After a grueling initial interview, you have reached the second interview stage and you find out the position is going to come down between you and two other applicants. Each of you possess similar credentials from credible academic institutions, held office in a couple of academic clubs, and sport impressive GPAs. The Department Manager reviews the resumes one more time and decides on one of your competitors.
Why did they pick him / her? Because last summer, while you were soaking up the surf in San Diego, your competition was gaining valuable on-the-job experience, volunteering their time through an unpaid internship. Even though all of the paid internships through the Placement Office were gone, there was another option … the unpaid internship. If you are still looking for a strategy that can help your career in the long run, consider these factors about an unpaid internship:
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
Training costs are a major factor considered by business entities when making hiring decisions. Department Managers want to be sure that (1) you can be brought up to speed on job duties quickly, (2) you can successfully function in the corporate culture. An internship targeting your career path can provide you with valuable real-world experience that your resume writer can use to give your resume the edge over the competition.
Additionally, the employer's only has to check your references to learn that you take direction well and respond to Supervisor input … factors many employers wish they'd known about recent college graduates before the hiring decision was made.
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
We've all heard the phrase "It's not what you know … it's WHO you know." Being ejected from a bachelor degree program without any connections puts you behind the proverbial eight ball right away. Working an internship gives you the opportunity to build your network within the industry even before you are available for permanent hire.
While your internship employer may not be in a hiring mode at the time, they may be able to point you in the right direction … and even put in a good word for you. Imagine the weight this can carry in a close competition with another graduate.
SHOW YOUR DEDICATION
Want to "wow" an interviewer? Tell him how you volunteered your time in the summer to learn the industry and position specifics … and that you did it for nothing! Congratulations … you have immediately communicated your dedication and seriousness to your career in the eyes of your interviewer. Now, when you convey to them that you are looking to be a serious player in the company and the profession, it is backed by your willingness to sacrifice your free time to do so.
CAREER COMPATIBILITY Let's not forget you in this equation. How do you know if this career path is for you? Does the profession have inherent characteristics you wouldn't find out about in a classroom setting? Your internship just might show you that this path isn't for you … before it is too late.
There are many employers who would love the luxury of to bring someone in to perform ground-level duties for a couple of months and not have to pay the associated employee costs, so a little leg work will surely find you a position that can give you the experience and professional insight you can use to get you over the top. Just remember, next summer's beach trip will be much more enjoyable with a paycheck to fund it.
William Mitchell is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and Owner/Lead Writer of The Resume Clinic (http://www.theresumeclinic.com) which provides targeted resume and cover letter packages at affordable prices.
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CAREER
ASSESSMENT TIME?
If you need a change in career path, you should be taking a closer look at your particular abilities and interests, which will go a long way in helping you to make better choices when facing critical decisions that decide your employment direction.
Before setting your goals in stone, try pondering the things you enjoy doing more than anything else, the particular skills you possess, and how the challenges that lie ahead might impact you and your family's future. At some point you'll want to ask yourself some of the following questions:
- Where do I currently stand in terms of career development?
- What are my interests, strengths and abilities as they relate to my future goals?
- Have I identified various programs and training that will assist me in my journey to reach my goals?
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Questions To Consider About Your Resume Writer
- Is your resume writer certified by a reputable resume writing organization?
- Does your resume writer possess at least 12 years of resume writing experience?
- Is your resume writer available throughout the day to discuss your project?
- Are flexible appointment hour available from your resume writer?
- Does your resume writer use print marketing strategies to get you noticed?
- Can your resume writer offer over 10 years of hiring and interviewing expertise to the project?
- Is your resume writer punctual in returning phone calls?
- Will your resume writer show you samples of work prior to job acceptance?
- Does your resume writer offer a performance guarantee?
If the answer to any of these questions is "no", then you should consider The Resume Clinic.
If you answered "no" to any of these questions , then you should consider The Resume Clinic. Try Resu-Chek, our free 25-point resume analysis system that provides invaluable insight into your resume's weaknesses.
"A Resume Writer is a Resume Writer, but a Resume Clinic Resume Writer is an Artist!"
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