How to become an intern

Former intern and current Digital Content Co-ordinator, Cayleigh Bright, takes you through it:

For me, applying to become a GLAMOUR intern was largely about getting some experience that I could put on my CV – in what past interns had told me was a fun, GLAMOURous environment. What I hadn't imagined was how much I'd learn in a very short space of time, or that I'd come to work for GLAMOUR full-time.

My work days started off with photocopies, coffee-making and filing. I answered phones while the GLAMOUR team were in meetings or out of the office, and helped download images for use in the magazine. As the days went by, things got more interesting: I got to call some celebs to tell them that they'd made GLAMOUR's list of most eligible bachelors, then I got to help with a video shoot. I even got to write a few things for the magazine – one of which was an interview with my mom, who was featured as one of a panel of career experts.

There was never a dull moment, and after a month I was sad to leave when it was time to go back to my final term of University.

Then, seven months later, I got a call about returning to GLAMOUR – and this time, to interview for a permanent position. That's where you'll find me right now: working in the brand-new online department at GLAMOUR, part of the team responsible for bringing you GLAMOUR.co.za.

My advice to would-be interns? If you want to learn about the media industry in a short space of time, gain valuable experience, and interact with the professionals, become an intern. If you have a passion for writing or fashion – or better yet, both – fill out the form below and let us know a bit more about you.

A few more words of advice:

There are a lot of people who want to become interns, so the competition is tough, just as it is for permanent jobs in the industry. From your very first email to the way in which you relate to the editorial team, you will be acting as your own best advertisement. Here's what you need to know.

• Read before you hit 'Send'. Your application letter reflects everything about you, from whether you're sloppy to whether you're creative. Check the spelling, punctuation and grammar – and don't neglect the obvious, like spelling GLAMOUR and your own name correctly! If you want to be a journalist, your letter should reflect your writing skill, so take it seriously!

• Don't treat your application letter like a quick note, or worse, an SMS to a friend. No "Hi there" and no "i" rather than "I". Be respectful and professional at the same time as you allow your personality to shine through.

• Get the name of the person you're writing to correct. It's easy to find in the masthead of the magazine and much better than beginning "Dear Sir/Madam" or "To whom it may concern".

• If you are applying for an editorial internship, make sure you have a strong writing ability and good attention to detail.

• If you're applying for a fashion internship, you'll need to be highly organised, hard-working and efficient.

• If you want to be an art intern, you'll need to be good at listening and taking instructions, as well having a strong creative flair.

• The main GLAMOUR editorial offices are in Cape Town. Before applying, be sure that you'd be able to get there to complete your internship, and that you'd be able to work from 9am to 5pm for at least a month.

• Send samples of your work that are as relevant to GLAMOUR as possible.

• Be helpful, courteous and reliable and go the extra mile. You want to stand out from the rest and professionalism is the way to do that.