1. Do your homework.
Jobs and internships aren't going to come to you. Ask advisors or professors about any upcoming career fairs, job sites, or postings. At Ohio State there are websites and even apps! A couple good online resources are below:
- https://asccareerservices.osu.edu/futurelink/stude...
- http://careers.osu.edu/students/
2. Put yourself out there.
Make a good physical and virtual impression by making a LinkedIn profile before you go to any job fairs or approach potential employers. When actually conversing with employers or recruiters, have plenty of resumes on hand, and samples of your work (if relevant). Be sure to dress the part; let them see you as a future employee. Lastly, be sure to ask for business cards or email addresses.
3. Follow up.
If you have just attended a career fair, or had a conversation with a possible employer, show them you're serious about the opportunity at hand and initiate conversation. Send an email thanking them for taking the time to speak with you, and reiterate your interest in the position they are offering.
4. More homework. (Sorry!)
At this point, with any luck, you have been asked to interview with someone. Now, take twenty minutes and research the company. Find out what their specialties are, who their competitors are, how the company started, what their mission statement is, etc. You want to walk into that interview with a basic, working knowledge of the company. Also come prepared with questions! They could be:
- What kind of hours can I be expecting?
- Is there room for promotion within this position?
- What made you choose this company?
Any question that shows you're serious about the job, or were clearly listening to what the interviewer had to say, is a good question to ask.
5. Dress for success.
Like I said before, dress in a way that allows the interviewer to see as a member of the company, and fit for the job. Is it a formal office setting? Is it a retail store? Know the work environment. Don't be afraid to ask the interviewer beforehand, and you can't go wrong with over-dressing.
6. Confidence is key.
It's inevitable, you're going to get nervous before the interview. Do yourself a favor and anticipate your usual nervous habits. Do you play with your hair? Consider pulling it up. Do you wring your hands? Clasp them together and put them in your lap when you sit down. Don't let outward signs of nervousness take away from your inner confidence that you are capable of holding this position!
7. More follow up.
Be sure to thank the interviewer for their time via email within 24 hours of the interview. It puts you, even if only for a minute, back into their mind. It shows them you are prompt, respectful, and again, serious.
8. Be a (polite) squeaky wheel.
Most interviewers will give you a general time frame as to when you should hear back from them. Once that date has passed, feel free to contact them. You can do this via email, or even better, over the phone. There is nothing wrong with asking whether or not a decision has been made.
9. Congratulations.
Well, at this point one of two things has happened. Either you got the job, or you didn't. If you did, congratulations! If you didn't, you still gained some great experience. Any future interview will become exponentially easier because you are more familiar with the process.
