We asked a group of interns to share their advice based on their experience this summer. Looking back on the first weeks of their internship, what would they have done differently? And, if they were to hire their replacement, what would they be looking for in a potential candidate?

Most would have asked more questions from the start. We all want to look competent when we start a new job, to prove we deserve to be there. But the only way we learn is to ask for directions. There are no stupid questions, unless you ask the same question multiple times and don’t listen to the answer.

Although some internships involve menial assignments, the view from the bottom provides a great observation point to see how an organization operates. Being the first in the office and the last to leave was rewarded with more meaningful assignments. Approaching colleagues and supervisors with a positive attitude set others apart. Do more than you are asked.

Be flexible. Don’t consult the job description each time you are assigned a task. We live in a time of change. Be prepared to adjust to accommodate change in the organization.

Think about it. If you are a manager, how much of your career do you want to trust to the intern with attitude who arrives late every day and is out the door at 5? You probably have enough drama in your life and are counting the days until summer ends and you can bid your intern goodbye.

An internship is an extension of your education. It’s a laboratory to test your interests and possibly fail. None of us enjoys negative feedback, but if it helps improve performance why not open yourself to constructive criticism?

On the list of what these interns would look for in a replacement:
1.    Someone who has done their research and understands the business
2.    An applicant who can demonstrate an ability to work well with others
3.    A person who does not lead with their superior attitude, but who is willing to pitch in to get the job done
4.    An individual who is outgoing, energetic, assertive, resourceful and professional

Next time you are looking for an internship, consider this advice from colleagues. They may be on the other side of the desk at your next interview.

“Many of the students who express interest in our organization are not even being considered due to their not submitting a cover letter…simply submitting a resume just isn’t enough. Another hint you might give them (applicants) is to communicate in their cover letters that they know something about the company to which they are applying. Anyone who has any experience screening applicants can detect a generic cover letter easily and these are quickly discarded.”

This quote is from an email we received from one of our employers, a USC alumnus, last week.

There are a couple of key points to emphasize from this employer feedback. First, follow directions. It is stated clearly in this employer’s job posting that they require a cover letter to accompany the resume. Using the Internet for job search is a convenient option. However, avoid the temptation to click and send a resume before you have scrolled down through the entire listing. Create a checklist for each job posting to ensure you provide the required documents.

Employers expect students to research an organization as well as the particular job. Your cover letter must include a component that demonstrates your knowledge of their operation.

Avoid templates when writing your cover letter. The CPPC provides a sample, but you should not use the identical wording in your letter. Customize each cover letter to connect your skills and interests to an employer’s requirements.

If you are applying to an organization that requires strong writing skills, your cover letter gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your ability. Take the time to craft a quality document. This is your introduction to a potential employer. Think of it as your first work assignment.

Follow directions, do your research and craft your cover letter with the mindset of a first day on the job new employee. Ask yourself, would you invite you to an interview after reading your cover letter?

Why do you want to work for us? A simple question, with an easy answer. Yet most employers find this is the query that eliminates a large percentage of applicants. Why? Because many candidates cannot answer the question.

Back to basics. Before you ever send out a resume, figure out what you want to do. Not what your parents or friends think you should do; what you want to do. Then do your research. Who employs people like you with your career aspirations? Again, a simple process.

Here is the hard part. This year there may be fewer opportunities for new college graduates. It may take longer to find a job. However, if you do your research and target your job search, you will improve your chances for success.

Approach this with the effort or preparing for a final exam or writing a final paper. What would you do for an ‘A’? What should you do to get your dream job?

Here are some thoughts:

Meet with a career advisor to discuss your career goals. If you are confused, a conversation may help clarify your plans.

Review the job postings on connectSC and on-campus recruiting. Familiarize yourself with the terminology of potential employers. Can you see some common language in what they are seeking in a new hire and your objectives?

Build a list of possible employers. Use resources available on connectSC including the Vault guides. Listen to podcasts of panels. Attend employer events. Get to know the reference librarian. Join a professional association. Conduct information interviews with alumni on the Trojan Network. Use every possible resource to collect information.

Schedule a mock interview. Practice your answers to interview questions before you meet with a recruiter.

An employer will ask you ‘Why do you want to work for us?’ There is no hidden agenda. They are asking you to articulate your career goals as they fit with the goals of their organization. They want to know if you have done your research. How well you answer may be the key to advancing to the next step in the selection process.

If you spend a significant effort on yourself: doing your research, identifying potential employers, a recruiter will anticipate a similar level of commitment in the workplace.

A fatal mistake in the job search process is to assume you are superior to the recruiter. In the past few weeks we have encountered a number of incidents where students have demonstrated inappropriate behavior at events or during interviews. Here is a sample of comments from recruiters:

“Maybe the downturn in the economy will bring some humility to students.”

“The student expected me to ’sell’ my organization to them. I expect the student to understand what we do and ’sell’ themselves to us.”

Here is my advice. Adjust your attitude to match the adjustments in the market. Yes, you will have a degree from a university with a strong academic reputation, but you must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills to be successful in the job search.

You should treat everyone you meet as if they were the decision maker in an organization. This starts with the security guard at the gate of the parking lot. Since there may be fewer opportunities, your ‘fit’ within an organization culture is critically important to your selection. Even if you are applying to an organization that places a premium on aggressive behavior, the interview is not the place to demonstrate this skill.

No question posed by a recruiter is insignificant. Challenging the point of a question is a great way to bring the interview to a quick close. Remember who has the power in the interview relationship. Let the interviewer control the conversation. If there is something they missed, ask for a minute at the close of the interview to add information. You can always follow up in your thank you note.

The key is to get to the next step. Each employer has a different set of criteria for selecting new hires. If you are concerned about the types of questions or an interaction with a recruiter, this may be a sign to move on to another organization. Remember, the objective of the job search process is to find a match, a place where people think you are ’special’.