MAY05 Internship
- 1. College (2 pages) You’re Hired! An internship is the perfect way to get your foot through the door of your dream career. Keep these tips in mind and those two magic words won’t be far behind. By Kaye Robles It’s a truth universally acknowledged that a college student on the cusp of graduation must be in want of an internship. The possibilities are endless, but the positions open for student employees are not, which means that there will always be at least five other people competing for what may just be the perfect job. It may sound daunting, but it’s nothing that the average Candy girl can’t handle. Stage One: The Hunt Set your standards. We know it’s tempting to send your resume to every company with an opening and just hope for the best, but you should have some non-negotiables when it comes to choosing where to intern. Consider logistics, for example: where’s the office and how will you be getting there? If it sounds a little unreasonable (three hours travel time via bus to and from the office? Really?), you should probably reconsider. Make the rounds. Most schools organize a yearly job fair where different companies and organizations set up booths on campus to try and sell their professions to the students. Collect brochures, attend career talks, and try to reach out to people who have worked in your prospective professions. A company may sound good on paper but their employees will be able to give you an idea of the kind of environment and work that you’ll eventually have to face. Broaden your horizons. So you’re a political science major interested in working for a publishing company? We say go for it! An internship isn’t just about skill-building; it’s also about learning what you do and don’t want in your future. While pursuing a career related to your field of study is always a good idea, going in the opposite direction will help you get a feel of what you could be missing. Stage Two: The Application Sell yourself. If you’re a member of any organization, list down your projects in reverse chronological order, with a quick explanation of what you worked on and contributed. Include skills and interests relevant to the position you’re applying for, like the ability to use Photoshop for a graphic design job. Don’t worry about sounding like you’re bragging—you’re supposed to make them interested in you! Cover Up. A good rule to follow would be to always include a cover letter even if
- 2. the company doesn’t ask for one in their application requirements. It shows initiative, and is a good way to let your prospective employers know why you want to work with them, and what makes you suited for the position you’re applying for. Proof-read! Even the most qualified applicant will not be spared from the discard pile if their documents are riddled with typos and errors. Instead of your skills and accomplishments, all your employers will be able to see is carelessness and an apparent lack of attention to detail, and nobody wants that in a potential employee. Go through your cover letter at least twice and you’re covered. Stage Three: The Interview Prepare your spiel. It’s perfectly normal to feel rattled by the prospect of being interviewed by a potential employer and your barkada probably feel the same way. Help each other out by sitting through pretend interviews! You’ll be able to prepare answers to common questions (like ‘what do you know about the company?’) and pick up tips from your more confident friends. Ask questions. Your interviewer will normally ask if you have any questions about the company or the work. Take the opportunity to ask about the kind of work you’ll be doing if you’re hired or the potential for growth within the company or organization. You’ll know more about the job while appearing genuinely interested in working there, which is always a point in your favor. Say ‘thank you!’ It may seem obvious to thank your interviewer for their time but you’d be surprised at how much a little extra effort can help! Shoot them an e- mail (or a text message, if you have their number) thanking them for the opportunity to meet and that they should feel free to contact you again if they have any follow-up questions. SIDEBAR 1: Office #OOTD The wrong outfit can make you look totally unprofessional—and feel really uncomfortable. Keep these tips in mind when you pick out your : • Err on the side of formality on your first day. At worst, you’ll look polished and eager to please, which aren’t actually bad things to be. Observe how the rest of your co-workers are dressed and adjust accordingly. • As a general rule, anything too short is a no-no at the office. An appropriate skirt length would be no less than two inches above your kneecap. • Keep your accessories simple and your makeup fresh. Noisy metal bracelets are distracting and a thick cat-eye too severe. Check your nails too—save your nail art for the weekend and remove polish as soon as they start to chip.
- 3. SIDEBAR 2: Make Your Mark The relationships you make during your internship are connections you can use when it’s time to start working for real. Be the intern they won’t be embarrassed to recommend! • Arrive on time and avoid leaving before the day’s work is finished. You may think of yourself as the lowly intern but trust us when we say that they see you as another employee that needs to keep company hours. • Go the extra mile by asking if there’s anything else you can do when you’ve finished your assigned tasks. They’ll appreciate the help and you’ll be known as the intern with drive and initiative. • Remember that your bosses took you on because they could see how much you could contribute to the office. Don’t be afraid to speak up and offer your opinions during meetings! photos Patrick Martires, Heima • makeup Angie Cruz, Shu Uemura • hair Glenn Emperoso • styling Tracy Ayson • outfit Suiteblanco, Sabrina, CLN • model Rae Belle Dennis