When Should You Apply for the Internship/Job?

Q: Should I still apply to the internship/job even if you don’t meet all of the requirements?

Our answer is yes (kind of). Qualifications are a road map of what an ideal candidate would look like. Industry experience or a degree in a specific field rules out candidates who would require too much training, but they are not always hard and fast rules.

You should apply even if you don’t meet all the qualifications if:

You have related experience. Related experience in a different field might provide unique insight into the new industry you’re trying to break into. Political campaign interns haven’t necessarily worked at a marketing firm, but they will certainly have experience in social media and marketing after helping run a November election. Likewise someone who lacks the education requirements of a particular job but who has interned in the industry for over two years should not rule themselves out simply because they have yet to receive their degree. School projects, volunteer work, electives and extracurriculars can all enhance a resume or cover letter if the experience is related to the job you’re applying for.

You should probably hold off on applying if:

The job requires a strong technical or academic requirement you don’t fulfill. Technical training is intensive, if employers require extensive knowledge in a technical field it is likely they will not want to spend the time teaching this to you, or that your other experiences will apply.

Passion, enthusiasm, and a strong work ethic are all qualities that cannot be taught on the job but have primary importance for employers seeking top employees. Highlight the things that make you stand out, and make sure to specify how your experience relates to the work at hand. If they do require specific skills, take an online course to learn the basics before the day of your interview. Not only will this put you one step ahead of other applicants, it will show the company how dedicated you are to getting the position.

LeCrone , Liz . "How to Ask for Time Off During Your Summer Internship » InternMatch Student Blog." Find Internships | Intern Jobs | Paid Internships. N.p., 2 July 2013. Web. 3 July 2013. <http://www.internmatch.com>.

Comments

Informational Interview with Civil and Criminal Defense Lawyer

I conducted an informational interview with a Civil and Criminal defense lawyer in New York City. He has been associated with this profession since twenty five years. He spends most of his time dealing cases in Kings County. · What types of criminal defense matters do you handle? The first case that I dealt in court was an arson case. On average, I handle about 2 homicide cases per year. Most common cases are drug cases and white collar crime . I have also handled thousands of DUIs (Driving under the Influence) and a handful of sex crimes over the years. I handle both misdemeanors and felonies. · Can you tell me about a typical day on the job? There is no such thing as an average day for an attorney, you might spend whole day...

The Benefits of Having Your Visions/Goals Outlined

We all remember creating some sort of vision board as a project for a class in either elementary school or middle school, and at that time, we either saw it as something fun and exciting to do, or just another stressful homework/project. As we get older, things similar to a vision board/creating outlines for things we want to accomplish become essential for our everyday lifestyle, and our long term goals. Today, we’ll be looking at some of the benefits of having a plan/schedule or outline for everyday life, as well as long term goals. 1. When you have a schedule/a to-do list, you efficiently assign a sufficient amount of time required to complete certain tasks, rather than leave most things undone because of distractions or not having a particular guideline to follow. This is most prominent amongst youths as we often get side tracked by social media, or other entertainment factors that hinder us from completing our daily tasks. 2. Motivation: When you wake up everyday, look at the...

Benefits of Having a Mentor

You cannot succeed in life on your own. In the journey of personal and professional growth, you need guidance, wisdom and support. Mentorships embody all that for a great success story. It is a relationship whit the personal attribute is to advise, support and nurture the mentee to reach their full potential. Let’s explore the profound benefit of mentorships. · Building Confidence. Your mentor is, to put it mildly, your personal cheerleader. He provides constructive feedback and encouragement. Mentees gradually build confidence in their abilities to succeed and also help them to conquer their fear of the unknown and gain resilience and determination. · Personalized Guidance. What is good for you is not automatically good for someone else. It is not a one size fit all. Each mentorship is designed to address an individual’s unique strength, weakness, goals and aspirations. With this personal approach, your mentor is there to guide you on matters that concern you and only you. · Personal ...

Search This Blog