share your GitHub.

Mistakes That Turn Recruiters Away

Poor communication (ignoring emails, grammar mistakes, unclear answers).
Lack of confidence or overconfidence: balance is key.
Sending one CV to all job posts: always customize your application.

How to Stand Out in a Competitive Market

Personal Branding
Create a simple, consistent professional image.

Crafting a Strong Cover Letter
Use it to explain:
Why you want the role
What you can bring
Why you fit the company

Following Up Professionally
A simple message like:
"I wanted to follow up on my application and express my continued interest"
shows maturity.

In Summary

Most Kenyan students miss internship opportunities because they focus on the wrong things. Recruiters don’t expect interns to be perfect; they expect them to be willing, teachable, respectful, and reliable. When you understand what recruiters really want, you position yourself as the ideal candidate.

By improving your attitude, communication, presentation, and preparation, you’ll stand out and secure more internship opportunities.

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