Here's how you can land a competitive internship in B2B marketing strategy.

To land a competitive B2B marketing strategy internship, I would suggest to focus on constantly building your skills. Stay updated on the latest trends with online courses -- be it paid or free. There's a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips that you can get through well chosen YouTube or TikTok videos, and blog articles. Earning certificates along the way doesn’t just boost your expertise; it shows employers that you’re proactive and committed to learning. It’s also your way of saying, “I’m ready to help strategize and make an impact!”

Develop a strong foundation in B2B marketing by acquiring relevant skills, such as market analysis, content creation, and digital marketing. Online courses, certifications, and hands-on projects can help you stand out.

Let's be honest, a B2B marketing strategy internship sounds impressive, but it’s about more than just crafting fancy plans. Strategy is built on a solid foundation of practical experience. You need to understand the nitty-gritty of the business, the market, and how things actually work. I'm curious what a B2B marketing strategy internship actually entails, to be honest - probably a lot of slide decks? Before diving into crafting strategies, get your hands dirty. Work closely with sales, explore different channels, discover how a market works, and learn the ropes. To any intern looking into building a marketing career, I would recommend looking for a specialist or field marketing position, and get real-world experience. Strategy comes later.

Connect with professionals in the B2B marketing field on LinkedIn. Engage in conversations, join relevant groups, and seek out mentors who can provide guidance and potentially refer you to opportunities.

Customize your resumé to highlight your relevant experience and skills. Focus on your achievements and how they align with the specific requirements of the internship you're targeting.

Prepare for interviews by practicing common B2B marketing questions. Consider conducting mock interviews with peers or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence.

Demonstrate your proactive approach by taking on relevant projects, internships, or volunteer opportunities that showcase your ability to contribute to a B2B marketing team.

B2B has a complex decision-making unit: recognise that the first interview or person you interact with might not be the final decision-maker, but can influence the final decision as to whether you land a role. Writing from the point of view of a B2B marketing agency - where we have offered salaried internships annually for more than a decade - it is clear that my team is part of the decision-making process as to who is the best fit for a position. This can be from how they speak on the phone, how they present during interview, how they ask questions of the people they interact with etc. There is no point only trying to influence the final decision-maker when others in the process can (strongly) influence outcomes for you.

After interviews or networking events, follow up with a thank-you note or message. This helps reinforce your interest in the position and keeps you top of mind for decision-makers.