Is there a science to getting your dream job or internship? The answer is sadly NO, and life would be too easy if that were the case.
I read articles on LinkedIn and blogs from business professionals who do the hiring and what they look for, which is extremely helpful, but they can also be extremely discouraging.
All I can think is, ‘I’m applying online, with a resume I have spent two years revising, updating, and altering and get to answer a few mediocre questions about different things I’ve accomplished or done in my collegiate years, but my accomplishments and job history don’t exactly signify who I am, my level of dedication, or other qualities that may pull me ahead of all the competition.’
Well, I am here to say, don’t get discouraged and aim small.
You are going to get a lot of NO’s. I’ve had my fair share of emails that say, “Thank you for your interest, but unfortunately……” plenty, and I continuously do, but here’s the thing: I am shooting my shot and applying for things that interest me, and I could see myself benefiting from, and as cliche as it sounds, every no is one step closer to that YES.
When applying for jobs and internships, you can’t forget that you want a position that is a good fit for you, too.
Not only do you want to be an asset to a company, but you also want to be in a spot to obtain new knowledge, grow, and benefit from your time there. It needs to be mutually beneficial, so don’t sell yourself short and take a job that doesn’t feel right for you.
Although my intentions are to work for myself when I graduate, I don’t have all the information necessary just from my marketing 101, intermediate price theory class, etc. I need to have real-life experience— where I can figure out what my strengths and weaknesses are, so I can become well-rounded, and a generalist, with some wonderful specializations to be competitive and insightful. I look at myself as a brand, and I continuously ask myself, “What do I bring to the table?” You find that out at internships, it’s great.
About a year ago, I took an internship with the Boston Red Sox and 47’ Brand, and I was honest, genuine, and real throughout the interview process, and luckily, it was one of my favorite YESes to date. My boss took me under her wing, and in the process of being a merchandising intern, I learned everything from buying, processing, inventory, accountability, time management, handling money, and visuals. I lived in the moment with this internship, taking it all in and aware that I did not know it all, and wanted to learn all there was. One internship turned into the next and I spent the summer in Boston, seeing the large-scale operations, and loved it. I added to my resume and skill set, and again this spring, I will be working for them.
With that little short account of my internships, I want to say it’s important to trust your gut and do what you think will add value to your life and skill set.
I had never expected to do something in merchandising, but things work out exactly the way it’s meant to. So you, too, will have a company take a chance on you, and that’s where you need to shine.
So in the process of finding who you are and what you want, keep advising that resume, taking leadership roles on campus, raising that GPA, and applying for things that seem to be out of your league because it will all pay off soon enough.
You’ve got this, and you will get there soon!
