Internship application tips.
College students - this one’s for you. The end of February means that the summer internship application process is in full swing. Deadlines are quickly coming and going, and it’s time that you dust off that old resume, start listening and engaging with social media, and begin contacting your professional network. For companies like Fahlgren Mortine, you still have a week or so get started, but it’s definitely time to begin applying.
Some organizations receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications every year from very qualified and impressive students. Although college courses are important and a good GPA is a bonus, experience is extremely valuable. Prior internships, leadership positions and involvement in campus and community organizations set you apart from the other applicants. The more experience you have, the better.
With that said, I also want to share a few tips that you might want to consider when applying for your summer internship. These are the tidbits of information that I wish I had known all along.
- Have Your Resume Critiqued. Take advantage of the professionals who are accessible to you through school, organizations, family, friends, etc. Here’s the trick: Make sure that they are in your industry. A teacher and a PR professional may not need to use the same format, so adjust according to the accepted practices within your field.
- Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. Whether it’s a cover letter, resume or e-mail, you should read and re-read any final drafts. Let’s talk about grammar - it still counts in e-mails! Please take the extra time to correct punctuation, spelling errors and style issues, especially when you’re inquiring about an internship or a job.
- Be Precise and Polite. Many professionals are busy and don’t always have time to read a long e-mail. It’s appreciated when students are polite and to-the-point. A steady balance between the two may also force you to include only the most important information about you and your experience.
- PDF it. Not all computers are equipped to open documents in newer formats, and professionals may not be familiar with every program. The easy way around this - PDF your documents. This will ensure that your resume and cover letter are viewable on most computers and also in a readable format.
- Start Somewhere. Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, your first internship may not be the fantasy position you always dreamed about, but you have to start somewhere. It may even be worth your while to take an unpaid internship or help at a nonprofit organization. In the end, these opportunities can offer some of the best and most well-rounded experiences.
Do you have other tips that students could use while searching for internships? Please leave a comment and share them with our readers.
