The A to Z of Policy Internships: From CV to Interview Questions

Kavya Yadav
Jul 21
5 min read

If you’ve ever searched for a policy internship on LinkedIn and found only marketing or sales roles, you’re not alone.

Every time I typed “public policy,” the algorithm seemed to respond with “How about digital marketing instead?”

At one point, I honestly wondered if policy internships were a myth. Like some secret club with no open applications.

Spoiler Alert: They exist, but you need to look differently.

The first step?

Follow the right people and pages like think tanks, public policy orgs. Once I curated my feed, the right roles started showing up. Quietly. No loud ads. Just niche roles that actually made sense.

That’s when things changed. I stopped doom-scrolling and started bookmarking. I even learned what a decent policy CV looks like (hint: it’s not just buzzwords and bullet points).

This blog is a round-up of all that. A cheat sheet for anyone trying to find their way into policy, from building a CV to surviving the “Tell us about a recent bill” interview question. If you're tired of one-size-fits-all advice and want something that actually works for policy folks like us, you’re in the right place.

Section 1: The CV | Clean, Clear, and Credible

After sending out a bunch of CVs that looked fine but didn’t get any replies, I finally figured out what makes a policy CV work. It’s not about fancy fonts or design. It’s about clarity, relevance, and showing what you’ve done that actually mattered.

If you’re a student or recent grad, one page is usually enough. But if you’ve done multiple internships or research work, two pages are totally fine. What matters is how clearly you lay things out.

Start with your contact details and education. Then list your relevant experiences, like think tank internships, research projects, or college initiatives with a policy angle. Under each role, avoid vague phrases. Say what you did and why it mattered.

Example: “Reviewed 20+ government reports and academic papers to support a policy brief on women’s representation in local governance.”

This shows initiative and contribution.

Use the formula: Action + Task + Impact to keep your points focused and results-driven.

What also matters in a policy CV is your narrative.

It is helpful to use industry-relevant terms, such as stakeholder engagement, legislative research, impact assessment, or community outreach, where appropriate. It shows that you understand the language of the field.

After experience, add a skills section. Mention tools like Excel, Stata, Canva, or any languages you’re confident using. If you’ve led clubs or volunteered, include that too, especially if it connects to civic work, campaigning, or social impact.

Skip what doesn’t help your policy story. Old school awards and random online certificates? Let them go.

Your CV should tell a clear story, what you’ve done, how you think, and how you can contribute.

Section 2: SOP | AKA the 500-Word Identity Crisis

Writing an SOP can make you question everything about your goals, your past work, and whether you’ve done anything worth writing about. But that’s exactly what makes it meaningful.

A good SOP isn’t about using big words. It’s about being clear and reflective.

Start with something real. A moment, experience, or question that made you curious about how policies work (or don’t). Maybe it was a class that shifted your thinking, a problem you noticed in your community, or a conversation that stuck with you. That’s the kind of hook that makes an intro work. It doesn’t have to be extraordinary, just honest, grounded, and clearly connected to your interest in the field of public policy.

Next, talk about academic or life experiences that built on that interest. Maybe a research paper changed your view, or a campus project made you see policy in action. Be honest about how you grew.

Then write about internships or work experience. Instead of listing tasks, explain what you learnt and how it changed your thinking. Even small roles count if they helped you see things differently.

Now explain why you want this internship. What do you want to explore- research, fieldwork, policy design? Be specific. Then link it to your future goals. Planning for civil services? Grad school? Unsure but curious? All valid, just show some direction.

Wrap up with what you bring. Not just your skills, but your mindset. Are you curious, a fast learner, and good at simplifying ideas? Say it.

The best SOPs sound like someone ready to learn, not someone trying to impress.

Section 3: Nailing the Interview (What You Should Expect)

1. Public Policy & Academic Knowledge

“How do you define public policy?”
“Can you walk me through the main steps in the policy process?”
“What’s one public policy topic you’ve studied recently?”

2. Current Affairs & Policy Awareness

“Tell me about a recent policy or bill that caught your eye.”
“What’s a current public issue you think needs more attention?”
“How do you stay updated on policy news?”

3. Motivation & Fit

“Why do you want to work in public policy?”
“What excites you about this internship?”
“Where do you see yourself in five years?”

4. Skills & Problem-Solving

“Tell us about a time you had to dig deep into data or research.”
“How do you handle feedback or criticism?”
“Describe a team project that challenged you. What did you learn?”

Tips to Bring These to Life

Keep answers brief and structured; use real examples
Try the STAR format: Situation → Task → Action → Result
It’s okay to pause, better to think clearly than speak quickly
Prepare 2–3 questions for them at the end: ask about team dynamics, day-to-day work, or recent projects.

Bonus: Where to Actually Find These Internships

You’ve got the SOP, the CV, and your answers ready. But where are these internships hiding?

Here are some of the best places to look:

Raisina House (Telegram & Instagram): Curated roles in policy, governance, and research.
Government Organisations: Bodies like NITI Aayog, MyGov, the Ministry of External Affairs, and State Planning Boards occasionally open applications, usually short-term or project-based.
Members of Parliament (MPs): Many MPs, especially those active on social media or with a background in policy hire interns for constituency work, research, or communications support.
Think Tanks: PRS Legislative Research, CPR, CCS, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, check their websites and LinkedIn pages regularly.
Also, follow Policy communities like Public Policy India, Public Policy Network, and Ground Zero — they often share hidden gems and first-hand internship leads.
LinkedIn: Your best bet is to use alerts and keywords like “policy intern”, “research intern”, “MP internship”, or “public affairs”
College Networks & Professors – Don't underestimate the power of emailing faculty or alumni working in the space!

Pro Tip: Cold Mails Can Open Doors

Not every good policy internship is listed online. A simple cold mail can sometimes lead to real opportunities. If there’s someone whose work you admire, a researcher, policy analyst, or someone at a think tank, reach out.

Keep it simple:

Write a short, clear email
Mention why their work interests you
Attach your CV and a writing sample
Ask if they take interns or can refer you to someone who does

Cold emails feel scary at first, but they work more often than you’d think. And hitting send might just be the start of something great.

May your CV shine, your SOP stand out, and your interview answers not vanish mid-sentence. Good luck, future policymaker!