Top 10 Ways to Land the Perfect Internship
There comes a point in everyone’s college career that landing the perfect internship because number one on the priority list. Not only can an internship lead to a future secure position, but it also prepares you for what you can expect once you’re fully a member of the work force.
An internship should be viewed as a learning experience; one that you want to have. In order to make sure the internship you land is the perfect one for you, there are a few things you should keep in mind while going through the process of finding one.
Here is a Top 10 list for you of the ways to land the perfect internship.
1) Plan Ahead
Going into any project blindly is a bad idea. This rings especially true when it comes to looking for an internship. Know what you are looking for and how to go about getting it. Internships can include application deadlines and background checks among other specifications. Make sure you are aware of everything you need and want well before you need to get into the thick of the hunt.
2) Be Interview Ready
If you plan to get an internship, then you must be prepared for the interviewing process. ‘Umms’ and ‘Ahhhs’ are unacceptable phrases when it comes to a sit down, face to face questioning session. A good way to ensure that you are interview ready is to tape yourself doing mock interviews with someone willing to help you. This way you can assure yourself that you are fully prepared to answer anything that comes your way.
3) Search the Internet
You do not want to have to fill out tons of applications in one week, which means some research is in order. The Internet can help you narrow down your search to companies that you are actually interested in and are offering internships in your selected field. You can also find out everything you need to know about a company that you are applying to work under by doing extensive research online.
4) Get the Word Out
You don’t just need the Internet to get yourself an internship. There are also many other resources that can be valuable to your cause. Your school’s Career Services program along with advisors, professors, parents, friends, and any other connections you have can help you get on your way. Not only will your advisors be able to give you internship postings, but others will be able to feed you information that you otherwise would not know about.
5) Attend a Career Fair
Not every career fair is solely for those looking for full-time employment. Great internship programs can be found at fairs like this. Just be sure to do some research before you go to make sure you can find something worth your while. The last thing you want to do is walk into an Armed Forces fair when you just want a marketing internship!
6) Spruce Up Your Personal Internet Pages
Whether you have your own personal website, a MySpace page, or a FaceBook page, make sure it looks professional. Make a different one for interactions with friends if you find that professionalism is a problem for you. With technology being the way that it is, companies will usually check up on you before they agree to let you onto their team.
7) Write a Personalized Letter
If there is a professional person of some type that you admire or would love to work with, then write them a letter. Express you admiration for their duties and offer your services to them. Sometimes a professional may create an internship position just for you or give away the one their offerings to you automatically.
8) Go Directly to the Top
Every field is packed with people looking for an internship, so you have to be creative. One of the best ways to be creative is to get your resume to the top of the pile. You can do this by directly contacting the person who is in charge of the internship process; don’t go directly to Human Resources.
9) Make Sure to Follow Up
Whether you think you nailed an interview or messed it up right from the start, make sure to send a follow-up thank you. You can send this in a letter, card, or email to the person who interviewed you. Even if you didn’t get an interview, make sure to still do a follow-up. That’s just the nice – and professional – thing to do.
10) Get Business Cards
You want to make yourself look as professional as possible. There is no better way to leave your mark than to leave the ones you talk to with a physical reminder of your presence. You need to do everything you can in order to make sure that you stand out from the rest, and a business card is a great starting point.
Just follow these tips as you try to land the perfect internship and you’ll be amazed by the results. All those internships have to go to someone, so they might as well go to you!