Red Storm PR

It’s never too late to begin looking for internship opportunities. In a growing field like public relations, landing internships and gaining contacts are crucial to your career in this industry. Whether you already have a few internships on your belt, need help with interviews, or do not know where to begin, take a look at these tips that will help you take advantage of new internship opportunities.

Where to begin:
1. Look at all of the websites for the companies you are interested in to see if they have internship opportunities.

2. Register with online internship agencies such as internmatch.com, internships.com, etc.

3. Ask any contacts (PRSSA members, professors, etc) that you may already have to find out about any vacancies.

Applications:

4. During this phase of the internship process, always be sure to research the companies that you are applying to. Becoming familiar with their brand as well as the interviewer are key tools that will help you to not only determine if this is the company you want to work for, but also eliminate any surprises if they decide to question you about one of their clients.

5. ALWAYS proofread your résumé. It is best to have a fresh pair of eyes look over your résumé to make sure that it is formatted correctly and free of spelling errors. Take advantage of the writing center on campus and have them help you with your résumé.

6. Make sure that your résumé has experiences relevant to the position that you are applying for.

The Interview:

7. Always have questions prepared to ask your interviewer. This will show that you are interested in the company. If you need help finding questions to ask, revisit the advertisement for the internship and identify the key qualities the interviewer will be looking for. It also does not hurt to research questions to ask your interviewer.

8. We know that interviews can be a daunting experience but always be confident. Confidence can have you be the candidate your interviewer remembers as well as prepare you for the work ahead. PR is bound to draw you out of your comfort zone, so practice losing your inhibitions now.

9. Find out the dress code for the company and dress accordingly. If this information cannot be accessed always dress smart.

10. Your interviewer may have trouble remembering who you are due to the amount of applications they receive and interviews held. If you have not heard a reply for up to 3 days, it is safe to call the company to ask if they have received all of your documents and when to expect to hear back from them. However, always remember to be courteous and not come off as pushy.