Not getting a response from companies? An application checklist

If you have submitted a lot of applications for summer internships, there are a few reasons why you might not be getting the response you want. It definitely could be a case of pure competition or that the company is taking its time reviewing applications. However, it is worth taking some time to sit down with your materials and make sure you’ve ruled out every other possibility.

When it comes to résumés and cover letters, especially in the communications industry, it is crucial that the reader gets a clear sense of why you’d be great for that specific opportunity. It is not up to the reader to make that leap based on the information you have provided. A few things to consider:

1) ARE YOU WRITING WITH THE EMPLOYER IN MIND?

Employers want to know what you can do for them, not vice versa. Check to make sure the language you use sells your skills/experiences. Order your details and experiences in terms of relevance, delivering what is most pertinent to the position and/or employer first. As a car salesperson, you’d never throw the brochure at the customer and say, “So, do you want to buy it?” Same goes here.

Work to write language that clearly demonstrates to employers how you can make their life easier, better their initiatives, etc. Consider these materials your sales pitch. Cater them to your buyer!

Instead of writing, “This position would really allow me to grow my skill set and gain valuable experience,” go with “As a intern at , I ___ (briefly cite your responsibilities), which strengthened my ability to ___ (something mentioned in the job posting).” This is how you show someone that you can bring value to a company.

2) ARE YOU BEING DESCRIPTIVE YET CONCISE?

Employers will not even skim blocks of text. While your paragraphs may be packed with information on the amazing experiences you’ve had and responsibilities you’ve held, the text means nothing if it isn’t able to be read, absorbed, and processed quickly.

For your résumé, start each detail with a verb and write in fragments. Cut extraneous wording, stay away from narratives, and use qualifiers/quantifiers to give details more descriptive depth.

For both your résumé and cover letter, be sure to choose wording that leaves little opportunity for interpretation. For example, “assisted” could mean that you drafted every piece of correspondence for the VP… or that you just got her coffee every day. Be specific: ”Updated contact lists, provided daily pitch tracking, and maintained 10,000 client profiles”… this type of phrasing tells what you actually did on the job.

3) IS YOUR FORMAT ACCESSIBLE?

You know how you feel when a professor gives you a handout that is filled with tons of text and no breathing room? That’s how an employer feels looking at a resume or letter that is packed to the gills with text. Both should be no more than one page.

For a résumé, make use of bolds, caps and bullet points (no italics) to draw attention to titles/organizations, skills, etc. So, when employers do a seven-second skim, they will at least have the highlights of what you bring to the table.

For cover letters, maintain a logical structure:

• First paragraph: Lead with a reference (someone who referred you) or an accomplishment, then state your purpose for writing. DON’T start with “my name is” or what and where you are studying.
  
• Second: Outline your three main selling points, backed by examples.
  
• Third: State what you want to happen next and what you’ll do about it (I’d like to meet with you and will be in touch to set up a time).

4) ARE YOUR MATERIALS RELEVANT?

You are a multi-faceted person with many experiences and talents, but unfortunately, that can’t (and shouldn’t) all fit on your one-page resume/letter. Again, think about the employer. If you’re a TRF and finance dual major, for example, your course projects at Whitman likely won’t have as much bang for an employer looking to hire a production assistant.

Give the most real estate on your resume (and certainly the most prime, at the top) to the experiences that hit home with the employer and his/her needs the most. Minimize, drop to the bottom, or cut those that do not have as much relevance. For cover letters, again, be sure to only focus on what is pertinent to the employer.

Focus on things that are in their world and pretty soon they just might hire you to become a part of it!