Create the perfect job advert for an intern

Companies are competing for the most talented candidates on the job market. To get ahead of the competition you´ll need to start the search for talent as early as possible. 

Offering an internship to top students is one of the best ways to ensure inflow of talent. A good intern might turn out to be the best candidate for a future job opening. 

That´s why it´s important to give as much attention to recruiting interns, as you would to finding a candidate for a permanent or temporary position. These tips will help you to attract the best candidates for internships:

1. Show candidates what´s in it for them

A good internship can be the best way for a candidate to kick-start their career. However, you´ll need to explain them why they would choose your company over the competition.

The best way is not to tell candidates, but to show them. Companies with a strong employer brand show their people, their achievements, the environment that their future intern will be working in and what they could achieve if they excel during the intern program.

2. Don´t scare candidates away by using corporate language

The temptation of using corporate language is enormous.  Banks, accounting companies, law firms – they want to come across as serious and trustworthy. While this approach may work in your communications towards clients, if you want to attract the attention of good interns, a more playful approach can be helpful.

3. Don´t forget the basics

There are a number of basics 

  • Title of the job
  • Which function or team the role sits in within the organisation
  • Who the role reports to, and other key interactions
  • Key areas of responsibility and the deliverables expected
  • Required education and training
  • Soft skills and personality traits necessary to excel
  • Location of the role and any travel requirements
  • Remuneration range and the benefits available
  • Convey your organisation’s culture and identity

4.  Make it easy and straightforward to apply 

Make it easy to understand how to apply for the role, explaining exactly what an application should include. Please bear in mind that some students may not have applied for a job before. Please post a separate job advert for each location and each function so it’s clear to the student before applying where the role is based geographically and organisationally.  

5. Check the advert for any possible discriminatory language 

Using discriminatory language: Although frequently inadvertent, the use of certain words and phrases in a job description can be construed as discriminatory and discrimination is against the law. Some examples of words that you cannot use are young, youthful, energetic, able bodied, recent graduate, school leaver and mature. 

6. Be realistic in your expectations

Being unrealistic: A job advert should be an accurate representation of what is required to perform the role, not an impossible wish list of every skill that may come in useful.


Looking for support in posting your job advert? Or do you have any other question? Please contact us here.