College internships can offer worthwhile work experience and serve as an important first step to a postgraduate career. William Blair’s Jennifer Guracech, U.S. campus recruiting manager, shared her expertise and insights with five steps to help young adults refine their search, hone their skills, and land an internship.

  1. 1. Choose an Industry
    Think about your interests and what you like to learn about. Focus on a couple of industries to understand what skills and capabilities are necessary for roles. Every industry has different processes and priorities, so know what you are eligible for. For some internships, applications open over a year in advance.
  2. 2. Build Your Resume
    Your resume represents you. A good resume should be concise, well-organized, and easy to read; at this stage of your career, it should be one page maximum. A resume should contain relevant experience, including quantifiable results, leadership roles, and “so-whats?”, which highlight accomplishments and connect them to a broader impact to show why your work matters. It is critical that your resume be error-free, so look for any grammar and spelling mistakes. Always submit your resume as a PDF.
  3. 3. Network and Attend Events
    Designating time to network and attend professional events allows you to get to know an organization and them to get to know you. When networking, remember that the quality of touch points is more important than the quantity. Ask questions about topics you’re curious about, and use your resources—school networks, professional/social organizations, LinkedIn—to find established professionals in careers you’re interested in. Regarding events, pay attention and use what you learn in future networking conversations. Virtual events can be just as important as in-person events, so participate, turn on your camera, and be mindful of your background.
  4. 4. Apply
    Only apply to jobs, locations, and organizations for which you would actually accept an offer. Edit your resume to match the job description, and be honest about your experience/skills. While cover letters may not always be required, do not forget to complete all parts of the application.
  5. 5. Interview
    There are multiple types of interviews; know what format the company will be conducting so you’re prepared. Various formats include one-on-one, panel or group interviews, phone, video, or in-person. Types of interviews can be behavioral, technical, presentation, stress, or case.

    Remember that interviewers want you to do well. Aim to have the interview be conversational instead of robotic—don't just read off of your notes or screen. Know your experience and be prepared to speak to it. If you get an answer or question wrong, that’s okay—don't let yourself spiral. Often, interviewers are interested in seeing how you recover from a mistake versus getting everything “right.” You can always ask for further clarification if a question doesn’t make sense.

    Guracech also shared additional tips to consider when the interview is over. Sending a "thank you" email after the interview can go a long way in relationship-based fields. Be sure to check your email regularly and have your voicemail set up to receive messages. Finally, be honest with interviewers if they ask about preferences (location, group/team) and competing offers.

Please contact your William Blair wealth advisor for a replay of the event.