How to Find an internship in the USA & organize your J1 visa

Search through listings.

There are many websites that list internship opportunities in the USA. Some listings are free to browse, others require you to pay. 

On some websites, such as PlaceMeUSA.com , you can search for an internship according to the city (eg: Miami, Chicago etc) and keywords that describe your internship, such as 'Marketing', 'Hospitality' or 'PR Assistant'. 

PlaceMeUSA.com searches most of the major internship listings and websites in order to consolidate results onto one page.   

Tips

Searching on every site is a time consuming experience but it will help you get a feel for the kinds of opportunities that are available, and the kinds of vocabulary that recruiters are using to describe the ideal candidate. You should be borrowing that vocabulary ready for your cover letter and interview.  

Build your resume 

Large companies receive hundreds of applications per day for job and internships. 

Your resume therefore needs to be concise, to the point, and tailored to the company concerned. 

So, when searching for your internship online, note down the vocabulary that you find in the different announcements, and copy down the vocabulary used by each employer: you will need this to build a tailor-made resume for that employer. 

Download a resume template

There are dozens of excellent quality resume writing resources available for free here on About.com

A good place to start is to download a nice, clean and simple resume template such as this one for Microsoft Word(R). 

Use 'Power Verbs'

Some websites such as Best-Interview-Strategies.com or JobSkills.info help you find vocabulary and 'power verbs' that give your resume the edge you need to stand out from the crowd.

Have an expert take a look at your resume & cover letter

On PlaceMeUSA.com there is a FREE online Resume and Cover Letter Writing workshop that will help you build your CV and cover letter. You can also ask a recruitment expert to take a look at your letter and resume and make corrections and suggestions before you send it. Corrections by experts cost from 60USD. Monster.com can also offer you resume writing templates and advice.

Put your resume online where recruiters can see it

On websites that deal with internships in the USA, such as internships.com you can add your resume and complete your profile in order that recruiters can discover your skills. On PlaceMeUSA.com you can post your resume here  in order that recruiters from partners companies and recruitment companies around the world can access it. 

If you are looking for an internship in luxury hospitality, one of the most active sectors in the USA in terms of international internships, you can submit your resume to specialists such as the International Trainee Network who can help you find the perfect 4 month, 6 month or 12 month internship in Luxury Hospitality.

When you submit your resume to PlaceMeUSA.com, we automatically forward your resume to

the partners that are specialists in the sectors that you are applying for. We also forward your resume to employers looking for candidates with your profile.  

Organize your for DS2019 and your J1 visa

 If you're going to do an internship in the USA, chances are it will be for 4 Months on a Work & Travel Visa, or 6 to 12 months on a J1 Visa. 

There are many forums that seek to explain the different visa types, including definitions of the DS2019 form. 

Nonetheless, the best way to get a straight answer about your visa needs is to speak to an expert. There is an online form that you can fill in that is sent to different visa sponsors in order that they get back to you with the information and answers that you need. You can fill in the form here.   

You can also work your way through the US Department of State FAQ for J1 Visas.

Get involved in a community that can help you

During your USA internships search, the most important thing is to surround yourself with the right people and the right information before you start:

Tips

• Join an online internships community. You can join discussions and see positions in Facebook Groups such as http://www.facebook.com/placemeusa or http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7966185546
• Sign-up for an email newsletter so that you get regular updates, news and details of available positions. 
• Ask questions on the forums where experts and other candidates can help you.