Are you dreaming of a top tech internship at Sterling Bank? Here’s how to make it happen

For many undergraduates and pre-NYSC graduates, getting an internship at Sterling Bank is like a dream come true. It is regarded as an invaluable opportunity by these aspiring and budding techies to upskill and get exposed to business projects and initiatives.

According to former interns at Sterling, the attraction is the Bank’s reputation for developing impactful and relevant tech solutions that address pressing financial and social needs.

Tobi, a former intern at Sterling Bank, spent four months interning at the Bank and says he is all the better for it. 

“One of the best ways to develop your software development skills is an internship at Sterling for undergraduates or diploma holders,

Tobi, former Sterling Bank intern

The young tech enthusiast says it takes five easy steps to join Sterling Bank’s Tech Talents programme, a technology-focused internship programme by the bank for future innovators. 

Are you passionate about getting some work experience in one of Africa’s leading technology bank? Here are Tobi’s five hacks that can earn you that prized internship slot. 

Prepare your resume for the position you want

Your resume is the first thing the Talent Acquisition Team at Sterling Bank will see. It should focus on your exceptional skills, education, volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, and achievements because you do not have extensive work experience yet. 

Like most people seeking their first internship, you are likely unsure and do not know how to proceed. Consider talking to your professor, course advisor, friends, or family members. They can help you think through what your internship resume should include.

They know your strength and skills and can help you spotlight them. Same for your qualifications and career goals. Now that you have a decent resume, it is time for the next step. 

Get online to start your application process

Now that you have prepared your resume or CV, it is time to send in your application. To do this, visit www.sterling.ng/internships. Applications for the tech talent internship programme is open all year round and can only be submitted online.

Part of the requirement for acceptance into the programme is the availability to intern for a minimum period of three months or a maximum period of six months. Another requirement is the recommendation letter from your course advisor, Head of Department, or professor. 

Finally, you can only send in one application for an internship because multiple applications will lead to automatic disqualification. 

Online assessment

Now that your resume has earned you a place on the shortlist for the Tech Talent programme online aptitude test, you must prepare well. The online assessment at Sterling is robust and will test for logical reasoning, analytical skills and communication skills. 

To prepare for your assessment test, practice by taking online tests. There are free resources online that can help you prepare for your assessment test. By taking different online tests, you get introduced to the way questions would be asked while training your memory and intellect to complete your assessment in time.

Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before the assessment. You could take your test from home, which means you must have a stable internet connection and an internet-enabled device. And be sure to take your test in an environment where you will not be distracted. 

Prepare for the interview

Success in the online aptitude test gets you an invite to begin the interview process. It is in two stages – either over the phone or via video conference. These should last between 25 to 40 minutes, focusing on your skills, strengths, and expectations from the internship. 

Common interview questions at Sterling Bank: 

• Tell us something about yourself that is not on your resume?
• What challenges have you faced at school or work, and how did you overcome them? Etc.

Orientation

If you are successful at the two-tier interview stage, you get offered an internship slot. But not before passing through a one-week orientation programme. The programme introduces new interns to business activities across the Bank’s strategic focus areas and culture to help them settle quickly. 

Meaningful work

At Sterling, our interns are well engaged and always challenged through stretch assignments that keeps them excited and with a sense of contributing to the growth of the organization. You can be assured of doing meaningful work. There are also lots of volunteer programs that you can be involved in, beyond your daily routine depending on your area of interest.

Outstanding interns have also had opportunities to join the Bank’s entry level graduate Trainee program.