Searching for an internship is an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming, especially if it’s your very first time. When preparing to apply and be interviewed for the opportunity, remember that it’s only the start of your career. Here are five tips to help land your next internship!
- Double and Triple-Check Your Resume
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First things first, you need to have a clean and clear resume. Make sure you proofread your resume for spelling and grammar errors. Spell-check programs are a great tool, but they don’t catch every mistake. If possible, try and have someone read and offer feedback on your resume.
Make sure your resume is also up to date. Try not to include anything that you’re not presently a part of or was about three or four years ago, especially if you have more current experience! A good resume tip is to try and make it one page since most employers don’t want to read resumes that are double-sided. This tip also helps you cut out anything unnecessary.
- Experience Comes in Many Forms
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A common question we ask ourselves is “are we doing enough?” And those worries can become more transparent when applying for internships! It’s important to know that while having some prior experience is helpful, it doesn’t always come in the shape of a former job! A resume is meant to serve as a highlight of what you can do! Employers don’t just look at prior experience, they look at skill sets too. The ability to communicate and work with others are examples of some qualities that most employers look for! Make sure that you highlight and include any of the following on your resume: clubs and club positions, job and internship experience, volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, and specific skill sets that may come in handy for the internship you’re applying for!
- Get Applications in on TIME
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This may seem so obvious, but when you’re balancing school, work, clubs and a social life-it’s so easy to forget when an application is due! Make sure to write the due date on your calendar. This gives enough time to gather all of the materials needed. Most internships ask you for a resume and a cover letter, but sometimes internship applications will have specific additional questions that you’ll want to answer. If needed, it also gives you enough time to find references and contact them to get their approval to put their name down. When you’re in a rush to make a deadline, the writing and grammar might become messy, there might be a few typos and you might forget to add something important, so it’s good to give yourself enough allotted time.
- Showcase Your Best Self
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Beyond a well-written resume, other aspects can set you apart from other possible candidates. Employers also look for personality, and what you can bring to the company individually! Not every company looks at your social media, but it’s good to be mindful of what you post on the internet, especially with public profiles. The best interview advice is to be yourself and showcase your strongest qualities. Try not to rehearse specific answers, but make sure you have a vague idea of what you want to talk about. Business casual is the best way to dress for your interview, but you can add accessories like a suit jacket or necklace that still showcase your personality.
- Find The Right Internship For You
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Don’t feel pressure to apply for an internship that doesn’t benefit you! It’s easy to get bored with routine, and you’ll want to be interested in the work that you’re doing. You’ll also want an internship in the career field you’re interested in. Even so, internships are a great way to find out what you like and dislike before you settle into something permanent. Networking is a great way to find internships in your field, and with social media, it’s so easy to find connections. A lot of schools also offer internship fairs which is a great way to see your possible options!
You won’t get every internship you apply for, and sometimes that can be disheartening, but when the going gets tough remember to keep your head high! Remember that others have been in your shoes before.