Internship application season is upon us! Just a couple weeks into spring semester, and many students are already swamped with assignments while also thinking about where they’ll be during the summer. We had the pleasure of asking Lindsey Walk from UWF Career Services about preparing for internship season. Here are seven ways to spice up your professional game.
1. It’s all about your resume
The resume is crucial for landing an internship because it is your opportunity, other than the actual interview, to sell your skills and strengths.
“Employers are reviewing dozens, if not hundreds, of résumés for many of the positions they are hiring for, so one mistake can cost you a potential interview,” Walk said.
Try not to have a compact resume. It should be free of grammar errors and have concise sentences. When describing your job history, focus on what you did in the position rather than a brief synopsis of the job itself. Keep in mind that your resume should always be directed toward the characteristics of the job you are applying for.
2. Be active in your major
Participating in conferences, clubs and honor societies that apply to your major are key to improving your professional game. Being active in your major will do wonders for your resume and gives you experience in your future career. Choose one extracurricular and do a really good job at it. The extra workload will give you the competitive edge you’ll need for the internship of your dreams.
3. Dress for success!
No matter what your field of study is in, jeans and a tank top are never appropriate in a job interview.
Lindsey says, “Dressing professionally helps [interviewers] envision you in the position.”
Looking the part is one easy way to show your interviewer that you are compatible for the internship. Career Services at UWF is making professional attire more affordable for Argos by partnering with JCPenney on Davis Hwy to offer a 40 percent discount on your purchase of professional clothing on Sunday, Feb. 25, from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
4. Treat the internship interview like a test
Interviews are not only an opportunity to market yourself, but also an opportunity to show what you know about the job. Studying the ins and outs of the company you are applying for shows the interviewer that you are a hard worker. Researching the objectives of the company you are applying for and adapting those goals into your responses during the interview will make you appear more compatible for the position.
5. Network!
Making connections in your major is essential to building an established reputation. Keep in mind that your teachers are here to help you be successful. Don’t be afraid to ask your teachers for recommendation letters. Lindsey recommends getting a head start on your connections now.
“Networking early is important because it can lead to internships, Co-ops, and other experiential learning opportunities which help build students’ resumes as well as potentially lead to full-time employment after graduation.”
She goes on to say that nearly 70-80 percent of jobs are found through simply networking. It’s easier than you think and simply takes the ability to make a personal connection where you and the other individual can benefit.
6. Show some love for your community
Just like the color black, volunteering looks good on everyone. It’s an opportunity to network, boost your resume, get scholarships, stockpile on references and increase your perspective. Volunteering shows that you care about making a difference in your community through your career.
“Many companies place an emphasis on volunteering for their employees,” Lindsey said. “They appreciate seeing volunteer experience on a student’s resume, and it may lead to further consideration for employment.”
Volunteering feels good and is appreciated by employers.
7. Keep your eyes on the prize!
Preparing for internship season is a challenge, which makes it very easy to lose sight of the end goal. Keep yourself motivated by surrounding yourself with students who want to be successful, too. Their go-getter attitude will rub off on you. Stay positive. All you have to do is put in the effort and the work, and good things will come your way.