During these unprecedented times, internships have been ruined left and right, companies have had no choice but to lay off their employees, and it is getting increasingly tougher to get a job. I had an internship lined up for the summer, but it got cancelled because of COVID and that made me very upset. Companies had to find a way to make it up to students who either had an internship with them or lost one along the way. Most came up with a Zoom internship in which once a week, there would be a speaker from a different department in the company who gave a presentation about what their experiences were, and they shared helpful tips for students still in college. Now, you may be wondering why this is so important. Companies are still working hard to provide this opportunity to you, and it will help you create a relationship with them because they know you care if you participate. Building relationships during this time is very important because it’s such a competitive job market and any advantage will help you in the long run.
If you participate in one of these virtual internships, then you will need to know some important tips to make you look even better in the employer’s eye:
- Dress appropriately. The most important thing about this is to not look like you just rolled out of bed. Treat it like a regular workday and come with a positive attitude.
- Think of Questions. Throughout the meeting, think of questions to ask at the end and take down any notes that you find helpful.
- Come with a smile! This may be the most important tip of all, because you want to make a good impression on the people talking. Be attentive, answer any questions they have, and ask questions! That is what they are there for, they would love to answer any question you have.
Zoom and many other virtual meeting apps have transformed the way business is run, and this may be the way of the future. Along with school being virtual, it is also a great idea to get used to using these services in a business setting and know how to act while on them. We will see where the future takes us, but for now we are restricted to these virtual means of communicating with people/businesses. So, why not get a head start?
On November 17th, 2020 I'll be hosting a LIVE Q+A on Instagram!
Head on over to our Instagram page on 11/17/20 for an interactive Q+A with me about this topic and more! Hope to see you there!
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