What is a Spotify internship like?

The Spotify summer internship program is anything but conventional. You’ll be right at the heart of major projects, working with teams of passionate people and helping Spotify create the next awesome thing. You’ll be making a real impact on Spotify’s business and platform.

The Global Summer Internship

Spotify has several programs discussed below, but its primary internship program is called the Global Summer Internship. It lasts for 10 to 13 weeks and It takes place at different offices across the globe. Interns work with technical and business teams.  

Where can I find Spotify internships?

An up-to-date list of Spotify internships can be found on Spotify’s website: simply scroll to the bottom or click here to jump to the list of fresh opportunities. The list is updated daily. 

Are Spotify internships remote?

The 2022 summer program was conducted through a distributed workforce with interns working remotely or on location. The 2023 program could be different.

Are Spotify internships paid?

Yes! Every Spotify intern is paid.  How much they get paid varies based on the internship positions, with software engineers typically getting paid the most.  The current media internship hourly rate is about $32 per hour.

Who can apply?

Current students pursuing an associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as bootcamp certifications and recent graduates can apply.  Spotify is forward-thinking and is one of the few employers that allow recent graduates and bootcamp graduates to apply for an internship.

When can I apply for the Spotify Global Summer Internship?

Applications to the Spotify summer internship program open in late fall of the preceding year. For the 2023 summer program, applications will open in late 2022.

Does Spotify have any resume preferences?

Spotify doesn’t have any specific resume preferences. Just make sure that your resume is a match with the internship you are applying for.

You should also follow these general guidelines: 

• Review Before Submitting – Your resume must be error-free so double-check for grammar and spelling mistakes.
• Include Online Professional Profile – You should include your LinkedIn profile, GitHub account, personal website or portfolio link. 
• Include Detailed & Complete Education Data – Provide your academic institution, degree program and location, if available. You can also include your anticipated graduation date, performance indicators, or any relevant educational certifications. 
• List Your Experiences – Spotify values candidates who show passion, so demonstrate your passion in your resume.

For more about how to improve your resume, read How to Write Your Resume, The Complete Resume Guide for College Students – 12 Rules for Resume Perfection! ,and 35 Phrases That Will Improve Your Resume.

How can I make my application stand out in the hiring process? 

First, research the internship you are applying for and make sure that you apply only for the ones that you have a real interest in and that align with your demonstrated achievements as shown in your resume. Do not apply for positions that are clearly not a fit. Make sure your resume, cover letter, portfolio, and resume show that you can translate what you have been taught into the real world.

Spotify wants applicants to be more than a Spotify fan.  You should show them who you are, what you care about, and where you want to go.

Does Spotify require cover letters?

Yes, Spotify likes to see cover letters, portfolios, and personal websites in addition to your resume so it gains a more complete perspective of who you are and what you are passionate about. 

Do I need to be a musician or podcaster to get a Spotify internship? 

No, while you can find several music and podcast nerds at Spotify, you are not required to be a musician or a podcaster. Those things are just a plus! 

When does the interview process take place?

The Spotify interview process takes place typically over the winter months. 

Can you connect with Spotify employees in the departments that you are most interested in? 

Yes, you can and Spotify actually encourages it. But Spotify won’t give out contact information. Instead, it encourages you to send Spotifyers LinkedIn messages to connect with them there. So, if you are serious about working at Spotify, you should dig into LinkedIn. It is also a great way to see what experience current Spotifyers have, so you can focus on your own resume.

How do I get ready for the Spotify interview questions?

There is actually a lot of videos on YouTube that are helpful to tell you what the interview questions can be. For tech-related internship roles, you will get a lot of “What would you do in this situation?”-type questions.

You should also ask some thoughtful questions during the interview. If you need some ideas for this, read Questions to Ask During Job Interviews.

Also, make sure to send a thank-you email to the interviewer shortly after the interview. To learn how to write a good thank you email, read How to Write a Thank You Email After an Interview.

Will Spotify be visiting my campus? 

Maybe, you should check here for a list of Spotify’s upcoming campus and virtual events.

Are summer internships rotational? 

Spotify summer internships are not rotational (unless otherwise specified in the job description). Rather, interns are placed on one team, so you will be working with the team during the duration of your internship at Spotify. 

Spotify Fellowship and Co-Op programs

Spotify also has the following five additional programs — with durations ranging from four months to two years — in technology, product management, marketing, and finance: 

• Technology Fellowship Program (18 weeks): This program is for aspiring software engineers. Check here for details and requirements. Applications open in the spring and summer. 
• Rotational Product Management Program (12 months): This program is designed to train future product leaders. It is, however, limited geographically to Stockholm and London. Applications open every spring.
• Aspiring Marketing Professionals Program (15 months): Meant for associates, this program is located in New York where you will play an integral role as a part of Spotify’s content and marketing teams. Applications open every summer.
• Finance Analyst Rotation (2 years): Intended for recent graduates, the FAR program includes training and mentorship and is a four- to six-month rotation with Spotify’s internal audit, treasury, accounting, and financial planning and analysis teams. Applications open in the spring.
• Year Up: Each fall and spring semester, Spotify welcomes students participating in Year Up, a college alternative program that specifically trains underrepresented students in fields such as IT and project management for a six-month co-op at Spotify’s New York office.

For more details on each program, check here and scroll down just past the video.

The Opening Act Innovation Challenge — Spotify’s HBCU and HSI initiative

In addition to the Global Summer Internship, Spotify also has the Opening Act Innovation Challenge, which is not an internship but a conference involving a roadshow and an innovation challenge.  It can also be a path for some to a summer internship. The Opening Act Innovation Challenge is an immersive opportunity for students to compete to solve some of the real challenges that Spotify faces today. Students are asked to submit a solution to one (or more) of Spotify’s business challenges. and two finalists for each challenge will be invited to present their solution in front of a panel of judges. In past years, one finalist has won a summer internship at Spotify.

This program is open to students from Historic Black College & Universities (HBCU) and Hispanic Serving Institutes (HSI). For more information, visit their dedicated webpage. 

The Spotify Internship Podcast

To learn more about the scope of the internships and the work environment at Spotify, listen to the Spotify Internship Podcast here.

How else does Spotify help students?

Spotify also helps students through its student discount and three new scholarship programs.

• The Spotify Student Discount gives students a FREE three-month trial subscription to Spotify Premium Student with Hulu and SHOWTIME. After your trial, you can enjoy Premium, Hulu (ad-supported), and SHOWTIME for just $4.99/month. The offer is open only to higher education students who haven’t previously tried Spotify Premium. You can cancel anytime.
• The Spotify-UNCF Scholars Program (one of two Spotify x PLUS1 for Black Creatives) will provide renewable three-year, need-based scholarships and leadership development components to Black students attending HBCUs who are interested in pursuing a career in music and media. The program will support two cohorts of 20 students per year during each of the next two academic years, giving each student aid for their sophomore through senior years.
• The Spotify Frequency Scholarship Program (the second of two Spotify x PLUS1 for Black Creatives) will provide renewable two-year, need-based scholarships to Black students attending any accredited college or university who are interested in pursuing a career in music. The program will support two cohorts of eight students per year for two years (junior through senior year) during the next two academic years. The four scholarships will be awarded in honor of Frequency’s four ambassadors: Monique Blake, Archie Davis, Eve Fairley–Chickwe, and Tommy Brown. This is the first of its kind, and we believe this collaboration in the music industry is going to really make a difference in the lives of these students.
• The Spotify Pulse Fellowship Program is a year-long creative development program for Black professionals with 1-3 years of professional experience in the advertising industry. Spotify is accepting alumni from 4A’s MAIP, the Marcus Graham Project, the One School, and/or D&AD (Design & Art Direction).

Want to lean more about the Spotify Student Discount, look here,

For more internship opportunities, use TUN’s Job Search Engine.