Well, I’ve crossed all my t’s and dotted all my i’s. My internship applications are submitted, and now I’m stuck in limbo with the uncertainty of my summer plans hanging over my head. So in the meantime, I figured I would share a few words of wisdom that I’ve learned during my hunt for the perfect internship. The internship search can be exhausting, maddening, frustrating (insert your adjective here.) At the end of the day we’re all Georgetown students. We’re all smart, qualified, driven, and incredibly good looking of course. : ) Who wouldn’t want us? Well, in a sea of qualified applicants it’s up to us to make sure we stand out. So here are five tips to make sure you’ve done all you can to optimize your chances of securing a summer internship.
- Do your research.
Make sure that your cover letter demonstrates that you’re familiar with the company. They want to see that you’ve taken the time to be knowledgeable about their departments and/or brands. A generic cover letter about your qualifications and experience isn’t going stand out. Add a few lines about how your skills can specifically apply to that company or an area you would particularly like to work for.
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- Send a paper copy of your resume.
Digital age or not, there’s nothing quite like holding a physical copy of a candidate’s resume. It’s a lot harder to ignore something when there is no delete button to make it magically disappear from your screen. Spend the worthwhile 10 cents to print it out and fax or mail it to the company. That extra show of interest and persistence may be just the trick to have them give you a second look.
- Follow the directions.
Yes, I know we’re not in kindergarten, but it’s a timeless piece of advice. If the directions ask for a recommendation letter, don’t send three. When the internship coordinator is reading through hundreds of applications, more is not necessarily better in this scenario. That being said, don’t leave anything out either. Even if your transcript isn’t in the best shape, it’s not necessarily optional if the company wants to see it. Not following the directions properly is a silly mistake that can certainly be avoided.
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- Use your networking outlets.
Connections are invaluable. Don’t miss an opportunity to utilize any outlet you have to make them. Check out the Career Center events or contact people on the alumni network website. The likelihood is, if you don’t do it, someone else will.
- Send a lot of applications.
The more lines you throw, the more likely a fish will bite. In such a competitive process, it can’t hurt for you to increase your chances in any way that you can. Even if it is time consuming and tedious to fill out 20 applications, it will be worth it when you finally get that long-awaited internship offer.
Quote of the Week: “If you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain.” – Dolly Parton