Internships can play a huge role in helping college students get better job opportunities and make more money post-graduation. According to Forbes, an internship has a 60% chance of turning into a full-time job offer from that company. It is obvious that the after-effects of internships are all positive, but how do students with no professional work experience land internships with these big popular companies?

Do you believe your resume is holding you back? A good resume is key when catching an employer’s eye and landing your dream interview or job. A simple slip-up in your resume could cost you a great opportunity. Do not let mistakes determine your future, and don’t let your resume be just another paper in the stack. 

Imagine updating your resume with skills and certifications you worked hard to obtain, feeling confident you go on Indeed and start applying for all the available opportunities you know for a fact you qualify for. Cover letters typed and submitted, dates of experiences in your resume updated, you have just applied for ten or more jobs and now you wait. Weeks go by and no word from an employer. You are anxious and wonder why. Let’s break down what may have happened to your resume when applying for this job.

When applying for that first corporate job, the question that goes through most prospective employees’ minds is, “how do I get this company to notice me, what will help me stand out?” The answer is simple: a resume/cover letter that matches your job description. Jobs are not one size fits all, so your resume should be fine-tuned to each employer when applying for a job. If you give the same resume to every job, you better hope that every job has the same description of what they need. Doing this will really limit you from becoming a prospective employee and make you easily skippable. When coming out of school, showing your accomplishments and job history is cool for the show, but that is not what is going to get you hired. The reason why the employer made this opening in the first place was to look for SKILLS that would be assets to their company. By matching your resume to the job description and showing why you should be chosen, you will have a much higher chance of getting selected for an interview.

Not sure how to make your resume and cover letter memorable? Here are some tips for selling yourself and making a great first impression.

Do your research 

Learn all you can about the company you are applying to and lend some thought to how you intend to portray yourself. Understand what both you, and the company, are looking for.

How to: Write a Successful Cover Letter 

The STAR method is way to sell yourself by communicating your strengths and skills through telling a story about a time where you applied them. You may have to engage in some self exploration because while a story might not seem interesting to you, it may be interesting to an employer. While you are aware of your capabilities, remember the hiring manager is not! The STAR method helps you communicate your abilities in a way that is engaging and easy to follow. This method can be used in interviews and resumes! There are four parts to the STAR method: situation, asks, actions, and result.

We all know what it means to take a break; to take time for yourself, and recharge before you continue on your journey. Did you know how important it is for your health? Working too hard can lead to a burn out, which can stall your job search process. Searching for your dream job can be stressful. Also, creating the perfect resume or perfecting your LinkedIn profile takes time. But despite this, it’s also important to take some time for yourself.