6 Reasons You Didn't Get the Internship (& What to Do Next Time)

(from Vermont Business for Social Responsibility; adapted from www.hercampus.com) 

You've spent the last few months sending out countless resumes and cover letters, you've interviewed with hiring managers and you dutifully followed up afterwards with polite emails. But before you know it, summer is around the corner and that internship offer you expected to have is nowhere in sight! What happened?

We all know that the internship world is extremely competitive, and trying to land a summer gig at a great company can feel like trying to get an acceptance letter from Harvard. Even if you feel like you have the total package, there are a few things you might be doing (or not doing) that are standing between you and an offer. Read on to find out which mistakes you might be making during the internship application process and how you can step up your game next time to make sure you get the job!

1. You didn't research the company beforehand

One major thing that employers look for in a potential job candidate is knowledge of the company and the position you're applying for, so getting caught off guard by a basic question about the company's values or mission statement is going to raise a red flag.

"A candidate can look fantastic on paper, but preparing for the interview is critical," says Alicia Rodriguez, director of employer relations at the University of Miami's career center. "Recruiters look for candidates who know the organization in and out and can speak to how [their] skill sets can benefit the organization."

Tip for next time: Research, research, research! Knowledge is power, and knowing as much as you can about the company you're applying to work for can only help you. Familiarize yourself with the company's mission statement, know who the head of the company is as well as other important employees and be prepared to discuss the company's values (and how they line up with your own). A great place to find this information is the "About" section on a company's website, as well as its LinkedIn page.

You should also find out if the company has been in the news recently for any major accomplishments. Not only is this a great talking point, but showing that you've read up on the company is a surefire way to impress your interviewer. 

2. You didn't seem passionate about the company

Career Wisdom: The Value of an Internship

Do internships really offer job seekers a competitive advantage?  According to career counselor Peter Vogt, the answer is  -  absolutely.  In his book Career Wisdom for College Students, Peter provides reasons employers tend to make positive assumptions about students who have completed internships:

1.   Students who have completed an internship are more committed to their chosen field.  A 2005 survey of employers  found that 88% who hired college graduates who completed internships report that those hires who have internship experience stayed in their jobs longer.

2.   Students who have completed internships have developed the essential skills and traits they will need to succeed.  In addition to providing students opportunity to hone the hard skills associated with a profession, internships provide students an opportunity to cultivate soft skills that are so incredibly important to employers, skills such as communication, collaboration, research, critical thinking and problem solving.

3.   Students who have completed an internship will have references that can be specific versus general.  An instructor can tell a prospective employer how you perform academically and how you collaborate with other students in your classes; however, an instructor cannot speak to how you perform in the workplace.  Intern supervisors and colleagues can serve as strong references by providing relevant workplace examples to address specific questions posed by prospective employers.

4.   Students who have completed an internship understand the demands, stresses, rewards and ambiguities within a profession.  Internships provide students an opportunity to observe and navigate office politics, to understand the hours required to do a job successfully, and to experience, first hand, the fun and the challenges that can come with a career.

Now that you’re sold on the value of an internship, you might be wondering what kinds of opportunities are available in Vermont.  I recommend you start by exploring Career Services at CCV.  To find internships that provide rich learning opportunities, search listings on CCV Career Connections and Vermont Internships.

When you find an internship, we'd love to hear about it.  And for those of you who have had internships - do you have any advice to offer for a successful internship experience?

Attention CCV Job and Internship Seekers

Did you know there is a job search site where employers post opportunities specifically for CCV students?  Yes, you have read correctly.  Prospective employers who have career and internship opportunities specifically for community college students regularly post openings on CCV Career Connections, CCV's job and internship portal.  

Over 40 job and internship opportunities have been added in the past month.  Employers who have recently posted positions include:

• Central Vermont Community Action Council
• Chesire-Medical/Dartmouth Hitchcock-Keene
• Mount Snow
• Okemo
• Fastenal
• Hutchins Media, LLC
• Peace and Justice Center

If you need to create a cover letter, revise your resume, or brush-up your interviewing skills, be sure to explore the resources on CCV’s Career Services webpages.

Good luck with your job search, and be sure to post a comment to let us know when you find a job or internship.