Applying for Internships/Jobs

Applying for internships and jobs can be very stressful for a young professional in college. On top of all of the school work that has to be completed, you also have to find time to apply for jobs and internships, which can be a long, strenuous process. Many students are stressed enough when it comes to school work, but then add the stress of putting your future career in the hands of a few applications, resume and cover letter. Here are a few tips to have a clean application and minimize the stress of applying for jobs.

1. Use your resources 

Many colleges and universities offer help to build your resume and write an efficient cover letter. Career services is a great way to have someone with professional experience to look over your resume and cover letter to ensure there are no mistakes. Even if you did not have any mistakes on your resume, it is peace of mind to know that other people have gone over them. There are other places you could look for help as well. Asking professors that have had experience in the field is another way to get help with your applications, resumes and cover letters. Using different resources ensures that you get plenty of advice and different opinions on how to create a great resume.

2. Double and triple check

Double checking to make sure that you have no grammatical errors is crucial when applying for jobs. Many employers will throw your application away if they find any grammatical errors or errors in consistency on a resume. Double checking and then triple checking and then checking again is a great way to combat mistakes on a resume and a cover letter. Having others look over your resume and cover letter is another way to catch mistakes that you might have missed.

3. Try to relax

Stated earlier, applying for jobs is a stressful task. Your future is riding on someone liking one piece of paper or not. It can be a very stressful time but it is also important that you keep a clear head. It's hard, but stress can cloud your judgement and hurt your applications. I recommend taking a break from your applications and getting a coffee or even taking a nap so you are not staring at applications for hours upon hours. Having a clear mind can allow you to catch more mistakes that you may have made or even think of something useful for your letter or resume that you had not added yet.

Following these directions does not guarantee you a job, or even a fantastic resume or cover letter. They are nice steps that I have found when applying for jobs and writing my resume and cover letters. Good luck to everyone who is applying for full-time jobs and internships.