What is one step to take when preparing to apply for Spring internships?
To help you prepare for Spring internship applications, we asked business owners and career coaches this question for their best advice. From starting the process early to sending handwritten thank you notes, there are several steps you can take to best prepare you for the Spring internship season.
Here are 12 steps to prepare for Spring internship applications:
- Start the Process Early
- Generate an Internship List
- Build Your Network
- Social Media Audit
- Research the Company
- Refresh Crucial Skills
- Ask Questions in Advance
- Brush Up On Your Interviewing Skills
- Have Every Unique Experience Ready to Share
- Use Your School’s Career Services Department
- Prepare for Rejection
- Standout With a Handwritten Thank You Note
Start the Process Early
Start early. The sooner you start preparing, the better. Make a list of companies you’re interested in, research their interview processes, and start putting together your application materials. Most companies begin the hiring process in January and February for Spring internships, so the time to apply is as soon as possible.
Claire Westbrook, LSAT Prep Hero
Generate an Internship List
Prepare your list of internships early. Figure out what creative project or video interview you are going to need to do to stand out from the crowd early and get prepared now. Have a list of 5-10 internships and have a unique preparation for each one. It is a lot of work, but the reward is worth it.
Michael Jankie, Natural Patch
Build Your Network
One step to take when applying for spring internships is to build out your network. A great way to do that is through Linkedin, and if you don’t have an account there I highly recommend you make one. The best way to find the most relevant people for you to connect with is through the job search tool. You can add in what industry you’re most interested in and it will give you a list of places hiring that are most relevant. Once you have looked through and found some appealing opportunities, I would then go through the people that work at the company and filter by which university you attend or attended. Alumni from your school are almost always willing to talk to aspiring professionals in their field. You can then send a quick message asking if they’d have time for an informational interview where they’ll explain their position and you are able to ask questions. This is a great way to show interest while also building out your network.
Gregg Dean, Layla Sleep
Audit Your Social Media
One important step to take when preparing to apply for Spring internships is to do a social media sweep and tidy up your online presence. Even if you are conservative in your online posting, other users might tag you in material that might reflect poorly with recruiters. Best to update your privacy settings to make it so that you must review and accept any tagged content before it is associated with your account, and to do a search to ensure that there is no incriminating material on your current profile.
Michael Alexis, TeamBuilding
Research the Company
One of the best practices when preparing for an internship interview is to look through the company’s website and research them as much as possible. Look into the products/services provided, the company’s values, leadership, etc. This will show your commitment to landing the role during the interview process. Being prepared will also let you anticipate the kinds of questions you’ll be asked ahead of time.
Bill Lyons, Griffin Funding
Refresh Crucial Skills
Hard skills are crucial for prospective interns as their experience rarely differentiates them. Being able to stand out with software abilities can make a difference. Using time to fill the knowledge gaps and obtain certificates will strengthen your applicant position. It will also make your career more meaningful as you will likely get to work with programs you know sooner.
Michael Sena, SENACEA
Ask Questions in Advance
It helps to attend a networking event regularly. Those events are a great way to also find out about internships. Ask questions. This will help you determine which internship is best for you. It’s always a good idea to plan for an unpaid internship. Maybe you can save some money in advance as well.
Shaun Price, MitoQ
Brush Up On Your Interviewing Skills
I always advise students to brush up on their interviewing skills by taking part in mock interview sessions. This can usually be scheduled at your university’s career services center, in which you can practice interviewing and receive immediate feedback on areas to improve upon. Many students seem to forget that these services exist, and they can really give you a leg up in the competition when you’ve practiced with a few mock interviews.
Kristine Thorndyke, Test Prep Nerds
Have Every Unique Experience Ready to Share
When you’re applying for Spring internships, you’ll typically be up against a lot of competition. That’s why it’s not just important to include the unique aspects of your experiences, but to actually showcase them. What will set you apart from everyone? Whether it be your volunteer work or specialized courses you’ve excelled at, be sure to include everything that can prove you’re a good fit for the internship.
Lindsay McCormick, Bite
Use Your School’s Career Services Department
If you are in college, you can use your career services department to assist you with finding a Spring Internship. Depending upon your major they can probably connect you with relevant internships. While you can look for internships on your own, it does not hurt to seek help as well, just in case.
Drew Sherman, RPM
Prepare for Rejection
It’s important to prepare for rejection when applying for Spring internships. While applying to internships is a fun and exciting time, there’s no guarantee that you’ll receive the only internship you applied for. Consider sending in resumes for several opportunities, and use potential rejections as motivation. Don’t take personal offense to these rejections. Everyone will find their own path and it will always work out the way it’s supposed to.
Corey Ashton Walters, Here
Standout With a Handwritten Thank You Note
After your interview, send a handwritten thank you note to each person who interviewed you. In the note, express your gratitude for their time and reiterate your interest in the position.
Employers often receive dozens (if not hundreds) of applications for a single position, so standing out from the crowd can be tough. Sending a handwritten note is one way to show that you’re truly interested in the internship and went above and beyond to make an impression.
Rick Elmore, Simply Noted
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