InternshipRatings.com

By Joe Bucher, Career Consultant -Student Internship Specialist
San Jose State University Career Center
www.joebucher.wordpress.com

Informational interviews are something that I am a huge proponent of. I got started in career counseling by doing an informational interview with a family friend who was a career counselor. I gained useful insight from my informational interview and was able to use what I learned to get an internship.
Besides being relatively quick, informative and a great way to network - informational interviews are still underutilized by job seekers. I believe informational interviews are a great way to stand out from the pack and help students get started on their internship search.

What is an informational interview?

– An opportunity to meet with someone who works in a field that you have interest in.

– A chance to ask questions about corporate culture, challenges on the job, trends in the industry, how the professional got involved in the field, and more.
– A way to explore different industries and organizations in order to help you target your internship search and application materials.

An informational interview is not:

– A job interview - while you should be prepared to market yourself with a resume, knowledge of the organization/industry, and perhaps a portfolio - only offer if asked!!

– A free ride. Offer to buy the person a cup of coffee or lunch if the interview is done in person.

Questions to ask:

Think about the questions you genuinely have about the industry, organization, or position as this is your opportunity to ask someone who is currently working in your potential field of interest. However, remember that your interaction creates the first impression that this person will have of you. Therefore, do some research on the organization and possibly the person you will be speaking with. Check-in with your school’s career center or search online to review some potential questions. For instance, my school has a list of suggested informational interview questions.

Setting it up:

Step 1: Identify some possible organizations or jobs that you would like to learn more about.
Step 2: Do some homework. Research online to get the basics of the job/organization then figure out what sort of questions you would like to ask of an interviewee.
Step 3: Find possible interviewees by:

– Asking friends, family, co-workers, and professors if they know anyone in your desired field that might do an informational interview with you.
– Visiting your career center for resources or asking if they have an alumni group that would be willing to do informational interviews.

– Contacting the HR department of an organization that you would like to learn more about and ask “If it would be possible to conduct a 20 minute informational interview with one of your
employees?”

– Using your social media outlets to contact prospective interviewees.

Step 4: Be flexible. You may find that some professionals simply do not have the time to conduct an informational interview while others may be willing to do a phone or email version rather than in person. The main point when dealing with a potential interviewee is to be clear about the reasons why you are contacting them and be prepared.

After the Informational Interview:

– Follow up with a thank you email or letter.

– Ask the interviewee if they know of any other people who they would suggest that you could do an informational interview with.

– Utilize the information that was gained to incorporate into your internship search.

The informational interview is not only a tool to learn more about a specific career path or industry but also a chance to meet people in your potential field. You may get helpful information on what to include on a resume, an idea for a class project, or insight into how a particular organization works. Still not convinced? Check out Owlnotes.com for some great examples of informational interviews.

By Joe Bucher, Career Consultant –Student Internship Specialist
San Jose State University Career Center
www.joebucher.wordpress.com

Over the past 5 years I have had the opportunity to assist students in their search for internships. Throughout this time, many students have presented a common theme in terms of the issues and concerns that arise regarding their internship interview. Having been a former intern myself, I have experienced many of the issues that students encounter when faced with an interview.

My colleague, Angela Wayfer shared some insider tips on “Understanding the Internship Interviewing Game Part I.” She outlined some important tips and information on how to shine throughout the interview process. I’d like to share my 5 rules to follow when interviewing for an internship as a Part II to her entry.

1. Know your audience

This sounds simple enough right? One of the keys to this area is the fact that you should spend a considerable amount of time on your research in order to do it well. Here are three keys to ensure that you know your audience:
• Review the job description and the organization’s website including the mission statement and values sections so that you can show how you are a match.
• Utilize your network. Talk to friends, family, and classmates to find contacts that can give you useful background information on your desired industry or organization. Another strategy is to do an informational interview. The point is-the more that you know about the organization’s interview process the better chance you will have to succeed.
• Stay current on the specifics of the industry and organizations that you are intersted in by using tools such as rss feeds and news alerts. You can set up key word alerts on anything from a person, an organization, a product, and more. Hint*-set up an alert for your name and screenames from your social networking sites so that you can manage your online presence.

2. Understand the rules of the game

Whether it is before, during, or after an internship interview there are some important things to know. Having as much knowledge about the process of interviewing will help when the unexpected comes up.
• Attend an interviewing workshop at your school’s career center. This will help you to understand the difference between the different types of interviews that employers use. For instance, employers are increasingly using phone interviews to screen internship applicants. You should know how to put yourself in position to succeed during all types of interview situations.
• Prepare to answer behavioral based interview questions by choosing samples of your past experiences that highlight attributes that are relevant to the internship. Use the “STAR” method in order to formulate thoughtful and concise answers.
• Review everything that is on your resume and be prepared to speak to the details of your experiences. The employer assumes that everything that is on your resume is “fair game.” If you aren’t able to speak to the qualities on your resume, it may cause the interviewer to think that you overstated your abilities.

3. Represent yourself professionally

Most students don’t realize that the interview starts the moment that you make contact with an employer, therefore in all your dealings make sure to act professionally. This rule can help separate you from the pack.
• Be on time! There is no excuse for being late to an interview, including the fact that there was traffic or that the directions you got off of the internet were wrong. Plan ahead by driving the route a day or a week ahead during the same time of the day as your scheduled interview. Aim to be about 10 minutes early.
• Treat everyone in the organization with respect. Often times the hiring manager or committee will ask for feedback from others in the organization. Everyone you encountered including administrative assistants and interns may have an opinion that could help or hurt you.
• Dress professionally. The image that you portray will have an immediate effect on those who are interviewing you. The impression you make within the first 5 minutes will largely shape the rest of your interview. If you don’t have professional clothes and can’t afford them new, consider buying clothing from a consignment store.

4. Be yourself

Remember that the interview is a two-way street. Students can feel pressure to jump on the first internship that is made available to them. While it is important to maintain your own sense of self, learn how to do so while maintaining your professionalism. The interview is an opportunity for both parties to see if there is a fit.
• Don’t overstate your skills on your resume. If an employer realizes that you have overstated your skills during the interview, you not only will lose out on that opportunity but they may share their experience with others in the industry.
• Ask questions and observe the type of questions that the organization asks of you during the interview. This will give you additional information to aid in your decision making.
• Clarify what the interviewer is asking if you don’t understand. It is ok to ask the employer to clarify, repeat, or re-word a question if you are unsure of what they are asking.

5. Practice

Putting yourself in position to succeed in any interview is the combination of preparation, knowledge, and the ability to connect with people. It is important to practice your interviewing skills so that you are ready to answer the call when an internship interview opportunity comes.
• Do mock interviews. Most career centers provide some sort of mock interviewing to give you feedback. Take note of the feedback given on your verbal and non-verbal presentation skills. Most studies show that non-verbal communication has a majority of the impact on the interviewer.
• Continue to get feedback. Once you have learned of some areas to improve upon, continue to practice with someone who will give you honest feedback.
• Continue to develop and research. Even after receiving an internship, it is essential to continue to hone your interviewing skills. You just might be interviewing for a full-time opportunity as a result of your internship experience.

The interview is one of the most critical steps in gaining an internship. You can have a well-written resume, cover letter, and great references but ultimately the interview will have a lasting impression on your potential employer. There are many aspects to cover when discussing an interview. However, it is my belief that if you can follow these 5 simple rules you will be on the fast track to a successful internship interview.

By Malia Lawson
HR Professional/Recruiter
HRbrain4hire@gmail.com
Boston, MA

I’ll start by admitting that I also seriously considered the title: “How to Get the Attention of an Insanely Busy HR Professional” because…well…this is, sadly, the lens through which I currently see all applicants. While I have certainly not lost perspective and gotten self-important in the least, and I actually would love it if I had time to speak with all of the drop-by visitors who are clever enough to find our corporate offices, there is just not enough time!

However, when I met the creators of this site, they immediately earned my respect with their novel approach to the age-old office drop in, and were rewarded (?) with 15-minutes of my best stream-of-consciousness material on the benefits and challenges of corporate internship programs. It went something like this.

Introduction

Most of you readers are eager students just trying to get that ‘foot in the door’ that could one day help you to get your entire body in and create a full-fledged career. So how do you get that clog, flip-flop, loafer, converse, or high heel wedged into the small space separating college from the ‘real world’ you’ve heard so much about? Well, the good news is, if you’ve managed to get into college; getting an internship should be easy!

Nevertheless, going in armed with a little inside information can’t hurt either, right? Working as an HR Professional/Recruiter for the past 10 years in this area, I must admit that while I enjoy working with folks like you who are new to the workforce more than almost anything, there are certain things that drive me absolutely berserk! Do I like a curmudgeon? Oh well.

First Impressions Begin WAY Before Your Interview

How did the folks from Internshipratings.com manage to coax me out from behind the alarmed door that most offices nowadays when so many try and fail? First, they were polite to the person working at the front desk and gave her clear, concise, persuasive information as to the purpose of their visit.

Pretty simple, right? This might work for prospective interns as well (wink, wink), but it might not. If you cannot get a live person to come out and speak with you, do not be offended. try asking the person sitting behind that desk about the best way to get your resume to the right person in the organization. What few people realize is how much a busy person in my shoes relies upon the impressions made on the person out front, whether the candidate calls, emails or arrive in person. Never, ever be rude to the receptionist!

Do Your Homework

* Research the company & industry. And for goodness sake—look at their website!
* Understand which internships are open; the requirements from your school before you even apply. It is not the company’s responsibility to know all the details of your school’s internship program. Knowing this information from the start impresses employers and shows maturity.
* Write down questions (good ones) that will get you more information and reveal how smart you are, but that do not sound as if you are sucking up. How do I know which are good ones? Good questions are original, sincere, specific to the company, and those which you are actually interested in hearing the answers to. in the answers. Some say that flattery will get you everywhere, and they are often right.
* Know what you expect to gain from the internship ahead of time. Having your own personal, professional goals in mind up front will dictate to a large degree whether or not you will meet them

Resumes, Applications, & Interviews

Here are some of my own personal Do’s and Don’ts (other may disagree):

DO

* Attach an updated resume in Word or PDF—Always follow application directions carefully!
* Write a customized cover letter; spell the name of the company correctly.
* Email a resume to the HR dept or jobs email address, even if you “Apply Online” through a career site (not the company’s website) such as monster, craigslist, etc.
* Spell and grammar check your resume and cover letter; (http://www.english.uiuc.edu or http://www.bartleby.com/141/index.html or this book is worth buying for all of your studies). An applicant once mass faxed a resume with “Shift Supervisor” misspelled in big letters at the very top of the page (Sh*t Supervisor) to every fax machine in the building. A funny story for me; bad news for that candidate!
* Begin to build a “Skills” section and keep it brief and bulleted.
* Put your education or your work experience at the top, depending on which is more impressive at that stage in your life/career. For green folks, usually that will mean the Education section comes first. (No high school)
* Include portfolio if you are a designer, writer, artist, etc. (don’t make the recruiter ask)
* Be on time for phone and in-person interview, better yet early (no more than 30 minutes).
* Leave time for the employment application, bring a cheat sheet of phone numbers and addresses with you if they are not already programmed into your cell phone. Signed, paper applications are still requirement at many companies. Just fill it out to the best of your ability and print nicely!
* Bring extra copies of resume, skip the fancy paper unless a law firm (save those pennies)

DO NOT

* Wonder if you have a dud of a resume. These days there is so much free information on the internet that buying a “For Dummies” book is really unnecessary. If you must, just go to a bookstore, school library, or career center for an hour and thumb through a book.
* Use colored ink, cartoon backgrounds/stationary, paper resumes, faxes(!), small or cursive fonts, and heavy graphic elements in your resume.
* Include more than 1 to 2 pages unless you are 10+ years in; however, the rule about 1-pager is a myth, especially overseas.
* Spam companies with generic emails. Grrrrr.
* Include an “Objective” section unless you have a very clear idea of you want. Never say that your objective is “to work for your awesome company”—that is just cheesy, even if it is true. Save it for the cover letter and the interviews, tiger!
* Include high school employment or extra-curricular activities unless you have not done anything since or are still early in your college career; including college extra-curricular or volunteerism is a plus.
* Brag too much or overuse the word “I” in a cover letter; A little confidence and a touch of humility goes a long way, especially for “Gen Y” applicants. Y’all get a partially unjustified bad rap in this department.
* Send a glossy photo of yourself unless the internship involves modeling. Yes, I have seen these. Exception is for some international jobs.
* Say “References available upon request”—of course they are.
* Have a strange/confusing/music-only voicemail on your phone or a weird email address such as honeybunny65@geemail.com when you are in a job search.

Not Worth the Coffee? Try to Fix it Yourself–It Could Make You Stand Out

Once you are in your internship, keep your eyes open and your brain and hands busy! Speak to your manager if you are confused; have run out of things to do, or are truly unhappy at the workplace after the first few weeks.

Sure, you will need to do some entry-level tasks in order to learn the business, but you should also be able to find appropriate and practical ways to take initiative and keep busy. This is one sure way to secure a good reputation and have people remember you after the semester is over.

I have never said “No” to an eager intern or entry-level employee with a good idea for improving the business, and I likely never will.

Good luck to you!

Malia

By Kathryn Williford
Internship Coordinator
RLF Communications

Should I bring a portfolio? How early should I get there? Suit or no suit? These are all questions that come to mind when preparing for the all-important interview. Next to your resume, I believe this is the most important part of the internship application process. Although many students look great on paper, they often fall short during an interview with their potential future employers. So here are six tips for acing an interview for any internship.

• Show up: Don’t be late, and don’t be too early. It’s fine to arrive a few minutes before your scheduled time, but showing up any more than 10 minutes early is likely to only annoy and inconvenience your interviewer.
• Be Prepared: Bring extra copies of your resume and writing samples, if relevant. If you have personal business cards, bring those to pass those out, too.
• Wear appropriate, professional attire: We know you are a college student, so there’s no need to dress like one. A suit is an always-appropriate standby, but depending on the company culture, it may not be the best choice. How do you know what the company’s culture is? Continue reading.
• Do Your Research: Research the company you are interviewing with ahead of time. You should have a basic understanding of who they are and what they do. Spend time on their Web site to get a better understanding of their goals, mission and company culture. If you are interviewing with an agency, know who their clients are.
• Ask Questions: When your interviewer asks if you have any questions for him/her: HAVE SOME. This is another chance to show your knowledge of the industry and the company. If you don’t have any questions, it can indicate to your interviewers that you aren’t really interested in the position.
• Say Thank You: Don’t forget to send a thank you note after your interview. While sending it via e-mail is generally acceptable, never underestimate the power of a good old fashioned handwritten note (on proper stationary, of course). Taking the time to write it by hand and spending the extra 42 cents on a stamp will send across the message that 1) you aren’t lazy and 2) you really want this internship.
Overall, if you treat your interview for an internship just like you would a full-time salaried position, you’ll impress you interviewers and blow away your competition. Now, go get ‘em!

Here is a list of interview questions that employers commonly ask during an internship interview. As wacky as some may seem, they offer the employer an opportunity to get to know you. The responses below are from college students, employers and career coaches. Feel free to check out their profiles on Twitter.

“What color would the sky be if it wasn’t blue?”
I had that used on me once. I said green and didn’t get the job.
@AndyG1128

If you were a part of a salad, what would you be and why? How does this relate to the organization?”
@csjordan

“Tell me what class was the most fun for you this year and why.”
@ quiverandquill

“If you were a bumper sticker, what would you say?”
My answer: Mean people suck (I like the irony). Did not get that job.
@nooozeguy

Most important question: “How do you learn new concepts?”
@nooozeguy

“Perform a talent that is entertaining and will blow me away, you have 2 minutes … go!”
@berimbauone

“How do you get your news? Online? NY Times
@Jessicah07

“What is an example of a great PR/Ad campaign currently out there?”
@Jessicah07

“Describe a group project and your role. Please include situation, task, analysis, and result.”
@Jessicah07

“Why are manhole covers round? (Inserted at random tests creative thinking under pressure)”
@AndyG1128

“Which celebrity’s style and fashion do you admire?”
@DaydreamWriter

What’s the difference between New York City kids and Philadelphia kids?
@DaydreamWriter

What can you bring to the table beyond what is in the job description?
Good to get an idea of their grasp of the big picture.
@evanspatrick

Place generic pen in front of candidate. To candidate, “Sell me this pen. Go.”
@ BlueBandStev

Walk me through your résumé, ending with your current or most recent position. Follow-up: What did you like most about each position? The least?

Why do you feel you are the best candidate for this position?

What is your greatest strength and why?

What is your greatest weakness and why?

Why do you want to intern with our company?

Why are you interested in a career in [insert industry/field]?

What is your greatest achievement and why?

Give me an example of a time when you made a mistake on the job and how you overcame that mistake.

Describe your ideal work environment.

How would you deal with a difficult co-worker?

The above are from Heather Huhman, @heatherhuhman, of Entry Level Careers Examiner on Examiner.com.