Internships. The word itself can be stressful. Finding and applying to internships can be its own part time job. It's so overwhelming to even figure out where to start. Where do I start looking? Do I have enough experience? Do I take an unpaid internship? What kind of expectations do I set? Will I even get a phone call back? Going into my senior year of college and having completed three internships, here are six tips for getting an internship.
1. Start to gather as much experience as you can.
I know, these days it seems like you need experience to get experience. To start, my suggestion would be to focus on something you are passionate about and relate it to your current area of interest. For example, let's say that your only previous experience is a part time server at Bob Evans. On your resume or in person, talk about how you had to be a good problem solver. You could also talk about how customer service comes naturally after dealing with grumpy old people who aren't happy with how their eggs turned out. The point is to focus on experiences that have made you a better employee.
2. Don't limit yourself to where you look for an internship.
The first place I would look for an internship would be on a school provided resource. Otterbein has a whole website dedicated to job opportunities. Sign up for emails. I get emails on a weekly basis from the business department about all kinds of internships. This is how I found out about my first internship at The Dave Thomas Foundation. Another place to look is on websites that specialize in job listings. Internship.com is a website that I have frequented to find internships near me. Word of mouth is also a great place to start too. I was able to find my friend an internship based on resources I had that she hadn't though of. Last but not least, visit the career page of your favorite company. Love Victoria's Secret? L Brands hires lots of interns. You would be surprise at the amount of well know brands that are searching for the perfect intern.
3. Never take a non-paid internship.
My academic adviser gave me this piece of advice as a freshman. Although I thought it was pretentious at first, he was completely right. As a business student, there are so many great internships out there that are paid that I shouldn't settle for something that isn't. I know that different majors have different attitudes on unpaid internships but I would always start with ones that are paid. Contrary, I would definitely take an unpaid job if it was the internship of my dreams.
4. Ask as many meaningful questions as you can.
Thinking of good questions to ask your interviewer can be really challenging. Especially when they have already covered the company history, job responsibilities and everything else under the sun. My suggestion is to really listen to what the interviewer is saying and ask questions based off what they have told you. Another suggestion would be to ask generic questions that work for any company. What does success look like to you? What has been your experience while working for this company? What does a typical day look like if I get this position? If you're not sure what kind of questions to ask, you can find a million examples by just Googling the topic. The more questions you ask, the more interested you seem, and the better chance you have to stick out.
5. Always be early for your interview.
I really mean it. Be early. If you're like me and are directionally challenged, I always leave early for my interview. I know it can be uncomfortable sitting in the lobby waiting in anticipation for your interview but you have already gained brownie points for being there early. If you arrive really early, take the time look around or use the rest room. It can't hurt to double check that your salad from lunch isn't still in your teeth.
6. Be prepared and be yourself.
Take some time to think about what you are going to say during your interview or what you would say to potential questions that could ask. Don't be afraid to brag about yourself. Now is your time to shine and wrap up everything you have learned and present it to your future employer. Don't let nerves get in the way. Don't think so much about the interview as a question and answer process but about a conversation you're having with someone who could potentially be a co-worker. It's okay if you don't get the job. Just think of it as more interviewing experience. Be yourself and good luck!
