21 Apr How to Land a Great Job or Internship by Brittany Nelson
As the Internship Program Manager at AEI, I review thousands of intern applicants for 65 spots in our program each academic semester. I’ve seen great applications and I’ve seen ones that should never have been submitted as is. Here are a few tips that will help you be competitive and land that new job or internship:
1. Organize your resume the right way Recruiters spend about ten seconds reading over your resume so you want it to stand out. Make sure that your resume is in a one page, easy to read format. Organize your resume so that your most recent experiences are at the top and start each bullet point with an action verb.
2. Personalize your cover letter. Do you want to impress a recruiter? If possible, do not address the letter with To Whom It May Concern. Take the time to find out the name of the recruiter or HR Director and personalize your letter. A cover letter should never be more than one page. A good cover letter will demonstrate your knowledge of the organization, express interest in the position, and describe your experience without just reiterating your resume. Don’t forget to thank the reader for their time and consideration.
3. Prepare for the interview To effectively prepare for an interview, you need to spend time researching the company, preparing answers to common interview questions, and writing down questions you will ask the interviewer. Do not ask any questions about salary or benefits. On the day of the interview, dress professionally, bring a notepad/pen and extra copies of your resume, and ask for a business card from each interviewer at the end.
4. Follow-Up Make sure to send a thank you note or email to the interviewer!
And my last and most important tip: Make sure someone proofreads all of your work! I can’t tell you how many times I have failed to pass on an application because of blatant spelling errors. Good luck with the job hunt!
Look for more blogs in the future that will go in depth about each of these steps to help you secure your next job or internship!
Brittany Nelson is the co-founder of GWG. After many years of volunteering in international ministry, she became excited about helping other young women discover their passion. Brittany is a Jr. HR Generalist at a consulting firm in the DC area. She spends her free time exploring DC and going to Washington Wizards games with her husband, Paul.
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