Internship Process: Timeline for Internships (3...2...1...)

It's never too early to start planning for your internship. The total process—finding an internship and applying and interviewing for it—can take several weeks or even months. Here is a general timeline to assist you with the planning process:

Research internships

(Three semesters before you want to begin your internship) 

• Talk with your academic adviser and a career services counselor to find out what internship resources are available to you on campus.
• Write your resume and cover letter.
• Decide what you would like from your internship. Responsibilities? Compensation? Experience?
• Attend job fairs to find out about internship opportunities.
• Start networking with everyone you know.
• Define where you would like to do your internship. City? Corporation? Industry?
• Start researching internship opportunities. Obtain general information about the company, internship programs, contact people, and deadlines.

Apply for internships

(Two semesters before you intern) 

• Apply online or by whatever method the company requires.
• Practice your interviewing skills. Schedule a mock interview with your career services office.

Interview and accept an internship

(One semester before your internship) 

• Complete an application for each company where you would like to intern.
• Interview with employers.
• Send a thank-you letter to each employer who gives you an opportunity to interview.
• Accept an internship offer.

Good luck!

Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Network for your Job Search

If you take part in social networking sites, you probably have a pretty good idea of how networking can enhance your personal life. But, if you’re like many new college graduates, you’re probably not as comfortable about incorporating networking into your job search.

In spite of your discomfort, you need to incorporate networking into your job search: Especially in a competitive job market, networking could be what helps you land a job. In fact, many jobs are filled before they are even advertised—filled by people who learned about the opportunity before it was formally announced.

What is networking when it comes to the job search? It’s not about using people. Just as you look to build personal relationships through social networks, you want to build relationships to foster your professional life. These relationships can help you not only in your current job search but down the road as you build your career.

Networking is not one-sided: It works both ways. You offer assistance to others just as they offer assistance to you. Perhaps the easiest way to think about networking is to see it as an extension of being friendly, outgoing, and active.

Here are some tips for building and maintaining a healthy network:

1. Make a list of everyone you know—and people they know—and identify how they could help you gather career information or experience.
   Who do you know at school? Professors, friends, and even friends’ parents can all be helpful contacts. Did you hold a part-time job? Volunteer? Serve an internship? Think about the people you came into contact with there.
2. Sign up for an alumni mentoring program.
   Many colleges offer such programs, and they are a great way to build relationships in your field.
3. Join the campus chapter of a professional society that relates to your career choice.
   In many ways, a professional society is an instant network: You’ll be with others who have the same general career interest. Plus, you may be able to learn more about your field from them. For example, you may be able to learn about the field and potential employers from others who share their internship experiences.
4. Volunteer at a local museum, theater, homeless shelter—anywhere that even remotely relates to your field of study.
   By volunteering, you’ll not only learn about your chosen field firsthand, you’ll also be able to connect with people who are in the field.
5. Speak to company representatives at career fairs, even if you’re not ready to look for a job.
   Be up front that you’re not currently in the job market and don’t take a lot of the representative’s time, but touching base with a potential employer now can help you down the road when you are ready.
6. Attend company information sessions at your college and talk one-on-one to the recruiters who run them.
7. Schedule informational interviews with people who can tell you about their careers.
   It’s best to ask to meet in person or by phone for a short interview, and don’t immediately start asking “How can you help me?” Plan your questions ahead of time, focusing on how the company works and how the person shaped his or her career path.
8. Add your profile to LinkedIn.
   It’s free. And then, work your profile. Add work history (including internships!), skills, and keywords. Make connections to people you’ve worked with or met through networking. Ask for “recommendations” from people who have worked with you. You’ll find LinkedIn is a good source of suggestions for people in your field to contact for informational interviews.
9. Remember to be courteous and tactful in all your conversations, to send thank-you notes to people who help you, and to find ways to help others as well.
   Don’t drop your network once you’ve gotten a job. Nurture the relationships you’ve built and look for opportunities to build new connections throughout your career. Getting started might be uncomfortable, but with time and practice, networking will be second nature.

Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Networking Wednesday: Networking in Neyland

 Why wasn't there any food left after the monster party?

Because everyone was a goblin.

“Your network is your net worth.”  It’s a very common expression used to emphasize the importance of having a solid network of professionals that you know, and most importantly that know you. However, having to successfully sell yourself to professionals can be a very daunting task if you haven’t had any practice. Luckily, Career Services, UT Knoxville Alumni Association, the UT Athletics Department and UNITE student organization, are hosting an event where juniors and seniors who are getting ready to enter the job market can meet some of UT’s alumni and grow their networks. You will also get the opportunity to receive advice from professionals in various fields, learn how to make a good first impression, and practice professional communication skills.

Where: Part I: Pre-Event Networking Workshop: Lauricella Room (enter at Gate 21) beginning at 6pm; plan to arrive at 5:45pm. From the workshop we will escort you to the Terrace Level of Neyland Stadium Part II: Networking at Neyland: Terrace Level at Neyland Stadium (Enter at Gate 19) for networking time with various professionals representing a variety of career fields.   Attire: Business Casual There is no cost to attend and heavy hors d'ouerves will be served.

Networking Wednesday: Not As Scary as it Seems

Jeepers Creepers! - I have to Network??

Networking for career development is usually neglected or at least put off for a long time by people who claim to be the exact opposite of the “networking type.” These people may be those with an introverted personality type or even those that deem themselves as socially awkward. Although we cannot physically calm down the butterflies or anxiety you may feel when you are presenting with a networking opportunity, we can definitely attempt to lighten the burden you feel by offering some useful tips to make a possibly stressful situation, not so stressful or awkward at all. Taken from Inc.com, we’ve got some great suggestions for you!

1. Manage your expectations- By this, we mean you don’t have to feel it’s necessary to burn yourself out and mingle with everyone in the room. If that’s not your natural disposition to want to do so, don’t be mean to yourself and torture yourself to do this. Remember the quality of your conversations is greater than the quantity. Besides, what good is meeting everyone if you don’t make any connections and no one truly remembers you?
2. Set a time limit- Don’t freak yourself out with the thought that you may have to spend so many hours talking to random people. Adjust the opportunity for yourself. As Inc.com states, you’re already benefiting since you’ll be there. From that point, just take it one step at a time. There’s no need to overwhelm yourself.
3. Ask for an introduction/share personal stories- As far as the whole conversation bit goes, we know it can be a bit strange from some to just strike up conversation. For this reason, feel free to ask the hostess of the event or even a friend that is familiar with the others there to introduce you. A mutual connection is always a good starting point. Also, try your best not to be too short and sweet, or rather, short and dry. If someone asks you something, don’t just answer yes or no, but really try to expound and share stories/experiences. Remember, the qualities of the conversations you have are what you should be focusing on most.
4. Last but certainly not least, stand in the mirror or with a friend, go to multiple events, and practice, practice, practice! 
   

Networking Wednesday: Unplug from Technology

 “The two most important requirements for major success are: first, being in the right place at the right time, and second, doing something about it” – Ray Croc

According to Forbes, the Number 1 way to improve your networking skills is to unplug from your computer and plug-in to real life. Today, most people have iPhones and iPads, making the internet world readily accessible at all times. This is an advantageous networking tool because it allows us to get in contact with people through various ways.

1.     E-mail: Send out a courteous e-mail describing your interest in the company and briefly introduce yourself!

2.     Linked In: Add some admirable skills and previous work experience to show off your compatibility with the company!

3.     Social Media: Clean up that Facebook page, and put some professional information on display along with a snazzy picture!

These are all really great ways to network. However, they are not always the best approaches. Yes, it is a great start, but networking should exist beyond the internet world as well. Send out that formal e-mail expressing your interest and introducing yourself, and then do some work in the real world!

1.     Go to Job Fairs: Even if you are not interested in holding a job at the moment, this is a fantastic way to explore your options for the future and build personal relationships with people already involved in the company! You will literally be setting yourself up for success!

2.     Go to interest meetings or related events: It is always a great idea to take every opportunity to learn more about the company or field that you are considering. Go out and get a feel for the type of work you will be doing and the type of people you will be working with!

3.     Go to lunch with the person: Everyone loves food! This is a great way to get to know someone better in a personal one-on-one or small group setting. Plus, if it gets awkward, take a bite!

These are just a few tips to improve networking skills. This little bit of effort will go a long way. So put down that technology and start networking!

Networking Wednesday: Social Media in your Job Search

Social media is a great way to stay in touch with friends and relatives, but it also can be a useful tool in your job search. Employers are using social media sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to both promote their organizations and connect with potential job candidates.

While social media can help you research employers (critical to your job-search success), be sure to use it more actively—as a way to connect with potential employers. By following a few basic tips, you can use social media to get in front of hiring managers.

Get Noticed

There are a few key points to keep in mind when using social media as a job-search tool.

Create a Profile That Gives a Positive Impression of You
Think of it as your online resume: What do you want it to say about you? Hiring managers can get a stronger sense of who you are, and if you’re a potentially good fit for their company, through your profile.

Be Aware of the Keywords You Include in Your Profile
This is particularly true for sites focused on professional networking, such as LinkedIn. Many employers do keyword searches to find profiles that contain the skill sets they’re seeking in potential hires.

Don’t Include Photos, Comments, or Information You Wouldn’t Want a Potential Employer to See 

Don’t Mix Personal With Professional
The social media you use in your job search has to present you as a potential employee—not as a friend. Follow the rules for writing a resume.

Make Sure Your Profile Is Error-Free
You wouldn’t offer up a resume rife with misspellings, would you?

Choose Appropriate Contact Information
Your e-mail address or Twitter handle should be professional—a simple variation on your name, perhaps—rather than suggestive or offensive.

Connect
Many organizations have embraced social media as an extension of their hiring practices, and provide information that you can use to research the organization and connect with hiring managers and recruiters.

• Check your college/university’s social media groups: Many times, employers join such groups.
• Check social media groups that are focused around your field of interest or career.
• Search for the social media pages, profiles, and videos of organizations that interest you. Many organizations post job descriptions, information about salaries, and more.
• Ask questions. Even something as broad as “Is anyone hiring in [industry]?” may bring responses, and asking questions about a specific organization—“What’s it like to work at Company X?” can give you insight into the organization and its culture. 

Stay Connected
Keep in touch with recruiters or other decision makers you may interact with in cyberspace.

There may not be an available opportunity at their organization right now, but that could change, and you want to be considered when it does.

Finally, in addition to maintaining your network, use social media to build your network. Don’t just establish a social media presence—work it. Reach out. Interact. You will get out of social media what you put into it.

Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers. 

Networking Wednesday: Introduce yourself to Employers in 60 seconds

You step into the career fair and make your way toward a representative from the top-ranked company on your job-search list. What can you say and do during the next 60 seconds to make this recruiter want to explore hiring you?

Hit them with your one-minute introduction!

Follow the formula
Use the following formula to build your 60-second introduction:

• Name
• Class (senior, junior, sophomore)
• Major
• Opportunities that you are seeking
• Relevant experience (work, internship, volunteer work)
• Highlights of skills and strengths
• Knowledge of the company

Tailor your introduction to each employer you approach based on research and knowledge of each company. (Here’s where to start: Get a list of employers attending the career fair from your career center, and check out their websites for information about products, services, and opportunities.)

Practice to perfection
Practice your introduction so that you can move on to the important next step—the interview. Add positive nonverbal communications—eye contact, facial expressions, body language, and posture. Practice with a mirror, a friend, and/or a career services staff member.

Ask a great question
Next, make yourself memorable by asking a question about the company. (These questions are based on information you’ve found in your research.)

• “Could you tell me more about the new (product) you are developing?”
• “Could you tell me more about your financial management training program?”
• “What type of projects do your interns work on?”

Avoid the following:

• Asking what the company does;
• Asking if the company has any jobs; and
• When asked what type of position you are seeking, saying you would be willing to do anything at the company.

Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.