I am planning on applying for an internship with a company in my area. I found out about the internship through my school, but after checking out the company’s website I saw that they have other positions open that I would also possibly be interested in.
Is it alright for me to mention in the cover letter that I would be interested in pretty much any job that they would consider me for? If so how should I go about it? Should I list all the specific openings that I would be interested in? Or, could I just say something like “Please accept this resume as an application for the xyz internship position or any other open position.” (the xyz position being the one that I am initally interested in) Any better ways to say this? My sentence doesn’t sound that great to me.
You might want to narrow it down to only a couple of possibilities rather than trying to cover everything. Otherwise, they might think that all you’re wanting is anything that pays money (assuming that the internship pays).
Something like, “I am interested in the xyz internship for these reasons: (give good reasons why you want this). Should this position not be available, I am also qualified for the position of ABC, because…”
-Don’t bother with the school’s prospects, they are already overworked and often are unpaid (unpaid internships are for weenies, unless you’re a media student).
-Look in the want ads for any job in the field that you are wanting to enter. Ignore requirements for the position posted- you’re not applying for that position anyway. Hit every ad in the industry you’re in. Even if it asks for a P.H.D. and twenty years experience.
-Obtain the companies’ phone numbers. Call each receptionist, explain that you are a student looking for an internship, and ask them who you should talk to. Think of it this way: somewhere out there, somebody in your career field needs a paid! assistant right now, but they are putting it off because of the bother of searching for one. So you need to find them.
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Generally, if you have to use regular job listings, you should never apply for a job posted. You are better off contacting all the other ads, and stating your skills and position desires. For the time you spend in the effort, companies are more likely to hire you even if they don’t quite need the position filled yet, if for no other reason then just to avoid posting an ad and having to work through dozens of applications and interviews. You might not get exactly the job you wanted, but it’s a start at that company and a reference for future employers, and after all, -interns can’t be choosers!
Thanks for the help. I really appreciate the advice, it should help me a lot.
Just to clear some things up: I am applying for some internship positions, but I don’t necessarily need an internship specifically. Any entry level position would do, assuming it was part time or had flexible enough hours for me to balence it with 15 college credits. This is my last semster and I graduate in December, so after that I will be looking for a regular real-world full-time job (probably). I don’t have any job experience in my field (MIS) yet, which is why I have kind of been looking for any job in the field for me to get my foot in the door. The ideal position for me would be one that I could start now as part-time and then possibly continue as a full-time employee after I graduate.
Make sure your resume is printed in black ink on good quality WHITE paper. Do not use colored papers (even cream) or papers with colored or designed borders. A fine line border is ok.
When I do executive searches, the candidate’s application packet (app, resume, whatever else we’re asking for) is going to be copied several times for different people to review. White paper stays professional-looking while other papers do not.
Just a small tip from someone who has thrown away resumes on pink paper, resumes illegibly copied on what had to be the world’s first Xerox machine, and resumes written in pencil.
I am of the mind that says you would need to do separate letters and attach resumes (separate mailings) for each position. I would assume the ads list different contact information for each position? Even if not, it is easier for a central HR office to forward separate packets of material to the hiring departments than figure out what to copy for where, etc. Also, your cover letter should be targeted to the job at least to some extent. No worries about sending out very similar letters for different jobs, particularly if they are going to different departments.
If you are e-mailing letters and resumes, I would still do separate letters by position. I know our HR office requires the file to be marked with the job listing number so they will separate them out and you want to make it very clear where the letters should go. Your resume might be different depending on the position too so those could be sent with job listing number or title indiciated as well.
All bets are off if you have identified potential employers and they don’t necessarily have listings out there. For example, before I moved to this area, I found a list of the biggest employers and sent blind letters to them describing my skills generically, explaining that I was moving to the area and would be looking for whatever was available. I did actually get a couple of interviews out of this (it’s a small town area).
Yep. Double-sided isn’t helpful either. I’m in academia and it’s expected that your CV will be superlong, with publications, etc. No need to double-sided copy it. 11x17 paper folded in half like a book is not good either.
<but I am guilty of cream-color materials myself–mid-level and not too many people looking at my resume >;)