How to Land an Internship at a MAANG or Top Tech Company

An internship is your first step into the big corporate world.

What you do in these 3 to 6 months in your internship job will go on to shape a lot of your early career.

In addition to being a big boost to your CV, you will get first-hand experience of what it is like to work in the real world.

⭐Internships with MAANG companies are considered the pinnacle of tech internships.

You will be put at the forefront of innovation and cutting-edge technologies that these companies are working with.

You will have a chance to network with and learn from experts in the domain, some of whom you might not have got access to otherwise. And then there is the pay.

Some reports suggest that companies such as Apple and Meta are paying as much as $8000 a month to their interns.

What a treat it would be to land a MAANG internship or an internship with a top-tier tech company!

📍But there is a catch.

These companies are notorious for their challenging selection process.

You will be thoroughly tested on your technical skills, reasoning ability, analytical skills, and creativity.

And you will have to work even harder to prove yourself if you want to convert an internship into a full-time job.

So how do you do it?

Too much pressure? Yes. But at least, you dared to dream big!✨

🎇Here, I'll tell about the importance of internships, how to land an internship at MAANG companies, and some essential interview preparaiton tips.

📍 Preparing to get into MAANG?

Connect 1:1 with top MAANG professionals for personalised career guidance.

Importance of Internships

Tech is like a giant playground of innovation, where trends are constantly evolving. 

Internships give you a sneak peek into this exciting world. You're not just watching from the sidelines; you're in the game.

According to a study by Science Direct, students who do internships have a 12.6% higher chance of getting job interview invitations.

This is because internships teach you stuff they don't teach in textbooks. 

⭐You'll learn how to troubleshoot real-world tech problems, not just the ones in your coding exercises.

Internships help you connect the dots between what you learned in class and how it's used in real projects. 

Plus, you'll make friends in the tech jungle—networking is like planting seeds for future opportunities.

Tech companies often hire interns for fresh ideas. 

They're like a treasure chest of new perspectives and creative solutions.✨

And you might just invent the next big thing while sipping on your internship coffee.

📍Bottom line is: internships are your golden tickets to the Wonka Factory of tech. 

They give you hands-on experience, show you the ropes, and help you build a tech-savvy network. 

So, when you're thinking about internships, remember this: it's like getting your passport stamped for a thrilling journey in the tech universe.

How to get your dream internship?

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📍 Land your dream internship with a help of a tech mentor.

Choose from 350+ experts.

1. Identify companies that you could join (more the merrier)

Let’s be realistic right out of the gate.

You could be applying for a software engineering internship or a data analyst internship, the competition is stiff out there. This is especially true for MAANG companies.

You might need an attempt, or five, to land the right opportunity.

📌Make a list of companies that work on technologies or domains that are also your areas of interest.

📌Read up about each of these, and identify areas of their work which align with your strong suits.

📌Set up alerts on internship and job portals to notify yourself when opportunities are available.

You know, it will be a dream come true to land an offer from one of the MAANG companies, but it’s not the end of the world even if you don’t.

At this stage in your career, even a smaller company will teach you a great deal and give you experiences that will serve you in years to come.

Heard about working at start-ups being the next best thing? It is!

Join a start-up and simultaneously work on your project-dream-job at a MAANG.

2. Try to make your resume stand out from the rest

To secure an internship with the company of your choice, you must create an outstanding resume. It increases your odds of being selected by the company.

While making the resume, keep the following things in mind.‍

🎯Use a clean, minimal resume format

You have to be extremely careful with the formatting of the resume.

Stick to one font. Keep it simple, clean and concise.

And do proofread it a couple of times before sending it out.

🎯Start with a profile summary

‍Who are you, what is it that you bring to the table, and why are you the right fit for the role-a crisp and short profile summary reflects all these things.

Also, don’t add an objective statement.

Those things went out of style 5 years ago!

🎯Highlight important points

‍This will give the recruiter a chance to go through all the important aspects of your profile quickly.

⭐A pro tip: Look for keywords (skills) your recruiter is looking for in your resume and highlight them.

🎯Add certifications and volunteer work experiences

‍Got any extra skills up your sleeve? Show them off.

Also, volunteer work experience is great to showcase your non-tech skills and extracurricular activities.‍

🎯Keep your references handy

Make sure that you have a couple of references ready with you, so that, if need be, the recruiter can contact them.

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For each internship opportunity you’re interested in, try to create a resume that aligns with the position and the company you’re applying for.

Your resume is the cover that you will be judged on, so make sure that you make a good first impression.

Having a great, well-optimised LinkedIn profile is equally important.

Do make sure to add a well-written bio and a presentable photograph along with a cover image on your profile.

Read: Resume Writing Guide for 2023 (With Dos and Don'ts)

3. Networking with people from these companies on LinkedIn

Only the application to a position is often not enough on its own. Having a referral can help you a great deal to stand out from the other applicants.

But how do you get this?

📌The answer to this is to connect with people working in the companies that you would like to join and form meaningful relationships with them.

📌Engage in insightful conversations with them, beyond the usual small talk.

/These people can also be very good mentors who can guide you and provide insight into the company and the role.

However, be mindful to be respectful of their time.

Read: 9 Ways to Increase Visibility to Recruiters on LinkedIn

4. Contribute to industry communities such as GitHub and Stack Overflow

Every coder has, at some point, been on these.

Communities such as GitHub and Stack Overflow not only serve as code repositories but also as a hub for coders.

These industry communities are more focused than your usual social media platforms and job portals.

Because here you can showcase skills, work, and experience while collaborating with thousands of other developers around the world.

📌Upload your work, join discussion boards, and participate in competitions and code challenges.

You may catch the attention of someone from top-tier companies who can help you land your dream internship, or sometimes even a permanent job. 🚀

5. Try to solve a real-world problem, no matter how small

No matter how much theoretical knowledge you may have, nothing beats real-world stakes.

📌Try to create a project that can solve a real-world problem.

It may not be the next Uber or Swiggy.

But even something as small as an automation script to save time on daily tasks can showcase your understanding and creativity.

Companies, especially top-tier ones, are looking for thinkers and problem solvers, and people that can build solutions to make a difference.

Show them that you have what it takes.

6. Take part in hackathons and coding challenges

Top-tier companies are always on the lookout for new talent.

For them, one way to see coders in action is to throw a challenge at them and evaluate the solution that they come up with.

📌Hackathons are great for that. They can have different focus areas.

Hackathons can either be focused on a particular technology stack or programming language. Or they can cater to a specific goal or problem area.

📌One of the most famous examples of this is HackMIT, a weekend-long hackathon attended by thousands of students from around the world.

It is hosted by the  Massachusetts Institute of Technology and backed by industry giants like IBM and Meta.

While the entry is free, you will have to solve the admission puzzle to get in, making it a true test of skill.

There will be many more such events organized by institutions and tech firms locally too. You will be able to find them through social media or coder communities.

So go on, put on your coding caps and get hacking! 👩🏽💻

7. Participate in bug bounties

MAANG companies are constantly innovating new products for their consumers.

As these products grow in scope, they keep getting more complex and interconnected. This can lead to several bugs or broken features creeping through testing cycles and being missed by the developers themselves.

Google’s Bug Hunter program or Meta’s Bug Bounty program is among several such programs, that open these products up to talented coders to find and report vulnerabilities.

Not only do they offer substantial monetary rewards, but also serve as a good platform for you to showcase your technical skills and talents, directly to people who matter.

Pretty amazing, isn’t it?

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Getting a MAANG internship isn’t all that difficult.

What you need is the right guidance at the right time.

Want personalised help in preparing for your dream tech internship? Try 1:1 mentorship from a MAANG mentor.

‍The first session with each mentor you choose is free. :)

How to Prepare for the Interview?

Getting ready for your first internship interview can be exciting yet nervous. Let's break it down into a few simple steps:

1. Research the company: 

First things first, learn about the company you're interviewing with. 

Check out their website, social media, and any recent news.

Get a feel for what they do, their values, and their culture.

2. Know your resume

Yup, that piece of paper with your skills and experiences. 

Be ready to talk about what you've done so far.

Highlight relevant stuff for the internship and be ready to explain your roles and achievements.

3. Practise common questions 

Interviews often have some usual questions like "Tell me about yourself," "Why do you want this internship?" and "What are your strengths/weaknesses?" 

Practise your answers so you sound confident.

4. Prepare questions

Interviews are a two-way street. 

Think of a couple of questions you can ask the interviewer. 

It shows you're interested and have done your homework.

5. Show enthusiasm

Let your passion shine. Talk about why you're excited about the internship and how it fits into your goals.

6. Highlight skills

If you have specific skills that are relevant to the internship (like coding, researching, or designing), mention them and provide examples of how you've used them.

7. Be yourself 

They're not just hiring a set of skills, they're hiring you. 

So, let your personality shine!  Be genuine and authentic.

8. Mock interviews 

Practise with a professional career mentor for the best results.

Here’s why mentor-mentee mock interviews are better than peer-to-peer mock interviewing.

Practising for interviews helps calm those jitters and fine-tunes your responses.

9. Follow-up

After the interview, shoot a thank-you email to your interviewer. 

It's a nice touch that shows appreciation.

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Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and nerves are totally normal. 

Just take a deep breath, be prepared, and give it your best shot. 

You got this. 🌟

Read: Pre-interview checklist: What to do Before Your Interview

How Can Mentor-led Preparation Help You Bag Your Dream Internship in Top Companies?

You’re at the start of your career and all this can get a little overwhelming.

We have all been there.

It is ok if you do not have complete clarity on your strengths, gaps, and career goals.

You could talk to your peers and professors. They can help you with self-assessment as they know you for a long time.

You could practise your interviews with them and build your self-confidence.

⭐However, a better approach could be to seek help from a professional career mentor.

As someone who is working in one of these companies, a mentor will have a much deeper understanding of the company and industry.

⭐They will be able to give you a truly objective assessment of your strengths and the areas that you need to improve.

Mock interviews with these mentors can give you the closest experience to the real interview you would face.

So, start preparing for that dream internship of yours.

And if you need any help or have any questions, team Preplaced is right here by your side!😊

Know more: The Power of Mentorship in Shaping Your Career

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Go here for a free 1:1 mentoring session with a MAANG mentor to bag your dream internship in tech.

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More resources:

How Sai Went from Being Rejected 1300 Times to Landing His Dream Job in the US

Peer to Peer vs Mentor-Based Mock Interviews.