I treated my internship search like a dating app. Here’s what worked

I stopped applying the ‘right’ way. That’s when I started getting interviews.

For someone who gets super awkward in large public settings, most of the advice to network felt like a personal attack.

“Put yourself out there.”
“Talk to people.”
“Build connections.”

It simply added more pressure. I didn’t have family or friends in fancy roles. I didn’t even have the confidence to walk into rooms and introduce myself without overthinking it for three days after.

So I approached this hunt like dating.

The realization: I was swiping right on EVERYthing

A woman holding a microphone and saying "Trust no one. Swipe left." — *Via GIPHY*

You know how people simply swipe on dating apps when they’re tired, bored or slightly desperate? I admit I am guilty of doing this while applying for jobs.

Everything got a chance.

Even the job descriptions that falsely advertised a payment of $35 per hour, while the current interns crashed out in the comments about how the company only pays in ‘shares.’ I was still clicking apply.

If you squint, it’s still a red flag

Someone is putting their hands in front of a white bird with the words "Red Flags." — *Via GIPHY*

Once I started looking at postings like dating bios, it became way easier for me to spot those that screamed, “STAY AWAY.”

Here are some of my favourites:

“High ownership and accountability”: AKA you will do everything on your own.
“Rockstar / Ninja / Hustler” language: Cute words. Usually chaotic workplaces.
“Must wear many hats”: You are about to become three departments.
“Full-time, on-site, 4 months, unpaid”: That’s not an internship. That’s an unpaid job.
“We’re like a family”: Boundaries? What boundaries?
“Fast-paced, high-pressure environment”: There is already drama.

Internships are for learning. If that’s missing, run.

Ghosting isn’t personal

A woman is saying, "So, are you just never gonna talk to me ever again?" — *Via GIPHY*

This one took time. The silence of ghosting chipped away at my self-esteem. Bitterness crept in. Anxiety built.

I recommend early exposure therapy.

It helped when I started looking before I desperately needed something. That way, I wasn’t holding my breath at every notification. Most co-op applications usually open months before the hiring is done, anyway.

If there were crickets, I reframed: It’s disorganization on their side. No response is a response. I’m dodging a bullet.

Why would I want to be with someone who ghosts me?

20 minutes is all you need

A white cat with the words "Fur real?" besides it. — *Via GIPHY*

Alerts did half the work for me on LinkedIn and Indeed. It’s like setting up preference filters on any dating app.

They can be as vague as ‘intern’ or as specific as ‘Summer paid media intern, located in Toronto within a 30km radius, posted less than 24 hours ago.’

The algorithm started suggesting companies and roles I would never have found manually.

When a job description clearly mentioned the role requirements and divided work into categories, that was a good sign for me. It meant the company knew what they wanted. And I knew what to expect.

It’s not cheating; it’s customization

Just like dating, companies are more likely to match with your resume when interests align. So I made the fit obvious by using their exact keywords. Customizing my resume and cover letter drastically increased my interviews.

I used tools to practice. A simple paste of the job description and my resume to generate possible questions. Tools couldn’t replace my personality, though.

The role I landed at IGNITE? My manager later told me my cover letter stood out because it felt authentic.

It’s a match!

Red muppet on fire with his arms open. — *Via GIPHY*

In one summer internship interview, I was asked if I had handled B2B before. Clients were enterprise-level, billed tens of thousands monthly and I was to work with the CEO directly.

I uttered something along the lines of “I don’t have direct experience, but I’m willing to learn, and here’s what I have that suits it,” initially worried that this would cost me the role.

The response to my overthinking Olympics came a couple of days later as a job offer with the message, “I believe you have strong potential and, with the right guidance, you can go a long way.”

The fact is, for internships, they’re not hiring a finished product. It’s okay if you’re just someone who is willing to learn and worth investing in.

So here’s the cheat code

King Minion dropping the microphone and turning back. — *Via GIPHY*

Settling for “anything will do” is exactly how the unpaid student work culture keeps surviving.

You don’t need to apply more. Be selective, customize deeply and remember you’re choosing them too. The right internship doesn’t feel like convincing someone to like you. It feels like mutual interest.

Feature image courtesy of Jakub Żerdzicki via Unsplash.

Looking to nail that internship interview? Check out how to make a good first impression!