As an upcoming junior in college, obtaining that awesome internship is all I have been able to think about. Like most people my age, we only have two years left to put our foots in the door and figure out possible career options. We are so used to our carefree lives that sometimes we forget that in two years we are entering the real world. There is no slowing down time, so the best thing you can do is prepare. A huge part of being successful is getting experience in your chosen field. Not only will this give you an idea of what your future life will be, but it will also tell you if this is DEFINITELY what you want to do. Here are some tips to being the most prepared, ready, and able to reel in that perfect internship.
Research, research, research.
You would be extremely surprised as to how early companies post their internship applications. For summer internships, most of the due dates tend to fall around March/April. For fall internships, most of the due dates fall around June/July. If you want to be ahead of the time, create a list of opportunities you would be interested in, and when their due dates fall. The worst feeling is when you finally start to search online for internship possibilities and you have passed the due date for almost all of them.
Twist your cover letter.
Most people have one standard cover letter they have created to send out with their resume. As great as that is, it is important to read the fine lines for each application and cater your letter to their needs. You do not need to completely redo your letter for each application, but it is important to let them know that you read what they are looking for, and you are aware that you can offer it.
Don't be discouraged.
As important as it is to finally get the internship, it is just as pressing to be experienced in applying and interviewing. If you apply to 15 different internships but only get asked to interview for two, you should be extremely excited. There are hundreds of people out there just like you, and you should be extremely proud of where you have got on your own.
Dress to impress.
Even if you only get one interview, treat it as though this is the most important 20 minutes to an hour of your life. Make sure to get a good night's sleep, pick out an appropriate outfit for the occasion, print out a few copies of your resume and bring a pad and paper to take notes. You would be surprised at how many people show up to an interview unprepared and that could be the make or break of you getting the job over them. If you are asked a question that you may not know the answer to, do not freeze up! Give them a confident answer that explains that you do not know the answer to the question and follow up with a question of your own that shows you are interested. My biggest piece of advice with interviews: be yourself. These companies want individuals who are going to present their true character on a daily basis. If you do not get the internship, at least you were yourself and it was a great learning experience.
Always try again.
If you went through a semester of working extremely hard for that perfect internship and did not get it, take a week to yourself and try again the next semester. Everything happens for a reason and something awesome is waiting out there for you. The only thing you can do is your best and as long as all of your efforts are being put to use, it will work out for you in the end.
