Strategies and Resources to employ in your
Last Minute Internship Search
Objectives To understand the current status of your internship search and the obstacles you have faced. To understand how your internship search will look different To gain knowledge of multiple strategies to employ in pursuing an internship To gain awareness of services, programs, and resources available to you for your internship search
Why Haven’t I Found an Internship?
I haven’t looked I’ve looked but haven’t found anything applicable Companies won’t hire me because… – I’m a freshman… – I’m not a business major… – I don’t have experience…
I’ve received interviews, but no call- backs I had an internship and it fell though Others…
Identify what you are looking for Identifying why an internship is important to you is an essential component of the internship search.
Personal Development
- To facilitate reflection - To develop skills - To discover new interests
Career Planning
- To network - To gain experience - To develop skills
Theory – In Brief
Do what you are most interested and skilled in doing Find a place to do it that matches your values CD is cyclical, continuous, and dynamic
Why Bring Theory into It? Identify skills and interests Narrow your focus Examine your priorities Establish goals Minimize frustration Be happy!!!
It is hard to find what you are looking for if you do not know what it is you are looking to find
Preparing Documents - Resume
Resume
A summary of your qualifications for employment
Employers’ Insight: A Prepare resumes targeted to each industry/organization Highlight your relevant experiences and skills Typos are a detriment One page
Resources: Career Guide Walk In Advising at UCS
Peer Review
Preparing Documents – Cover Letters
Cover letters
Provide more in-depth details about your relevant experiences and skills for an application or prospecting inquiry
Employers’ Insight: Prepare letters specifically targeted to each position/company Tell a story, be narrative and Tell of your Future Goals Typos (misspelled words, grammar), The WRONG Company Name One page- Clear, Concise & Relevant
Strategy #1 – Internship Postings
What is it? The electronic version of “wanted ads.”
Why you should do it? – Instant gratification – Insight into what appeals to you – Easy
Why you should not rely just on posting? – High exposure = more applicants = more competition – Lost in the internet abyss – Matter of waiting, and waiting, and waiting some more
Action Steps #1 – Internship Posting
How to: – – – – – –
Resources
Find postings of interest Identify any potential contacts Research company website Understand application process Adapt application materials Contact organization via phone *unless noted not to in description
– Submit materials – Follow-up (just before deadline, or 2 weeks after submitting)
UCS Specific Databases
CareerCat Positions posted specifically to NU by employers (internship, part-time, full-time)
Manages OCR Calendar of Events Resume Deadlines Interview Center
MonsterTRAK Job and internship listings Internship postings variety of industries and locations No OCR activities
iNET  Leverages employer connections of select universities  Wider array of internship opportunities, including
Internship Opportunity Resources Internships Online: The largest internship site on the web http://www.internships-usa.com/ username: interns password: learn Internships.com: National and international Internship listings www.internships.com Select "Northwestern" Type in "Wildcats" under promo code Idealist.org: Database of non-profit employers, includes postings and sourcing
Idealist.org Fair, May 19th Roosevelt University from 11am-3pm- 59 Organizations, many looking for interns!
Indeed.com: Google inspired one stop shop for employment postings
Strategy #2 – Employer Sourcing
What is it? Identifying and connecting with potential employers (1) in your geographic area that (2) employ individuals doing your ideal job
Why you should do it? – – – –
Minimal amount of positions are posted publicly Increase potential opportunities Build or utilize network Approximately 80% of Convenient location jobs are never advertised formally
Employer Sourcing Resources CareerSearch: Database of Companies Domestic and Abroad To access go to http://v2.careersearch.net//client Create an Account and enter Client Referral Key: NU2004 Vault: Detailed career, industry, and company information WetFeet: Detailed career, industry, and company information
To access with your NetID and password go to: www.northwestern.edu/careers, go to “Exclusive NU Resources”
Other Resources Chamber of Commerce Yellow Pages Local Newspaper Non-Profits- Idealist.org Career Services @ local institutions Google/ Wikipedia
Action Steps #2 – Employer Sourcing
Before – – – – –
Identify potential employers Do your research Identify your goals, skills, & match Cross-reference with network Practice outreach script (cold call)
During – – – – –
Contacts – via phone/face-to-face Use open-ended questions Move from general to specific Be polite and courteous Follow-up (keep the power)
Resources
Cold Call Script – Organization/Contact Outreach (1) Introduce yourself Hi, my name is Holly Jacobs. I am currently a student at University pursuing a degree in communications.
Northwestern
(2) Identify interest – organization, position, etc… on
I came across your organization when I was conducting research advertising agencies in my hometown. I was very excited to learn of your niche in providing advertising consulting to green organizations
(3) Introduce skills This past year, I served as the promotions director for a campus student organization called Green Initiatives. In this role, I was able to increase awareness of our initiatives in campus residences.
(4) Inquire I was reaching out to you because I wanted to discuss opportunities in your organization for an internship this summer….
Strategy #3 – Networking What is it? – Developing mutually beneficial relationships – An exchange of information and resources
Neighbors
Family
Why you should do it? – 50-75% of jobs are found Friends/ through networking Roommates – “Family and friends” consistently rated in the top 4 most useful methods for job search by NU Grads
Co-Workers
YOU
Alumni Religious Orgs
Student/ Professional Orgs
How to Begin Networking
Informational Interviews An interview YOU conduct with a person who currently does a job you think you might want, or who has specific knowledge about an occupation or career in which you are interested. Prepare and Ask Questions Be Tactful about asking if employment opportunities exist Be Genuine and show your Passion for the Work they do
One out of every 12 informational interviews results in a job offer
Action Steps #3 - Networking
Before – Prepare Career Story – Identify goals and skills – Research company During – Dress appropriately – Exude professionalism – Engage – Ask for referrals to other people Follow-up
Resources Resources Professional Associations Your Personal Network Kellogg Mentor’s Program Northwestern Alumni Association
Main Resources for Networking at NU
Northwestern Alumni Association – Northwestern CareerNet Database of over 12,000 alumni volunteers for career mentoring www.nwuconnection.com
Main Resources for Networking at NU
Northwestern Alumni Association – Northwestern Alumni Clubs Also, Japan, London, Switzerland, and Toronto
www.alumni.northwestern.edu
Strategy #4 – Temp Work What is it? Part or seasonal employment; typical project or task focused work; Temps are traditionally hired via temp agencies, but can be acquired through network contacts Why you should do it? – – – – – –
Gets you inside companies and opens doors for you Explore companies and learn about new industries Transition to future opportunities You get paid Develop new skill sets and resume build Network = make contacts
Action Steps #4 – Temp Work
Before
Resources
– Research temp agencies in your hometown Brill Street (Chicago, Dallas and Minneapolis) specializes in helping students find internship or entry level work
– Make an appointment to discuss your background and goals for finding an internship
During – Be prepared to take basic tests – Discuss your particular areas of work that you would like to temp in
Action Step #5 - Volunteer If you cannot find an “internship� consider volunteering in an area relevant to your desired career or work environment Resources: ChicagoCares.org VolunteerMatch.com Idealist.org (Find: Volunteers)
Develop Your “Need An Internship” Action Plan Week 1 – – – – –
Narrow your focus to specific industries or types of internships; Meet with UCS to review Resume and Cover Letters Develop a list of companies you’d like to work at; Research internship postings to apply for; Search for Alumni to Network with and email at least 2 requesting informational interviews
Week 2 – Apply for internships from your search of posting and employer sourcing (making sure to send unique and concise Cover Letters every time); – Follow-up with Alumni contacts- conduct informational interviews
Week 3 – Call companies who do not have internships posted following UCS suggested script (or send Letters of Inquiry) – Send thank you notes from networking and interviews
Week 4 – Follow-up with the internships you applied for in Week 2 asking for details on the next step in the selection process and confirming your interest Repeat if necessary
Last Minute Advice for the Last Minute Search
Start now Work at your search consistently Employ the strategies discussed Conduct follow-up Expect rejection and closed doors
… if you are still facing obstacles: Evaluate what the obstacles are and troubleshoot Seek feedback and assistance
Questions
Main Office 620 Lincoln Street 847-491-3700 CareerLab Core Reserve Main Library, 2nd Floor Web: www.northwestern.edu/careers Find us on Facebook too! Email: internship@northwestern.edu