GETTING YOUR IDEAL INTERNSHIP - Universum

Getting Your Ideal Internship
CHAPTER 1
Internships:
The Big Picture
CHAPTER 2
The Search
CHAPTER 3
Getting Hired
CHAPTER 4
Navigating
Your Internship
CHAPTER 5
real intern
profiles
CHAPTER 5
For Your
Reference
The Recruiting
Process
Rules of Engagement
As you aim for that ideal internship, you’ll be competing
with many other highly qualified candidates. Here
are some ways you can improve your odds:
Use Your Best Resource
Career centers are your greatest ally in the recruiting
process. Take advantage of them. Check with your
career center to stay up to date with recruiting events,
sign up for newsletters, and visit its career resource site
regularly.
Gather Intelligence
The number-one complaint among recruiters is students’
lack of research. When you show up for an interview, you
should have a pretty good idea of the company’s products
and operations. Use the news media, Web sources, and
any information your career center can provide.
Stay Focused
You can’t—and shouldn’t want to—apply to every
internship you come across. Nor should you try to talk
to every recruiter who shows up on campus. If you’re
looking at a list of twenty five companies, choose the
top five. That focus will help you delve into each company
and tailor your pitch to the particular opportunity.
Otherwise, you’ll be spreading yourself too thin.
Go into Training
If possible, schedule a mock interview at your school’s
career center. Some centers will videotape the interview
so you can review your performance. Get your resume
critiqued and attend interview workshops.
Do Legwork
Don’t sit around and wait for recruiters to come to you.
Find good contacts at the company—people with a role
in internship hiring decisions—through your alumni
database, through LinkedIn, and through whatever personal
contacts you’ve established. Email them, tell them
about yourself and your qualifications, and explain your
reasons for wanting this internship.
Make Contact
If you know a recruiter will be coming to campus or
attending a local career fair, initiate contact one week
prior. Perhaps the employer has a Facebook page or
LinkedIn profile. Become a friend or fan, and send
the company a message. Let the recruiter know you’re
looking forward to meeting. Make yourself stand out
from the competition by showing a sincere interest in
the company. Don’t forget to double-check your spelling.
And don’t be a Facebook stalker: One message is
enough.
Be a Good Sport
If you get a “no” at any point, take it gracefully. Sending
the representative a thank-you note is a good touch.
On-Campus Recruiting
The classic internship recruiting process, in which
students work with the companies who scout on
campus, follows a general pattern.
1. You’ll start by registering with the career office and
completing a profile that includes at least one version
of your resume.
2. You’ll submit your resume to compete for interview
slots. On many campuses, this is known as the
resume drop.
3. If a company has chosen you as a candidate, its representatives
will interview on campus.
4. If you make the cut, the next round of interviews
takes place at corporate offices.
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