Students who are planning to apply for an internship should make sure they have their “job search tools” ready. By “tools” we mean the resume, cover letter framework, and references list. Too many students fail to think about these items ahead of time, and allow enough time to develop really top-notch documents.
1. Develop your resume in your first year and build it as you go along. At the least, your resume should be updated at the end of every semester. This gives you the opportunity to do more than just change your GPA. You should add course projects, internships or work experiences, club membership, leadership and volunteer activities– anything that shows additional skills gained or accomplishments– while they are fresh in your mind. This is a working document and not everything that you record needs to be on a final version that you submit to an employer. But it will help you keep track so you can pull from it what is needed at the appropriate time.
2. Develop a cover letter “format”. This should not be a form letter in which you just substitute the name of the company or job title from one letter to the next, but a framework for what you will actually write. Each letter must make a connection to the company you are applying to, and the position you want. Customizing your letter takes effort, but it will give you a sincere and likely more successful result.
3. Develop your References list. References are people (faculty and employer supervisors usually) who can speak to your strengths and recommend you for a position. Get to know your faculty or DUS advisor; get to know your instructors outside of class. What’s important is that they get to know YOU, so they can speak knowledgeably if contacted by a potential employer. References should not be family members or co-worker peers, so be sure to develop good working relationships with supervisors and other managers at any part-time job or volunteer experience that you have.
Be sure to ask these people first, if they would be willing to serve as a reference for you and get their complete and correct contact information. It is a courtesy to give them a copy of your resume, so they can see your whole background since they may know only one aspect of you, from school or work, for example.
4. Develop a tracking method to monitor your applications, who you spoke to, the dates, etc. so you can follow up with the employers in a timely manner. This can be as easy as a list in a notebook or a spreadsheet on your computer. Make notes anytime you speak to someone, and be sure to send a thank you letter when someone interviews you or helps you.
5. Keep an unofficial transcript available to share with employers. This can be pulled off the eLion system and checked each semester.
6. And don’t forget to have some interview clothing with you at school. You should dress up for any interview, even for an internship, and even for a field where you may end up dressing casually at work. You want to make a strong first impression and have the recruiter envision you as a potential employee. Your clothing and a neat, professional appearance are the front line tools for that.
For more job search tips and tools, be sure to contact the Career Services Office or attend one of our workshops.