Career And Leadership Services Sample Cover Letters - School Of: Fill & Download for Free

The Most Effective Ways to Write a Perfect Cover Letter [with Examples]Plato once said that the beginning is the most important part of the work. He didn’t say that in the midst of a job search, but he was right. Speaking of your cover letter, starting in a modest manner doesn’t pay off. Making a mighty entrance with designed career documents is what makes recruiters listen up (and call you back, eventually).The process of scanning applications has never been faster. Whether it’s your cover letter or your resume, either of them has just a few seconds to impress. And that’s the reason behind the introductory paragraph being the single most important part of your cover letter.Our cover letter guide will teach you how to transform its introduction into a captivating story that will help you land an interview. And we’ll not only tell you how it’s done, but we will also show you how to make it work in reality.While writing a cover letter, it is important to:1. Address your cover letter2. Target company needs3. Mention your mutual connection4. Show your passion5. Use humor and creativity1. To whom should I address my cover letter to?If you want to get to know someone, the first thing you need to know is their name. The same goes for the hiring process. Starting your cover letter with generic “Hello” or “To Whom it May Concern” is nothing extraordinary. But taking the time to look up the hiring manager’s name and starting with ”Dear Susan”? Pure gold.Personalize your cover letter and get closer to the person you’re talking to. Look in the job posting, on the company website or LinkedIn. Once you know the recruiter’s full name, start with ‘Dear Susan’ or ‘Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Camarena’. However, don’t use “Miss” or “Mrs” unless you know what’s the recruiter’s preference. “Ms” will work just fine and won’t comment on marital status.On the other hand, academic titles like “Dr” or “Professor” are definitely something to include.Still, there’s a chance your name search will for some reason fail. Don’t worry, then. You can either ditch the salutation altogether and start with the first line of the letter or use any of the following:Dear Software Team Hiring ManagerDear Hiring ManagerTo Whom it May ConcernDear [Company Name] Recruiter2. Target company needs.Remember that for virtually any job you’re going to compete with a bunch of other job seekers that are similarly qualified. One of the best ways to make your cover letter stand out is to highlight something about yourself that’s going to ring the bell with the recruiter.First of all, have a look at the job offer. It will be packed with company needs. Pick those that you can easily relate to. Then brainstorm an achievement that best fits the job description.Bring up a character trait, an accomplishment or a really impressive skill. Connect the dots between how your business value relates to the new job you’re hoping to score. Craft a captivating opening paragraph adorned with an impressive achievement.This will only make sense if you feature quantifiable results. Recruiters love seeing numbers so if you’re talking about “proven success”, don’t forget to provide numbers and stats to back it up.Company needs: Examples of how to start a cover letterDear Steve,I am so excited [Company XYZ] needs a marketing director skilled at storytelling and driving ROI for student travel. With my track record of boosting marketing ROI by 55% through storytelling and creative leadership, I think I’m a great fit.Over the past year as digital marketing manager at [Company XYZ] I’ve generated $50k+ in revenue, increased organic traffic to our blog by 18%, and almost tripled our social media ROI.Over the course of last year, I more than doubled [Company XYZ]’s Twitter followers and ran two successful Instagram ad campaigns that generated $35K+ in revenue. I’d love to bring my expertise in organically expanding the social reach and delivering ROI to the social media manager position at [Company XYZ].As a longtime fan of [Company XYZ]’s internal certifications, I was excited to see your project manager opening. With my experience cutting costs 65% for [Company XYZ] while dropping lead times 25% and boosting quality, I think I can help with [Company XYZ]’s current challenges as I continue to expand my skill set.2. Include company facts and news.Begin your cover letter with a little digging. To find some captivating cover letter openers, look for facts stemming from recent news about the company. Take time to browse their website and read news articles online. These sources can provide you with interesting facts that you can easily relate to. Who wouldn’t like to hire someone who already knows everything about their brand?Hiring managers treasure authentic enthusiasm because it tends to translate to motivated and highly successful employees. Kick-off your cover letter with a little (genuine) flattery. To avoid sounding insincere with your compliments, tell a story.Including the company news gives you a chance to sneak in your own values, too. Also, research shows that stories are up to 22 times more memorable than dry facts. Any specific event, fact, notable statistic or a recent award the company earned can be a good starting point of your narrative. Let’s say the company’s just won an award for its innovative solutions in the computer industry. Take advantage of it and follow up with how much you value forward-thinking methods in technology.Company facts and news: Examples of how to start a cover letterDear Nancy,The [Company XYZ]’s emphasis on employee development is why I’m so excited about this position. My 98% client satisfaction rate at [Company XYZ] owes a lot to my commitment to constant skills improvement. I’m excited to see where I could take your client KPIs within such a well-constructed system.When I saw that [Company XYZ] was featured in Fortune Magazine last month for its commitment to renewable energy and reducing waste in the workplace, I was truly inspired. With my track record of reducing costs by over 30% and promoting sustainable technologies, I’m excited about the opportunity to take on the account executive role to expand your company’s growth and work towards a greener future.Having grown up in Harlem, I understand firsthand why you’ve earned your reputation as one of the most visited burger places in New York. Since I was a teen, I’ve been hanging out at your restaurant every Friday. Now I want to impress your customers in the same way your staff has so graciously done for me.3. Highlight a mutual connection.You’ve managed to scramble a few decent accomplishments, but nothing groundbreaking. What else could you turn to? Use the strength of your professional network. Referrals can work their magic when it comes to getting an interview, so be sure to mention yours right away. Maybe you just happen to be friends with an ex-colleague that referred you to a position, company, or specific hiring manager. Make a strategic move and use the name right away in your cover letter.A valuable connection that can throw a positive light on your professional skills is worth its weight in gold. Name-dropping your mutual contact means there are professionals willing to back up your skills and vouch for you. After reading your cover letter, recruiters will most likely want to learn why your referrer thought you’d be a good fit for the position.And what if you’ve got no name to drop? Go out and network. Contact and meet people that work for the company. It’s one of the best ways to get closer to the job you’re hoping to score.Name-Dropping: Examples of how to start a cover letterDear Robert,Brad Smith suggested I apply to this position because she knows that my software solutions achieved 97% performance-to-goals at [Company XYZ] and that you’re looking for a developer what works with speed and absolute precision.I was excited to learn of this job opportunity from my former colleague, Lucy May. We’ve worked closely together for several years, most recently on a complex data analysis project at [Company XYZ]. She advised me to apply as she thought I’d be a good match for this position on your team.Justin Rosewood suggested I contact you regarding the Customer Service Representative position at [Company XYZ]. I met Justin last year when we volunteered together at a local mobile food bank. Working closely together allowed him to see my ability to genuinely connect with others, which is why he’s referred me to this role on your team.4. Show passion for what you do.None of the previous openers worked for you? Well, maybe the shiniest fact about you is your passion.The employer wants to see you’ll stay dedicated to the role and company. A motivated employee that comes with a strong work ethic has a great value. If you enjoy your job, you’re more likely to stick around longer, help drive company growth and become an enthusiastic member of the team. So if you’re all hype about the company, don’t hesitate to infuse your cover letter with a couple of sentences demonstrating your excitement about what the job entails.Passion: Examples of how to start a cover letterDear Sharon,When faced with the CPA exam in school, I told my mentor, “I want to blow this test out of the water,” and I did. Beyond my 98 average score across all four sections, a passion for finance has always been the guiding factor in my life. That’s why I’m so excited at the chance to work for [Company XYZ].Graphic design for jewelry shows has always been a passion of mine. My panel talk on jewelry graphics at the AIGA Design Conference was put on YouTube and retweeted 2,300 times.When I was young, all I wanted to be was a musician busking the streets of Chicago. Unfortunately, my guitar skills have faded over the years, but I still love to work with a crowd and entertain the masses — passions that I hope qualify me to become your new community manager.5. Use humor and creativity.First of all, recruiters are humans too. Amidst a pile of boring resumes and repetitive cover letters, they may find a good joke, juicy pun or funny opening line as a nice refreshing break (plus maybe a reason to call you up for an interview). Gauging your recruiters is a matter of educated guesswork. Would they appreciate some sass or snark? If so, peppering your cover letter with an anecdote will be an appropriate way to make them smile. And if they don’t? Erm, who knows.Besides being a nice tool to ease things off a bit, humor can be a part of a powerful explanation for why you’re the right person for the job. Listen closely to the tone of the job posting. Then you’ll be able to say whether or not to take the creative route.Humor and creativity: How to start a cover letter examplesDear Marilyn,Before I flood you with all the reasons why I’m going to be your next writer, I would like to tell you a little about myself. I didn’t learn to hold a pencil until I was about six years old, which made everyone think I’d never open a single letter. And now here I am, bidding to become your next Shakespeare.Have you ever met a guy checking his social media accounts bazillion times a day? Yep, that’s me, nice to meet you. I’m here to offer my expertise and become your full-time social media manager. Fortunately, I offer more value than a procrastinating kid. Let me tell you more.Gosh! Thank you so much for offering me the position of marketing specialist at [Company XYZ]! Well, I know we’re not quite there yet. But if we were, let me tell you what I’d do for you once a member of your team.KEY TAKEAWAYSThis guide has shown you several powerful ways to start your cover letter. Choose whichever suits you the best and the one that you can feel comfortable with. The rest of your cover letter is important, too. Each and every word and sentence should be there for a reason. If you want to bring it to perfection, check out our ultimate guide to writing a perfect cover letter and also take out any worn-out phrases and clichés that no one really wants to see. Finally, close your cover letter the way you opened it — with a style. For some real-world examples, head over to our help center to see a packed library of 50+ real cover letter samples from job seekers who got hired by leading brands like Microsoft, IBM or IKEA.

These and more resources are part of pdf series:ALL THE GRE, GMAT and IELTS Preparation Material You'll Ever Need!Introduction: Applying for graduate school can be tedious and nerve-wracking, and perhaps the worst step is getting good recommendation letters. But the process can be survived, and I can tell you how.Unfortunately you can't write your own recommendation letters (wouldn't be ethical), but if you get started early during your senior year of college and stay focused and organized, you will find that you can substantially influence what goes into the letters your references write, and the ultimate strength of those letters.I have seen more than 1,000 recommendation letters,so perhaps I can offer some tips to help you get the best recommendation letters possible for graduate school applications.WHY do you need strong recommendation letters?At many institutions, recommendation letters--usually three are required - are just as important in graduate school admissions process as your undergraduate GPA and your scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).The letters provide the admissions committee with proof of some of the things you will declare on your resume and in your "Statement of Purpose" essay required by most schools. If you've cultivated relationships with professors at your school, their subjective appraisal of your skills and traits will go a long way toward helping you get admitted to graduate school.Often selection committees will use the numeric figures (GPA, GRE) to make initial cuts in the applicant pool, and then, during the most intense phase of the competition (and it is intense), the committee will look to your recommendation letters for convincing endorsements. Most programs also have a form that your references must fill out, answering short questions about your potential for successful grad school coursework, and then the recommenders are asked to rank you in comparison to other students they have taught over the years. Don't worry, this isn't as bad as it sounds.Just so you know, graduate schools look for:Intellectual development through collegeAptitude for independent thinking and researchAnalytical abilities and writing skillsLeadership or creative qualitiesYour references need to support their comments with anecdotes or specific examples of your performance as an undergraduate.That kind of specificity of detail makes for good,convincing writing. If the professor can offer only generic bromides such as "she was a fine student, never missed class and was always punctual and attentive," then admissions committee members will recognize that this professor doesn't know the student very well.WHEN should you ask for recommendation letters?You will find that many graduate schools set an application deadline in November or December.These are hectic months for professors. The semester is driving toward an end, the holidays loom ahead and term papers and final exams are streaming in, waiting to be graded (and you thought only the poor students suffer end-of-semester stresses). So, anticipate these pressures and ask for letters early - in September.Leave the writers at least three weeks to prepare the letters.Two weeks might force the writers to do a shoddy rush job, and four weeks might tempt them to doze off and forget where they put your application forms. Three weeks seems about right. It always strained my patience when a student sprinted into my office, splashed a half dozen application forms across my desk and asked, "Professor, could you please do these grad school reference letters for me by, maybe,uh, like, next Monday."I always stifled my impulse to reply, "Yes, maybe, uh, like I will do that just as soon as I finish sticking your skinny neck under a guillotine!" But I knew the letters were important, so I always agreed to do my best to help students meet deadlines, figuring that was part of why the university paid me.Because professors tend to be preoccupied with their own academic work, it's a good idea for you to remind them, gently, about one week before your application deadline,that you need them to finish your letter. Remind them again, as the deadline closes in. Most professors will respond to that prodding in a friendly fashion. They know their letter is essential, and they once went through the same anxiety-producing process of tracking down letters and preparing portfolios and so on. Be assertive in a friendly way, until you know their letter is in the mail.The key to the whole process of getting the best recommendation letters for your graduate school application is for you to get started early; carefully organize your materials so that you can orchestrate what each letter-writer discusses; and be sure to place into their hands enough specific information that their task will be made easier and their letter will be far more effective once it reaches the hands of grad school officials.Who can write the best recommendation letters for you?You do not necessarily want to seek out your department's most prestigious professors to write you letters. Instead, find those who can comment specifically on who you are as a person and student. Schools won't recognize a professor's name, but they will recognize his or her passion for your future.It helps if the professor has taught graduate classes, and can compare your potential to the abilities of his or her own previous grad students. Often the instructor who knows you best is a grad student who has taught you in a course, but you are better off finding veteran professors who have experience writing recommendation letters. If you have completed an internship -especially one related to the graduate field you wish to pursue - then ask for a letter from the person who supervised that internship (an editor, an office manager, a research scientist you assisted, etc.). While not necessary, it would help if that person has a graduate degree and thus understands what grad school requires of students. You would be wise to include only one reference who is not a professor.Give careful thought to the individuals you choose to write your recommendation letters.They could determine your future.Most professors will not take the responsibility of writing a letter for you if they anticipate giving you a negative appraisal. But don't let a "no" depress you. That person may be fighting a deadline for a book; she may be caring for sick family members; she may have a crumbling marriage; she may be overwhelmed with committee work; she may feel that she doesn't know you or your work well enough to write a good letter; or she may believe that you really should be applying for a job flipping burgers at the Dairy King. Don't spend five seconds worrying about this situation. You are better off finding a reference who is sanguine about your future in grad school. Move on to your next choice.How should you ask for a recommendation letter?E-mail your professors and request a meeting to discuss your grad school plans. Ask in a tactful but direct way, "Professor, would you be able to write a strong recommendation letter when I apply to grad school?" Try to determine from their response if they will give you lukewarm or enthusiastic support.What do your letter-writers need from you?Here's where you can seriously influence the contents and effectiveness of the recommendation letters.First of all,try to arrange it so that the letters complement rather than merely echo one another. This can be achieved in part through selecting which particular items you give each reference before they begin writing, and helps tell more of a complete story about you.Have one professor write about the quality of your research and term papers, and perhaps have him mention any study abroad experiences; have another address your oral communication skills, leadership abilities, moral character and personality; have a former internship supervisor talk about your work habits, the nature of your internship, your motivation, and what you contributed to the company or organization where you interned. If you worked to help finance your way through college, this last individual could mention that. You might simply make a bulleted list of the specific things you'd like a particular letter-writer to address, and add are quest: "If you can, please discuss these topics in your letter."Make sure your references fully understand your career goals.Talk to them about this, and give them a copy of your "Statement of Purpose," where you further elaborate on your professional objectives. Try to "aim" your letter-writers specifically toward the kind of graduate program you're seeking. If you are applying for grad study in biology, for example, you will want one of your writers to lay special emphasis on your experience as a lab researcher. If you are seeking a grad degree in psychology, you might want extra space to be devoted in a letter to describing your interpersonal abilities. And then provide information and samples of your work that will help your references illustrate what they will be writing about you.You are, in effect, helping to create your own profile, offering a more balanced portrait of who you are.Trust me, the professors will welcome your help (writing good recommendation letters takestime, and can be a challenge even for skilled writers). The more prepared my students were,when they requested a letter, the easier my task was, and the more effective my letter was.Let's say you want me to write a recommendation for you. Here is a helpful list of things you can prepare for me and your other references:A copy of your resume and perhaps of your transcript (the latter doesn't have to be official, it can just be a photocopy).A cover sheet highlighting salient details of your academic life - Which of my courses did you take, and when? What grades did you receive in each class? What is your overall GPA? What is your GPA in your major field? Did you take a minor, and if so, how will it enhance your graduate studies? This cover sheet could also contain that list of things you want me to be sure to address, in the letter.A term paper or long examination that I have graded (I cannot recall something I wrote on your paper two years ago, so jog my memory), or a story you wrote for the student newspaper, or a report you wrote after a semester's research in a laboratory.A copy of your personal "Statement of Purpose" essay that you will submit with your application. (I may wind up critiquing your essay, and helping you make your statement more compelling. This essay also should help me further understand why you have decided to go to graduate school, and in what field, and in preparation for which career.)A well-organized series of files, one for each graduate school where you will be applying.Each school will ask that I fill out a form, evaluating your potential for success in grad school. Before you give the form to me, fill out the portion that pertains to you (usually at the top of page one). Be certain that you write on the outside of each file which school is involved, where I am to send my letter (cite individual names, titles, if you can), and what my deadline is. Professors can be world-class procrastinators, they can be as fuzzy as cotton boll, and they often stay so immersed in their research and lectures that they cannot tell you what day it is. Help them - stress the deadline.If I am mailing the letter,give me a stamped, addressed envelope. If you are going to pick up my letter and mail it with your packet, I will seal it and write my name across the seal (grad schools require that). More and more schools are requesting online recommendations. Be sure I know which of your potential schools do that, and give me the proper URL, so I can find your electronic file and post my letter. For each file dedicated to one of the schools where you're applying, make it clear to me how that grad program differs from the others.Computers make it easy for professors to tailor their recommendation letters to fit the specific graduate program the student is pursuing.Make certain I have your telephone number and e-mail address, in case I need furtherinformation.Include a stamped self-addressed postcard bearing this message--"Please mail this card to me when you receive this letter" and I will drop that card into the envelope with your letter. That way, you can track the letter, and you need to do that until you know that all your letters have landed in the right hands.WHERE should copies of your recommendation letters be stored, for later use?Once your references have finished your letter, you might ask that they send a copy to your campus "Career Services Center," where you can establish a confidential credentials file. It can contain all your recommendation letters, a copy of your transcript and resume and other materials. Career Services (under whatever name, on your campus) will send out copies of your letters whenever you need them.You might also explore setting up a credentials file through a Web-based file management service called "http://Interfolio.com." Once your credentials go online (including your recommendation letters, resume, writing samples, your "Statement of Purpose," whatever you need there), anyone whom you authorise can go and view your materials. Once you register with Interfolio, your reference letters can be sent there electronically, by professors and others, and often this saves them a lot of trouble. Interfolio offers an affordable way of sending your materials out to grad schools, and Interfolio will send out your portfolio either by UPS or electronically to whatever destinations you identify. The site assures confidentiality, and even you cannot access are commendation letter if a professor has asked that it be kept confidentialMost recommendation forms will ask you to sign a voluntary waiver that means you are surrendering your right to view the recommendations written on your behalf. Many professors feel uncomfortable writing an open letter, and some even balk at doing so, if you don't waive your rights to view the letters. Some grad school selection committees may weigh lightly any non-restricted letters in your application. So, waive your rights to read the letters. You can generally trust that letters produced by those who have agreed to help you will be positive (and,again, you can help see to that, by giving your references plenty of help once they agree to write a letter).So,now what?Well, now you owe a debt to each person who wrote a letter recommending you. Send each a Thank You note("I know how busy you are, and that your time is valuable, so I really appreciate your help...," etc.). This is a thoughtful gesture. This is also smart politics. You may need another such letter or assistance from the same references later. Speaking from 40 years of experience, I can tell you writing recommendation letters never got easier for me. More often than not, I spent two hours marshalling my thoughts and all the details into a persuasive letter.Like most professors, I wanted my students to succeed. Nothing made me happier than to have a student drop by to tell me that he or she got accepted at a good graduate school.I write a blog here: GREKindly bestow it some look if you find time to read more such things:)Regards

It used to be that a college education in itself was enough to guarantee you a high-paying job immediately after graduation. But with more and more Americans choosing to attend college, a degree alone unfortunately doesn’t cut it anymore. Increasingly, employers expect you to have internship experience so that you come to your first job out of school ready to hit the ground running. We know that getting one can be tough, though — which is why we’ve come up with a guide containing everything you need to know about how to get an internship.Follow our advice, and you’ll get an offer in no time!Consider Your QualificationsOne of the most common misconceptions that students have about how to get an internship is that they must apply to every position that catches their eye to increase their odds. But this is a sure-fire recipe for radio silence from recruiters and hiring managers. Instead, think about the skills and experience you currently possess, and which positions you might be a good fit for based on that information. A few ways to narrow down which internships are right for you:Think about your degree: Look up common career fields and job titles for people with your major.Consider your experience: Think about your previous work experience, and which roles it might prepare you for. A student working at a campus newspaper might consider a journalism internship, while a student who tutors for a statistics class may want to look at data science internships.Identify transferable skills: Skills that help you succeed in school or in the student organizations you participate in — such as organization, critical thinking and time management — will all be useful in the working world. Some quick research should reveal which jobs require these skills.Explore your interests: With how much time you spend at work, you want to make sure you enjoy it! Write down a few career fields that interest you, and search internships in those areas.Start small: Don’t feel pressured to get your dream internship right away, especially if you have no prior work experience. Start by exploring small local organizations, groups affiliated with your school or volunteer work in order to bolster your resume.Know Where to LookOnce you have a more concrete idea of which internships would be the right fit, it’s time to see what’s out there! Here’s how you can do that.Visit Job Sites: Websites like Glassdoor have millions of job listings, so you’re bound to find something that’s right for you. You can search for the internship titles you’re interested in, and narrow results down by location, size, industry, company ratings and more. To get relevant results delivered to your inbox, create a job alert.Use Your College’s Career Resources: Almost all colleges have a career site where employers interested in hiring their students can post positions. Career and internship fairs can also be invaluable, as they allow you to connect face-to-face with hiring decision-makers.Leverage Your Network: Getting a personal recommendation can make all the difference in your internship search, so make sure to reach out to friends, family, colleagues, classmates, professors and alumni to see if they know anyone hiring. Another great strategy is to look up the companies you’re interested in and reach out to employees there for an informational interview. You never know what opportunities it might lead to!Contact Companies Directly: If you have a dream company in mind, but they don’t have any relevant internships, you can always try writing them a letter of interest in hopes that they will either contact you when one opens or even create a new one for you. It’s more of a longshot than applying directly, but you’ll never know if you don’t try.Prepare Your Application MaterialsNo matter what job you apply to, there are a few key materials you’re going to want to have on hand. Here are the most common ones, and how to perfect them before you apply.ResumeResumes are brief documents that showcase your skills, education and professional background. Typically, resumes will contain your name and contact info, education, professional summary, work experience, skills and additional experience. If you’ve never written a resume before, using a template can be helpful.Some tips to keep in mind as you write your resume:Use the STAR format — situation, task, action and result — in your work experience bullet pointsQuantify your impact whenever possible (e.g. ‘Served 50-100 customers per day and handled a cash register that totaled over $1,000 a day in sales.’)List your key wins and accomplishments, not just your day-to-day tasksHighlight meaningful extracurriculars & awardsEmphasize skills & responsibilities found in the job descriptionKeep it clean, concise & easy-to-readCover LetterCover letters add additional color and context to your application. It’s important to note, though, that cover letters shouldn’t just list what’s on your resume — they should persuade whoever is reading the letter that you are uniquely right for the job. While not always mandatory, cover letters are almost always a good idea. They show that you are passionate about the opportunity, and provide a more well-rounded picture of who you are as a candidate.Some tips to keep in mind as you write your cover letter:Start with a unique opening line — anecdotes, quotes and fun facts are all good optionsDo some research into the company, and mention a few things you’ve learned about it throughout the letter to showcase your knowledge of and passion for the organizationExplain how your previous work experience has prepared you for this roleShare a few ideas about how you would contribute to the company if hiredCustomize your cover letter for each new job that you apply toSocial Media ProfilesMany recruiters use social media to research candidates — some may even require a link to your social media profiles. So if you haven’t already, you may want to create a professional social media profile, especially on a networking site like LinkedIn.A few best practices to follow as you polish your social media presence:Choose a professional headshot for your profile pictureAdd relevant work experience as applicableKeep it appropriate — delete any suggestive references or picturesShare and engage with relevant industry contentOnline PortfolioIf you’re entering a creative field like web development, graphic design or writing, an online portfolio is an excellent way to stand out from the crowd. Platforms like Squarespace and Wix make it easy to put together a polished collection of your most notable projects and work samples.As you’re creating your profile, remember:Highlight the projects that most closely resemble the type of work you’d like to do moving forwardDescribe the impact these projects hadFeel free to add some color and design, but keep it clean and easy to readUpdate it frequentlyWith your materials ready, you’ll be ready to apply! It will likely take multiple tries, but if you keep at it, you’re bound to eventually hear back from a recruiter or hiring manager hoping to set up an interview.Interview Like an ExpertInterviewing is often the process of the job search that people dread the most. But if you adequately prepare, it won’t be nearly as intimidating. Before your interview, make sure to look up some basic information on the company — things like what products/services they offer, who’s on their leadership team, what milestones they’ve reached recently, who their competitors are, etc. Any of these subjects are fair game in an interview, and not knowing the answer to one of them will show that you haven’t done your due diligence.You can also use this information to come up with a few questions of your own. Asking your interviewer specific questions about the company will show that you are passionate, curious and well-informed.You’ll also want to research common interview questions beforehand. You can reference Glassdoor’s list of the 50 Most Common Interview Questions, as well as search interview reviews for your job title and company on Glassdoor in order to see what real recruiters are asking candidates like you. Once you’ve identified a few of the questions most likely to come up, practice them aloud with a friend.Here are some tips that can be applied to answering nearly any interview question:Get specific: There’s nothing interviewers find more frustrating than a vague or evasive answer, so when responding to a question, share specific ideas, examples and anecdotes.Think positive: Always exude enthusiasm and optimism. No one wants to hire a candidate who makes it clear that this isn’t their first-choice internship.Ask for time if necessary: When faced with a tough interview question, sometimes your mind just goes blank. That’s okay — it happens to the best of us! Rather than rushing through a half-baked answer, say “That’s a good question, let me think about it for a second,” and take a few moments to gather your thoughts.Be yourself: Students often get caught up thinking about what interviewers want to hear, but if you just tell somebody what you think you should, you risk coming off as artificial or maybe even ending up at an internship that isn’t right for you.Follow Up & Finalize the OfferOnce you’ve gotten past your interview, breathe — the hard part is over! But your work isn’t quite over just yet. To start with, you’ll need to send a thank-you note to anybody you spoke with. Thank-you notes show that you’re organized and thoughtful, which both matter a great deal to employers. To write a great thank-you letter:Send it within 24 hoursThank the interviewer for their timeMention what you enjoyed learning about the companyEnd with a call-to-action that invites them to reach out to you for anything they might need