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Tips For Filling In Internship Application Forms
When you fill in your application forms for an internship, you will want to make sure they are the best you can make them. Your application is generally the first thing your prospective internship employer sees about you, and will probably be the basis by which they decide whether to give you a further chance. It should stand out from the rest of the forms that your competition has submitted.
Filling In Written Forms
It is wise to photocopy the application form even before you start writing on it. This will allow you to practice filling in the form, to make sure that the information you write will fit the spaces given. This is especially true if you are typing the form, since you will want to make sure the type will fall into the boxes and not alongside them. If you handwrite your form (and some programs require that you do so), black ink is generally standard. However, a few programs will require that you fill out their applications in blue ink, so be sure to read the directions very carefully to catch these unusual requirements.
Filling In Online Forms
If you are completing and online application form, you will typically be required to register and give basic personal information before you even get to the main application form. If this is the case, carefully record information you put in your registration details. In this way, you can ensure that you will have consistent information in both your registration and application details. Since online forms are often pre-checked by computers, slightly different formatting of names and addresses can be flagged as inconsistencies and cause your application to be rejected out of hand.
Additionally, always double-check your application before you submit it. It would be best if you can print it out. By having a hardcopy of your application, you will be able to review it before you interview and refresh your memory of what you stated in it. There are few things more embarrassing in an interview than being caught contradicting something you plainly stated in your application, and the appearance of duplicity can be disastrous to your chances of getting your internship.
A General Guide To The Different Sections
The employment and education sections of your form are usually straightforward and self-explanatory. They should also be answered with complete honesty, since the information is easy to confirm. Deliberately omitting problematical information such as a job that ended badly or a degree program that was abandoned midway through can be as dangerous as deliberately fabricating non-existent experience, since prospective employers may wonder what else you are trying to hide.
If you are applying for an international internship, be aware that standards for qualification vary in different countries. However, you do not have to convert your qualifications into the format of the country you are applying in, since most employers already use a qualification conversion table to do the task in a standard manner.
Some forms will want you to list all the classes you have taken and the grades you received on them. By contrast, others will want only a general summary or the highlights of your relevant classwork, and will rely upon an official transcript from your institution for the detailed information.
The employment section of the form would usually require you to provide information about the different jobs you have had. In addition to the straightforward information such as job titles, dates of employment, and compensation rates, you may be asked for a description of your duties. You will want to keep it straightforward, focusing on action verbs, particularly if space is limited Also remember to add in voluntary or part-time work if you have had any.
Finally, you will generally be required to provide references. You should give careful consideration on who you will include in this list. You will want to choose people who will speak well of your abilities and work habits. In addition, it is always courteous to ask their permission before listing them to make sure they would have no objection to recommending you. Nobody likes to be caught by surprise, and it can very easily result in needless harm to your reputation if the person speaks in anger rather than consideration.
In completing a form, make sure that you keep it short and to the point. Most employers hate extremely long responses that have useless data such as awards gained from kindergarten or even prep school. The less they have to wade through, the more likely they are to see your outstanding characteristics that are actually relevant to the position you're looking for.
