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Networkers - If you got an internship, please answer some questions, otherwise ignore this post.

S

SwiftWind

Platinum Member
1. What strategies did you use to get find an internship?
2. What strategy did you find to be most effective?
3. Did you start searching locally first? or nationally?
4. Did having certs help at all? (i.e. CCNA/CCNP/CWNA/A+/etc..)
5. How often do you check back once you've contacted someone about it? If so, how long? and through what type of communication? (i.e. e-mail, call, etc)
6. Do you send thank you letters/cards for those who replied/consider you?
7. Cover sheets - do you always include them? what information do you put in it?
8. What other ideas/tactics would you recommend?
9. Suggestions?





The usual OT warning label: If you have nothing good to say, don't. Really, DON'T.
 
Okay, I'm not in networking so you'll probably go crazy, but I'll give you the experience I've gained in engineering.

1) Go ALL OUT. Apply online to every possible website you can think of. Keep tweaking your resume and make sure it's solid. Attend career fairs and the like. Follow up and every lead you can.

2) Best strategy - doing everything at once like I described in 1). Attack from every angle possible.

3) My experience in engineering may be less relevant for you; I initially went to career fairs. There aren't any local companies really, but tons of ones from other states. I think you will learn and grow a lot more by going farther away.

5) I like to email maybe once a week or so (not any more frequent than that). Express interest in the position and always ask a couple new questions about the job, company, or industry. Calling every couple weeks (replacing the email) might be a good idea too. Given two identical applicants, the one who calls/emails and expresses interest will always get the job.

6) I don't actually send cards, but I do send emails.

7) Do you mean cover letters? The more paper you give them the more junk they have to deal with. Keep it at a one page resume and nothing more.

8 and 9) See #1. Two summers ago I spent a lot of time trying to get an internship. All I got was one crappy offer that I took. The next year, I went all-out and applied EVERYWHERE and went crazy networking with people. That semester I got 9 offers (Rolls-Royce, Boeing, Pratt & WhitneyGoodrich Sensors, etc.). Give it everything you've got.
 
Originally posted by: SwiftWind
1. What strategies did you use to get find an internship?

Went to job fairs, dressed nice, acted as professional as I could, did my best to make a good impression, gave out resumes to just about everyone. Afterwards, follow up on the places you want (i.e., go to their website and apply, email/call the recruiter, etc.). I got a few responses and interviewed, again, dressed up and did my best to make a good impression. Got a couple job offers, wound up taking one from Shell because it was in Houston and they offered lots of money.

In the past I have sent resumes/cover letters to places I'd like to work, but I've only ever gotten one response for dozens of letters sent.

2. What strategy did you find to be most effective?

Start at job fairs and follow up.

3. Did you start searching locally first? or nationally?

Locally. Campus job fairs are great places to start.

4. Did having certs help at all? (i.e. CCNA/CCNP/CWNA/A+/etc..)

I don't have any certs, but have skill with several major engineering oriented programs and my resume says so - I was asked about them in my interviews and discussed them in some detail.

5. How often do you check back once you've contacted someone about it? If so, how long? and through what type of communication? (i.e. e-mail, call, etc)

I don't like going more than a week without hearing from someone while an application is still pending. I'd either call or email, depending on which form of communication they tended to use more.

6. Do you send thank you letters/cards for those who replied/consider you?

No, but in the conversation with them I thanked them and they invited me to apply again next year.

7. Cover sheets - do you always include them? what information do you put in it?

Not really applicable at a job fair.

8. What other ideas/tactics would you recommend?

Dress smart, do your best not to get choked up and stuttery during the interview/phone calls. Be professional, highlight your skills, and be friendly with the interviewed/recruiter.

9. Suggestions?

Campus job fairs FTW. Its probably too late in the year for you to find one now, though. This is advice for next year. Don't be afraid to go to other schools.

Good luck.


The usual OT warning label: If you have nothing good to say, don't. Really, DON'T.
Click to expand...


edit: I have an intership with Shell for this summer, had a couple other choices. I wanted to work for Schlumberger with their R&D department and they said that they don't generally take rising juniors for those positions, but I'd probably get it if I apply next year. Not sure if that's the plan - I might try to do something not in the oil industry, as that really isn't the career path I'm after.
 
keep the resume relevant and specific to the job you are applying for. i include a cover sheet if they ask. resume 1 page or less. DONT MAKE IT LOOK RETARDED! professional and clean. i have to go to sleep or i would answer more questions.
 
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