6 things that I did to secure that dream internship.
By: Ria Thakkar
Tags: Education, Internships, Technology, Advice, Self Improvement

Photo by Sung Shin on Unsplash

You don’t have to be Bill Gates to get the internship you want at Microsoft. I’ve seen so many articles about getting these interviews at Facebook and Microsoft that imply you need a 3.9 and be going to Stanford to even have a chance at some of these companies. As a rising senior that had a very successful internship recruiting season with dare I say, an average GPA and not going to a top-tier CS university, I want to tell anyone that may be reading this with the same anxiety I had going into the fall that it will be ok. You will get an internship where you will grow thrive and learn.

Code something cool and make it better.

I think as computer science majors we can all agree that we love to code. I remember the first big project I did was in high school. I created this super simple website that took the name of an object and compared it to a list of recyclable compostable and landfill items and if it matched it would return what list the object matched to.

An image from the original website

Over the years I added to it. I integrated the google cloud API so I could use a phone and scan an image of an object instead of typing it in. In my data structures class, I added a data structure so it didn’t rely on just a basic text string search anymore. I added TensorFlow so it went beyond basic keywords but the model knew what types of objects belonged in each. I have been asked about this project during interviews so many times and I think it's because your recruiter just wants to see that you have a passion for what you do. I’ve had interviewers ask if they could even download the app I made because sorting objects has been a problem for them too!

So now the question is what projects should you work on in your specific CS field of interest?

mobile development: Try something like I did! A basic app will be just fine and you can try to publish it in either or both the Android or Apple Store! (I prefer iOS development)

Try something like I did! A basic app will be just fine and you can try to publish it in either or both the Android or Apple Store! (I prefer iOS development) front end development: Create your own personal portfolio. This can double as a resume(a lot of companies ask for portfolio links) and another demonstration of your skills.

Create your own personal portfolio. This can double as a resume(a lot of companies ask for portfolio links) and another demonstration of your skills. artificial intelligence: Create an application that integrates Tensor Flow. It’s super easy to use and will show that you have an aptitude for the software they might be using.

Create an application that integrates Tensor Flow. It’s super easy to use and will show that you have an aptitude for the software they might be using. operating systems: Try adding more features into the existing Linux kernel, and optimize the code. That will show an understanding of the content.

Try adding more features into the existing Linux kernel, and optimize the code. That will show an understanding of the content. If I didn’t list the topic you’re interested in, comment down below and I will give something that I think could be really cool.

Remember put these on GitHub! Github is the best way to have a single place to see all the code you’ve ever worked on. This will be easier for you and for employers to see what types of projects you’ve committed to.

Coding a project of your own is the biggest thing that I can recommend! Go to those hackathons and that internship will be yours :)

Add your GPA smartly

Pick which GPA to put on your resume. Most people don’t know you can do this but you have two GPA’s, your major GPA and your cumulative GPA. If your major GPA is way better than your cumulative, don’t put your cumulative. Be explicit that you’re putting your major GPA by labeling like below perhaps:

Major GPA: 3.9

I say this because I find that general education classes can weigh your overall down and sometimes people don’t realize you can pick which one to put! Put the one that makes you shine

I would recommend putting whichever is higher.

Add everyone on Linkedin.

After every interview or even any interaction I have with anyone professionally, I immediately add them on Linkedin. I am aware that some people won’t add me back but that is ok! It’s worth the potential awkward sigh to yourself after. I have asked numerous people I have added on LinkedIn for referrals to the companies they work at such as Microsoft, Cisco, Workday, and more. They obviously do not guarantee an interview but it’s better than cold applying. The rates of hearing back from a resume drop application are super low. I’ll address how to increase your chances of hearing back in my next point. Being outgoing and connecting with people can seem daunting but your connections on LinkedIn will help more and more the further in your career you go.

Put your resume through an ATS resume scan

https://www.jobscan.co/

Have you ever seen those internship applications where it's just a resume upload button and little to none else? Those resumes are put through a scanner along with the job description which gives your resume a score out of 100% for how much it matches. Try to put your resume through this scanner and get it above 50% for the specific job description. This will help your application even be looked at by a real person and not be thrown into the resume void. It’s honestly shocking how much insight this FREE tool can give you about your resume.

Ace the behavioral questions

Every tech company asks the same questions. I memorized my answers to the following questions within 2 weeks of doing interviews. I personally think this is the easiest part and just let you shine through when you’re answering these. There’s no bad answer as long as you let your passion for what you do, and your ability to learn and grow from mistakes shine through.

When is a time that you have faced a challenge on a project?

Talk about a time where you led a group.

Talk about a time when you did not meet your goal, and how did you go from there.

Talk about a time when you did meet your goal, and how you did it.

Have you ever had a disagreement with your colleague? If so, how did you handle it?

What is something that you have struggled with in a work environment?

Without fail one of these questions will be on your first round screening for your dream company. Think about the answers, but sound natural. Just relax you got this!

Code more.

Go on Leetcode before your technical interview and do LeetCode Mediums and Hards. Honestly, they’re super fun and the hints are super helpful. Would recommend even paying 35 dollars if you have a particularly stressful interview coming up. I did right before interviewing at Microsoft and it was super helpful and the questions ended up being way easier. They even have a mock interview function where you can simulate the coding environment with questions from the company of your choice!

Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash

You do not have to be Cassanova to get the job you want. I felt like I was never going to get the internship I wanted until I did #imposter syndrome. It’s all about forming a strong self-concept. Take some self-care days, pep talks to the mirror, and build up that confidence. You got this! Show your passion for coding through your work and it will shine right back to your interviewer. Best of luck on this interview season and remember it’s a pandemic! Be easy on yourself.