What Employers Think About Interns
Dress up for the interview.
Even if the company has a casual dress code, you don’t work there yet. Wear a suit to your first interview. Ford said this is a mistake he sees many intern applicants make.
“We are a very casual company – blue jeans and t-shirt kind of company – but when someone comes to an interview in a tank top and flip flops, we have a problem with your judgment.”
Ask questions at the end of the interview.
Ford says, “Just having a couple questions, even it’s about the culture of the company and the dress code shows me that they are interested in accepting the position if it’s offered.”
Leave your parents at home.
Starla Middlebrooks is the Global Public Relations Manager at Titan Wood Limited in Dallas, Texas. She says one of the worst mistakes she’s seen college students make during the internship application process is “having parents call with questions”.
Do follow-up after submitting your resume and/or interviewing.
Every employer we interviewed for this article agreed that following-up after submitting your resume or interviewing is a must. Most don’t mind whether you call or email as long as you are professional and polite.
Erika Cavins is Director of Campus Recruitment for The McTigue Financial Group, which has one of the most sought after financial internship programs in Chicago. She advises students to be proactive. "Beyond submitting your resume, follow-up with the recruiter either with an email or phone call. If you really want this experience, let the recruiter know you do and why you do."
Colson summed it up by saying, “Not following up is one of the major mistakes that lots of students make. I am very busy -- recruiting interns is not exactly my sole responsibility here at MCC. For students to get on my list of priorities, it helps for them to put themselves in front of me. Since I’m looking for marketing-minded individuals, I’m much more likely to choose someone who markets and sells themselves to me.”