Tag Archives: Internships

Dos and don’ts of interview attire

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Dos and Don'ts

Knit blazer, $52
Vila mini skirt, 7.50
Luichiny hot pink heels, $90
Mary jane high heels, $30
JCPenney gold earrings, $55
R.J. Graziano gold earrings, $60
Deborah Lippmann Across the Universe Nail Color, $18
Butter London 3 Free Lacquer Nail Polish, $14
What you wear to an interview is just as important as what is on your resume. It’s been said that 55 percent of a first-impression comes from non-verbal cues; proper appearance is vital. Create an image you will want employers to remember you by, think of it as branding yourself. Scored an interview? Here are some dos and don’ts to help you dress for success to seal the deal during the interview.

DO: Wear hair back and pulled away from the face
DON’T: Overdo jewelry; keep it simple with one set of earrings or a statement piece. Chandelier, hoop earrings and large beaded necklaces should not be worn.

DO: Wear clothing that flatters your skin tone and is in-season. Touches of color around the neckline add to plain suits, jackets and skirts.
DON’T: Wear sheer pieces, trendy clothing or show significant amounts of skin. Anything that resembles a nightgown is not appropriate. Make sure cleavage is covered, especially during Skype interviews.

DO: Don a well-fitted jacket. Make sure sleeves are proper length. Monochromatic colors like grey, navy blue, brown, taupe and camel are favorable choices.
DON’T: Wear open toe heels, sandals or boots. Up to 3 inch heels are best height. Bags and shoes should match.

DO: Get a manicure before the interview. Nails should be neatly manicured, medium length, and if painted, have subtle colors. Chipped polish, decals, sparkles or other decals are unprofessional.
DON’T: Overdo makeup. Just mascara and lip-gloss help make a professional appearance. Lots of eye shadow, bronzers or blushes are not flattering or tasteful.

DO: Be confident. Whatever you wear, make sure it frames you.

Networking plays key role in securing your dream internship

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Finding an internship in today’s world is key to having a successful career. While it can be a challenge for college students to find the perfect internship, there are plenty of ways students can prepare themselves to have a successful internship.

One of those ways is to actively look for an internship that is of interest to you.

“Many times people will wait on internship searches and take a passive approach,” said Kim McDonough, program and internship coordinator in the journalism and mass communication department. “To get a fulfilling experience, look for organizations that you are interested in.”

Many times organizations or companies won’t post internship opportunities available, so students should contact them and ask in this situation.

“Sometimes companies can create an internship opportunity if a student has expressed interest in working for them,” McDonough said.

Having experience before you apply for an internship and building a portfolio is helpful in letting companies or organizations know of your experience level.

Debra Gibson, clinician and Meredith Professional in Residence, illuminates: “In the magazine industry you need clips to get an internship. They are giving the most notice to students who have been involved.”

Getting a foot in the door in your area of interest for a career choice can be accomplished through the success of an internship, as well as testing out the waters to see if this career is what you want to do.

“Many organizations like having young professionals they can train, since they were students once,” Gibson said. “You also make professional and personal contacts at an internship that can help you throughout your career experience.”

“It’s so important because it shows that you have hands on experience in the field and to show a work history,” McDonough said. “It is also an issue of professionalism, and employers will then know you have worked in an office setting.”

Top 5 places to look for internships

  1. For cool magazine internships in big cities like New York City or Los Angeles check out www.ed2010.com.
  2. This website acts like an online “mentor” to help you find the internships your interested in: www.studentmentor.org.
  3. Just to browse through and see what kind of internships interest you, check out www.internshipprograms.com.
  4. If getting out of the country to explore other opportunities is right for you, try www.goabroad.com to see what internships are offered outside the U.S.
  5. If there is a specific organization or company you’re interested in, contact them and see what they have to offer. They could create an internship experience just for you.

Advice from the interns

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Cassy Dittmer

Cassy Dittmer

Year: Junior
Major: Apprel Merchandising and Design
Company: Diane Von Furstenburg
Location: New York City
Time Period: Summer 2011
“One of the best things about my internship is the experience and confidence it gave me in the industry. Even though I am a merchandiser, I got experience in production, PR and design departments. Internships give you real life experiences that cannot be replaced with classroom instruction.”

 

Hayley Maisel

Year: Senior
Major: Apparel Merchandising and Design
Company: Marie Claire
Location: New York City
Time Period: Spring 2011
“Always be willing to go above and beyond what is asked of you. It’s what gets you recognized and makes you stand out from the rest.”

Mallorie Sheldahl

Year: Senior
Major: Apparel Merchandising and Design, Journalism and Mass Communications
Company: Nordstrom in Seattle, Washington
Time Period: Summer 2011
“Take advantage of every single opportunity. Your internship experience is what you make it.”

Chelsey Twedt

Year: Senior
Major: Apparel Merchandising and Design
Company: BCBGMAXAZRIA
Location: Los Angeles
Time Period: Summer 2011
“It’s all about who you know, so make connections and don’t be afraid to ask questions!”

Lisa Bradshaw

Year: Senior
Major: Apparel Merchandising and Design
Company: JCPenney headquarters
Location: Plano, Texas
Time Period: Summer of 2011
“Ask lots of questions and absorb as much information as you can. Also, be confident in yourself and be aggressive in your internship hunt.”

Arielle Willis

Year: Senior
Major: Apparel Merchandising and Design
Company: Kohl’s Corporate Buying Office
Location: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Time Period: Summer 2011
“Take charge of your life and when in class be a professional. What you do in class shapes your character in the career world. Practice good work ethic, it will be apparent in interviews that you take your work seriously and are ready to work hard! I would also say don’t be scared to ask questions!”

Amanda Hendricks

Year: Senior
Major: Apparel Merchandising and Advertising
Company: Diane von Furstenberg
Location: New York City
Time Period: Summer 2011
“Even though DVF is becoming more well-known, it is not a very large company so I was given a lot of responsibility, which in turn taught me a lot about the apparel industry.”

Katie Tomlinson

Year: Senior
Major: Communication Studies
Minors: Advertising & Event Management
Company: O, The Oprah Magazine
Location: New York City
Time Period: Summer 2011
“Don’t be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone by leaving Iowa for an internship. Living in NYC and working at O this past summer was an unforgettable experience.”

Updating your resume: The first step in scoring your dream internship

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With career fairs just around the corner, it’s time to polish up your old resume. First and foremost, make sure your contact information at the top of the page is up-to-date. Next, look over your resume and change your expected graduation date and add any new work experience. If you have new skills such as Microsoft Excel or a new language proficiency, add them. “The number one thing employers look for in a resume is experience,” said Loni Pringnitz, Director of Career Services for the College of Human Sciences.

Include all relevant work experience, and use action verbs to describe your demonstrated responsibilities. Rather than saying “worked as cashier,” say “handled cash, open and closed register.” While in college, try to get yourself involved in extracurricular activities related to your major. It is also very important to employers that students maintain a respectable GPA. Anytime you can strive for a 3.0 or better, it is in your best interest.

“The most important criteria for setting up a professional resume, besides relevant text, is scanability,” Pringnitz said. Set all page margins to one inch, and select a mono-type font such as Helvetica, Courier, or Times New Roman in size ten or twelve.

When updating your resume, make sure to remember these important dos and don’ts:

Dos

  • make it easy to skim using horizontal rules and bolding
  • use a mature e-mail address
  • include relevant honors, awards, and activities
  • save as a PDF file

Don’ts

  • don’t forget to check for spelling/grammar mistakes
  • don’t include a picture
  • don’t lie – someone will find out
  • don’t use cursive fonts

Every college at Iowa State has their own Career Services Office to help with resume preparation, interviewing tips, and job search strategies. For more information visit www.career.iastate.edu and click on your college.