It’s internship season already. Here are some tips on applying

Yes, it’s early days. But some employers – especially big ones with established internship programs (like banks and technology companies) – are already accepting applications. This kind of internship can be very competitive, so submit your application as soon as you can. Don’t want until the deadline.  

Some job seekers think a résumé alone (also called a “CV,” for curriculum vitae) is enough for an application. But most hiring managers and interviewers need one more element: a cover letter.  

The cover letter is your chance to explain why you stand out among the applicants for this job, and it is extra important for internships. Most people applying to internships fit a similar profile: young, newly out of (or still in) college and not experienced. Because everyone’s work history looks similar, the cover letter is where you can make a difference.  

Here are some sample cover letters to help get started: 

• Indeed (job search website)  

• Monster (job search website)  

• Law Depot 

This is a tricky one, because the rules vary depending on which province or territory you live in. Generally speaking, employers are meant to treat interns the same as employees – that means you must be paid the minimum wage, among other things.  

However, there is one crucial exception: if an internship counts as a course credit, it can be unpaid. So an internship that is arranged through your college or university might not pay, but it will count towards your credits for graduation. If you’re unsure whether an internship is paid or unpaid, make sure you ask during the application / interview process – don’t get caught off-guard when you start.  

As of this writing, there are more than 100,000 jobs posted in the Canada Job Bank, a federal website. But the site is more than just a job board: in addition to the positions listed, the job bank has a ton of helpful, free information specifically geared toward different kinds of applicants, including newcomers and immigrants. Make use of it!  

It can be tempting, as a young person just starting in the workforce, to look at a job’s application requirements and assume you don’t belong because you don’t have enough experience. But that’s what internships are for: building up your experience. If there’s a job that interests you but has high requirements, apply anyway, and use your cover letter to talk about why your passion counts more than experience. The worst thing that can happen is you don’t get an interview. It’s a risk worth taking.