of applications are looking first to weed out the definite rejects. Don't make their job any easier.

Before applying, try to gain an understanding of what the employer's needs are. Learn what you can about the employer. Identify your own past activities and experience which the organization may find appealing. Most important, though, is that you act with the same professionalism which would be expected of a job applicant, and that you project a positive, eager-to-learn attitude.

Also, visit your college department office and find out if the internship would qualify for course credit. If it does, there may be forms which your prospective employer will need to fill out.

You Can Design Your Own Internship!

Suppose you want to gain a certain type of experience, and you even know of a local company which you think could provide the perfect opportunity for you to do so. The problem is, that company does not offer any kind of internship program. What do you do next?

The answer is simple. You must design and propose your own internship.

Here are some steps you can take to accomplish this:

1) Research similar internships—ones which suit you but are not available through companies in your community.

Take a look at the listings in any of the previously suggested internship directories. Note how the intern programs are structured, whether they are paid or unpaid, and how long they last. Pay close attention to internship titles and specific job duties.

2) Identify an employer or group of employers whom you feel may be a good match for doing this internship.

The companies or organizations may be large, medium-sized or small. Once you have an employer in mind, you may first wish to try networking your way into the offices to talk with the people who make the decisions. Speak to your friends, teachers and family, and see if they know anyone working for the company. If this doesn't help, you can also use a variety of sources to research and put you in touch with a list of prospective employers, including:

• The nearest chapter of a professional organization

• Your local Chamber of Commerce

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Finding a Great Internship You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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