<p>I have applied to several internships and have gotten 4 phone interviews. I haven't been offered a position at these companies and I'm starting to get worried if the same situation is going to happen next summer. I have a decent GPA but I lack Engineering experience and I think this is why nobody want to hire me. Is their anything you guys suggest so I can maybe up my chances of getting an internship? Am I doing something wrong? I just want to get my foot in the door somewhere so I can get some experience.</p>
<p>Experience can come from:</p>
<ol>
<li>Research at your university</li>
<li>Active role in engineering club</li>
<li>Hobbies and such.</li>
</ol>
<p>Try to get one of those. Its great for conversation during interviews.</p>
<p>Besides a good GPA, make sure your resume is well rounded. I did not have any experience and I go to an unknown school, but I got a few offers for high paying internships. </p>
<p>The interviewers told me what they were impressed with on my resume. One liked that I’ve been held jobs before…they said it showed that I could work well with people and handle responsibilities. Another liked my involvment in my school’s engineering club. Another liked that I was a black belt in karate, because it showed many years of dedication and hard work.</p>
<p>Call them, you can’t just be passive and sit back and wait for them to come to you. Take control of the situation. They want to see some initiative, some spark, and a can-do attitude. Just sitting back and waiting for a phone call or e-mail, is too passive.</p>
<p>Include projects that you done in your class and talk about your role in completing those projects. Emphasize your technical and communications skills in such projects.</p>
<p>Other than that, get involved in research and engineering clubs.</p>
<p>First, you should start applying for summer internships in September. September/October is the major recruiting season for companies that are hiring in December, May, and August (so, yes, you get hired 9 months before you start). Some companies come back in January/February, but September is the big season.</p>
<p>Second, you want to look at your ratios. If you’re applying through your school, you want a 25% or greater Interview-to-Resume Submission ratio, a 50% or greater Second Round Interview-to-First Round Interview ratio, and a 50% or greater Offer-to-Second Round Interview ratio. If you’re not hitting these targets, there’s a problem. </p>
<p>If your Interview-to-Resume Submission ratio is low, it’s probably your resume or GPA (or both). If your Second Round Interview-to-First Round Interview ratio is low it’s your basic qualifications (demonstrated ability for teamwork, results orientation, impact others, technical competency, and communication skills). If your Offer-to-Second Round Interview ratio is low, it means that you’re failing on fit (either you give the impression that the position is not your first choice and/or you’re not likeable enough and the interviewer does not see himself as being able to work with you).</p>
<p>The best way to resolve any of those issues is to meet with experienced professionals, have them review your resume and/or mock interview you, then give you their opinion of what you said. It’s amazing how something will sound great in your head but the interviewer hears something else.</p>