28 Feb Must-Have Skills to Land a Marketing or Business Development Internship
Landing a marketing or business development internship can feel intimidating, but with the right mix of skills and preparation, you’ll be ready to stand out from the crowd.
Whether you’ve got your sights set on internships in advertising and marketing, you’re dreaming of a summer marketing internship in Bangkok, or you’re eyeing unique opportunities like a marketing internship in Tokyo, the key to success is knowing what employers value most and how to showcase your strengths effectively.
Marketing and business development interns play an essential role in driving projects forward, conducting market research, and assisting with strategic initiatives.
Employers know that students often arrive with limited real-world experience, but they also still expect you to bring a mix of technical know-how, creativity, and enthusiasm to the table.
Excited to learn what’s required and how to boost your chances? Keep reading—we’ll cover the key skills you’ll need to not only land an internship but thrive in it as well.
Communication Skills That Leave an Impact
If there’s one skill that’s non-negotiable in a marketing or business development internship, it’s communication. Whether you’re working in a team on a marketing internship in Thailand, pitching ideas for a marketing internship in Tokyo, or researching trends as a marketing intern in London, your ability to convey ideas clearly and effectively will set you apart.
This includes both written and verbal communication. Employers in this space look for interns who can craft compelling emails, create reports with meaningful insights, and engage confidently in discussions.
Think about the context of the industry—if you’re leaning toward internships in advertising and marketing, your job might include writing social media captions, contributing to ad copy, or brainstorming campaign ideas.
Meanwhile, for roles like pharmaceutical marketing internships, the tone could be more technical and data-driven, requiring a firm grasp of formal communication styles.
Strong communication skills also show that you’re a team player. Marketing is a collaborative field, so demonstrating that you can listen, express your opinions respectfully, and contribute thoughtfully to group projects will make you stand out.
Creativity Counts
While marketing has a foundation in strategy, creativity is where the magic happens. If you’re pursuing opportunities like a marketing and advertising internship or a summer marketing internship, your employers will be looking for someone who can think outside the box.
Can you come up with fresh angles for campaigns, creative ways to convey a brand’s message, or new approaches to grab a client’s attention?
Creativity in business development internships often takes on a different shape. Here, it’s more about crafting innovative ways to attract new clients, strategies to expand markets, and pitches that capture attention.
If you’ve got a knack for problem-solving and seeing challenges as opportunities, make sure to highlight this skill during your application or interview.
Analytical and Research Skills
Whether you’re signing up for a remote marketing internship or preparing for an in-office marketing internship in Tokyo, you’ll be expected to use research as the backbone of your recommendations. Marketing and business development rely on understanding the market, your audience, and the competitive landscape. Employers want interns who can not only gather data but also interpret what it means.
Imagine stepping into a marketing internship in Bangkok where your role involves analyzing engagement metrics for social media campaigns.
Or perhaps in a business development internship in Madrid, you’ll be sizing up potential new markets or evaluating leads. Either way, having solid research and analytical skills means you add tangible value to the team.
And don’t worry—being analytical doesn’t mean you need a Ph.D. in statistics. Start by learning your way around tools like Google Analytics, industry reports, and other research resources that help you break down data into actionable insights.
Mastering Time Management
An internship in marketing tends to come packed with responsibilities. You might have small tasks like joining team meetings, larger projects like preparing reports, and tight deadlines that seem nonnegotiable.
Since about 90% of college students struggle with issues like procrastination, you can stand out by having sharp time management skills. This will help you juggle multiple priorities while keeping everything on track.
At its core, time management is about organization. From setting deadlines to prioritizing tasks, you’ll need to show recruiters that you can handle the fast pace of marketing or business development internships. Programs like Trello, Notion, or even a well-organized to-do list can make you feel like you’re in control of your day—and recruiters love seeing that in action.
And here’s a tip for students considering remote marketing internships—self-discipline is particularly important for these roles. When you’re working away from an office, staying accountable to your own schedule speaks volumes about your maturity and professionalism.
Tech Savviness
It’s no longer enough to just know the basics. For internships in advertising and marketing, having technical skills can truly set you apart.
Software programs like Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and video editing tools are staples in the marketing world, while familiarity with CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems like Salesforce is a valuable plus for business development roles.
Platforms like Hootsuite or Buffer can instantly make your social media marketing efforts more efficient, while tools like HubSpot can streamline your efforts in lead generation and nurturing campaigns. Employers want interns who come prepared with at least a minimal grasp of the tools they use daily, so explore free online courses or tutorials to brush up before applying.
And don’t underestimate the value of Excel—data and budgets will likely come up in both marketing and business development internships, so knowing how to create charts, tables, and reports can give you a major edge.
Networking Know-How
Marketing and business development go hand in hand with relationship-building. Whether it’s connecting with clients, vendors, or colleagues, feeling comfortable in social and professional settings is a must.
If you’re pursuing a marketing internship in Tokyo, for example, you might find yourself attending networking events or trade expos where you’ll be expected to represent your company. That means knowing how to introduce yourself, ask the right questions, and leave a positive impression.
For remote marketing internships, networking often moves online. Your ability to manage professional correspondence via email, LinkedIn, or virtual meetings will make all the difference. Practice these skills now by connecting with peers, professors, or alumni who can support your career aspirations.
Why Soft Skills Matter
While your resume might focus on hard skills like tech or data tools, companies hiring for marketing and advertising internships or pharmaceutical marketing internships also value soft skills. These include qualities like adaptability, resilience, and emotional intelligence.
No marketing campaign goes 100% according to plan, and no business development strategy guarantees success. Being adaptable and able to pivot when challenges arise not only makes working with you more enjoyable but also marks you as someone who’s up for the unpredictable world of marketing.
Wrapping It Up
Landing a marketing or business development internship takes more than just applying and hoping for the best. From mastering communication and creativity to sharpening your research and adaptability, this skillset will keep you ahead of the pack. The good news? You don’t have to figure all of this out alone.
If you’re looking for curated and exciting internships in advertising and marketing, whether it’s a marketing internship in Bangkok experience or an incredible marketing internship in Tokyo, we’re here to help.
At Absolute Internship, we connect you with handpicked roles designed to maximize your learning and career growth. Explore our internships today and take the first step toward owning your career.
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