Showing posts with label Ace the Internship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ace the Internship. Show all posts

14 August 2015

Ace That Internship: 6 Things To Do Before You Leave

It's the end of summer internship season, and here is a list of things to do your last week!





1. Get coffee/lunch with your supervisor: Make sure you continue to build your relationship with your supervisor. They can be a great mentor, reference and sounding board in the future. One day you can even repay them for their kindness!

2. Compile your portfolio (ask for permission) : Start putting together samples of what you did during your internship. Ask your supervisor what is appropriate to bring with you, and whatever you get permission for make sure to take a digital copy for future portfolios. Try and find your best work, as well as pieces that show you can do the more common tasks.

3. Update your LinkedIn, professional website and resume: Take an afternoon or night to update all three of these items and make sure they reflect what you did. It takes a lot of editing and rewriting, but use your task list to make this easier.

4. Finish any projects: Even if you can't finish them, make sure you stop at a place that others can pick up at. Keep your supervisor updated on your progress, and leave a description of where you left off.

5. Ask for a review: If your internship doesn't already schedule a review at the end, ask for one for two reasons. One, you get to hear how you did, and can make goals for yourself to improve. Two, you can give your supervisor feedback on your experience.

6. If you feel comfortable, ask for a reference: If you feel as if you have a great relationship with your supervisor, ask for them to be a reference or for a letter of reference. They are the best ones to ask because they worked with you directly.If you connected with other people in the company and worked with them closely, ask them as well to be a reference. It's important later on when you're applying for internships, awards and scholarships.

Bonus:Write a thank you card! Alicia and Elana reminded me of the most important tip, write a thank you note to people you worked with! Both remarked how it had left an impression on them. I can't believe I forgot about this, since it's normally my number one tip!


What did/do you do to end your internship on a positive note? If you had an internship, how did you think it went/?

xoxo

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26 June 2015

Ace That Internship: How to Gain the Most from Your Internship Part 2

Here is the second part of Ace That Internship: How to Gain the Most from Your Internship! Check out the first part here! This part is all about the people you meet and work with. These tips will hopefully help you make lasting connections and make it a little less awkward.



1. Schedule Lunch/Coffee: Throughout the duration of your internship try and schedule lunch or coffee with almost everyone you work with, your boss's boss and even upper management in the company. Simply send an email or stop by their office and ask if they would be willing to sit down with you to discuss their career journey.

2.Follow Up: After that coffee or lunch, make sure to follow up with a thank you card for their time. Make sure to stop by periodically to check in with the, and don't be afraid to ask follow up questions if they seem to be open to it. You'll have to read their body langauge, and even ask point blank if you would be able to follow up with them. Time is precious, but many professionals are open to mentoring!

3. Connect on LinkedIn: Send a personalized message to your co-workers and supervisor, as well as anyone that you had lunch or coffee with. Connec with other interns as well! In your message include who you are, and something personal you may have connected about. They're a lot more likely to connect with you that way!

4.Remember Details: Do they have a kid? What about their favorite sports team? Make an effort to remember one thing about every person you have a conversation with. It's one of the easiest ways to get to know people and build relationships!

6.Keep a Contact List: Depending on who you have contact with during your internship, keep a list of people you've met. This can be done in an Excel spreadsheet. It's a lot easier than you think! A little googling or using the business card they gave you should give you the information you need.



Remember not to force relationships, sometimes you might not just click! But don't be afraid to reach out to people, always be polite, and work your hardest!

What do you do to make the most of your relationships? What do you do to go above and beyond at your internship?


xoxo


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19 June 2015

Ace That Internship: How to Gain the Most from Your Internship Part 1

It's a very long title, but the two posts cover two different subjects! In this post I'll be discussing how to document your experiences at your internships!





1. Be Observant & Ask Intelligent Questions:  Observe your co-workers! Look at how they complete tasks, interact with clients, complete their to do lists and what they say during meetings. Ask questions about their relationships with clients, how they execute tasks and where they gain inspiration!

2. Take selfies: This is a weird idea, but take selfies at cool events, at your desk, and before big meetings at different places. You can use these on your professional website to illustrate all the fun thing you were able to experience.

3. Save Samples: Ask your supervisor if you can save some examples of your work. Always ask because your work is probably considered property of the company or business you work for. Save some of your best work, especially of projects that are already completed. Try and show a progression of work, from the beginning to the end. Save an electronic copy so you can print it multiple times as well as uploaded to your portfolio!

4. Keep a Task List: After each week, set aside some time to write down all the tasks you completed at your internship. Try to associated numbers with it, such as wrote this many press releases that were picked up by this many news outlets or increased page views by 10% with new blog posts. This is also helpful when you tailor your resumes because you'll know what you did at each internship!

5. Keep Track of What You Learned: Keep a list of what you learned throughout your time as an intern! It's a great way to refresh your memory when you need it later on down the line. Some ideas would be what you observed during the set up and take down of an event.



What do you do to gain the most from your internship? Where are you interning? If you have a full-time job, what did you do in your internship that helped you get a job?

xoxo




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27 May 2015

Favorite Business Casual Pieces

My summer internship is business casual, and I was really excited and a little nervous about dressing every day for work. My girl friends and I were talking, and men have such an easy job when they dress for events. Business casual for a woman could mean anything from a cute pencil skirt, white tee, and denim jacket to a pencil skirt and nice collared blouse. This past weekend my mom and I went shopping, and here are some of my favorite picks from Loft and The Limited!





These are just some really cute business casual ideas. You really only need two pairs of heels, but if you don't like heels, then flats in nude and black. I would also grab a white, navy and black cardigan to throw over your blouses if your office is cold!

What are you wearing this summer? What are your favorite stores for work clothes?

xoxo

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08 May 2015

Ace That Internship: What to Bring Your First Day

It's been awhile since I posted an Ace That Internship blog, but since summer internships will be starting soon I wanted to post something. Here are some ideas as to what to bring your first day on the job.





A Notebook// Write down everything! Passwords, simple instructions and complex instructions. Even write down who does what. Bring either a legal pad or notebook just for your internship!

A water bottle// You may or may not be doing  a lot of talking, but a staying hydrated will help you stay focused. Bring one you can leave so that you don't forget to have one at the office!

Paperwork// If you have a paid internship, or you are taking one for credit make sure to ask if there is any paperwork you need to bring! This could include your social security card, passport or drivers license.

Positive Attitude// Remember this is your first day. Even if it isn't exactly what you wanted, make sure to still be positive about it. It's a great experience, and you should really try to make the most of it.

Listening Ear// The first day is probably going to be full of a lot of information, so make sure you are ready to listen. Try and remember names, important times and even what to do everyday when you arrive.

Snacks and/or a Lunch// Depending on what you might need, bring food if it is going to be a full day! You don't want to be concentrated on your stomach when you're in an important meeting or getting to know your new co-workers!

Where is your internship this summer? What do you always bring?


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29 July 2014

Ace That Internship: During Your Internship

Now that you are over half way through your internship, what can you do to really stand out and use this position to your advantage? Here are some of the most important tips that I've heard throughout the past couple of years!



Ask questions: At this point in your internship you should be asking lots of questions. Not just about the assignment, but more "critical thinking" questions! Show your supervisors that you've been picking up on things and want to know more about the industry. This also shows that you're invested in the job and are planning on actually doing something

Ask your boss to lunch or coffee: Once again at this point you should feel comfortable around your boss to ask them to lunch! You can start to build a relationship and learn about how they go to their position. It's a great networking tool and a great way to create a reference for your next internship or job. They may even help you get a job.

Keep a list of everything you do:By keeping a detailed list of what you do at each internship, you are able to use this for your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile. This can also come in handy if it's your job to update an intern folder or database.

Connect with co-workers on LinkedIn:If you feel comfortable enough start connecting with co-workers and your boss on LinkedIn! Make sure to personalize your message though! Just a simple greeting and opener and "I would appreciate connecting with you on LinkedIn", then sign your name!

What are you doing in the last couple of weeks in your internship? What are your go-to tips for your internship?

xoxo

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14 May 2014

Ace that Internship: The Follow-Up


Here is the fourth installment of the my internship series.  I'm going to discuss following up after an interview!



Following up on your interview is very important. It reminds your interviewers that about your interview and why they liked you for the position. This can be really important when you are one of many candidates for the job. It also shows you have initiative and want the job.


Hand written note: Send a hand-written note to those who interviewed you. Thank them for their time and remind them what you discussed.

Email: If you aren't able to send a hand written note, make sure to email them at the least. This email can be a little more personal than others, but still professional. Thank them for their time like you would in a hand written note, and remind them what you discussed!

Even if you don't get the internship, you may have made a contact!

How do you follow-up?

xoxo
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23 April 2014

Ace that Internship: Interview Tips

I know it's been awhile since I've posted about internships, and I won't lie I'm still searching. I have aced interviews, and after participating in a PRSSA twitter chat about interviews I know I have some great tips!






Do Your Research : Make sure you are able to reference projects, brands, accounts, or campaigns  that the company/agency has done lately. Basically scour their blog, social media accounts, and website to look for their mission. Also know who is interviewing you! Know their position in the company

Show them how you fit: Once you do your research, think of reasons why you would be a great fit for their company. This makes it easier for your interviewer to picture you as their intern and how well you would work in the position! 

Be good at bragging: This is something that I have to personally work on. It is okay to brag about how you pulled that project together when you realized the night before it was due it was incorrect. Brag about your leadership skills, time management skills, and productivity. Set yourself apart from other candidates by showcasing your strengths and shining moments. 

Show that you learn: Show your interviewer that even if you do make a mistake, you know how to handle it maturely. Give a short story of a failure and how you changed it so it didn't happen again. 

Bring Essentials: Bring an extra copy of your resume, and your portfolio of work. That way your interviewer(s) have physical copies in front of them! Bring a notebook and pen to write follow up questions/comments so you can send a hand-written note or more personal email. 

Show your personality: Show them what kind of a person you are through concise stories of your accomplishments or failures. 

Be Yourself: At the end of the day the interviewer wants someone who is right for their work environment. Being yourself but professional gives you the best chance at being that person! 

Any other advice? What else would you like to see in this series? 

Good Luck! May the odds be ever in your favor!
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10 February 2014

Ace the Internship: What To Wear


What to Wear? 
I know one of the things that makes me confident in any situation is knowing that I am dressed to impress so to speak. In an interview everything that you can do to make yourself feel confident and comfortable is key.  Here are some ideas for what to wear, and where to get it!





Wear a Power Suit: It doesn't have to be boring! I bough my power suit from The Limited!
Mix & Match
I would stick with a solid suit. But you can wear a fun print, or a bright fun color! I wouldn't do neon, but one of my interview shirts is a cobalt blue.
Options:
Target
Kohls 
Ann Taylor 

Wear what shoes feel comfortable: Don't go for the heels that you are going to look like a new-born calf in! I have one inch heels that I know I can walk in confidently, and still look professional. I would not mind going with flats to be honest. Bring both, you'll thank me later! 
Also, make sure you walk in your shoes with your outfit. 

Do a test run: Make sure that you do a test run your outfit. That includes hair and make-up. Make sure you're wearing the right amount of jewelry! 

Trust yourself: You've got this! They obviously liked you enough to interview you. You've got this! You're strong and you've got the skills. 

Don't forget about Part 1: Finding the Right Internship for you
Is there anything you'd like for the next part in the series? 

xoxo
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