Still haven’t found your summer internship? Seniors, do you want to find a job when you graduate? There are a few important things to consider when applying for jobs and internships. Don’t ruin your chances by rushing through the application, or handing out generic cover letters. Show the employer you want the job by being prepared and making yourself stand out.
First, use your resources! Stonehill’s Career Services was ranked 19th best in the nation by the 2010 Princeton Review. The Kruse Center, located in Cushing-Martin, offers career counseling, including major and career exploration, resume and cover letter critiques, mock interviews, and networking facilitation, to name a few. The office of Career Services also offers a database called “Career Connection,” which offers access to Stonehill alumni mentors, as well as job and internship postings by employers looking to hire Stonehill students. There are also a myriad of events hosted by Career Services, including career fairs, recruiting orientations, alumni career panels, interviewing workshops, and more.
Associate Director of Career Services, Christina Burney, offers this advice to students:
- Customize all your cover letters.
While it’s okay to have one generic one as template, you should tailor each cover letter to the position you’re applying for. Many companies today use electronic keyword searches that weed out resumes and cover letters that don’t include key words from the job description- so make sure you have those in there!
- Always write something in the email.
If you are submitting your resume and cover letter in an email attachment, make sure you still write a brief message in the email itself. A blank email says you don’t care too much about the position. Address the email personally, and include a comment about why you want the job and state that your resume is attached!
- Network.
Possibly the most important step in securing a job or internship is finding an actual person you can hand your resume to. Do some research on Google, LinkedIn, or Career Connection and try to find a person to whom you can address your application. Only use “To whom it may concern” as a last resort. If a friend or professor has a connection, ask to be introduced. It could make all the difference.
- Don’t say “I look forward to hearing from you.”
At the end of a cover letter, write something like “I hope to hear from you” or “I’m available to speak with you at your convenience.” Avoid sounding presumptuous.
- Don’t rewrite your resume in your cover letter.
Your cover letter shouldn’t just repeat information an employer can learn from looking at your resume. Cater the cover letter to the job description provided. Most employers list desired skills or responsibilities for the position. Your cover letter should show them that you have those skills, and then give examples. Tell them why you’re the right candidate for the position.
- Consider including a “Relevant Coursework” section on your resume.
Not everyone agrees on this point, but listing your relevant coursework could help to demonstrate skills you’ve acquired in your classes. For example, if you’ve taken a research methods course, list those research skills on your resume. Can you perform content analyses? Say so! Do you know how to use graphic design programs or editing software? Those are skills employers love to see!
- If you don’t accept an offer, tell them sooner rather than later.
Employers know you are applying to more than one position. If you decide not to take an offer, tell the employer in a timely fashion so that they can find someone else for the job. Don’t bail at the last minute or fail to respond. If you need more time to make a decision, ask for it. Always keep your prospective employers in the know.