Looking for Interships?

In today’s competitive market, interships are a must-have on every applicant’s resume. That’s why INSA helps and encourage students to have a work experience while studying. Also our school has successfully developed an ambitious external work experience program through the conclusion of agreements with companies, professionals and institutions.

According to each student’s profile and skills our job placement department helps them to find the best opportunity to develop skill competencies and improve their knowledge, capacities and work performance.

This week we had a talk with two international students, Bruna Baldochi and Anastassiya Oleinik.

1.- Is it difficult for an international student to find a job in Spain?

AO: If you are an international student looking for jobs in Spain, it may seem that there are very few options of suitable jobs and an awful lot of job-seekers. But it is possible to find a job in Spain if you know where to look for work and how to sell yourself. I noticed that In Spain it’s common to find work through informal routes such as word-of-mouth, networking, especially in small to medium-sized companies. As such, you shouldn’t restrict your job search to agencies and adverts: be proactive, seek out opportunities, ask out your university authorities, group mates and friends .

When it comes to me, I would never think that finding a place to work in Spain would be so easy and quick. From the moment I came to Barcelona, I started to look for a job immediately as I am a kind of person who can’t sit still, so I began to do my little job related research. I talked to my group mates who already have a job, asked them how they managed to get one, in what sites and what were the requirements. The best sites that they recommended were Linkedin, Infojobs, Primer Empleo. Then, having gathered all the information I needed, I started to apply online for any job that is somehow related to my background which is Translation studies. As I am a young specialist, I decided to start with an internship. So, after a while, I got two options of possible internships in two start- up companies. I went to both interviews, from which the second one appealed to be more and it two hours after my second interview I received an email with invitation to work as a sales intern in a young and dynamic start-up company by Hours.

I would say that Barcelona is an international and cosmopolitan city and there are plenty of opportunities for resourceful expats.

2.- How did you find your current job Bruna?

BB: I was offered 2 jobs and have been searching on LinkedIn and Infojobs. It required a lot of time around 2 to 3 hours a day and INSA Job Placement Department helped me on CV tips pointing out the Spanish corporate culture requirements that are not the same in every country.

3.- What did you find?

BB: I did around 7 interviews which have been great practice and narrowed down to 2 offers. I was offered a job in credit analysis and customer service for the latam market at Pronovias and also a sales position at web2present because of the master’s schedule I chose the start up! Of course my European citizenship and experience helped, but I really believe students can find a position.

4.- Could you give any piece of advice to the students searching for internship job?

BB: I would have to say improving your spanish, if you don’t speak very well but still need a job there are positions where Spanish is optional or a plus. Dedicate a lot of time searching for a job is time consuming, ask someone to review your CV. Another point of view can be great! Create job search alerts on LinkedIn or Infojob. Dedicate time on a motivational letter, a cover letter and if you can, a reference letter. I had one from my previous job, but one of our teachers also offered the students to do so. And very importante practice and prepare yourself for the interview, specially researching about the company you are applying for.