HOW TO PREPARE AS AN INTER/VOLUNTEER

Many of the graduates searching for Internship/Voluntering or even graduate trainee opportunities often have no idea on where to start. These are not lessons that our colleges or universities prepare us for, but in real life we need to know on how to prepare. Below are pointers that we must know;

1. Internship/Voluntering must be taken serious:- Most of the graduates do not consider this search as a serious business hence we never prepare our Curriculum Vitae properly and Cover letter. The job market especially in Kenya is very competitive, anything short of a good CV and Cover letter will not pass the day. Remember this is the entry point to the job market thus preparation is paramount.
2. Writing a Good Resume:- Do not assume that you have no work experience hence no need to take time to have a good resume. Proper organisation and presentation is key. Remember the Human Resource Department receiving your CV will want to see a well written CV to work with. A not well written CV therefore, limits the chances.
3. Writing a good Cover Letter:- Again, the mistake many graduates do is to assume and send the same Cover letter to all the applications. Remember each organization that is seeking for an intern or volunteer have already decided the tasks that you will bring to their organization, hence the need to tailor your Cover letter to be appealing to the organization you are applying to. 
4. Follow Job application Instructions:- Many people often get excited at seeing an opportunity and never take time to review the job applications instructions. Simple mistakes like missing the REF No. can make your CV not to be accepted or even given a chance. Remember searching for a Volunteer work is as serious as searching for a job placement. 

In the next articles we will give sample of good resume and Cover letter for an internship application.