Applying for an internship? Henkel intern Ishika shares her top tips
Reading time: 4 minutes
Applying for a position can be nerve-wracking, even for an internship. But what if you could keep your nerves in check? In this interview, we speak with Ishika Mitra, who is currently interning in Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding at Henkel, where she helps shape the employer brand. She shares her insights on the application process, valuable lessons learned, and top tips for preparing for a job interview.
How Ishika landed her internship at Henkel
Ishika completed her master’s degree in psychology and found her way to Henkel while searching for a recruitment internship. Henkel is a global consumer goods company known for brands like Schwarzkopf, Fleuril and Syoss.
“I was looking for a company with sustainable goals that values and challenges its employees,” she explains. From the very first meeting, Ishika felt that Henkel was a great fit. “It felt familiar right away. The communication was smooth, and Henkel emphasized that there’s plenty of room to chase my ambitions.”
When we ask Ishika what made her the right fit for this internship, she highlights her previous experience at Oikocredit, a company providing microloans to entrepreneurs in developing countries. But her psychology background was also important. “As a psychology student, there’s a lot of emphasis on communication and analytics. These skills are also essential in recruitment.”
Two interviews and a challenging case study
Ishika went through three phases in the application process at Henkel. “It started with a general interview with the current talent acquisition intern. This gives you an overall feel for the company culture, what the role entails and what the company expects from you.”
The second phase involved a conversation with the hiring manager. “This was more in-depth, with technical questions, so I made sure to prepare thoroughly by revisiting relevant subjects from my master’s and refreshing my work experience.”
“At Henkel, the application process is designed to make candidates feel safe and comfortable.”
The third and final phase contained a case study focused on recruitment. “This was really challenging but also very insightful. Henkel gave me complete freedom to detail why certain candidates were suitable or not. To me it was the perfect chance to showcase my skills and competences.”
Preparing for a job interview: Ishika’s tips for students
Reflecting on her application journey, Ishika notes a few things she would do differently. “I tend to think in worst-case scenarios, so I could have approached it with a bit more self-confidence. The application went well, but if I could do it again, I’d have more trust in myself and my skills.”
She also has practical advice for students seeking HR internships: “Stay true to yourself and trust your abilities. And don’t forget to research the company and the role beforehand.”
Feeling nervous during the interview is completely normal, according to Ishika. “Recruiters won’t hold that against you; they genuinely want to get to know you.” She strongly believes employers also have a responsibility in this process. “At Henkel, the application process is designed so that candidates feel safe and comfortable, even if they aren’t hired in the end.”
Ishika wraps up with a surprising tip: “Reach out to professionals who have held similar positions. This can help you prepare better and give you insights about the team and the workplace.”
Looking for a recruitment internship? Discover your opportunities at Henkel
Are you interested in an HR internship at a global FMCG company? And does the idea of contributing to Henkel's employer brand excite you? Check out Henkel's company page on Magnet.me and explore your career opportunities.