Five Ways to Get an Internship by Summer Since it’s only November, you might not be thinking about summer internships, yet. That is a mistake. Some of the best summer internships have already been given away by the first of the year. I know finals are stressful, but now is the time to start looking for summer internships. It’s not as hard as you might think. It just takes persistence and determination. Below are five tips to help get you started. 1. Update your resume Having an updated resume is extremely important when applying for jobs and internships. I recommend having one large resume with everything you have ever done. Then when you go to create a resume for an internship, you can select the things you’ve done that relate most to the job you’re applying for. It is important to tailor each resume to the company and job to which you’re applying. I also recommend having someone else look over your resume before sending it in. 2. Write a cover letter Writing your first cover letter can be a daunting task. Thankfully, you don’t have to go in blind. Use this resource to help you get started. Remember, cover letters must be carefully tailored to the jobs you apply for. You can use a similar letter each time, but be sure to add in several sentences about your specific interests in the job and the company. 3. Visit Career and Professional Development Career and Professional Development is an excellent resource right here on campus. The people who work there are extremely knowledgeable about the application and interview processes. They offer resume and cover letter critiques, mock interviews, and guidance in finding internships to apply to. You can schedule an appointment by calling 540-231-6241 or visit them during walk-in hours Monday-Friday 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Make time to pay these lovely people a visit. You will be glad you did. 4. Use LinkedIn LinkedIn is a fantastic resource to showcase your personal brand and expand your network. Take the time to completely fill out your profile. Make sure your headline stands out. Google, and other search engines, pull keywords from your headline to match you with employer searches. Needless to say, your headline is important. Do not use a stock photo on LinkedIn. You need a professional headshot. The next time you dress up for an in-class presentation, grab a friend to snap a photo of you with a Hokie stone background. It will look professional and display your Hokie pride to alumni. Again, make sure to fill out as much of the profile as you can. Once your profile is ready to go, start connecting with people you know. LinkedIn has a jobs tab that will allow you to search for internships. There is even an option to receive emails with updates on internships LinkedIn thinks would be right for you. 5. Use the PRSSA Internship/PRSA Job Database Finally, use the PRSSA Internship Center. This database will allow you to search for internships based on a specific geographic area or an industry you’re interested in. One of our past PRSSA presidents got an internship through this database. You can upload your resume in your profile, and an employer found her resume and emailed her about an internship. This database is definitely not one you want to overlook. Make the most of your PRSSA membership and create a profile today. Edited by Anna Pendleton, Director of Publications Image courtesy of: http://www.normandale.edu/campus-life/experiential-education/internships
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