Landing your first internship in South Africa with zero experience can feel impossible. When I started applying, I got no replies. My inbox was empty. My CV felt like a blank page with a few school achievements. I started to believe that only well-connected or lucky students got internships.
But I didn’t give up—and eventually, I landed an internship with a fast-growing tech company in Cape Town. Here’s exactly how I got my first internship without any experience, step by step. And if I did it, so can you.
Step 1: I Stopped Applying to “Big Name” Companies First
At first, I targeted only large companies—brands like Woolworths, MTN, and Absa. I thought, “Bigger is better.” But the truth? Those internships are highly competitive, and they often go to students with connections or prior exposure.
What I Did Instead:
- I looked for small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMEs).
- I searched on niche job boards like RealisticJobs.com, InternshipsSA, and even LinkedIn.
📌 Lesson: Start small. Smaller companies are more likely to give beginners a chance.
Step 2: I Built a Skills-Based CV (Not a Job-Based One)
I had no job experience. But I had:
- Volunteered at my local library.
- Helped a friend create a business Instagram account.
- Written school essays I was proud of.
So I built a skills-first CV, highlighting what I could do—not just where I had worked.
My CV Sections Looked Like This:
- Personal Summary
- Key Skills (e.g., social media, communication, research)
- Relevant Projects (like “Managed my school’s debate society page”)
- Education
- Achievements (e.g., “Top 5% in English Home Language”)
Want to build your own? Check out this free South African CV Template for Internships (Word & PDF).
Step 3: I Wrote a Powerful Cover Letter
Every job I applied for included a tailored cover letter. That’s where I made up for my lack of experience.
What I Focused On:
- Why I was interested in that specific company.
- What I could offer them (energy, willingness to learn, specific skills).
- How I would contribute, even as a beginner.
🔍 Example Line:
“While I haven’t held a formal job yet, I’ve grown a school Instagram page to 1,500 followers in 3 months and would love to apply those skills to your content team.”
📌 Want help? Read: How to Write a South African Cover Letter That Gets Read
Step 4: I Reached Out Directly on LinkedIn
Instead of just applying through job portals, I found real people at the companies I liked. I searched for:
- HR managers
- Junior employees
- Team leads
Then I sent a message like this:
“Hi [Name], I saw your company is growing and I love what you do. I’m a recent [qualification] grad with strong admin and content skills. If you ever need an intern—even unpaid—I’d love to help.”
To my surprise… some replied. And one asked for my CV!
📌 Don’t have LinkedIn yet? Create your profile and check out this guide to writing a LinkedIn bio for beginners.
Step 5: I Completed One Online Course
To boost my confidence (and my CV), I took a free online course on Coursera, but you can also try:
- Google Digital Skills for Africa
- Alison
- LinkedIn Learning
I added the course to my CV and portfolio. It gave me a talking point in interviews.
💡 Tip: Include a section on your CV called “Professional Development” and list the course name + date.
Step 6: I Applied to Internships Even If They Said “Experience Required”
At first, I filtered out jobs that said “1–2 years of experience required.” Big mistake.
Many companies write that by default—but if you show potential, they’ll overlook it.
📌 Example: I applied to a marketing internship requiring 1 year of experience. I had none. But they liked my writing samples and social media screenshots—and called me in!
Step 7: I Practiced Interviewing—Even Before I Got Interviews
I watched mock interview videos on YouTube, recorded myself answering questions, and wrote out answers to:
- “Tell me about yourself”
- “Why do you want this internship?”
- “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
📚 Read: 10 Most Common Internship Interview Questions in South Africa
So when I finally got an interview, I wasn’t nervous—I was prepared.
Step 8: The Internship Offer
Eventually, a small digital agency responded to my cold email. I met the manager on a video call, and she said:
“You’re not experienced, but you’ve got the hunger. We’ll give you a chance.”
I started the next week—paid a small stipend, fully remote.
Final Advice for You
Getting an internship without experience is possible. But you must:
- Be proactive.
- Get creative with your CV.
- Put yourself out there—repeatedly.
- Stay open to unpaid or part-time internships (at first).
- Keep learning.
Tools & Links I Used
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| CV Template | Free CV Template for SA Interns |
| Cover Letter Help | Write a Great SA Cover Letter |
| Job Board | RealisticJobs Internship Listings |
| Online Learning | Google Digital Skills for Africa |
| Create a LinkedIn Profile |
💬 Got Questions?
Leave a comment below or connect with us on LinkedIn if you need help with your internship journey.
Ready to Apply?
👉 Check out the latest Internships Hiring Now on RealisticJobs.com