Internship Tools
Resume A resume is a summary of personal, educational, and professional qualifications and experience. It is an essential tool for all students and job seekers, regardless of career goals.
Purpose Employers use resumes to screen applicants. From there, they determine the applicants they will interview. Applicants should tailor their resumes to the needs of the organization. Resumes are also used to develop interview questions, to judge applicant’s communication skills, and remind employers of the qualifications of the candidate. A good tip to remember when making resumes is to address the concerns of the employer on one’s ability to do the job. In lieu of relevant experience, activities such as academic background, summer jobs, internships, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work. These activities tell the employer of the applicant’s attitude, abilities and qualities including self-motivation, high energy level, ability to communicate effectively, ability to multi-task, and skill in dealing with stress. After identifying which activities to include in the resume, applicant must indicate his/her accomplishments. These include the skills developed and level of involvement in the activity. Applicant should give priority to information that is most significant and relevant to the job. Lastly, applicant must introduce accomplishment-oriented statements with action verbs. Through this, employer will see that applicant is active and results-driven, which may fit the needs of the employer.
Resume Par ts There is no prescribed format for resumes but most resumes contain standard elements. Some fields may be deemphasized or omitted if not important or relevant to the career. Section titles may be changed to introduce provided information accurately. Heading The heading should include basic information: name, permanent and local address, e-mail address, and contact numbers. Objective The objective portion can indicate immediate employment goal. Though not essential, it should communicate what skills the applicant wants to use or function the applicant wants to perform. Applicant may also summarize his/her qualifications for the career of interest. Education When indicating education, applicant can include institutions attended locally or abroad, degrees and dates received, major and concentration, and honors thesis title. Applicant may opt to include GPA, dean’s list, honor societies, and academic awards such as merit scholarships. Course Relevant courses pertain to the courses that are significant and relevant to meet needs of the employer. This is indicated especially if major is not directly related to the job.
Resume Par ts Experience Experience includes part-time work, full-time work, summer jobs, co-op experience,internships, volunteer experience, and extracurricular activities. Skills Computer literacy, foreign languages, research and analytical skills, and management skills are mentioned in the skills portion. Activities and Interests Activities and interests comprise of a list of memberships in student organizations, committees and other involvements. Following that, candidate may list other hobbies and interests but avoid those expressing religious and political views. References The references section is optional. Applicant can indicate “available upon request.�
Interviews The interview is the stage wherein employers make the decision on whether to accept the candidate in the organization. Interviewers use different styles and approaches to assess the candidate’s qualifications and match them with the organization’s needs. These may be formal or relaxed. INTERVIEW ST YLES Face to Face Inter view This is when the potential employer (representative) meets with the candidate and the interview takes place in any appropriate facility. Phone Inter view The interview is done over the phone. It is wise for the candidate to practice before the interview in order to pick up on points they need to improve on. Candidates must make sure that the landline number given to the potential employer is reliable for good connection during the interview. Panel Inter view This is when a group of employer representatives from different departments meet with the candidate. Group Inter view This interview is when candidates are grouped together and employers observe the behavior and interpersonal skills of each candidate. Vir tual Inter view This is the preferred format when both parties are located in different cities of the country or both parties are located in different countries. Most popular virtual interview is the skype conferencing.
Interviews INTERVIEW APPROACHES In order to be more prepared for a job interview, it is helpful to know what kind of interview you will undertake. There are different kinds of interview approaches because employers want to test the candidates’ skills, personal qualities and whether he/she is fit for the job. Traditional Inter views The employer asks certain questions related to the job and the candidate’s qualifications. The interviewee must be prepared to answer questions on what he/she would do in certain hypothetical situations that also mimic real-life scenarios. For this type of interview, employer generally asks similar open-ended questions to all candidates. This is done in order to better compare and distinguishes one from the other. Behavioral Inter views This tells an employer that past actions and performance of a candidate indicates behavior for the future. The interviewer asks the candidates to cite reactions to actual situations. For successful behavioral interviewing, the interviewee may use the “STAR” framework to guide his/her response. Situation – cites an example Task – what was your role Actions – what you did in that situation Results – what was the outcome of your efforts Case Inter views For management and analytic positions, employers may use this style wherein questions are usually about hypothetical situations and can be vague. This is to test analytical and problem-solving skills in assessing issues and developing solutions. Stress Inter views This style is used for candidates of fast-paced positions. Some common procedues in this approach include interruptions, quick subject changes and uncomfortable physical settings. The candidate must make quick decisions under pressure and the employer evaluates composure, confidence level and response to the cited situations.
Interviews
Inter view Tips DO • Hair should be clean and neat. Men should make sure they are clean-shaven or have facial hair neatly trimmed. • Fingernails should be clean. Women should restrict themselves to neutral shades of nail polish. • Make sure your shoes are in good-condition. • Practice good hygiene • Avoid heavy use of strongly scented products • Wear professional attire that can boost confidence • Remove body piercing • Cover tattoos • Wear neutral hosiery with skirts DON’T • Smoke just before an interview • Wear revealing clothes • Wear white socks • Wear excessive make-up • Wear too much jewelry (i.e., more than two items) • Wear open-toed shoes/sandals • Chew gum or candy
Interviews Tips when going for Inter views • Make sure you research on the company that you would like to work for. •
Make sure you research on the position you are applying for.
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Make sure to be at the venue of the interview 30 minutes before the call time.
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Bring an extra copy of your resume and cover letter.
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Greet and introduce yourself as soon as you get in the interview room.
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Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting.
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During the interview use positive language and give yourself time to think before speaking.
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Speak Audibly, do not murmur.
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Conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job.
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Convey your good points factually, truthfully, sincerely and as concise as possible.
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Maitain eye contact.
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Ask for clarifications if you are not unsure of the question.
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Breathe.
Interviews Frequently asked questions •
What are your weaknesses?
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What are your strengths?
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What relevant experiences do you have?
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Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it.
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Why do you want this job?
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Why should we hire you?
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What are your career goals?
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Tell me what you know about this company.
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Tell me about yourself.
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So, explain why I should hire you.
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Finally, do you have any questions you want to ask me?
Correspondences Letters during job-search shows applicant’s knowledge and professionalism. In order for it to be effective, letter must indicate the applicant’s knowledge, skills and attitude that makes him or her qualified for the desired position. It must demonstrate one’s eagerness in working with the organization and other competencies that will show that is relevant to the career. Information inter view letters A student or job searcher may address letters of request an information interview to a practitioner or professional in opted career field. Indicated in this letter is desire to meet or talk about industry professional’s work and other information he or she wishes to gain. The letter must also state how he or she learned about the sought person. This letter is not used to apply for a position. Cover Letters Cover letters are used to introduce oneself to the employer and reveals interest in the position being applied for and the applicant’s knowledge, skills and attitude that will be helpful for the job. It can motivate employers to read the applicant’s resume as it reveals personality of the applicant as well as skills and professionalism. Letters of Inquir y Letters of inquiry are sent to employers for the main purpose of uncovering opportunities. It is addressed to get the applicant’s information to the employer and not mainly used to apply for a specific opening. It highlights the person’s attractive and note-worthy experiences and qualifications that can appeal to employers. This is the type of letter usually sent if applicant is not sure if there is a position open in desired organization.
Correspondences Letters of Application Letters of application indicates the applicant’s interest in a specific position that has been opened in the organization. It is different from a letter of inquiry because it is more specific when it comes to details of the job and the qualifications one must possess in order to fulfill them. Letters of application have a similar characteristic with cover letters and it is to motivate employer to read the resume. This letter may also be a basis of employer’s choice of applicant’s to interview. Thank You Letters A thank you letter is sent to an employer who has extended an invitation for a job interview to express one’s appreciation for the employer’s time and consideration. Accepting and Declining Offers When the employer gives a job offer, one must decide if he or she will accept or decline it. If the person chooses to accept the offer, sending a brief acceptance letter is appropriate. It demonstrates one’s enthusiasm in working with the organization. In this letter, one must also confirm the terms and conditions of employment. If one chooses to decline the employer’s offer, it is proper to send a decline letter. In this letter, the person thanks the employer for the offer and indicates the decision to decline the offer.
Correspondences Email Etiquette If you will be communicating with employers via e-mail, keep these guidelines in mind • Use an appropriate subject header • Include your cover letter and resume within the body of your message, since employers may not be able to open attachments • Begin your message with “Dear Mr./Ms.” and spell the recipient’s name correctly • Introduce yourself early in the message and state your reason for writing • Be professional and positive; the language in job-related messages should be more formal than in other e-mail messages • Avoid strange fonts, distractions at the bottom of your messages such as cute signatures or quotes, and symbols sometimes used in messages sent to family or friends • Keep your message brief; don’t ask a number of questions or ramble on • Proofread your message carefully before sending it to avoid spelling or grammatical errors, formatting problems, etc. • Type your full name to “sign” your e-mail.
OCS Seminars & Forms
I. Overview Seminar a. Internship Handout
I.Overview Seminar b. Resume Samples
II. Offering Seminar a. Application Form (Culinary Arts)
Offering Seminar ApplicationII.Forms
b. Application Form (Hotel Administration)
II. Offering Seminar c. Application Form (Entrepreneurship)
II. Offering Seminar d. Application Form (Business Administration)
II. Offering Seminar e. Application Form (Certificate)
Readiness Seminar CHED Certificate (International & Local)
I am (name) ____ _____________________, (age) yrs. old and a _____ year student of the Enderun Colleges, College of . In partial fulfillment of the requirements for my Bachelor’s degree in , I am undergoing an internship training in ______ _______________ for a minimum of hours this coming 1st semester, SY 2014-2015 . I confirm that I have attended the INTERNSHIP READINESS SEMINAR and understood the necessary Pre and Post internship steps. That I am also to register at the Philippine Consulate nearest to my internship location as part of the requirements given by the Commission of Higher Education (CHED). Given this
day of
, year 2014 at Enderun Colleges.
Signed by:
_________________________ Printed name and signature of Intern
Witnessed by:
Grace Figovc Manager of Career Services Enderun Colleges