Business, Biology, Communications or History, no matter what your major is, there are tons of opportunities for summer jobs and internships to help keep you preoccupied and add to your experience and resume. The question lies in how to guarantee that you will win over the company and have yourself hired. Most companies start their recruiting and interview processes for summer positions at the beginning of the new year (aka NOW)! Here are some tips to help ease your nerves about finding the perfect internship or job that some people may often overlook.
Develop an Online Presence
Create a blog or a professional online profile so that when companies Google your name, they aren’t just coming across your high school Twitter account. Giving potential employers a place to find you online gives them a sense of who you are and can potentially land you an interview. One of the most popular professional online profiles is LinkedIn, so we suggest that you create an account if you don’t already have one. Small efforts, like making an online profile, can increase your chances of landing a job in your search.
Create a Unique Cover Letter and Resume
When designing your cover letter, don’t be afraid to get creative. Companies can get tired of reading over plain, unimaginative Times-New-Roman-font resumes. Spice up your resume by adding an interesting font, a variety of colours, or even a picture of yourself. Do something different and unique that will make your resume stand out in the large pile the company will be sifting through.
Find a Unique Area of Focus about Yourself
It is likely that the person interviewing you or reading your resume won’t remember every single thing about you, so try to find an area to focus in on that will make you stand apart from everyone else. A personal aspect about yourself is even more interesting and memorable, so focus in on a really unique aspect, and remember, no one knows you better than yourself!
A word of advice: even if you don’t land your dream job or internship right away, settle with the next best option. Even an unpaid internship is only temporary and will land you a paid job down the road while contributing to your work experience and your resume. As your resume improves, so will your opportunities. Stay positive!
You can find tips here and here from Forbes magazine on helping you land that perfect summer internship.