3 Tips for Landing a Summer Internship

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

If you've already taken your midterms, you know its time to start searching for a summer internship. But finding a summer internship doesn't have to be a full-time job. Here are three quick steps you can take to ensure a ROI on your internship search.

Show Don't Tell – How many times did your Composition 101 professor encourage you to give examples to show your point instead of just stating the facts? This writing truism relates to your internship applications and not just your term papers. You need to show your potential employer what you bring to the table. Highlight your skill set and your previous experiences. A cover letter isn't just what you want to learn, it's about what you bring to the table.
Demo Your Skills - If your potential boss is hesitant to take you on board, offer to work for a trial period, perhaps even virtually. Charlie Hoehn, a recent graduate, has made a name for himself by working with some of the biggest names in publishing – Tim Ferriss of the Four Hour Workweek and Tucker Max, by offering to work for them for free for a trial period. Read his Recession-Proof Graduate presentation for ideas on how to turn a trial work period into a paid gig.
Strut Your Stuff - Make it easy for an employer to evaluate you. It takes only moments to create a good first impression, and if you're impression is via a cover letter and resume online, you might have even less time to look good. Increase your chances for finding a summer internship by ensuring that you are easy to evaluate. First, write a strong profile on Urban Interns. Write a short and succinct cover letter, have your list of references ready and make sure that when you Google yourself, that something other than Facebook pops up. Try About.me and LinkedIn to improve your search results and show off your skills.

When you take the time to create a well thought-through cover letter about what you can bring to the internship, provide employers with an impressive array of information and offer to demo your skills for a trial period, you're well on your way to landing a summer internship you'll never forget.