I know it’s February and it seems like it’s too early to start thinking about summer jobs and internships, however, now is the time to get cracking. If you want to land your dream internship, you have to plan now, although the process is a lot less daunting than you may think. With the help of on-campus resources like your advisors, professors, and the Hiatt Career Center as well as online sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and SimplyHired, you can be sure find a great resume-builder that will jumpstart your career.
To make the internship search process a little easier, I have compiled a checklist that has helped me land some of my internships in the past. You don’t necessarily need to have loads of experience in the field you’re applying to – after all, you’re just an intern. As long as you have a passion to succeed and a desire to learn more about your industry you will be sure find something. Here are a few steps you should take to score big with internships this summer:
1. Decide which field you want to work in.
As a sophomore or freshman, you may not know exactly what you want to do, so I suggest doing some research online to scope out the scene. Think about some of your strengths. Are you creative or more analytical? Do you like the sciences or are you more of an artist? Do you enjoy working in an office or do you see yourself working directly with people? Are you an introvert or an extravert? These are questions you want to ask yourself before starting anything else.
2. Network and ask questions.
I cannot emphasize the importance of networking enough. I have gotten about 90% of my internships through networking. Talk to anyone you can about what they do: your friend’s parents, your professors, your parents, family friends and coworkers. The more you talk to people the more you will discover about yourself. Do NOT be afraid to ask questions either. Ask how your contact got her job. What does she like about it? What doesn’t she like? What kind of advice can she impart onto you? Be sure to follow up with a thank you note if your contact took the time to speak with you in an informal interview setting via phone.
3. Join LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is the BEST resource to learn about companies and to network with their employees. Once you have
networked, be sure to connect with the contacts on LinkedIn. Join groups in trades you’re interested in such as advertising, marketing, biotechnology and networking – members sometimes post job opportunities in the groups, so be sure to check them out. Join the Hiatt Career Center page and you can find alumni you can shadow or speak to further about their careers.
4. Make a list of companies in your field.
Make a list of companies in your field that you may be interested in. This will help you set up a game plan for how to apply and land your dream internship. Go online and figure out their goals, mission, and strengths. See what the company culture is like and if it appeals to you. See if you know anyone who knows people who work in your dream company. Be sure to reach out to them and see if they can refer you to a recruiter – people who are referred are more likely to land a position than those that just apply online. This is why I emphasize the importance of networking. It is the single, most important thing that can help you land a job.
5. Ace the application process.
Once you have found a way to submit your cover letter and resume to your dream companies, you need to find a way to excel at the process. Sending your materials to a specific person often leads to better results than just sending to a resume bank. By targeting a specific person (such as learning the name of the human resources representative), you can show that you put in the extra effort to research the company. Make sure you have a clean cover letter that shows what you can contribute to the company and what about the company attracts you to it. Create a resume that relates to your position of interest. Hiatt can help you with both your cover letter and resume, so don’t freak out just yet. As for the interview, the best way to do well is to be prepared. Do some extra research and have your resume memorized. Read your interviewer’s body language so that you can fine-tune your responses on the spot.
Last but not least, follow up with your interviewer and thank them for giving you the opportunity to speak with them. If you don’t hear back when they say you will, follow up and state that you are still interested – just don’t spam their mailbox. The last piece of advice I can give you is to not stress. Everything will be okay, so just take a deep breath and relax. You will be fine. If you have any further questions, feel free to post a comment and I will try to help you out as best I can!