Looking for paid summer internships in London? Start with this comprehensive guide full of tips and tricks on working, living, and enjoying your time in London.
Tips for your CV and profiles
Before you get started on sending out applications, make sure that you have your resume up to date and have fully filled out all your Handshake profile details. With a complete profile, a great internship in London is more attainable than ever. Recruiters are much more likely to message a student with a complete profile that says you want to work in London than an unfinished one.
Tips for your internship interview
When you do land your first interview, be it a virtual interview or in person, make sure to come prepared and dressed to impress. Review your CV and cover letter to make sure you have specific examples of your experience to share, from clubs or coursework. You can even schedule a mock interview with your university’s careers service or, if you’re tight on time, ask a trusted friend to grill you on some common interview questions.
Tips for networking at your university internship
Once you’ve landed an internship in London and settled into the flow of day-to-day life at your job, start chatting with your colleagues. Whether they’re industry professionals or fellow interns, it’s important to treat them with equal respect. You never know what insights they could lend, or who could be a valuable connection down the line, five or ten years from now. Don’t be afraid to ask your new colleagues out for quick coffee chats, or request 15-minute informational interviews about their career trajectory.
Want more tips for getting the most out of your internship?
Looking for specific advice before your internship begins? Or are you hungry for further information even after your internship is over? A good way to delve even deeper into your career path growth is to attend a virtual event or two. Not only will you be learning more about your own career, but there will also be chances to network with employers, industry specialists, and other students sharing different perspectives.
Tips and tricks to surviving your internship in London
If you’re moving to London for the first time, it never hurts to review advice for living in the city during your internship. After you’ve figured out how to get an internship in London, consider other important parts of your internship journey.
How to get around London
Getting from A to B has never been easier in London. The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is an automated light metro system serving the redeveloped Docklands area of East London and is fab for commuting into Bank and Tower Gateway.
Download the right Apps
Both the bus and the tube are great for getting around London. It’s also recommended that you download the Citymapper app as well - it’ll help you find your way around.
Things to experience during your time in London
- Tate Modern
- Westminster Abbey
- Buckingham Palace
- The National History Museum
- Fleet Street
How do I find housing in London?
Consider these resources to help your London apartment search:
Where to order food from in London?
London's food delivery scene improved in leaps and bounds. Here are the best delivery apps for the most impressive student deals right now:
Finding an internship in London
How do I find paid internships in London?
When searching for a paid internship in London, it’s key to use the location filters provided on Handshake. You’ll be able to pinpoint internships exactly where you want to intern just by selecting the city you want in the search bar. Easy internships in London are just a search away.
You can also research top companies in specific UK cities by visiting our list of Handshake employers and typing cities like Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham into the “Location” search bar. This way, you’ll be able to see employers in your desired location. Once on the company’s page, you can read reviews from students who have interned there or study up on some interview questions.
Where do interns live in London?
To find rentals, many interns use resources like Chapter Living and Scape. If you have any connections in the area, it’s also always good to consider those first. Areas like Clapham and Brixton are popular with students, and for those looking for cheaper accommodation, North London and East London should be considered as well.
How can an intern live in London?
Moving to a new place is equal parts exciting and nerve wracking–make sure you have all your details squared away for your internship before you pack your bags.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Have you checked out tips on how to land an internship?
- Are you renting in an affordable neighborhood?
- Do you have a vehicle? If not, are you comfortable using public transportation frequently?
- Will the food options available work for you?
- How can I get an internship without experience in London?
- If you don’t have previous experience and want to kickstart your first internship in London, don’t fret! There are definitely ways to land that role you’ve had your eyes on. London internships want you!
Start by reviewing your CV! Read it over a couple of times and then consider the types of internships you’re going to be applying for. Think back to courses you’ve taken at university, as well as any extracurriculars, volunteer work, or even organizations (clubs or greek life for example) that you’ve participated in. Organize the skills that you’ve gained from those experiences and add them to your resume and Handshake profile. Even though you might not have held an internship or job before, there are still ways to prove your worth through other skills and experiences.