How to Land First Engineering Internship When You're Overqualified?

I’m looking to get my first engineering-related internship now that I’ll be a rising junior (I’ve only worked retail in the past). I’m in a major where people traditionally have very low GPA’s (sub-3.0), and job postings reflect this (min. GPA requirements is usually around 2.75). I’ve been involved in undergraduate research opportunities, and am currently participating in a university-sponsored race team. I have a 4.0 GPA, and am ahead in the curriculum.

The recruiters I met at my university’s fall career fair seemed to like me a lot and were very surprised after talking to me to see that I had a 4.0 GPA. However, I have been almost immediately rejected for every online job that I’ve applied to. I meet all of the minimum requirements (graduation year, software proficiency, etc), and my resume has been critiqued by professionals at a resume blitz, and then again by my university’s career center.

So, what could I be doing wrong? How do I get my foot in the door when applying online? One of my good friend’s older sister struggled to get a first internship with a 4.0 and was told it was because of her GPA.

maybe you should target better companies then. If the ones you’re applying for thinks you’re overly qualified then you should look for a company which could be in line with the standards that you have right now.

Are you in any outside organizations? Often a 4.0 in engineering raises a red flag if the individual doesn’t appear to have any outside interests. If you have been involved in anything outside school/research make sure it is on your application. Even if it is just an Ultimate Frisbee team or something like that.