So, you want to be an intern? Great! I loved being an intern. It was exciting – I was figuring out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and learning something new about this field and myself almost every day. And then one day, I started doing the teaching (with the help of a lot of wonderful people!).
After countless applications, interviews and some great interns, I have a few tips for you about the interview process. In no order of importance, they are:
- Spell things correctly. Especially the interviewer’s name and the company name. You would not believe how many students make this mistake. And for me, it’s an automatic “no thank you.”
- Do not wear perfume. Leave it off on your interview day, and pretty much any time you come in. I have what I call “bad-smell-days,” where everything smells so intense and gross, which then causes a headache. Strong perfume never fails to trigger this. My weirdness aside, what about people with severe allergies? Believe me, neither of us wants to have the awkward conversation about what you smell like.
- But please do bathe.
- Proof your work. Before you send me that email touting your attention to detail, actually check the details.
- Titles are tricky. Your first name doesn’t always signify your gender. I have a ‘boy’ name; at least most people think so. Err on the safe side and don’t refer to me as a Mr. or Mrs. or Ms. Unless of course you pay attention to the details in the job posting. See #4.
- Dress appropriately. Austin is incredibly casual, and I love it. I can wear cute sandals to work! But you don’t know that. Better to dress up than dress down. We may be a conservative shop that hates tattoos and facial piercings. Again, err on the safe side.
- Have questions for your interview. I want to get to know you. Your curiosity, or lack of, is a big indicator of whether I can work with you.
- Thank you. Send an actual, hand-written ‘thank you’ note and bonus points abound. If you can’t manage to find a real mailbox, send an email. But a ‘thank you’ after the interview is essential. And it shows your momma raised you right.
Most importantly, realize that we want to teach you. We want you to be successful. After all you’re our future colleague. Best of luck!
Oh, and if you would like to be considered for our internships, please send your resume to ryann@goArsenal.com.