Recruitment 101: Securing an Internship in Marketing Guide

Worried about recruiting this year, especially after a year of being online? The QMA has got you covered with a couple of top recruiting tips that were covered at our Recruitment 101 Panel earlier this year.

Recruiting timeline:

Recruiting for marketing internships typically follows two cycles, fall and winter. For fall, applications are due between September to October, with interviews following in October to November. Offers can go out any time through October to December. Winter recruitment begins from January to February, with interviews from February to March. Offers are given out from February to April. If you feel like you’ve already missed out on the Fall recruitment cycle, don’t worry! Winter recruitment is just around the corner and tons of companies are prepared to hire students.

Where should I look?

The Quest online portal is the main source for all your job applications if you go to Queen’s. It allows companies to immediately see that your resume is from a Smith School of Business student, and it simplifies the application process. Always keep a look out for jobs on the portal, even set up your email notifications for companies you’re interested in! Some jobs will only be up for a short period of time, so checking the portal frequently is recommended.

LinkedIn can also provide you with job opportunities, as you can search for “Marketing Intern” job postings and apply through the company website. Check to see if the same posting is available on the Quest portal and apply through both! 

How should I fix my resume?

A resume should be no longer than one page and should use the provided Smith template available on the CAC portal. Include a diverse range of experiences and provide quantifiable evidence to demonstrate your achievements. If you don’t have work experience, be sure to include any extracurriculars or volunteer endeavours. These experiences can be just as valuable as internships! Run your resume through the VMock software offered by Smith and book an appointment with a CAC Advisor to get your resume looked at.

What about cover letters?

As always, we recommend following the Smith provided template and using the resources on the CAC portal to develop your cover letter. Create an interesting hook to ensure you grab the attention of the reader, and follow that with a personal connection to the company you are applying to. You should then list 2-3 skills that you possess which are relevant to the company and position. Be specific in how you have shown these skills over the course of your career. The cover letter should be kept very brief, as most companies will not have time to read hundreds of lengthy cover letters.

How do I network with companies?

Events are the most common place to network with representatives at the companies you want to work for. Many of these events are posted on the Quest portal, as well as by the companies themselves. The QMA also hosts events each year to connect students with companies that are hiring for interns and full time roles. The Queen’s Marketing Association Conference (QMAC) will be held this January and provides numerous networking opportunities over multiple days, which is yet another resource you can take advantage of!

At networking events, there are a few things to keep in mind. Come prepared by knowing which companies will be at the event, and what questions to ask. These questions may include topics such as company culture, what the role entails, the hiring process, and future opportunities at the company. If you can, avoid asking questions that could easily be Googled such as “where is your office located”.

The second form of networking is through coffee chats. If you have the email or LinkedIn of a recruiter, reach out! On LinkedIn, you can search for people by company or job, as well as filter by university to see alumni from your school. When you connect with someone you are interested in, send a personalized invitation that explains your connection to them, and express your intent to learn about their career, and ask for a 15-minute coffee chat. There are multiple resources on how to reach out on the CAC website, all to aid you in getting that coffee chat. During the coffee chat, find out if the company interests you, and develop a connection with the company representatives. 

How do I nail that interview?

Conduct extensive research on the company prior to the interview. It is important to have a thorough understanding of the company, the industry, and the role you would be playing. This background research will come through in your answers and help you stand out from other candidates. It is also recommended to use the CAR methods when answering questions. To do this, you will first provide context about the situation you are describing. You will then discuss the action that you took, and finally what the result was. Practicing your answers and interview skills with a friend or in front of a mirror is a great way to identify weaknesses in your interview abilities. Lastly, always remember to keep your answers concise and clear in order to effectively drive your point across.

What if I have been applying and haven’t heard back yet?

Don’t be discouraged! It is extremely normal and common to apply to upwards of 20+ jobs and not hear back. There are lots of networking and recruiting events coming up, and hundreds of job postings will go up as the year continues. Book appointments with CAC advisors, connect with upper-year mentors and keep networking. You’ll get there!