LIFE

Oh, that dream summer internship: you have applied, you have an interview and...now what? If this sounds like you it's *totally* okay. All you have to do is breathe, read our suggestions and prepare! Interviews can be scary, but you can definitely do it. (Pinky swear.)

Dress for success
No matter the internship, make sure you look your absolute best. Pull out an outfit days before, that way you won't scramble to get ready. Try it on. Walk around, sit down and do any other movements you may do the day of: It's important to be comfortable and confident with your sartorial choice. And remember this is their first impression of you, so make sure it's a good one.

Do the research
Research the company you want to intern at. It shows that you care about the position. And if they ask you questions about their company (which more times than not, they will!), you'll be ready to answer them without a sweat.

You should bring...
Your resume and cover letter, of course. Make sure when you walk into your interview, you have them both on hand. This way you look both professional and prepared. It also saves time for the interviewer if she doesn't have your resume on hand. Don't know what to put on your resume? Click here for resume basics.

Listen with intention
When your interviewer is speaking make sure you are listening. It can be easy to get inside of your head and focus too much on what you're going to say. But If you're not listening, you won't give your best response.

Ask questions
Before getting to your interview, compile a list of questions you want to ask your interviewer. That way, when they ask: "Do you have any questions for me?" You can respond thoughtfully. It's good to have a few in mind just in case the interviewer has already answered one of your questions during the interview process. Again, it also shows that you care about the position and the company.

Follow up
You should follow up with a thank you note. Depending on the speed of the hiring process, it can be a handwritten note or a thoughtfully crafted email. Someone took the time to speak with you, after all. A good practice is to mention something from the interview that resonated. This will show that you were listening and care about the internship.

Learn lots
Maybe you got the job, maybe you didn't. Either way, you will learn so much from applying and interviewing. Be proud of your efforts!

Tell us in the comments below, how are you preparing for your summer internship?

by Alyshia Hull | 3/5/2018