All About Internships and Work Experience Placements

[dazed&confused]

@weirdolove: dellinger's advice is spot on, list what could be relevant and skills you have acquired from other jobs you've had.

I have a question about cover letters: when you're emailing them do you send them in the body of the email or as a separate attachment apart from the resume? I once talked to someone in publishing who said that if you send your cover letter as a separate attachment, it won't get read and they will skip directly to your resume and judge you solely on that. Is this true for magazine/advertising jobs as well?

 

[rollagasper]

^ I'm wondering about that too. I think it would make more sense to put the cover letter in the message of the email. Someone also told me that the resume part should be in the message as well, because they won't open attachments. Is that true?

 

[pinksatin]

I don't know but I would like to know as well.^^^

And in personal news, I think my search for a summer internship is developing! I found a contact through a friend at work who has a friend at Art In America magazine. She emailed me today and I have to email her back. I am going to have my dad help me revise my resume/not-yet-written cover letter so I can send it to her. I'm very excited! I hope things fall into place! I think it would be a very good experience to work there since it's a smaller but reputable magazine. *crossing fingers and praying*

 

[BetteT]

A different, but related issue:

What ever happened to actually mailing a resume and cover letter? Is that not done anymore? Or is it still the preferred way? I've been out of the corporate business world for a few years and I know things change rapidly.

My inclination, based on previous accepted ways of sending resumes, would be to call ahead and find out if they prefer email or snail mail. I know that some companies are not really geared up to do everything online ... depending on the management. And if they don't open those emails ... then it's a moot point, as to whether or not to include everything together.

 

[ysljunkie]

BetteT I have some experience not much if I call ahead and send a resume that’s anywhere near average would that hurt or help my chances, hurt because they may have thought there had been more, help because at least I called.?

 

[BetteT]

Well,I don't think I actually understand your question ... it's all one sentance with no puctuation. Can you clarify what you are asking me? Or are you trying to answer my question?

Specifically, I don't understand what you mean by the comment: if you call ahead and send a resume "that's anywhere near average" ... if that will hurt you or not? It won't hurt but it probably won't help much. "Average" is not what they will be looking for ... they will probably be looking for someone who stands out above the rest by his or her qualifications and the way they write ... how well written the resume and cover letter are.

If you call ahead, you won't talk to the actual hiring person or manager ... you will speak to an assistant or receptionist probably, because you just need to find out what form they prefer ... hard copy by mail or electonically, by email. They won't realize that it was you who called. You would do this to make sure you are complying with their preference, so you have a better chance of having it be seen when it gets there. It would be a good idea to get a specific name to address the letter to. Everyone likes to be called by name ... not just "Dear Sir/Madame" and not "To Whom It May Concern" .... so it's better if you do some research first.

 

[ysljunkie]

^ I get it thanks

sorry I typed too fast
I meant: I want an internship but have very little experience to speak of on a resume
If I call a magazine's hq letting them know I’m sending a resume would it
1. Be bad because if I called they may expect more from me experience wise or
2. not a problem because I called ( which makes it seem as if I really want the job)
still confused?

 

[BetteT]

That helps a lot. Thank you.

First... they don't expect a lot of experience from an intern ... you are there to learn a little about the business in exchange for your hard work ... that's why they usually don't pay. But you can always list your school acheivements, and other things that you have done that looks related or at least demonstrates that you are willing to work hard.

I think I answered your other question ... because you won't talk to anyone important anyway and they probably won't even ask you name. You just say something like: "I'm interested in sending in my resume to be considered for an internship. Who would I send that to (and may I have the spelling of the name, please) and does that person prefer that I mail it in or email it?" And if i picked up that phone call, it would impress me that you took the time to do some homework. I would want an intern who planned ahead and asked good questions.

 

[pinksatin]

um... yeah so I just got a pop-up ad when I clicked to reply. Weird that's never happened to me before on this site.

Anyway... I think you should listen to Bette T because she seems like she has a lot of experience and knows what she is talking about. But in my inexperienced opinion, I don't see why bother with snail-mail resume's. Email is faster, instant even, and can be forwarded to the right hands or another dept. just as quickly. Is there any reason someone would want a paper copy? Can't they just print it out? I'm not trying to be snarky i just can't think of why that would ever be better.

Also, re: not having experience to write about, I am in the same boat. I have tons of retail experience but I am applying for an internship at a magazine which is really the kind of career I want. So I did describe my retail career history since it's all I have besides school, but I emphasized qualifications that I learned from those jobs such as working under pressure, working on a team, goal-oriented, attention to detail, etc. Hopefully that may help.

 

[Cicciolina]

Art in America would be a great magazine to work for! I prefer to make my email the cover letter - they want to know what they're getting into, rather than a "hi, here's my cover letter and resume, thanks!" But that's just me. I think with an email at least they'll scan over it so there's a higher chance of them reading that, than relying on them actually physically opening an attachment. BetteT not sure about the US but I know in Australia a lot of corporations do their recruitment for internships and jobs online and the whole process is done online.

Someone starting out would probably not have much or very minimal if at all relevant experience in their desired field, but you have to have a look at what you done and see how it may relate to what you're applying for.

 

[jaizednconfused]

My 2 cents...

I have quite a bit of internship experience, and the standard is to include your cover letter in the body of the email with your resume as an attachment unless otherwise stated (rollagasper you are right, some prefer not to open unsolicited attachments, but they will usually specify)

betteT- I've seen (and opened) resumes in both email and letter form, I'm still not sure if one is preferred over the other, but I personally think a snail mail letter is more likely to be read by assistants and the like... it's much easier to hit delete from an unsolicited email address or just skip by it in the tons of emails they get per day.

That said, I also think it is best to do a follow up phone call or email after that to make sure they read it. they may ask you then for an emailed copy, but this time they'll have an eye out for it!

 

[jaizednconfused]

edit: I'd also like to add that I don't think anyone would be at a significant disadvantage by emailing a resume. It's definitely the most common (and commonly requested) format since it's quickest. I've seen both snail mail and email responded to, and I've also seen both thrown away... Whichever way you go, The key is to make a strong impression and follow up!

 

[dazed&confused]

thanks for the tips, jaized! How long should one wait before following up?

 

[jaizednconfused]

dazed- I would suggest waiting about 1 week to follow up

 

[BetteT]

Jaized is right on the mark about assistants opening the mail ... email or snail mail. Emails can be deleted or completely missed ... snail mail is less likely to be thrown out by a random assistant. However, assitants usually open both emails and snail mail ... so either way, there's no guarantee that the recipient ever looks at your resume.

Here's some things to think about ... there's no right or wrong here, just options:

Each company and each recruiter will have a preference and sometimes it' is a strong preference ... so it never hurts to ask.

It may be easier and faster for you to email it, but that's not the point. You want to impress the recipients (in what ever way might impress them) ... not just be jumbled up with a hunder other applicants. You need to stand out from the crowd, so they actually stop and look at your resume.

If the recipient/decision maker is over the age of 40 there's a good chance he or she prefers snail mail. It can be set on their desk for further review, filed in a "possible" file, reviewed side by side with another resume.

If the company is high tech or cutting edge, they will probably have a younger management tean, so they will probably prefer email.

If the company is an old standard, they may have older managers who are stuck in their ways ... and therefore still want it on paper.

If "everyone" is sending emails ... perhaps a nice look formal, written cover letter and sharp looking resume on good linen paper might actually set yours apart from everyone else. It just might get noticed which is exactly what you want ... to get noticed for the extra care you took. The might actually tell the recipient that would be how you'd handle your job, too. With care and precision.

Food for thought ... resumes and cover letters should always be done carefully with the recipient in mind.

 

[weirdolove]

for those of you who have interned at magazine or are interning at a magazine, was that the first place you interned or did you intern somewhere else prior to the magazine internship?

 

[rollagasper]

Thanks Jaized!

 

[Deleted member 49693]

Could someone pm me if they know of any Hong Kong based fashion event planners or pr companies?

 

[maganda_x3]

does anyone know of any contacts for fashion magazines in LONDON for internships? preferably i-D, pop, lula, & dazed. thanks!

 

[Cicciolina]

for those of you who have interned at magazine or are interning at a magazine, was that the first place you interned or did you intern somewhere else prior to the magazine internship?

I first interned at a really small magazine and then a mid-sized PR firm (with amazing clients) before a well known magazine.