Internship and Career Resources for School of Communications Students

Your resume is a powerful tool to showcase your education, skills, and experience to a potential employer. It should be a clean, tailored, one-page document that gets you noticed.

Key Tips for a Strong Resume

• Keep it Concise: Your resume should be limited to a single page. Use short, powerful phrases with strong action verbs, not full sentences.
• Customize for Each Role: Research the company and job description for each position you apply to. Tailor your resume by adding relevant keywords, highlighting specific skills and experiences, and removing anything that isn't directly relevant.
• Brand Yourself: Your resume should be a part of your overall professional brand. Use the same fonts, colors and design elements as your cover letter and portfolio.
• Proofread Carefully: Check for any spelling or grammar errors. A single mistake can make a negative impression.

What to Include in Your Resume

• Header: Include your name, email and phone number. This should be consistent with your other application materials.
• Education: List your school, degree, major and projected graduation date. You can also include your GPA if it's over 3.6, and any study abroad experience.
• Experience: Include past internships, jobs, volunteer work and relevant student roles. Use bullet points to highlight your accomplishments and skills.
• Skills: List specific skills like social media, foreign languages, or technical expertise.
• Optional Sections: You may also include an objective statement (tailored to the specific job), coursework and projects, awards or professional memberships.

Resume Layout and Design

• Readability: Use a simple font like Helvetica or Arial in size 9-11. Use bold and italics sparingly to emphasize key information.
• Organization: Use proper spacing and formatting to ensure the document is visually appealing and easy to read. Use bullet points to break up information and utilize white space to prevent the page from looking cluttered.
• Consistency: Ensure you use a consistent format throughout the document. For example, use the same tense when describing past positions.

A cover letter is your chance to make a strong first impression. It's a key part of your application, designed to showcase your enthusiasm and personality in a way your resume can't.

Key Elements of a Strong Cover Letter

• Be Personal: Avoid "To Whom It May Concern." Address a specific person if possible. If not, a simple "Greetings" is best.
• Keep it Concise: Your letter should be a single page and should match the branding of your other materials, using the same fonts, headers, and contact information.
• Focus on the Company: The letter's tone should be confident, not arrogant. Focus on what you can do for the company and how your skills and accomplishments align with their needs. Avoid saying, "As you can see in my resume," and instead, show them through your writing.

Structuring Your Letter

• Beginning: Start creatively to grab the reader's attention. State why you're writing, mention your major and university, and name-drop if someone referred you.
• Middle: Show you've done your research by mentioning something specific about the company. Use a paragraph to highlight your key "selling points," showing how they directly relate to the skills needed for the position.
• Ending: Close the letter by restating your interest, referencing your attached resume and portfolio, and expressing your intent to follow up. Always include a professional salutation followed by your contact information.

Remember to proofread everything carefully, as your cover letter is a reflection of your attention to detail.

An online portfolio is your professional home on the web. It's a key tool for showcasing your best work and proving your skills to potential employers. Your portfolio should be a clean, user-friendly representation of your professional brand.

Key Criteria for a Professional Portfolio

• Audience: The design, content and tone should be tailored to your target audience.
• Branding and Design: Your site should be simple, clean and professional. Use a consistent color palette (mainly neutral with limited accents), a maximum of two or three complementary fonts, and professional graphics.
• Navigation: Make it incredibly easy for visitors to find what they're looking for. The navigation menu should be on every page, clearly labeled and consistently placed.
• Contact Information: Your name and contact details (email and phone number) should be easy to find. Make your email a live link and consider including professional social media accounts.

What to Include

• Home Page: This is your introduction. It should clearly state your name and industry (e.g., "Photographer," "Game Designer"), and feature a strong example of your work.
• Professional Summary/Bio: Include a short, well-written statement that introduces you and your career goals. This helps employers quickly understand who you are and what you're looking for.
• Portfolio Section: Showcase only your best work. Organize pieces into subcategories if you have a large body of work. For a seamless user experience, embed your work directly onto the page rather than requiring downloads. Each piece should be professional, proofread and include a title, description and your role.
• Resume: Your resume should be easy to find and up-to-date. Include a link to a PDF version for easy printing and saving.
• External Links: Include links to relevant and professional sites that enhance your work.

Once you have a plan, here are some tips and resources to help you build and maintain a professional online portfolio.

Creating Your Portfolio: Getting Started

• Start with a plan: Create an outline of what you plan to include and how you will lay out your site.
• Hard vs. Online: Consider creating both an online version for quick sharing and a hard copy for interviews and networking events.
• Gather your best work: Include your best projects from classes, freelance work, volunteer opportunities and past jobs. Ensure all work is edited and looks professional.
• Less is more: Don't overwhelm your audience. Show a curated selection of your best work, not everything you've ever created.
• Get feedback: Ask others to look through your portfolio and listen to their suggestions. This is a great way to test the user experience.

Building Your Site

• Choose the right tool: Consider using a user-friendly template platform like Adobe Portfolio, Wix, Squarespace or WordPress. These platforms offer pre-designed themes, no coding knowledge and search engine optimization (SEO) options.
• Choose a professional URL: Your domain name should be easy to understand and professional, ideally your name.
• Test your site: Before you share your link, test it on different browsers, devices and internet speeds to make sure everything works correctly and loads quickly.

Maintaining Your Portfolio

• Keep it current: Update your portfolio regularly by adding new samples and professional news.
• Promote your work: Add your portfolio URL to your resume, business cards, LinkedIn profile and email signature.

Your application materials and initial communication are the first impressions you make. Following these tips will help ensure your professionalism and increase your chances of standing out to a potential employer.

Email and Online Applications

• Preparing Your Application
  • Save your documents properly. Always save your resume and cover letter with your name in the file title (e.g., "YourNameResume.pdf"). This makes it easy for employers to find your files.
  • Use keywords. Many companies use automated systems to scan applications for keywords from the job description. Make sure your resume and cover letter use relevant terms to get noticed.
  • Write your answers offline. When you need to answer essay questions or provide detailed information, type your answers in a Word document first. This helps you avoid losing work if an online form times out and allows you to check for errors before submitting.
• Submitting Your Application
  • Follow directions. Always follow the instructions provided on the organization’s website. If they say "no phone calls" or "apply only through email," follow those rules exactly.
  • Be professional. When writing in the body of an email, use proper grammar and professional language. Avoid slang and abbreviations.
  • Use a clear subject line. Include the position title and a word like "Inquiry" or "Candidate." For example: "Communication Intern Candidate."
  • Provide a portfolio link. If you have an online portfolio, include the link.
• Tips for Networking Online
  • Find a contact. Do your research to find a specific contact person, like an HR representative or the internship supervisor, and address your correspondence to them. This adds a personal touch.
  • Mention referrals. If someone referred you, mention their name as a way to stand out.
  • Use social media. You can also contact representatives through social media platforms to ask questions about the application process or hiring timeline.

Following Up

• Be persistent. Follow up with an organization 5 to 7 days after sending your application. If you still haven't heard back, you can try following up again 7 to 10 days later.
• Be creative. When following up via email, consider attaching your resume again and slightly altering your cover letter to reflect that you are checking in. You can also send work samples to help you stand out.
• Follow directions. Never call if the job description specifically says not to.

Correspondence by Phone

• Prepare your voicemail. Your voicemail message should sound professional.
• Write a script. It might sound silly, but having a short script ready for what you'll say on the phone can help you during a nervous first call.
• Be prepared. Keep notes about each application near your phone in case you get an unexpected call for an on-the-spot interview. Don't hesitate to reschedule if you need to, but always return calls as soon as possible.
• Communicate clearly. If you're having trouble hearing, say, "I'm having trouble hearing you. Can you hear me clearly?" rather than "Can you speak up?"
• Send a thank you. Always send a thank you email or note after a phone conversation. Reference something you discussed to help the interviewer remember you.

Templates for Key Correspondence

• Follow-Up Email: Start by stating you are following up on your application. Include a brief, relevant update like a recent accomplishment to show your continued value.
• Letter of Acceptance: Thank them for the offer and state that you gladly accept. Express your appreciation for their confidence in you and mention that you look forward to discussing the next steps.
• Thank You (Declining an Offer): Thank the organization for their time and the offer. Politely decline and express your appreciation for the opportunity. This keeps the door open for future possibilities.

Your interview is the chance to prove you’re the right person for the job. Preparation is key to standing out and making a great impression.

Preparing for Your Interview

• Do Your Research: Go beyond the job description. Research the company's website and social media to understand their work. If you know who you’ll be meeting, learn about their role in the organization.
• Know Your Resume: Be prepared to discuss every item on your resume in detail. Also, review the job description and be ready to address any requirements or skills you might not have.
• Overdress: Always dress professionally and conservatively, even if the company culture is casual.
• Prepare Your Materials: Bring a professional bag with extra copies of your resume, a reference list and a portfolio (both hard copy and on a laptop). Also, bring a notepad and pen to take notes.
• Plan Your Route: Map out your travel time and parking ahead of time. Plan to arrive 5 to 10 minutes early.

During the Interview

• Be Professional: Turn off your phone and arrive on time. Be confident — shake hands firmly, make eye contact and smile.
• Listen and Talk Clearly: Be a good listener and speak slowly. Stay conversational, but always professional.
• Ask Questions: Always have questions prepared. This shows genuine interest. If you've already had your questions answered, you can ask about the timeline for a decision or when you can expect to hear from them.
• Think Before You Accept: If you’re offered the position on the spot, you don't have to accept immediately. It's perfectly fine to say, "Thank you for the offer. I'd like some time to think about it and will be in touch by ... "

Following Up

• Send Thank-You Notes: Always send a thank-you note to everyone you spoke with. These can be handwritten or sent via email. Include a specific detail from your conversation to help them remember you.
• Be Patient: Organizations often take time to choose an intern. If you are not chosen or decide to decline, do so professionally. You may want to work with them in the future.

Networking is the best way to build professional relationships and connect with others in your field. It's a critical skill for finding internships and jobs, both online and in person.

Face-to-Face Networking

• First Impressions Matter. When you meet someone, extend a firm handshake and make eye contact. You should also have a list of organizations you want to speak with and have researched them beforehand.
• Be Engaged. Make introductions, use people's names in conversation and ask questions about their work. Remember to be an active listener by maintaining eye contact and nodding.
• Be Prepared. Always carry business cards and offer one to someone you want to connect with after a good conversation. Dress professionally, even if the event seems casual.
• Follow Up. After the event, send a thank-you note or email to those you met. A quick email is fine, but make sure to reference something specific from your conversation to jog their memory.

Online Networking

• General Tips
  • Keep your content professional and on-brand across all platforms.
  • Use a professional profile photo and a username that represents you well.
  • Remember that all public social profiles can be viewed by employers, so keep your content appropriate.
• LinkedIn
  • Market Yourself: Use this platform to list your professional accomplishments and get endorsements and recommendations from your connections.
  • Connect: Use the search feature to find and research professionals. Join groups relevant to your field and actively participate in conversations.
  • Research: Before an interview, use LinkedIn to research the people you'll be meeting with.
• Other Social Media
  • Follow and Engage: Follow companies, organizations and associations that interest you. Interact with their content professionally by replying, sharing, and using hashtags.
  • Stay Professional: Remember that even though these platforms can be more informal, your professional interactions are public.
  • Branding: Make sure your profiles reflect your professional brand and link to your online portfolio.

A professional business card is an essential networking tool that serves as a portable snapshot of your professional identity. It should be clean, easy to read and consistent with the rest of your personal branding.

What to Include

• Essential Information: Your full name, email address, phone number, and a link to your online portfolio.
• Professional Identity: Your industry or function (e.g., "Photographer," "Game Designer").
• Branding: A professional logo or a simple graphic element that aligns with your portfolio and other application materials.

Optional Details

• You can use the back of the card to add more detailed information, like a brief objective or a list of relevant skills and accomplishments.
• Consider including your social media links (if your pages are professional) or a mailing address.
• Students may choose to include their university and major, but remember to update this after graduation.

Design Tips

• Keep the design professional and simple. Your name and contact information should be the most prominent elements.
• Use neutral colors and incorporate a single accent color that aligns with your other branded materials.
• Ensure all text is easy to read, and any graphics enhance the information rather than distracting from it.