It’s spring quarter, which means it’s time to look ahead–if you want summer internships, that is. Applying can be intimidating, but don’t panic! Here are four tips to nab that dream internship.
1. Take initiative
Being the person to make the first move is very important and will give the employer a good impression. When attending something like a internship and career fair, walk up to employers/representatives and shake their hand firmly while introducing yourself to them. It may seem scary at first, but you will build the confidence to greet employers like a pro once you get the hang of it. You can also take the first initiative by sending the employer an email or LinkedIn message expressing your interest in the company. This helps build your networking bubble even if the employer currently does not have a job for you now, because they may refer to you for future positions
2. Do research
Nothing is worse than not knowing anything about the company you are applying/interviewing for. Knowing the background history of the company and mentioning it in the interview shows the employer how serious you are about the position. You can do this by searching around their website and reading their mission statement. You can also research the company using Glassdoor, a website where people share their experiences working and interviewing for specific companies.
3. Be personal
You can take the information you found in your research and apply it to your interview, cover letter, or thank you email. Being personal and relating yourself to the company shows that you understand and truly want to be part of their team. It also shows that you are attentive and put thought into your answers. It is important to be personal because employers can sense generic answers right away and will think that you do not actually want the job or care for the company.
4. Dress the part
It is recommended to dress more on the professional side when preparing for interviews. It is also way better to be overdressed than underdressed. Just like Lauren Conrad said, “You should always dress for the position you aspire to have one day—not just the position you’re interviewing for”. Do some research on Glassdoor to see what other people’s interview experiences were like and what they wore.