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The Real March Madness: Finding a Summer PR Internship

Ashley Taufen : March 20, 2013

Here at Turner PR, while we finalize our brackets and get ready for some healthy competition, it’s also about that time to start looking for summer interns. Public relations internship programs can be just as competitive as the tourney, so here are a few helpful hints that will give you the edge on your bracket and in your internship search. 1. Do your research. Just like with your brackets, you likely won’t go too far if you don’t know much about the teams. Look at a company’s website, social platforms and recent news to really get a feel for whether the company will be a good fit for you (you have to want to work for them as much as they want you to). What do you like about the company? What do you feel you could learn from it? Who is the appropriate person to send your résumé to? The more you know, the better chances you’ll have. 2. Make your free throws. Okay, so you don’t have much control over the actual free throws in the tournament; but you do need to pay attention to the basics. In communications – and professional life in general – spelling errors, incorrect company names, and unprofessional fonts, colors and graphics will get you sent straight to the bench (or the bottom of the résumé pile). 3. Have a little faith. Finding an internship can be as challenging as rooting for your school’s rival team in the tourney. Some companies can receive as many internship applicants as there are teams in March Madness, and it can be difficult to not give up. Don’t do it. Do the things that make youstand out among the crowd – double and triple check your résumé, be confident, practice interview questions with a friend so you have answers prepared. 4. Don’t lose your cool when the pressure’s on. These are real companies, with real interviews, on real work time – it can be intimidating. When you get an interview (because you’re awesome and confident in yourself, and you know you will), don’t blow it right before the buzzer. Dress professionally, walk in confidently, come prepared with extra copies of your résumé and portfolio if you have one, and answer questions with eye contact and confidence. 5. Be a good sport. Whether the interview went well or poorly, just like whether you win or lose, shake hands and thank the interviewer (in person and with a handwritten note or e-mail). Hopefully you’ll make it to the next level of the internship bracket. We’re looking forward to meeting our potential intern candidates in the coming months – keep an eye out here on Spin Kitchen for upcoming intern position descriptions and application deadlines.