Building your summer

1. THE DO’S & DON’TS
OF YOUR
INTERNSHIP SEARCH
NICOLE LA HOZ
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
@NLAHOZ

2. • Majority of programs
require it btwn 2 years
• Expand current skills set
• Learn a new functional
area or different (literal)
area
• Show willingness to learn
• Professional dev.

3. Look at: Size
Type
Location
Functional area
Benefits
But remember: It’s
2-3 months!

4. Pinpointing the job:
• ACUHOI
• NACA
• NODA
• NASPA
• Individual
institutions

5. Pros: structured, regard, benefits
Cons: Fee$, structured
ACUHOI: College & University Housing Officers - Intl
NACA: Association for Campus Activities
NODA: Association for Orientation, Transition &
Retention in Higher Ed
NASPA National office
There’s an org for everything

7. Pro: Free to customize Con: Uncertainty
• Look at resources first to know (non)
negotiables
• Reach out to SA Division or indv. office
• Facebook, Twitter
• Use your network (professors,
supervisors)

8. Think of your
search as a trinity.
You have:
• Materials
• Interview
• Offer

9. In order of
importance:
Resume
References
Cover letter** (unless
switching functional areas)

10. Resume:
• Are you qualified? (Undergrad v. grad
position)
• Check internship specifics for formatting
• SHOW YOUR PERSONALITY
• Include relevant undergrad experience
• Be results-oriented (what did you achieve
in your role v. what you do)

12. Resume don’ts:
• Bad grammar/
mechanics
• Avoid jargon
(especially in a diff
area)
• Not PDF format
• More than 2 pages

13. “I look for a clear
streamlined resume
that’s easy to read
and highlights major
points from
experiences”
“If you can tell me
how your current
experience relates/
attributes to the
experience, you are
considered hirable”

14. “Grammar mistakes
automatically put
them in the no pile”
“Resume is the first
place I look. I want to
see if you have the
initial skills set I’m
looking for in my
position.”

15. References
• Always provide 3 on resumes
• 3-5 if schools separately ask for a
references page
• Talk to references beforehand!
• You choose them – make them count!
• Side note: social media – clean it up

16. Make a reference sheet for references
• Include all schools you’re applying to
• Tier I, Tier II, Tier III
• Job description
• Reasons for applying
• Reservations
• Why you’re a fit

18. Reference don’ts:
• Not telling them you’re
applying…let alone
internship searching
• Not keeping them
aware of schools
• Choosing new
references

19. “Choose a reference
that knows you well…
Also, prepare your
references.”
“I may check with a
colleague to see if I
should extend an
interview if I see
that a student has
worked in their
office. Do not burn
bridges when you
leave an office.”

20. Cover Letter:
• Internship programs: Not necessarily
required, but good to have if transferring
areas
• Shows your personality and interest by
example/anecdotes
• ADDRESS IT TO THE RIGHT SCHOOL
• Mention work dates = your comfort level

21. Cover Letter don’ts:
• Bad grammar/
mechanics
• School specifics
• Not tailoring letter
• Not PDF format
• More than 1 page
• Too thorough

22. “I look at the resume
first then skim the
cover letter to see if
they took the time
to adjust it to my
specific position”
“”I will head to the
cover letter/
supplemental
materials to see if
that will help fill in
gaps”

23. • If you honestly know you don’t want to
work there, politely decline
• Most have second rounds, few have only
first or go onto third rounds
• Skype & Google Hangouts ARE popular
(second round interviews, usually)

24. • 1st round: Basic skills set and interest
• 2nd round: Possibly Skype/Google Hangout
• With supervisor over the summer
• Situational questions
• Finding fit between the two of you
• 3rd round: Narrowing down top choices
• Remember: This is a two-way street!

25. • Interview in a quiet area (is your room near
the dumpster? Go to an office)
• Leave a note on your door saying you’re
interviewing
• Landline, is possible
• Practice (don’t rehearse) those tough
questions about coworkers, supervisors

26. Questions to ask interviewers
• What keeps you at XYZ School?
• What is the office culture?
• Are there a lot of students in the area?
• What do you think is the best part about this
position? What do you think is the greatest
challenge about it?
• (To the supervisor) What qualities are you
looking for in your intern?
• How would you define success in this internship?

27. Interview don’ts:
• Overschedule (consider the
rounds of interviews)
• Choose to interview for the
internship you’re especially
interested in first
• Give yourself time to
get into a groove
• Hold back enthusiasm
• Not do your research (it’s a
great way to ask
questions)
• Be afraid to ask for
feedback – pros are willing
to do that!
• Not know 1 theory (grads,
pick something besides the
7 vectors…)
• Be too brief or too through;
think CAR
• Frame your answers as
CONTEXT ACTION RESULT

28. “I am looking for
someone who is a
good fit. Asking
appropriate
questions leads me
to believe you’re
interested in the
position.”
“Be personable,
confident (but not
cocky) and speak
about their relevant
experience and
make it known they
know the office.”

29. Again, FIND YOUR FIT!

30. You got the offer! Or, offers! Now what?
• Thank every professional for their offer
• Be upfront ASAP, as other interns are
waiting, too
• Always, always, always ask for full 24 hrs
• Internship programs have to give you
the full day to decide

31. You didn’t get the offer. Now what?
• BREATHE. You’re getting an internship
• The process is a 2-way street – you and a
school need to fit, and you’ll find that match
• Possibility of multiple interns
• Don’t discourage yourself by looking on
SoMe! This isn’t a race or competition

32. • If you have any lingering questions, ask!
Professionals will be attentive those 24 hrs of
waiting
• Great prep for job searching
• Be consistent with reasoning (If you decline a
job in the Southeast because of location,,
don’t accept one in Florida)
• If you don’t know how to verbally decline an
offer, email back the hiring manager

33. “Hi Emmett,
Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview for
the XYZ position at Podunk State. I appreciate you taking
the time to help me learn about your office and summer in
Whatever City. It was a difficult decision to make, but I
have decided to accept a position at another institution. I
sincerely appreciate your time and sharing information on
this opportunity. I wish you the best of luck with finding a
candidate. Thank you again for your consideration.”

34. Most importantly, FIND YOUR FIT (again)
• What are your values?
• Office culture, experience needs
• What do you need in a work environment?
• Supervisor, office, 9-5
• Is the city manageable for you?
• Do you have a car? Is there a transit
system?
• Friends? Other young professionals
around?

35. “Be honest. My
feelings aren’t going
to be hurt, as I realize
there are a variety
of things to
consider…Be
respectful of my
timeline.”
“To decline, simply
thank the provider
and tell them that
you have decided to
explore other
opportunities.”

36. The first few weeks of your internship:
• ASK QUESTIONS. There are so many things going
on at once. Ask questions right then or process
& ask later
• Meet professionals across campus, not just
your area
• Ask about conferences or intern meetups
• Never compare institutions

37. “Meet people. You
have plenty of time
to do work. Get to
know your
colleagues. First
impressions will set
the tone for the
summer.”
“Look into the city
you’re heading to as
well! You’re not just
taking a job, but
you’re exploring new
territory!”

38. “BREATHE! Take a
chance on
something new. You
never know what
you’ll find! This is
your chance to
work anywhere for
a summer. Challenge
yourself.”

39. @NLaHoz
NicoleL @ housing.UFL.edu