There are many employers who are
simultaneously just waking up from winter hibernation to realize that
they haven't yet hired their interns for the summer. But now is the time
to get your act together and get motivated, because the choice gigs
will be gone before you can click "apply."
So without further ado, here's our 10-Step Plan for Landing a Summer Internship:
1. Google yourself -
That's what prospective employers will do. Now, go through the links on
the first and second page - chances are many of them are links to your
public social media profiles. So make sure that those pages on Facebook,
LinkedIn, and other networks are good, professional representations of
yourself. Your logged in Facebook page may be a mishmash of games,
pokings, and humorous posts, but the logged out view should be only the
minimum (for your security, too, we think!). On LinkedIn, there's less
opportunity to be scandalous. Write a solid headline and bio, and fill
out all the info - less than 100% completeness could indicate that
you're not an employee who follows through. Remember that you control
the info that other people see on Facebook and LinkedIn.
2. Dust off and spruce up your resume - This is self-explanatory. Make sure it's up to date and (our pet peeve) fits to one page.
3. Focus your search -
You're more likely to appeal to employers if they think you're dying to
work for a company exactly like theirs, or to do a job exactly like the
one they're offering. So either pick one industry and several types of
roles (ie, within the advertising industry, I'd like to do either copy writing, social media, or PR); or several industries and 1 role you're really passionate about, and go after that (ie, I know I want to do PR for either an advertising agency, a media company, or a start-up).
It's OK to keep your options open, but going in too many directions
will not only exhaust you, it will show lack of focus. Make sure you
come up with the rationale for why you know these opportunities are
right for you (ie, I've wanted to work in the finance industry ever since I saw the movie Wall Street...)
4. Write a cover letter -
Even in the age of online profiles and applications, a cover letter (or
email) is still uber-important. It's your first and only opportunity
within the application process to showcase your writing and personality.
It's also a chance to show you're detail oriented, and the type of
person that an employer would want representing their company. And since
you might be applying to more than 1 type, you may need to tailor your
letter by industry or job type. On most job boards, you can paste your
cover letter into your individual messages to employers.
5. Locate the internships - For that, we recommend, obviously, Urban Interns.
6. APPLY, APPLY, APPLY -
Don't stop at one or two. Ten applications might yield two or three
responses, which might yield one interview, so do the math... You simply
cannot apply to too many jobs. Of course, make sure each
application/cover letter (per point #4) is tailored to the job and the
employer, and that you're really interested in each job that you apply for.
7. FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP -
You'd be shocked at how many people lose opportunities because
employers reach out and they don't respond. Also, it's OK to send one
follow up note if an employer hasn't responded to your application yet.
It shows dedication. More than one, however, could be seen as stalking.
8. Make yourself available -
Don't make employers work around your schedule. Be as flexible as
possible for interviews. Anything less demonstrates you're not that
interested.
9. Do your dry cleaning - Be
presentable at an interview. General rule of thumb is dress one level
above the workplace you're interviewing at. If the company is business
casual, wear business attire.
10. Study your resume -
Another downfall: people who can't walk an employer through their
history, or give specific examples of work experience. It's your
background - use it to your advantage.
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