By
now, you should have identified several sources that offer
jobs, internships, or co-op programs in which you would like
to contact and request an application. The process of applying
for a job, internship or co-op position typically involves
submitting a cover letter, resume, and completed application.
You should be able to obtain an application from your academic
advisor, career/placement center, or internship/co-op coordinator.
Application Components
Internship-co-op applications request the same basic information
from each applicant such as:
• Contact Information
• Career Plans
• Education
• Work Experiences
• Skills
• Extracurricular Activities
• Achievements, Awards, Honors
• Supporting Documents
Supporting Documents
Most employer request supporting documents to accompany your
completed application. Supporting documents give the internship/co-op
coordinator or committee a “3 Dimensional Picture”
of you. They can tell the coordinator more about you than
your answers on the application. In many cases, supporting
documents have been the deciding factor as to who will be
offered an internship/co-op position.
In order to save time, you should begin preparing and gathering
some of these documents before the application arrives. Once,
you have this information, it is wise to keep all of your
documents in an oversized envelope or folder to keep them
clean and neat. Remember - first impressions are a lasting
impression. So be CLEAN and NEAT! The importance of planning
ahead cannot be overstressed.
Completing the Application
Once you receive the application, it is very important to
read and follow all instructions. If you have any questions,
do not hesitate to contact your academic advisor, internship/co-op
coordinator, or career center. Failure to follow instructions
and/or submit the supporting documents may disqualify your
application. Remember, each application has its own set of
rules and deadline date so follow the instructions, carefully.
After you have read all the instructions, you should make
several copies of the original application to use as drafts.
Place the original application in a folder to keep it neat
and clean. When your final draft application is complete and
free from spelling and grammatical errors, transfer your information
correctly to the original application when you are ready to
submit the application.
Creating a Competitive Application
A competitive application is neat, clean, and complete. In
order to give yourself a competitive edge, you should type
the original application. Typing your application ensures
that it will be legible, uniform, and professional in appearance.
Before you type on the original application, make copies and
practice on them to figure out how much space you have for
each answer and where to set the margins. When you are ready
to transfer the information to the original application, take
your time and avoid using correction fluid.
If you do not have a typewriter, your local library should
have a few typewriters for public access. Ask one of your
teachers or counselors, if you could use their typewriter
to type your application. If you do not have access to a typewriter,
use your best hand writing skills and a black pin, and print
legible.
Before you start filling out the original application, you
should make sure the surfaces where you are going to complete
the application is clean. To ensure that the surfaces are
clean, wipe them off with a clean wet cloth and then dry it
off.
Once
your application is complete, you should:
•
Make
sure it is free from stray marks, stains, and wrinkles
•
Proofread
it to make sure it is free from spelling and grammatical
errors
•
Have
someone else to proofread your application, again
•
Make
a copy of the completed application for your records
Putting the Application Package Together
Once you have completed the application and gathered all the
supporting documents, it is important to present the entire
package in a professional manner and submit it on time. Employers
will be impressed with the presentation and appearance of
your application package.
Your
application package is your SALES TOOL and it should:
•
Convey
that you are serious, professional, and a worthy applicant
•
Demonstrate
that you are the most qualified applicant
•
Convey
that you have the ability and desire to succeed in your
chosen career
•
Convince
the employer to offer you an intern/co-op position
Advice
•
Do
not staple or paperclip materials, unless the application
directs you to do so.
•
Unless
told otherwise, arrange the materials in the order that
they are asked for in the application’s instructions.
•
Print
your name in the top corner of every page (be consistent
in the location of your name), and/or affix labels to
other items like tapes or photographs, in case the application
materials become separated.
•
Use
a large manila envelope to keep everything neat and
unwrinkled, and take it to the post office yourself
to ensure that you attach the correct postage.
Submitting Your Completed Application Package - On
Time
Many applications are disqualified because applicants fail
to submit them on time. If an application’s deadline
has passed, keep the information and apply next year.
There
are 3 methods to submit your completed application package:
•
Hand
Delivered
Most application packages are submitted to your academic
advisor, career center, or internship coordinator. If
the internship/co-op coordinator’s office is located
in your city, and you would like to hand deliver your
application package, contact the coordinator or academic
advisor to ensure this is an approved method. If you
use this method, make sure you give your application
package to the right individual or department.
•
Mail
Some employers indicate that your application must be
postmarked or received at their office by a certain
deadline date. If you are going to mail your application
package, you have a few options such as: First Class,
Priority, and Express mail.
•
Fax
It is rare, but some employers accept faxed applications.
Before you fax your application package, contact the
employer to inform them that you are going to fax your
information within a few minutes. After faxing your
application package, print a conformation report for
your records and then follow-up with a call to make
sure that it was received in its entirety.
