Stand Out Amongst A Sea Of Candidates

Gaining real life experience is just as important, if not more, than what you learn in the classroom. Understanding how to apply those textbook strategies to solve real life problems is key.

After interning for a company over the past two years, I obtained a full time position as an Engineer. In addition, I got asked to lead the next generation by taking on the responsibility of being an Intern Coordinator. 

At first I was thinking, what do I know about developing and leading the potential future employees at our company? I got to thinking and figured, I was doing something right in order to get hired myself and must have been doing enough right to land this leadership opportunity. 

This has been my first summer working with the interns and I have noticed a LOT: the good, bad, and the down right ugly. Here are some tips to ensure you will stand out:

• Be eager to learn. Intellectual curiosity is one of the most impressing qualities a candidate can have. Asking questions, showing interest in your assignments and other learning opportunities doesn't go unnoticed.

  
  
• Be open to all tasks and assignments. No task is a small task. Sometimes it may be difficult to see how the work you are doing is impacting the company on a larger scale, but sometimes the smallest of tasks make the biggest impact. Give forth the same effort on all assignments, whether they be big or small.

  
  
• See the bigger picture. (This is probably one of the biggest tips I can offer) Figure out how the work you are doing is impacting the companies overall goals and strategies. Then, showcase your knowledge and understanding. Being able to display that you have a greater understanding than just the small assignment in front of you shows that you really GET IT. This is a sure fire way to fast track your way up the corporate ladder.

  
  
• Keep track of all assignments you work on. At the end of your internship, be able to show all of what you have worked on and accomplished. Document what you worked on, your role, and the impact it had on the company. Not only will it be beneficial to show your supervisor at the end of your internship, but it's a great resource to use to buff up your resume and talk about in future interviews. 

Now, go be the big fish in the little pond, stand out in your internship and land the full time job offer.