Competition is fierce at LSE, as it is at every institution; not only amongst academia, but also with regards to spring weeks, summer internships, and grad job applications. Now, before I get called out for anything, this blog is not intended to put you off, but rather to help you to prepare and manage the niche competitive job application environment that you may encounter at university.

Application season 

The job application season, which is notorious for being arduous, traditionally begins in early September, with some firms opening vacancies as early as August. Top banks and legal firms have drummed up their application processes with more stages and scrutinising deadlines.

Plus, the competition for a few spaces for a role can make certain people feel jealous if they don’t get the role, or if you do instead of them.

My Advice

My greatest piece of advice is to stay away from envious individuals; it’s easier said than done, but trust me when I say it’s for the best. I would only publicise your offer on LinkedIn after you’ve finished the internship if absolutely necessary. And in terms of telling your friends, be selective with whom you tell. For example, LSE is a small community, and information spreads faster than you might assume.

Post-application season and beyond…

If you receive no offers at the end of the application season, the issue might be with your application. Feel free to connect with people on LinkedIn who have received job offers from the companies you want to work for. Also, perhaps inquire about their suggestions and tips on how they were able to secure a spot on the programme. The vast majority of individuals would be willing to assist and, at the very least, respond with some wise words. I also believe the LSE Careers Service is fantastic; they can review your cover letters and CVs, and you can even arrange mock interviews and catch-up appointments with them. To make your life a little easier, their contact details can be found by clicking here. *I even utilised them last year during the previous application season, and in my first year, I ended up obtaining two spring weeks and a summer internship in Investment Management! So be sure to have a look at them* 

Yes, it may feel like you’re the only one without a spring week, internship, or grad job – but, at the end of the day, it’s not the end of the world. There are a plethora of internships available, as well as LSE’s own programmes that can assist you! You can check out the LSE Careers page, as well as some of the student testimonials from students that have completed LSE’s very own LSE Internship Fund Scheme by clicking here. Keep grinding and don’t let others get you down.

Keep an eye out for my upcoming blog, in which I’ll share my own review of my summer internship within an Investment Management firm! In the meantime, feel free to use the comments section to share your experience during application seasons.