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

Personal Development

Career Planning

- To facilitate reflection

- To develop skills

- To discover new interests

- To network

- To gain experience

- To develop skills

Identifying why an internship is important to you is an essential component of the internship search.

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

Resume

Preparing Documents - Resume

A

A summary of your qualifications for employment

Employers’ Insight: 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

Cover letters

Preparing Documents – 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:– 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)

Resources

UCS Specific Databases

Positions posted specifically to NU by employers (internship, part-time, full-time)

Manages OCR Calendar of Events Resume Deadlines Interview Center

Job and internship listings

Internship postings variety of industries and locations

No OCR activities

CareerCat MonsterTRAK

Leverages employer connections of select universities

Wider array of internship opportunities, including geographical range.

iNET

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– Convenient location Approximately 80% of

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 Northwestern University pursuing a degree in communications.

(2) Identify interest – organization, position, etc… I came across your organization when I was conducting research on 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

Why you should do it?– 50-75% of jobs are found

through networking– “Family and friends”

consistently rated in the top 4 most useful methods for job search by NU Grads

Family

Friends/Roommates

Student/ Professional

Orgs

Religious Orgs

Co-Workers

Neighbors

YOU Alumni

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

ResourcesResources

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 – 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

Resources

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 Office620 Lincoln Street

847-491-3700CareerLab

Core ReserveMain Library, 2nd Floor

Web:www.northwestern.edu/careers

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Email: internship@northwestern.edu