Front page / Student life / Student jobs, internships, and project collaborations / What do companies care about when hiring?

Student jobs, internships, and project collaborations

What do companies care about when hiring?

As a STEM student, you already have strong technical skills and a good academic foundation. But when companies look for interns and student assistants, it is not always enough. They often look for personal qualities and competencies that provide a greater guarantee that you are the right match – even as a student employee.

Table of contents

This is how companies think
Companies also look for this
Grades matter, but they are not everything

This is how companies think

You are probably asking yourself: How do I land my dream internship, or how do I secure that super exciting position as a student assistant at one of the companies high on the list of interesting places to work?

There is, of course, no clear answer, as companies and workplaces are very different. Generally speaking, companies expect your academic skills to be in order. They trust that the educational institutions can deliver smart minds and theoretical competencies that they can use in their company – to put it bluntly. Therefore, it is often your personality that will play a significant role when companies look for what they call “the perfect match”.

Demant knows all about this, as they are globally recognised for their expertise in audiological solutions. They develop and produce hearing aids and communication solutions for people with hearing loss and impaired hearing.

Historically, 80% have been hired based on their academic skills, while 80% have been dismissed due to their personality. Therefore, we place great emphasis on the right personality when hiring student assistants. Hard skills can be learned – a personality is difficult to change.

Mikal Thorborg, Head of Recruitment at Demant

Learn more about salary in a student job

Fact box

Companies also look for this

1. Show your technical skills in practice

If you have experience with relevant tools from your studies, personal projects, or extracurricular activities, make sure to mention it in your application. Have examples ready of projects where you have used your technical abilities. If, for example, you have developed an app or designed a prototype, describe the process and your results. This shows that you have not only learned about the theories but also applied them in practice.

2. Show that you can learn new things and adapt

Technologies develop rapidly, and therefore companies value candidates who can quickly grasp new material. If you have taken extra courses, participated in workshops, or have projects that show you actively seek knowledge, do not hesitate to mention it. Even small things can have an impact in the bigger picture.

3. Strong communication and collaboration skills

Your ability to communicate and collaborate is also quite crucial. Companies want people who can explain complex topics in an understandable way and work with colleagues who may not necessarily have the same technical background.

4. Take initiative and show independence

As an intern or student assistant, you can expect to take responsibility for your own tasks. Therefore, companies like to hire candidates who can work independently and take the initiative to solve problems or optimise processes.

5. Personality

A good match between you and the company’s culture is essential. Companies often look for candidates who share their values and fit well into the team. This can involve flexibility, openness, or the ability to handle feedback.

What to know about salary and conditions when doing an internship as a Bachelor of Engineering

Grades matter, but they are not everything

From high school, you are probably used to grades having significant importance in determining how much choice you had when it came to selecting a study programme. When you are looking to land a student job or an internship, grades might matter for the first position, but after that, experience is the most important.

Grades should always be viewed in light of what else you have done. If you have had a good student job that has provided valuable experience, we can overlook less impressive grades, whereas we naturally expect to see better academic results if you do not have any work experience to bring with you.

Mikal Thorborg, Head of Recruitment at Demant

And just like with any other job, there is one thing that can never be omitted: A fully updated, targeted, and carefully crafted CV is important on the way to a job interview.

Good luck with your search for an internship or student job.

Why a student job can be invaluable for your future

Hvis du fik noget ud af artiklen og blev klogere på det virksomhederne leder efter, så tag et kig på relateret indhold herunder.

How to find a student job, an internship or a company to write your thesis with

Four valuable tips. The idea of finding a relevant student job, an internship, or a company to write your thesis with is often exciting but certainly also challenging.

Get the optimal conditions at your student job

The downside of a student job can be that the few working hours and lack of responsibility can lead to trivial and boring tasks. It does not have to be that way.

Don’t forget that you have rights in your student job

Many students are not aware – or they simply choose to ignore – that they actually have rights and entitlements when they are employed in a student job.

Creating a professional CV and application

Get all the best tips in formulating the perfekt application. There are certain things that companies looks for in particular. Danish courses are all with english subtitles.

See course

IDA career advice

Do your groundwork with IDA

As a student member of IDA, you can always leverage our expert knowledge to enhance your chances of securing a student job or full-time job. Our professional career advisors can provide you with guidance on your job search. At IDA Campus, you can also take online courses that equip you with the skills to craft the perfect application.

Personal Career Advice IDA Campus