By Helena Pozniak

Competition for GSK internships is fierce, but don’t be disheartened, urges graduate recruitment manager James Nugent. Here are some tips on how to get a head start.

Every summer GSK offers 40 paid summer internships of eight to 12 weeks for undergraduates who are in their penultimate year of university.

Although GSK is a science led organisation, students don’t necessarily need a science degree to become part of the team; most opportunities are open to graduates from all subjects.

Check out these top tips on landing that coveted internship:

Quality not quantity. Choose carefully which companies you apply to and give each application the time it deserves. Having a deep understanding of the organisation will help at all stages of the process. GSK wants to see a genuine interest in working within healthcare and a real depth of understanding of the role you’ve applied for.

Really strong applicants go one step further and explain how they are personally motivated by working at GSK.

Be authentic. During the process employers want to see your personality come through and, in particular, in the video assessments which GSK use instead of face-to-face interviews. If you practise by recording yourself on your phone, you’ll help develop your technique.

It's a useful skill – global companies increasingly use online communication internally and it’s an important part of day-to-day business.

Be confident. Those invited to the assessment centre have already done brilliantly. So at this stage employers want to see students who are positive, confident and enthusiastic. This can be a challenge during a long day so you need to manage energy levels and stay switched on.

It's not just about being offered a position. Don’t be scared of rejection. Applying to summer internships will give you practical experience that’s invaluable when you come to apply for a graduate position.

GSK calls all students who reach this stage to give personalised feedback. This gives some useful insights into your strengths and development areas as well as an idea of what employers are looking for.

An internship will help you to figure out what you want to do for a career, but improving your employability is not just about getting onto formal work experiences; there are a number of other ways you can use your summer holidays to gain an edge in the employment market.

Challenge yourself. Part or full-time work, responsibilities as a carer, travel, or volunteering can all be great “value adding” experiences. There are also lots of online resources available to further develop your knowledge. Take the widely used Microsoft office for instance – there are lots of online learning tools and expertise is often required on applications.

Do your homework. Put aside time to research some employers you’d like to work for in the future and learn about the organisation and their recruitment processes. You can also update your CV, practise your interview technique and complete online tests.

Make your digital footprint work for you. Some employers may review your social media, so check what you’re posting (and whether your settings are on private). It’s also worth investing time in developing a LinkedIn profile as employers are increasingly reaching out to students digitally to let them know about upcoming opportunities.