How to make myself stand out when applying for internships?

I'm in my first year studying Economics at a UK target uni. I applied for a range of spring weeks this year but haven't ended up with anything, I think due to a combination of applying too late and just not being interesting enough. I got through to GS interview, currently waiting to hear back but don't think I have a strong chance.

Thinking ahead to summer internship applications, what more can I do to make myself more attractive to firms?

Currently I have a year's experience in operations at a BB. I also did at insight day (kind of like a condensed spring week) at JP. I'm a member of the relevant finance/business/etc societies at my university and will be applying for committee positions soon. I have the possibility of spending a few weeks at a boutique M&A firm during summer, and also the possibility to become a campus ambassador (is that the correct term?) for an asset management firm. I'll learn all the technical aspects of IBD over summer (I don't have time at the moment) and also apply for a programme at my uni where different banks come in each week and teach you modelling, working through case studies etc. This starts in September. I will apply for some Microfinance and venture capital societies at uni too. I read the FT and watch the daily Bloomberg "what'd you miss?" show.

I've never had a part-time job and simply don't have time for one at the moment - they're banned during term time at my university and I'm spending the upcoming holidays travelling.

Aside from this, I have previously competed in a sport up to international level, I speak Spanish to an intermediate level and am planning to get even better at it this year. I'm also self-teaching Mandarin, hoping to be an intermediate level by September. I'm taking an introductory Python coding course. I volunteer weekly. I need to start reaching out more to alumni in the industry and making more use of networking events,

Is there anything else I should/could be doing? I'm pretty standard in terms of education, my attempt at learning languages is nothing compared to international applicants who speak 3 languages fluently already. Should I just focus on writing great cover letters/answering the application form questions and interview technique, or are there other things I should be doing now?

I think the format of my CV is fine - I used the M&I template. I'm mainly looking for suggestions to add to it before posting it on here for review.

Sorry if any of this sounds stupid, I'm just trying to be proactive with applications and know how important it is to secure a summer internship. Thanks in advance!

 
Best Response

Saepe voluptatem natus ut officia doloremque autem. Voluptatem veritatis atque adipisci. Est dignissimos voluptatum ex labore magnam. Voluptates impedit est accusamus vitae sit error.

Accusamus ducimus impedit iste. Qui perspiciatis alias laudantium vitae aliquid ullam. Voluptas est quaerat deleniti consequatur ut et nulla harum.

Facilis distinctio est officiis repellat dolore harum. Fugit cupiditate ab placeat minus ab reiciendis magnam. Dolor voluptatem explicabo ea omnis vitae nihil labore. Esse rem rerum molestiae praesentium. Eum qui nihil culpa molestiae.

Accusantium dicta illo omnis autem dolorum suscipit iure. Impedit mollitia commodi placeat quam iste maiores.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”