Listen up undergrads, your professors are not kidding when they stress to you how important it is to get an internship before you graduate — so, I’m here (a recent grad), to basically tell you about my struggles post-grad and how crucial internships are for your résumé.

Throughout the duration of these last eight months, I’ve been on a myriad of job interviews at publications that are more than reputable. The job search itself is very difficult, and I can guarantee you that it won’t always be the most confident-boosting experience. Your résumé is a representation of you, so before employers even meet you they meet your résumé.

You MUST make sure that your résumé is pristine — and I don’t mean just clear of typos/grammatical errors, I’m talking about the format. Microsoft Word is great for everything-under-the-sun as far as writing goes, however, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don’t send out your résumé in a Word document — convert it into a PDF! Why you ask? Because a Word document does not always maintain its correct format, so you don’t want there to be any messiness when an employer opens up your résumé. Plus, a PDF just looks cleaner and more professional.

Upon graduating you should seriously create a LinkedIn account, LinkedIn is a fantastic way to search jobs that are in your desired field. Today, everything is about who you know and making connections…networking. LinkedIn is a great way to network and have potential employers reach out to you. I don’t know if you know this or not but, majority of employers actually expect you to have a LinkedIn and kind of frown upon it if you don’t. That goes for all social media platforms, especially in creative fields. This means that you should be keeping your social media clean — remember, first impressions are important and employers DO Google you!

I am 24 years old, I took a year and a half off of college before I re-enrolled, so I bloomed a little late in regards to receiving my degree at a later age than I anticipated. Unfortunately, my age kind of played against me as far as being able to get an unpaid internship during my undergrad — I have bills to pay so I needed to work full-time. Take advantage of the fact that you may not be in the same position I was in. I cannot express to you enough how much I regret not taking an internship because yes, it harms my chances of getting hired — every damn time.

Unpaid internships are easier to come by when you’re still in school because the stipend is actually college credit. Publications LOVE to hire students because they don’t have to pay you, so your chances of landing an internship are much, much greater if you’re able to receive credit. Having physical newsroom experience on your résumé is like having Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket—I am not kidding. Despite all of the freelancing that I do for two reputable digital publications, my résumé lacks the “hands-on” experience.

If you don’t already know this, before you make it to any interview for a writing job, you have to complete an edit test — this is only if they like your résumé though! Once you finish the edit test (I would suggest a quick turnaround because it shows you can maintain deadline), if they like what you’ve done only then do you get called for an interview. Make sure you take every edit test seriously, and don’t overthink because you want to standout—not play it safe! Writing is a form of art so keep that in mind and always make sure you take into consideration the voice of the publication you’re writing for.

I’m going to tell you a little bit about my first interview (three months post-grad) at a digital publication with a HUGE following, that had me feeling all sorts of confident AF. After being sent not one, but two edit tests for Elite Daily I was legit dying of happiness. I thought to myself, “Wow, three months after college and I can be writing for Elite Daily!” Elated is an understatement.

I completed both of my edit tests within a day’s time and was actually praised by HR for my quick turnaround, I was feeling good — and even better when they called me for an interview for BOTH positions! I felt so confident in my craft and myself because I had made it to a final interview.

Unfortunately, because I lacked the physical experience of knowing the hustle and bustle of a newsroom, both positions were given to candidates that had more experience. I was so completely bummed.

Now, my goal…my dream, is to someday write for Cosmo. That is where I picture myself when I picture myself in a career. I still firmly believe that one day I will get there because I know I am meant to be there. My specialty in writing has always been sex and dating, my website is all about it and all of my freelancing is for sites that focus on the same topic. So, as you can see, my Cosmo dreams make sense. Goals.

Of recently, my Cosmo dreams almost came true. I had phone interview for an internship with Goodhousekeeping.com and HouseBeautiful.com, that went well enough for me to then complete the edit test and the edit test went well enough for me to then be called for a third interview. Guys, Good Housekeeping and House Beautiful are both owned by Hearst…Hearst owns Cosmo…see where I am getting at? You can’t even imagine what I was feeling upon walking into the Hearst Tower for this interview, I was basically dying inside—I don’t even think I was breathing. I was legit waiting to see Joanna Coles or Amy Odell walk by so I could then die some more.

I didn’t see either of them, but I did get to take a ride in the famous selfie elevator that all of the Cosmo girls take selfies in. I obviously wanted to take one as well but there were people in my elevator, ugh.

I was beyond prepared for this interview and completely nailed it, and at the end of interview the Deputy Editor told me that she was, “very impressed with my résumé.” YAS. I was feeling so good and fully believed that the internship was mine…but it wasn’t. I didn’t get the position because why? No prior internship experience. Goodbye Cosmo goals…for now.

Are you guys catching my drift yet? INTERNSHIPS ARE VITAL VITAL VITAL. Employers, especially those like Hearst, prefer to hire candidates that are familiar with the newsroom environment as to avoid spending longer periods of time training.

Lesson learned: had I gotten an internship during my undergrad I would’ve probably gotten the positions at Elite Daily and Hearst. Due to my age though, I unfortunately can’t take internships that pay minimum wage—I need insurance and stability (yay adulting). YOU however, have the opportunity to help land your dream job out of college and it all starts with getting an internship—and making those connections!

So, get on with ya badself.