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Preparation For Filling In Internship Application Forms
If you're a college student looking for an internship, you will face a large number of application forms you will need to complete. Although it may seem to be a boring and tedious task, especially if there are a large number of them, you should do them carefully.
Hastily tossing together answers to a form so that you can get it done and out of the way is apt to backfire on you. If you want your form to have that competitive edge over the hundreds of other applicants, you should take your time and pay careful attention to each detail you put into it. However, if you are running close on time, there are some preparatory activities you can do to make the actual time spent filling out the forms shorter and more productive.
Before Starting: Instructions And Other Vital Notices
Generally whether you will be completing a form online or on paper, you will receive an application packet for the program. This packet typically includes a job description, a description of the qualifications needed, and some guidance notes. You should read these carefully and understand them before you even begin completing your form.
You will want to pay special attention to specific instructions such as deadlines or word counts on required essays. Late applications will generally be discarded unread, as will ones with responses that ignore guidelines on word counts or formatting instructions Additionally, you must be absolutely certain that you meet the qualifications to participate in the internship program. There is no point in wasting your or their time applying if you do not meet clearly stated criteria such as having reached a particular point in your degree program (some programs are restricted only to juniors or seniors, while others are only for freshmen or sophomores), if you are not in the appropriate major or concentration, if you lack particular skills such as foreign languages or computer programming, or are not a member of a minority or other group for which the program is designed.
Some application forms also require that your responses be in a particular format. Although it is generally considered to be best practice to type one's answers on paper forms, some applications may specifically require handwriting. There are forms that may indicate that you should use black ink only, while others specify blue ink. Some forms may need to be printed in block letters or all capital letters. Although such details may seem trifling, they are important indicators of an applicant's attentiveness and ability to follow directions precisely. Many organizations will simply discard applications that do not follow the directions to the letter, on the grounds that people who do not read and follow them are not worth the trouble of dealing with.
Information
Particularly if you are going to be applying to several programs, you can gather information that is typically required on applications. For instance, you can prepare lists of academic interests, social activities, and organizations that you have belonged to. You can also make a list of special skills that you have developed, such as foreign language proficiencies or the ability to code in particular computer languages.
You may also want to make lists of people who can offer recommendations. It is generally considered courteous to approach potential recommenders and ask their permission before turning in their names on a form. By identifying instructors, employers and other people who may be able to speak well of your abilities and potential and speaking with them about the possibilities of recommendations before you begin, you will not have to worry about someone turning you down and leaving your short of the requisite number of recommendations right when you need to turn in the application.
Research
Sometimes, doing a little research can be beneficial. Generally you will want to research the company or organization which sponsors the internship before you even begin filling out their application. You will probably want to start with an Internet search, but particularly if you have very specific questions about the application, you may want to actually talk with someone who can answer them.
When you are researching, you will be looking for information about the mission and aims of the company or organization so that you can phrase your answers in your application to fit in with it. The people who are reading and considering your applications are looking for people who are a good fit, and they will appreciate seeing your awareness of what they are about.
Also, you want to make sure that you really do know what company or organization you are applying with. Every year, an alarming number of applicants write things in their applications which make it painfully clear that they have the target company or organization confused with another that has a similar name but a completely different mission. Needless to say, such applications go straight into the circular file, and the poor souls who sent them often never have a clue as to why they can't get the time of day from these people.
These are just some of the things you can do to prepare for the process of applying for an internship. These tips will also be useful when it comes time to actually apply for full-time permanent work.
