<p>Hi, I'm a junior at UCLA and I'm applying for internships this summer. I have one actuary exam under my belt (Exam P/1) and I'm looking for something in the actuarial sciences, finance, or even accounting. </p>
<p>I've sent 29 apps so far via online websites (corporations like 3M, Allstate, etc.) during this winter break (I know it's not a lot but I've been racing to do other important things) and I haven't had a single response. My guess is that the HR department tosses out these apps like junk mail, so here's what I'd like to know:</p>
<p>1) Should I even take the online approach? There's probably a less than 2% chance an employer will review the app on any given attempt, let alone reply back and offer an interview, so I think as long as I'm willing to apply online I should just shoot fish into the barrel or try and win the lottery. </p>
<p>2) College recruitment events are great, but often I have to rush back and forth between those and classes. How do you guys space out the timing so you don't have to rush to meetings/events and tire yourselves by the 2nd week of classes? (Time management, basically) </p>
<p>3) I tried using this method before when finding a job: Go to an establishment (like, say, a Chase or Citi bank) and try talking to the manager and extract some information. I've found this to have a far higher success rate than simply "applying" online. </p>
<p>Going to establishments and talking to managers is great when you’re looking for jobs in that particular establishment - walking into Citibank and talking to a manager would help you become a bank teller. It will not help you get an internship.</p>
<p>I don’t know where you heard that online applications are not good, but that is where the vast majority of applications happen now. If there is a job application page, and if you submit your information, it is going to an HR manager. If you qualify, you will hear back about a first round interview.</p>
<p>Prime season for internship applications and interviews starts in two weeks for large banks, three weeks for large consulting firms and five weeks for everything else. </p>
<p>You sound like you are a little lost in the mess of applications, and that’s fine. The best advice anyone can give is to USE CAREER SERVICES! They will help you immeasurably. Ask for a resume (and maybe cover letter) critique, take some surveys to explore interests and generate a more focused list of potential employers - I’m sure that not ALL 29 of the places you applied are places you actually want to work this summer.</p>
<p>Don’t be afraid to apply early and apply often. I submitted 51ish applications for FT work before graduation, and I wound up with only seven interviews and two offers after all of that. It can be tough!</p>
<p>Research, research, research. Find the names of people within an organization or company who can support your applications. Ask friends, family, CC for insights. Try to match tour skills and particular interests to one department - find an angle and follow up!</p>
<p>it’s true, online applications (thru corp’s web sites) do not have a good response rate. </p>
<p>it is MUCH more effective to use career services to submitt your online applications to get on or off campus interviews. these are the employers who directly target your school. </p>
<p>Every company has an online website application but, I believe, they focus their recruiting efforts on 1-6 schools that they recruit heavly at (attend career fairs, do on-campus interviews…etc), so they will likely ignore your efforts if they meet quality candidates through their already established recruiting process/efforts at those schools. </p>
<p>Don’t give up hope though. You only just applied to those companies…it will likely take awhile for them to get back to you if they are interested (which if the positions are local, your chances go up).</p>
<p>I heard from one of my graduated friends that he landed his job via “befriending” his professor. Has anyone confirmed the viability of this method? </p>
<p>(I mean…at least it’s not pure nepotism :x)</p>