It’s the dreaded summer job hunt. Everyone is looking for the best summer internships and resume builders, but sometimes it can be a little overwhelming. To help you in this pursuit, here are five things you should consider doing to make yourself stand out a little more.
1. Research the company
Know those companies that appeal to you and appear to be a great fit. If you don’t know about the company or if you don’t really want to work there, it typically shows in a conversation or correspondence. If you have a complete understanding of the company and the position, clearly having done research, it will make you extremely appealing and differentiate you from the rest of the crowd.
2. Don’t be afraid to reach out and seem eager
Networking and all the other steps are worthless without following up. Be persistent without being obnoxious. Ask your contact how best he/she likes to be communicated with and how often. Respect that they have their own priorities but don’t give up if they don’t respond immediately. While nothing can guarantee an interview, taking a proactive, professional approach will certainly increase your odds. Enthusiasm is never a bad quality in a prospective employee.
3. Never talk about your weaknesses initially
It’s all about your strengths when it comes to trying to land a job. Sure you may not know what one of the requirements on the applications is, but you don’t need to outline that when trying to land the job. Try to learn it yourself, or come clean if offered the job. Let them know that you are ready to learn and did extensive research on the subject. This shows that you are ready to learn instead of incapable of the position.
4. It’s not terrible to stretch the truth
Not everything on a resume is “checkable.” It isn’t the worst thing in the world to stretch the truth a little. This doesn’t mean lie, of course. It means that maybe your minor is purely business studies, but you put that you have a concentration in marketing, even though you have taken two marketing classes in the minor. That may look far better on a resume for a marketing internship.
5. Ask questions
Don’t be afraid to follow up with phone calls and emails and ask questions to a hiring manager. There is nothing wrong with showing your interest through additional questions about the position. It’s a good way to make sure that the job and company are a good fit, while also showing the hiring manager the same thing.