Aug. 13 "Internships pending": I cut out this article "Snow on the ground, summer on the brain" by Leah Ruehlicke (Talent Egg) in the Metro on Jan. 9, 2013. It's about how to get an internship. It's very competitive, but here are some tips.
My co-worker Je is looking for an internship for months and applying to a lot. It kind of reminds me of the days back in 2003 when I was trying to get an internship at TV stations. I applied to CBC, but they said they were only hiring NAIT's TV Production students, and no one else.
Here's the whole article:
Internships were a big topic of conversation on TalentEgg in 2012!
From debating the merits of unpaid versus paid internships and dissecting the benefits to your career, internships are an even hotter topic than Channing Tatum’s stripper movie.
This article aims to break it all down into the simplest terms possible and speak directly to where to look for internships and how to lock one down.
Where are all the internships and co-ops hiding?
The key is to start looking early – as in, take time to thank Santa for your Christmas gifts and then get on the hunt. Did you know most large employers post their summer internships and co-op roles in January? If you wait much longer it will be too late.
Find summer internships and co-ops online
Check out the summer, internship and co-op job listings here on TalentEgg – there are a ton of roles available (many with deadlines this week and next) and we post new jobs every day!
Attend summer job fairs
Most colleges and universities hold summer job fairs in late January. These job fairs give you the chance to meet prospective employers and, occasionally, interview right on the spot.
Furthermore, you will be subjected to tons of companies and positions that you didn’t even know existed. Make sure you are well dressed, well spoken and prepared to answer – and ask – some questions!
Visit your career centre
I was a heavy user of the career centre in university and this definitely worked to my advantage. For one thing, utilizing their resources to find a part-time job actually ended up landing me a student job at the centre because they knew who I was and wanted to help me out.
Career centres not only have job listings, they often have connections with other employers (and, at the very least, are an amazing source of information for any questions you might have regarding schooling and your career).
Network with your network
Let people know you are looking for an internship (professors often have a lot of insight and tips for success in this realm – and if you put in the effort, they’re most likely going to be very eager to help you). Similar to my career centre tale of success, it’s all about getting your face out there and seeking assistance from others.
Another great thing about internships is they can often lead to jobs. Guy Adam, Branch Manager at Robert Half in Laval, Quebec, offered the following advice for how to turn your internship into something permanent:
Don’t be shy
As Guy puts it, “Competition can be fierce in this economy. Showing some confidence, while still acting professionally, can work in your favour.” Therefore, don’t be conniving, but go after what you want.
Put on the polish
Dress well and appropriately for the work environment. Ensure your work and application (if attempting to bridge into a new position within the company) are completely error-free.
Pull a Kelly Clarkson and show your Miss (Mr.) Independent side
In order to maximize productivity, companies are looking for people who don’t need constant direction. “Many firms are stretched thin right now, so demonstrating an ability to work without a lot of direct supervision can be a plus,” Guy says.
Exhibit a can-do attitude
Be proactive in how you can be of use to the company. “Inquire about the firm’s greatest challenges and needs and then propose how your skills and experience can help,” he advises.
"Cash in on a career with a creative plan": I cut out this article by Ashleigh Trahan (Talent Egg) in the Metro on Jan. 9, 2013. This was kind of fun to read to see how people will get themselves out there to get hired like put a billboard of themselves. Here's the whole article:
1. Try an unconventional resume format
Infographic resumes are making a big splash with creative people the world over. These graphic takes on a traditional resume can highlight key functional skills as well as an applicant’s personality in a dramatic and eye-catching way.
Video resumes are also making a big comeback. While video resumes can sometimes come across as incredibly cheesy, some have taken the idea of a video CV beyond its typical awkward format.
For example, when Graeme Anthony was looking for a job, he put together this “Interactive CV” which makes a compelling case for why he’s a top notch candidate for communications and PR jobs:
Here's the link to Graeme Anthony's video. He's a British guy:
Traditional resumes are still required in most industries, so you shouldn’t toss your old faithful Word document just yet.
What we can learn from infographic or video resumes is that if you’re looking for a job that requires a healthy dose of creativity, put together a resume that reflects your talents in a unexpected way. If you need to stick to a traditional format, try thinking about novel ways to describe your skill set to reflect what’s unique about you.
2. See your name in lights!
Rather than relying on a resume to get her name out there, one woman from Atlanta, Georgia, used the holiday season to publicize her job hunt by spelling out “My wish, HR job, Liz Hickok, LinkedIn” with strings of Christmas lights on the side of her house.
There are also many examples of job seekers taking this concept the extra mile and spending thousands of dollars on billboard advertisements. While their confidence is to be admired, we don’t all have the capital (or gravitas) to pay for our mug to be plastered on a roadside billboard.
If there is something we can learn from these blatant self promoters, it’s that it’s critical to get your name “out there,” whether through social media, a personal website, or networking like crazy.
3. Create your own personal ad campaign
If a creative resume and billboard beside a major highway haven’t landed you a job, you could always think about running your own ad campaign.
Alec Brownstein, a 28-year-old Copywriter, landed a job through a fantastically simple personal marketing campaign. When advertising execs Googled their own names (admit it, we’re all guilty of the “self-Google”), Alec’s paid ad was the first result on the page. The ad directed these potential employers to his personal website, and resulted in multiple job offers for Alec.
Here's the 1 min video: "The Google Job Experiment":
A Youtube comment was:
This what you call "thinking outside the box"! #Google #Creativity "One New York graduate who wished to work in a top advertising agency Googled the names of the creative directors of these agencies and then spent just six dollars on a set of Google ads that were triggered when the directors searched for their own names. The adverts said "Hey, (creative directors name), Googling yourself is a lot of fun. Hiring me is fun, too" Of the five directors he targeted, four gave him an interview and two offered him a job"
The stunt cost mere cents per click (for a total of $6), and all it took was a little outside-the-box thinking.
Alec’s tactics can teach us a lesson about online networking strategy. Like Alec, you should learn where your potential employers hang out online, and use that channel to connect with them.
My opinion: I thought it was creative. I told this to my brother and he thought it was cool.
4. Get employers to compete for your affection
Andrew Horner decided that after two years of unfruitful job searching, he was going to turn the tables and ask employers to apply to have him work at their company. With a bold list of “must haves,” he set up a website which went viral once people got wind of his “reverse job application” scheme. Andrew ended up landing himself a job and keeps the website active to inspire others ask: “What do employers have to offer me?”
Treating your job search like you’re a superstar in the NBA draft might not be a wise choice for everyone, you can take a page out of the “reverse job application” playbook. When you’re looking at a potential job, you should be interviewing your potential employer. What advantages does the company offer? What is the culture like? Make sure you ask the right questions to be sure that whichever company you choose, it will be the right fit for you.
While you don’t need to start a social media campaign or have “hire me” billboards made up anytime soon, everyone could use a little more boldness when heading out into the job market.
With a little creativity and elbow grease, I’m sure you can come up with your own personal marketing tactics. So put your thinking cap on, capture the attention of potential employers, and land yourself a job!
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