blog:

Calling all college students! You’ve heard it before – in today’s professional marketplace, experience is critical in cultivating a successful marketing career. But we all have to start somewhere; and for you that probably means a summer internship.

You know an internship is one of the most important steps you should take before graduation, but just how can you land that next internship? Many of us at Brighton were in your shoes not too long ago; so we’re happy to share a few insights and blunders from our own experiences.

Let’s start with the basics…

The Resume –

• Take advantage of your University’s career center, professors, and other industry contacts to provide resume critiques. These seasoned professionals will be able to point out stumbling blocks and suggest trigger words that recruiters will be seeking.
• Put your professional experience front and center. A college degree is a given for most candidates; so move your education section to the bottom in order to highlight your applicable and transferable skills first.
• You may be proud to have been named West Skyline’s Hot Dog Eating Champion, but we don’t care. Drop any unnecessary social accolades from your resume.
• Your resume should be a top line overview of your knowledge and proficiencies in marketing agency disciplines best practices, but at this point in your career, your resume should never be longer than one page.
• Don’t rely on spell-check. Proof. And then proof again.
• PDF. It is universally accepted by almost all desktops. If you use unique formatting techniques or stretched margins, be sure to change your documents to PDF before submitting to a recruiter.

The Cover Letter –

• Forgotten by so many, the cover letter carries nearly half the weight in an application review. Excellent persuasive writing and a mastery of editing are essential competencies for any profession associated with communications or message delivery. Your cover letter gives the hiring manager a window into your abilities and style.
• If your cover letter isn’t the text of your email, be sure to include a note that entices the recruiter to hear more about your qualifications and open the attachments.
• Double check the salutation before hitting send. Nothing is a bigger turnoff than getting an application addressed to another person or worse, a competing agency.
• I’m a broken record, proof. And then proof again.

Have I told you anything earth shattering? No, but every application offers opportunities for a foot in the door, which in turn will become a foundation for valuable experience.

Stay tuned for more industry know-how on landing your next internship…

• Tweet