How to Land Your First Internship With No Experience
Published 22 August 2026 · 4 min read · Master in Business Administration (MBA)
You can land an internship even with an empty CV. The trick is to skip the crowded portal queue plus email the company directly, with a short, specific note that shows you have done your homework. I got all three of my early internships this way, in my first and second years, before I had much to show.
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You can land an internship even with an empty CV. The trick is to skip the crowded portal queue plus email the company directly, with a short, specific note that shows you have done your homework. I got all three of my early internships this way, in my first and second years, before I had much to show.
A portal application drops you into a pile of thousands. A direct email lands you in front of the person who does the hiring. That one shift is what makes the difference when you have little experience to lean on.
The steps at a glance
Step | What to do |
|---|---|
Pick a function | Choose the area you want to intern in, tied to your longer goal |
Find openings | Search Internshala and Unstop with the right filters |
Build a shortlist | List target companies plus their email IDs from their sites |
Email directly | Send a short, tailored note with your resume attached |
Follow the work | Pick the role that teaches you the most, not the biggest name |
Start with the function, not the company
Before you apply anywhere, decide what you want to intern in: marketing, finance, operations, content or something else. Tie it to where you want to end up. An internship is the cheapest way to test whether you really like a field before you commit to it as a career, which is much harder to switch out of later.
Find the openings, then go around the queue
Internshala plus Unstop list thousands of openings. Use the filters, so paid, work-from-home or a specific function, to shortlist companies that fit. But do not stop at the apply button. Note down the companies you like plus find their email addresses from their own websites. That shortlist is what you will work from.
Follow up once, then move on
If you hear nothing after a week, send one short, polite follow-up on the same email thread. Just one. A single nudge shows you are keen without being a pest, plus it lifts your email back to the top of a busy inbox. After that, let it go plus put your energy into the next name on your list. The numbers work in your favour: send ten strong, tailored emails plus you only need one yes. Treat the whole thing as a funnel, not a lottery. Keep the funnel full.
The email that works
Send a short, specific email to the company with your resume attached. Name the exact role, the dates you are free plus one real reason you fit. Here is a template you can adapt.
Dear Sir or Ma'am,
I am writing about (company)'s opening for a (role) internship listed on (portal). I would like to express my interest in joining for (duration) months, from (start date) to (end date), as a (position).
I am keen to build my (relevant skills) skills through this role. I have (duration) months of relevant experience at (company or college club), where I handled projects of a similar nature, plus I want to sharpen those skills further with your team.
(Company) is known for its (specific strength), so it would be a strong place for me to learn plus add value. My resume is attached for your reference. I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards, (your name), (college and year), (contact plus LinkedIn)
Why email beats the portal
Thousands of people apply through the portal, plus most companies hiring interns want to fill the role fast. If your email lands right in front of the person doing the hiring, with the role named plus your fit spelled out, why would they wait? It saves their time as much as yours. This is the exact reason it worked three times out of three for me.
What an internship really does for you
More than a line on your CV, an internship tells you whether you enjoy a field. If you think you like marketing, a marketing internship shows you the real work before you sign up for a full-time version of it. For an MBA aspirant, it also adds weight to your profile. If you do not have one yet, do not panic. Start with the function, send ten good emails plus one will open a door.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an internship with no prior experience?
Yes. In your email, point to college projects, club work or coursework that fits the role. A direct, tailored email to the company often works better than a portal application, even with a thin CV.
Is it better to apply on a portal or email directly?
Email directly. Portals bury you among thousands of applicants, while a short, specific email reaches the person who hires and shows initiative. Use the portal to find openings, then email the company.
Which sites should I use to find internships?
Internshala plus Unstop are the main ones for Indian students. Use their filters to shortlist by function, pay plus location, then find the company's own email to apply directly.
How do I choose between internship offers?
Pick the one where you will do real work, not the one with the biggest name. A role where you own a small project or talk to customers teaches you more and gives you better CV points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an internship with no prior experience?
Yes. In your email, point to college projects, club work or coursework that fits the role. A direct, tailored email to the company often works better than a portal application, even with a thin CV.
Is it better to apply on a portal or email directly?
Email directly. Portals bury you among thousands of applicants, while a short, specific email reaches the person who hires and shows initiative. Use the portal to find openings, then email the company.
Which sites should I use to find internships?
Internshala plus Unstop are the main ones for Indian students. Use their filters to shortlist by function, pay plus location, then find the company's own email to apply directly.
How do I choose between internship offers?
Pick the one where you will do real work, not the one with the biggest name. A role where you own a small project or talk to customers teaches you more and gives you better CV points.