5 Tips For Landing a College Internship

ResumeGem
ResumeGem
Aug 28, 2017 · 3 min read

Getting an internship can be tough. Here are 5 strategies to maximize your chances of landing an offer:

  1. Perfect your resume

Very few students understand how to correctly build a resume. Recruiters quickly scan resumes for relevant information so you need to make an impression quickly. Check out this post for 4 of the most important factors to keep in mind while creating yours.

Formatting is key and an ugly resume is the quickest way to get your application thrown out. We made Harry Potter’s resume using Resumegem’s platform to give you guys an example of what a solid early-career resume looks like.

Harry Potter’s resume, made with ResumeGem

2. Cast a wide net

Getting an internship can be a numbers game. Companies receive thousands of applications for internship positions. Sometimes your application will slip through the cracks so it’s important that you’re applying to a sufficient number of opportunities.

3. Use different versions of your resume for different positions

Some students think that they can use the same resume to apply for positions in different fields. This strategy can backfire, as you want to make sure to highlight different skills and experiences depending on the position.

It can be helpful to try and anticipate what recruiters are looking for when scanning your resume. Check out our post on the questions recruiters ask when reviewing your resume. Use these questions to work backwards. Write down the most important things you want your resume to convey and make sure that anyone reading your resume can get the message.

4. Use your network

Most students approach networking the wrong way.

Reach out to alumni from your major and extracurricular activities. You can also use Linkedin to find alumni who are currently in a role you’d like to be in someday. Many alumni are looking for mentorship opportunities but lack reliable channels for finding students! Send them a concise message introducing yourself and asking for advice. You should get responses to ~30% of your messages if you identify the right people and hone your message.

5. Send your resume directly to key decision makers

Most students aren’t aggressive enough in their internship search. Use Linkedin to identify key decision makers in the groups you’re applying for and reach out to them with your resume and a quick message explaining why you’re interested in working at their company. While this won’t guarantee a response, it should get your resume in front of more eyeballs, increasing your chances of landing an interview.

You might also have luck reaching out to Campus/University recruiters from the companies you’re interested in.

For more career-related stories and resume tips follow us on twitter @ResumeGem and Instagram!

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ResumeGem

Less Effort, Better Resumes

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Less Effort, Better Resumes

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