So we’re getting to that age where, despite still gleaning an obscene level of enjoyment from Aladdin and bubble-wrap*, the somewhat daunting prospect of the ‘real world’ is suddenly being dropped into conversation. The lucky few will have the door to their dream job opened with little more than an ‘Open Sesame’, however for the rest of us, the key comes in the form of an internship.
If the prospect of applying for that all-important internship is scarier than finding a date for formal (and trust me, I know the feeling) then take a look at my nine foolproof tips…
(And anyway, who said you can’t still make forts out of the bed sheets and pillows in your 5-star, all-expenses-paid hotel when travelling the world with your dream job?!)
- Figure out what you really want to do.So many people find themselves stuck in careers which they don’t enjoy and, once established, it can be very difficult to switch. It is always valuable to listen to advice from parents/friends/professors but remember that you are going to be doing the job, not them! In 30 seconds write a list of the first ten careers or companies that pop into your brain which you would love to work in if failure was not an option (don’t limit yourself; supermodel and chocolate taster are perfectly acceptable – the most popular dream job for Americans is an actor). Take a serious look at this list – are there any ideas that are even slightly reasonable? Use this list as a reference point when considering internship opportunities. A useful piece of advice that I was recently given was that if you find yourself thinking about something every day, then it should be part of your life (also applicable to boys and clothes!) As is the case with most aspects of life, you are far more likely to succeed if you are passionate about your work – potential employers are on the lookout for this!
- Aim high, but be realistic.Think about what you want to get out of your internship. Be prepared to work hard – start at the bottom and work your way up. As Miranda Priestly said in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, “Is there some reason that my coffee isn’t here? Has she died or something?”; you should be prepared to do the odd menial job such as making a cup of tea or developing your photocopying skills on the path to success. (Many seemingly boring tasks can be used to your advantage, for example by examining the content of the ‘TOP SECRET’ documents you are faxing… ) Some internships will provide a nice injection of cash into your dwindling bank account, whilst others offer the invaluable experience of work and connections alone. Make sure you leave enough time when applying; make a note of any application deadlines and keep in mind that competitive internships often require applications up to a year in advance. Fashionably late is not the way forward when applying for internships, even at Marie Claire.
- College experience. If you dream of working in Congress then consider taking an active role in politics-focused organizations such as International Relations club or Americans for Informed Democracy. If running your own non-profit is more your scene then how about embarking on a volunteer-abroad trip (i.e. teaching underprivileged children English in Guatemala)? Or if writing for Vogue would be the icing on your skinny blueberry muffin then join the campus fashion magazine, Rocket (and Her Campus of course…). Employers are looking for evidence that you are as keen as you say. After all, actions speak louder than words.
- Utilise your resources.The Internet is a never-ending Aladdin’s cave of internship opportunities, but it is important to know how to find what you’re looking for without wasting time going round in circles. Many companies have information about internship programs on their websites, so if you have a particular company in mind then this is definitely the place to start. Websites such as urbaninterns.com, enternships.com and internshipprograms.com provide a wealth of information and interning opportunities. Take a trip to the college career center – these people know what they’re talking about and can provide tailor-made advice for how to snag your dream internship. As we are always told, it is often not what you know, but who you know. Networking is one of the best ways of finding out about internship opportunities and if a respected employee can put in a good word for you then you have an automatic advantage over other applicants. Getting in contact with alumni who work in your field of intern-interest is also an option you should consider – they may be able to provide valuable advice and even intern opportunities in their own place of work.
- The application.Many companies have intern schemes, while others require direct application to the human resources department. Ensure your CV/résumé is up to date and shows off your relevant skills and experiences. Tailor your cover letter to the company and specific role you are applying for. It should concisely articulate your skills, show you have researched the company and most importantly, why you are the best person for the internship. Give the human resources department a cheeky call and ask for a specific name to address the letter to – it is far less likely that your application will be tossed on a random pile of paperwork if addressed to a real person (rather than ‘To whom it may concern’).
- Be persistent.Now I’m not saying leave 8541 voicemails per day and hang outside the HQ wearing an ‘I <3 INTERNSHIPS’ t-shirt – the aim is not to put the company on stalker-alert, but it is important to be memorable (for all the right reasons). Follow-up your application with a phone call to the hiring manager reiterating your interest. They may receive hundreds of similar applications so allowing them to put an enthusiastic face/voice to a name certainly works to your advantage.
- The Interview.Preparation and well thought-out research on the company is vital for interview success. Why would an employer want an intern who doesn’t fully understand the concept? Prepare winning answers to questions such as ‘What made you want to intern here?’ and ‘What are your strengths and weaknesses’. Be sure to put some thought into a professional outfit, relevant to the company you’re applying to; interviewers for a teen fashion magazine intern will have differing expectations to that for a nuclear physicist. Keep up to date on world news (even if seemingly irrelevant) and any major issues related to the company – have they just had a change of leadership/merger/launched a new product? Punctuality is essential – arrive in good time and allow a few extra minutes in case you get lost/your bus is delayed etc; panting like a dog and a sweaty handshake is never a great recipe for the good old first impression. Employers want interns who will represent the values of the company; being late and sweaty are not often found on that list…
- Follow up.The average applicant thinks the interview is over when they leave the interview that day. For many average applicants this is correct. The pros however (you now included) realize that, as with the initial application, the interview follow-up can be the key to success. A quick email thanking the interviewer for their time (sent the same day) demonstrates enthusiasm and manners. A call should be made around five days later, reassuring them of your continued interest in the internship and asking if there is any further information that they need.
- Don’t give up!Sony founder Akio Morita’s first product was a rice cooker that unfortunately burnt rice rather than cooking it and consequently sold less than 100 units. This first setback didn’t stop Morita and his partners as they pushed forward to create their multi-billion dollar company. Thomas Edison’s school teachers informed him that he was “too stupid to learn anything.” He sure showed them when he invented the light bulb. (After 1,000 attempts – no joke. The perfect example of perseverance…) Even our old friend Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor because he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” Right… Disney set up a number of average-to-poor businesses, but despite faced with bankruptcy on numerous occasions, he kept pursuing his dream and eventually found his calling with ‘Oswald the Lucky Rabbit’, and the slightly more successful ‘Mickey Mouse’, which propelled Walt to new heights.
Moral of the story: if
your application is unsuccessful, KEEP TRYING. Do not take it as an indication that working life is just not for you (unless you find yourself a millionaire banker whilst drowning your rejection sorrows in the local bar, in which case: problem solved – send his brother my way) but use it as a learning experience. Speak to the company and find out their reasons for not hiring you this time; if you are passionate enough about it, apply again. Otherwise, move on. There are plenty more internship fish in the sea. Rejection (a personal worst-nightmare of mine, particularly when choosing a formal date) can in fact open doors you never knew existed.
Internships can be fascinating and thought-provoking opportunities; they are crucial for developing your personal and professional interests and show prospective employers that you not only have theoretical knowledge for the job, but can also put it into practice. Who knows where your internship might lead you!
Good luck!
*FYI bubble wrap (originally made from two showers curtains stuck together) was initially unsuccessfully marketed as wallpaper and then greenhouse insulation, before transforming into its present day purpose as packaging and general popping merriment. If at first you don’t succeed…