"I sent out 50 internship applications. I got 2 responses. One of them was a rejection.
That was my first experience looking for a job in IT. I was sure I was doing everything right. Then I realized I was doing almost everything wrong.
Here‘s my story — and what I learned from it."
1. My Biggest Mistake: I Didn‘t Know What I Wanted
I applied everywhere: frontend, backend, data science, testing. I thought: 'I‘ll take anything.'
Recruiters could feel it. My resume looked like 'I agree to everything,' which meant 'I don‘t really know anything specific.'
What I learned: It‘s better to pick one direction and go deep. Even if you‘re a beginner, show that you genuinely care about that field.
2. My Resume Was Boring
I wrote: 'I know Python, C, and a little Java.' And that was it.
No projects. No GitHub links. No concrete examples.
What I learned: Your resume should show what you‘ve built, not just list technologies.
I added 2 study projects, described exactly what I did, and the number of responses tripled.
3. I Was Terrified of Interviews — and It Showed
In my first interview, I was shaking. My voice cracked. I forgot how a for loop works.
It was a disaster. But I learned that fear is normal. You just can‘t let it take over.
I started preparing: I recorded myself answering common questions, practiced in front of a mirror. It helped.
4. I Never Asked Questions
When they asked: 'Do you have any questions?' I always said 'No.'
Recruiters thought I wasn‘t interested. But I was — I was just too scared to ask.
What I learned: Always have 2–3 questions ready about the company, the project, or the team. It shows you actually care.
5. I Never Asked for Feedback
After every rejection, I just felt sad. I never wrote back to ask why.
Then I finally asked: 'Why wasn‘t I a good fit?' And I got a specific answer: 'You don‘t have database experience.'
I went and learned SQL in a week.
What I Do Differently Now
Now, when I apply for internships (yes, I‘m still looking), I:
- Apply only to roles I‘m genuinely interested in.
- Tailor my resume for each company.
- Prepare for interviews in advance.
- Always ask questions.
- Ask for feedback after rejections.
It doesn‘t guarantee success, but it increases my chances tenfold.
What About You?
"How did you find your first internship? Or are you in the middle of that process right now?
Drop your story in the comments — I need to know I‘m not alone in this!"
"If this article helped you or made you feel less alone, please leave a tip or a like — it keeps me writing honest content for you."
#internship, #jobsearch, #programming, #softwareengineering, #studentlife, #career, #firstjob
