How to apply for Communications/Social Media Internship

About Animal Outlook

Animal Outlook is a dynamic nonprofit animal advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to ending factory farming and promoting vegan living. They combine undercover investigations, legal advocacy, and creative campaigns to create systemic change, making them a unique and impactful place to contribute your skills.

About the role

As a Communications/Social Media Intern, you'll be at the heart of Animal Outlook's outreach, crafting compelling content that educates the public and drives engagement. Your work will directly support campaigns, investigations, and legal efforts, amplifying the voices of animals and inspiring action.

A typical day

A typical day might involve brainstorming and drafting social media posts for the week, writing a blog post on a recent vegan news story, or crafting an email newsletter. You'll collaborate with the communications team via video calls and messaging, receive feedback on your work, and have the flexibility to manage your own schedule while meeting deadlines.

Who Animal Outlook is looking for

• A current student with a strong passion for animal rights and a commitment to Animal Outlook's mission.
• An excellent writer and editor who can adapt tone across blog posts, social media, and email, with a keen eye for SEO.
• A social media savvy individual with hands-on experience creating engaging content for platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
• An entrepreneurial self-starter who thrives in a remote setting, can multitask, and is eager to brainstorm and execute fresh content ideas.

Tips for this application

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your social media and writing experience, specifically mentioning any content you've created for advocacy or nonprofit causes.
• Include a portfolio or links to your best writing samples and social media accounts (or mock content) that demonstrate your ability to engage audiences and align with Animal Outlook's brand voice.
• Research Animal Outlook's recent campaigns and investigations, and mention specific ones in your application to show you've done your homework.
• Since it's an unpaid internship, emphasize your passion for the cause and your eagerness to learn and contribute, rather than focusing on compensation.
• Proofread everything meticulously – they need strong editing skills, so your application must be error-free.

What to cover in your cover letter

["Your genuine commitment to animal rights and ending factory farming, and why you specifically want to support Animal Outlook's work.", 'Your proven ability to create engaging content across platforms, with examples that show your writing and social media skills.', 'Your entrepreneurial mindset and ability to work independently in a remote environment, backed by examples of self-driven projects.', "Your familiarity with SEO best practices and how you can apply them to increase the reach of Animal Outlook's content."]

Research before applying

• Explore Animal Outlook's website, including their blog, campaign pages, and 'About Us' section to understand their mission, tone, and recent work.
• Follow Animal Outlook on all social media platforms to see the type of content they post and how they engage with their audience.
• Read up on their undercover investigations and legal actions to grasp the impactful nature of their work.
• Check out their YouTube channel and any press coverage to see how they present themselves publicly.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Why are you passionate about animal advocacy, and what do you know about Animal Outlook's campaigns?
• Can you walk us through a social media post or blog post you've created that was particularly successful? What made it effective?
• How would you approach creating content about a sensitive investigation or legal case while staying true to our brand voice?
• What strategies would you use to grow our social media following and engagement?
• How do you manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a remote work setting? Give an example.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Animal Outlook or their specific campaigns – it's obvious and off-putting.
• Focusing on what the internship can do for you (like resume building) rather than what you can contribute to the cause.
• Overlooking the 'current student' requirement – if you're not a student, don't apply, or you'll waste everyone's time.