Preparing for internships

General Internship Resources
Resumes, CVs and Cover Letters
Interviewing
Career Development Center

General Internship Resources

Internship Resource Library

Internship Search Tools

  • Vault Top Internships
    • Searchable resource for finding internship opportunities from top companies. Many summer-only internships are featured.
  • Companies with the best internship programs
    • From Vault. Updated annually with the top 150 companies.
  • LinkedIn
    • Many jobs and internships can be found on LinkedIn. It can also be used to network and establish personal branding.
  • Simplify
    • Personalized internship and general job search tool. Also offers resume help and job application organization
  • Internships with Pennsylvania State Government
    • Official Pennsylvania State Government page for college internships. Internships are available across multiple sectors.
  • College Grad
    • Search tool for internships and entry-level jobs. Also has jobsearch advice.
  • CampusPhilly
    • Search tool for jobs & internships in Philadelphia. Includes guides on the city and its neighborhoods.
  • Federal Internship Finder
    • Search tool for internships and some entry-level jobs for the federal government. Opportunities available across all 50 states and abroad.

Types of Internships to Look For Based on Your Undergraduate Academic Year

What academic year you are in will most likely influence what internships are available to you, as well as what internships you should be looking for. Many employers look for interns of a certain academic standing, either by year or by credits. Below are some tips to aid in your internship search, based on your academic year.

Freshman

  • It can be difficult during your freshman year to find internship opportunities that work for you. Freshman year is a great time to get connected in your campus community while still building job skills. Join a club related to your major, network with a professor, or connect with upperclassmen.
  • On-campus jobs offer a way to make money without the stress an off-campus job can bring. If you haven’t worked a professional job before, having the experience of an on-campus job will show internship recruiters that you possess several important skills needed. Soft skills like teamwork, time management, and navigating a workday are vital regardless of job title. 

Sophomore

  • As you complete your Pre-Business and Business Core courses, think about what business concentration is right for you. If you feel inclined towards a particular field, an internship in the topic is one way to explore your interest. Full-time summer internships in particular can offer a window into the daily life working in the position.
  • Attend our Job & Internship Fairs or Career Meet Ups. Even if the internships offered are not what you want, you can practice interacting in a professional environment and better understand duties you may have as an intern.

Junior

  • The summer between junior and senior year is a great time to continue with an internship between school years. Try finding an internship that can flex from part-time during the school year to full-time during the summer.
  • As you complete the second half of your college years, strive to find an internship that aligns with your career interests. Now more than ever is the time to move on from that restaurant job you’ve had since high school! Look for opportunities that develop any skills you need for your ideal job to expand the job pool. Many employers will interview business majors of multiple majors for the same position. For example, positions may require that you be working towards a degree in economics, finance, or accounting. 

Senior

  • Many companies hire their interns post-graduation. Aim to get an internship with a company and/or in a position that you can see yourself pursuing full-time.
  • Having internship or other experiential learning experience is linked to higher levels of post-graduate success. If you complete an internship, not only will you be more likely to be employed, but also you will be more likely to be employed in a job that requires a college degree. If you have yet to participate in experiential learning by your senior year, prioritize finding an opportunity.

 

Employer's Hiring Cycles

Depending on what industry you want to work in, you may find that certain times of the year are easier to find jobs than other times. Each industry has a hiring cycle, in which they only recruit for new positions during some times. 

Hiring Cycle Resources

 

Resumes, CVs and Cover Letters

The WCU Career Center has basic suggestions on how to compose your resume and cover letters. As a WCU student, you can also meet with Career Center staff to get your resume or cover letter reviewed individually.

General Job Search Writing Resources

 

Resumes

A resume will be submitted to nearly every job you apply to. A resume is a short, concise way to communicate to employers who you are. Unless you have extensive academic qualifications (like student research experience), resumes should focus on your past and present employment. Since resumes are concise and don’t provide much room for elaboration, be ready to talk about anything you list on your resume at interviews. 

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Resumes:

  • Should be no longer than a page
  • Include only the most relevant information
  • Have design elements that do not overshadow the information presented
  • Include information that highlights your talents and capabilities
  • Should be altered to fit with your individual career goals and interests (for example, if you are applying to a statistics-heavy job, you should list if you have any experience with Excel or programming languages)

 

Links to Resume Resources

Resource Library: University of Pennsylvania Resume Writing 
Resource Library: Harvard University Improving & Strengthening Your Resume
Article: Recommendations/reviews on resume-builder websites
Booklet: Resume Writing by PA Department of Labor and Industry (2007) (12 pgs.)
E-Book: Military to federal career guide : federal resume writing for veterans by Kathryn Troutman (2010) (138 pgs.)

 

CVs

A curriculum vitae (CV) can be thought of as a longer, academically-focused resume. CVs typically are three or more pages, while resumes are advised to be only one page. While resumes mainly focus on employment and job skills, CVs are intended to highlight your academic strengths and experiences. Just like a resume, CVs should be updated as you gain knowledge and experience. You can use your resume to outline and develop your CV (or vice versa)!

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CVs:

  • Generally feature more information than resumes, but still should present information in a concise manner
  • Should be organized with the most important/relevant experiences first
  • Typically contain most of the information found in a resume, but also...
  • Highlight research experience, publications, and/or teaching experience
  • Should have a consistent format throughout

 

Links to CV Resources

 

Cover Letters

A cover letter is a three-to-four paragraph, one-page letter that is submitted with each job application. It highlights your interest in the particular position and expands upon the information provided in your resume. Cover letters can help clear up any questions potential employers may have after reading your resume. A cover letter is also a good place for you to find links between past jobs and explain how your skills developed over the course of your employment.

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Cover letters:

  • Are no longer than a page
  • Should be edited for each position you are applying to. A specific cover letter is more likely to stand out and show hiring managers you are truly invested in the position.
  • Include both your qualifications and why you are personally interested in the company/position
  • Elaborate on your job duties written in your resume
  • Provide specific anecdotes of your skills

 

Links to Cover Letter Resources

 

Interviewing

The Interview Process

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The interview timeline will vary based on the industry, company, and the particular position you’ve applied for. In general, the interview timeline (application to hire) should be contained within 1-2 months with continuous updates. 

  • Step 1: Submit your application. Some employers close applications after a certain “due date”. Others will close applications after receiving a certain number, and others will keep applications open until they receive a suitable candidate. Knowing what the policy is for the position you’ve applied to can provide you an estimate of when the company will move to the next step.
  • Step 2: Screening/Scheduling Interviews: Employers will next contact you on when to schedule an interview, if you’ve been selected to move forward in the hiring process. If there is a particular application “due date”, this should be 1-2 weeks from the due date. Some companies will notify you of a rejection, and some will not. Companies with a larger applicant pool or a more general initial application may complete a screening process prior to contacting you about an interview. This is done to narrow the applicant pool to a more manageable number.
  • Step 3: Your Interview: Companies may choose to interview you over a video call, on-site, or a combination. It may take around a month from application to official interview. For the same reasons as adding a screening process, some companies will schedule a second interview.
  • Step 4: Receiving Your Job Offer: After your interviews, employers should follow up with either a job offer or the notification that they have selected another candidate. Job offers may come through email or phone, so it is important to check your inbox during the job search process. After you accept your job offer, prepare for your first day at work!

 

Interview Questions

You will notice that employers often ask job candidates similar questions. Knowing these questions, and taking time to prepare responses before an interview, can help you stand out as a suitable candidate. Additionally, it is just as important to always come to a job interview with questions to ask the interviewers. Doing so shows a commitment and genuine interest in the position. Prepare some questions ahead of time; oftentimes, you will come up with new questions during the interview. The best questions are specific to the role and/or content covered in the interview. Wait to discuss salary and benefits until after you receive a job offer, if you are able to do so. Numerous resources exist online with interview questions. The WCU Career Center offers mock interviews so you can practice your responses.

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Questions you may be asked in an interview:

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why were you interested in this company?
  • Why were you interested in this job?
  • How did you hear about this position?
  • Why should we hire you? What skills can you bring?
  • What are your strengths/weaknesses?
  • Tell me about a conflict or challenge you’ve faced, and how you resolved it.
  • Tell me about a time you’ve made a mistake at work.
  • Why are you leaving your current job?


Questions to ask in an interview:

  • What does a day in this role look like for me?
  • How often will my performance in this role be reviewed?
  • How often will I be working with other departments?
  • Do you expect my roles and responsibilities to change, or to mainly stay the same?
  • What are the company’s plans for growth in the coming years?
  • What do new employees typically find surprising after they start?
  • What do you enjoy about working for this company/in your position?
  • What learning and development opportunities will I have in this role?
  • Is there anything I said in the interview that you would like me to clarify?

 

 

The STAR Method

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For interview questions with a story structure, try using the STAR method for smooth storytelling. 

  • Situation- What is the particular context of the story? Is there anything you should share with the interviewer so that they can fully understand the story?
  • Task- What was your goal or task?
  • Action- What did you/the team do?
  • Result & Reflection- What happened as a result of your actions? Was the result satisfactory, or would you do things differently?

 

 

Further Resources

 

During Your Internship

While it’s partly your employer’s responsibility to make your internship a valuable experience, there are also plenty of opportunities to deepen your learning on your own terms. There are many ways you can gain a more comprehensive understanding of your career during your internship.

  • Get to know your coworkers. Ask them about their educational and professional experience, as well as what a day looks like in their position.
  • Ask your supervisor if you can shadow in a different department for all or part of a day.
  • If you are interested in sitting in on a particular meeting or working on a particular project, ask your supervisor how you can be involved.
  • Confer with the hiring manager/head of HR for insight into your interview and resume. Even though you were hired for the position, constructive criticism and feedback is always valuable for future opportunities.
  • Explore ways you can be involved with the company after your internship ends.
  • Connect with other interns in your company in similar positions.
  • Reflect on how your internship compares with other jobs you’ve had. Think about elements such as job duties, company culture, and opportunities for advancement. What did you like and dislike about each job opportunity? How can you apply this to your job search after graduation?

 

More Information

 

Career Development Center

Explore majors & careers, develop your resume and interviewing skills, and build your job, internship, or Graduate School search strategy.

Career Development Center