Oh, spring semester – where the weather is prime, and OU’s fests commence. If you’re a Bobcat, it’s the best time of the year. But with being a Bobcat comes responsibility. Spring semester means crunch time in the internship-and-job-search world.
While studying in Barcelona last semester, I began my search for potential summer internships. I was living my dream of traveling and blogging, so I knew I needed to work somewhere that inspired me daily.
Before anything began, I organized a list of companies I was interested in through Microsoft Excel. This kept me sane and on track with the process.
Tip #1: Make an excel sheet of companies, contact information and the important dates you need to follow-up. This will keep you organized and more importantly, sane. Update it regularly, or whenever needed.
After seeing a post from a go-to site of mine, The Everygirl, I discovered an inspiring company located in my city, Chicago. Almost every day I found myself back at their site. What they stand for really struck me. I kept thinking… I could make a difference here. There was no post about a need of intern on their site, but that didn’t stop me. I emailed them from halfway across the world. I explained what I’d love to do for their company and how passionate I was about their global mission.
Tip #2: If you fall in love with something, go after it. Don’t hold yourself back because there isn’t an opening listed. You never know where a company is at in terms of hiring, and you just might be the one they are looking for.
I didn’t expect to hear back. Within a few weeks, the company replied and was happy that I reached out. I sent over my resume, but didn’t hear anything within the first month of my return to the states. After a decent amount of time, I decided to touch base with them.
That sole email landed me a phone call with the marketing director of their company! Show your persistence, but to an extent.
Tip #3: Find a balance between being patient and staying fresh in their minds. You don’t want to give the wrong impression, but you also don’t want them to forget about you.
I was happy with how the phone call went, but that didn’t mean my work was done. I sent the woman I interviewed with an email that same night to express my gratitude for her time and a specific goal of what I’d love to help the company reach that summer. Later in the week, I mailed her a handwritten thank you note.
Tip #4: FOLLOW UP. Go a step further, and write a handwritten note! That extra bit of effort is personal, authentic and puts you above the rest.
I was told that I’d hear back within a few weeks. I planned to visit my home in Chicago that next month. Without a reply, I sent them an email to let them know I’d be in the city and available to meet in person. What did I have to lose? I didn’t have plans set-in-stone with them, but I did have a gut feeling it was a good time to jump on a bus home to Chicago. So I did.
The company ended up replying and invited me to meet in their shoppe downtown. Isn’t it weird how life works out?
Tip #5: If it’s possible to meet with the company face to face, take EVERY chance you can to make that happen. That personal connection will set you apart from other candidates, and you will be able to feel if they are the right fit for you.
After anxiety-filled months trying to find an internship this semester, I received an offer from a prestigious company in another city. Unfortunately, the plan fell through due to living logistics. I was forced to move forward. Can you guess what happened next?
The dream company I emailed while I was abroad five months earlier contacted me and offered me a PR internship position for the summer.
Tip #6: Determination, a bit of organization, and passion is key. So do what you can, and allow things to take their natural course.
Give it your all, and then let it be. What’s meant to work out, will work out.
It always does.