Rejected From Every Internship. Here's What I Did Instead.
What to Do If You Got Rejected From Every Internship
Read through these pointers on how this summer can bring about a favorable change for you on your next internship cycle.
You got every single internship offer rejected, which is the worst kind of feeling. You invested your time and energy on writing applications, updating your resume, maybe you even got called to interview, yet the end result remains being unemployed. Since hardly any students discuss it, it might be harder for you to realize that you are not alone.
Generally, summer time is the moment when the most dedicated students who eventually show significant improvements in the fall differentiate themselves from those who continue to be indifferent. A rejection indicates something has gone wrong with your application, the timing of it, or the positioning of your resume. Find out which one is causing the problem first.
Why Internship Rejection Happens More Than People Admit
College students who are often the biggest group of rejected applicants typically think it is their resume that caused the problem. They might be right, but based on the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), only 41% of college students are able to secure an internship while enrolled. The competition is fierce, mostly at companies which fill roles quickly from a large pool of applicants.
Taking the bull by the horns and finding out where you went wrong is the key. Generally, there are only a number of areas where one makes mistakes.
Using resume bullet points as mere descriptions of duties, not outcomes. Sending in the application after the hiring team had already made an internal hire. Submitting your job application only to big name companies with an enormous number of applicants. A letter of application that lacks any personal touch and could be sent to any company. In most cases, one of these is the issue.
What to Actually Do This Summer
View your previous application documents and judge them as a prospective employer
Select two or three of your previous applications and review them as an employer would. Check whether your bullet points show achievements or simply list responsibilities. Ask whether your cover letter could have been tailored for that specific company or could have been sent to any company. You will find at least a few changes you would want to make right then. That is where you start.
Submit internship applications for fall well before September
Most students think internship recruiting is seasonal. In July and August, companies conduct fall recruitment for big positions. If you wait until school begins, the top positions will already be filled. Update your portfolio and application package, then start applying by August at the latest.
Do something this summer you can add to your experience list
Volunteer work, a freelance job, or a part-time role. These will show off your achievements when each bullet point describes an outcome rather than a duty. When recruiters review your next application, they will see that you stayed active during the gap, and that leaves a good impression.
Practice talking things out rather than just thinking them through
If you had interviews but ended up with no offer, the written application probably was not the problem. It was the conversation. Record yourself answering behavioral questions and then review the recording. You will notice areas you would want to change. That is where the work starts.
Build a contact list in the field you want to work in
Reach out to five people working in your dream roles this week. Do not ask for a job, just request 15 minutes to learn about their journey. Most people agree. One conversation could reveal a position that was never advertised. LinkedIn's talent research has found that a major share of roles are filled through referrals before the job posting ever goes live.
What Most Advice Gets Wrong About Internship Rejection
A lot of career advisors tell you to "remain positive" or "continue applying." Sending the same broken application to the next batch is not a plan. You will get the same outcome with more applications.
The ones who land on the second or third cycle typically did something on the first try that made the difference: they got an honest review of their materials before the next attempt. It could be someone in the business world, a career counselor, or even a professor. Having another person check your cover letter and resume is probably among the most valuable things you can do before a new round of applications opens
Recruiters pay attention to a resume for about seven seconds on average. They are not hunting for your GPA. They want to understand quickly what you have done and how it connects to the role. Personal branding is the skill that gives them that understanding before their eyes even reach your bullet points.
How GWI's Career Accelerator Closes the Gap
The GWI Career Accelerator is a free, five-week program focused on the skills that determine whether your next application yields an offer. It covers personal branding, strategic communication, networking, and workplace execution.
Candidates who were interviewed but received no offer usually have a communication problem. Those who did not receive interviews at all most likely had a presentation and visibility issue. The Career Accelerator is designed to meet the needs of both groups.
Personal Branding
How to present your personality and strengths in a way that gets a recruiter's attention immediately.
Strategic Communication
A way of telling your story during an interview so that you sound knowledgeable and assured without coming across as overprepared or mechanical.
Networking
How to develop connections that surface positions before they are advertised, which is where most internships are actually filled.
Workplace Execution
Showing up consistently, handling duties on time, and working well with the team. These are the habits that get you noticed and brought back.
All the people who have internships were once in a position of not having one. Those who came back stronger filled the gap with something. The hiring season comes quicker than you expect, so keep working on yourself now so you are ready when the next cycle opens. The version of yourself you build this summer is the one you bring to the recruiting table.
Come back for the next cycle with something new to show.
GWI's Career Accelerator is a free, five-week program that builds communication skills, personal branding, and networking habits that land young women in better careers.