Internship & Job Search Process

This page is your guide to navigating the job and internship search process. Whether you’re exploring internship opportunities to gain hands-on experience or preparing to secure a full-time role after graduation, we’ve got you covered. From identifying your goals to receiving an offer, each section provides actionable tips and strategies to help you succeed.

Internships are an excellent way to build your skills, expand your professional network, and explore potential career paths. Many students complete multiple internships during their time in college, using each experience as a stepping stone toward their career goals. Likewise, searching for a full-time role involves planning, persistence, and leveraging the resources available to you.

The job search process requires time and effort, whether you’re looking for an internship or a full-time position. Treat your search like a project by setting aside regular time to work on it, staying organized, and using tools like career fairs, job boards, and networking. Remember, our career office is here to guide you every step of the way, offering resources and coaching to make your search more manageable and rewarding.

Gies Campus Recruiting Timeline

Understanding the timeline for campus recruiting is crucial to ensure you don’t miss out on key opportunities. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

Early Recruiting Industries (June through Early Fall):

Some industries, such as consulting, investment banking, finance, and accounting, start recruiting as early as June and continue through early fall. These timelines are competitive, so staying informed and prepared is essential if you’re interested in these fields.

Ongoing Recruiting Industries (Fall and Spring):

Industries like marketing, business development, supply chain, operations, and other business roles tend to recruit throughout both the fall and spring semesters. This more flexible timeline still requires proactive engagement to ensure you’re aware of deadlines and opportunities.

Key Tips:

  • Start researching roles and industries early so you can plan accordingly.
  • Remember, it’s normal for timelines to vary—stay flexible and open to opportunities as they arise.

Your Internship and Job Search Strategy in 6 Steps

An effective job search requires a lot of preparation, research, and persistence. These strategies can help position yourself to impress potential employers. Before you start the search process, ensure that you understand the recruiting cycle and your responsibilities as a Gies student.

1. Identify Your Interests and Criteria

1. Before you can begin the job search process you must first know what jobs/internships you are interested in.  Use self-assessments and industry research to  learn about and target job functions, industries and geographic locations that interest you.

2. Second, it's important to understand your search criteria.   Be honest with yourself about what is important in your career and personal life.   Common search criteria are:

  • how well the job content corresponds to your interests/skills
  • prospects for advancement
  • training opportunities
  • location
  • growth potential for that industry/performance in down economy
  • corporate culture/affinity groups
  • work/life balance

3. Third, After generating your search list criteria, create a list of 10-20 organizations with whom you are most interested in working. To find out which employers other Gies students are interested in, visit our Career Pages for each academic major.

To learn more about these companies, visit company websites, LinkedIn or Glassdoor.  Speak with other students or alumni about their experience with these organizations.

2. Prepare Your Materials (and Yourself!)

You only have one opportunity to make a first impression with a potential employer, so make sure that impression is a good one!

1. Read through the job descriptions posted on Handshake (particularly for the positions posted with your top companies) and make a list of desired skills for these organizations and the positions that are of interest to you. This will ensure that you match the criteria the employers are looking for.

2. Follow the SORR resume guidelines to create your powerful resume.

3. And before you launch into your job search, make sure that you have your elevator pitch, cover letter, and résumé thoroughly reviewed by Career Services.  Scroll down further to learn how to develop your elevator pitch for career fairs and other networking events.

4. Practice your interviewing skills by utilizing resources such at Big Interview or schedule a mock interview with CPD.  Learn more about interviewing here.

3. Find and Apply for Opportunities

  1. Use online job boards: Begin by exploring job boards like Handshake @ Illinois for positions that you wish to apply for.  It's important to "favorite" the employers that you are interested in so that you receive notifications about jobs they have posted or events that they are hosting.    This will ensure that you don't miss out on an opportunities!
  2. Proactively reach out: Email alumni or professionals in your field for informational interviews or to learn about hidden opportunities. Remember, quality is better than quantity—tailor your applications and focus on roles that genuinely interest you.
  3. Once you have identified potential positions, apply promptly following all instructions (some jobs require that you apply on the company website, others use Handshake).

4. Attend Events and Network

Your network is probably the most valuable resource that you'll have at your disposal. This includes your friends, family, former colleagues, and professional connections.

  • It's much more likely that you will land your next job through someone in your network than just through an online listing, so it's essential to leverage this invaluable resource.
  • Talk with recent grads from your major about the job market, employment opportunities and seek their advice about potential employers.
  • Connect with alumni in your field (find them on LinkedIn)
  • Attend info sessions, networking events, workshops and other events where you can talk with recruiters and professionals. Developing personal contacts at the organizations you want to work for will increase the success of your job search immensely.
  • The Department of Labor estimates that up to 80% of positions are pulled without employer advertising. If you are relying on job postings as your primary job search strategy, you're only seeing approximately 20% of what's out there.

5. Following Up and Staying Organized

A successful search requires staying on top of deadlines and connections.

  • Use a spreadsheet or app to track applications, due dates, and responses.
  • Dedicate regular time to your search: Treat it like a class or project.
  • Follow up on applications: A polite email can show interest and keep your application top of mind.

Being organized will help you stay motivated and ensure no opportunities slip through the cracks.

6. Receiving a Job Offer and Offer Negotiation

Congratulations—you got an offer! Now it’s time to evaluate it carefully. When you have received an offer, be sure to respond in a timely manner.  Take time to carefully consider an offer, review these guidelines to professionally accept, decline or negotiate an offer.

  • Consider the full package: Pay, location, learning opportunities, and potential career growth
  • Be professional: If you have questions or need time to decide, communicate respectfully with the employer
  • Negotiate thoughtfully: It’s okay to ask for adjustments, but be realistic and prioritize what’s most important to you.

Feeling anxiety about your job offer(s) -- we can help!   Speak with one of our advisors for assistance in accepting and declining job offers!

Communication During the Internship/Job Search Process

Using an Elevator Pitch at a Career Fair or Recruiting Event

You can use your elevator pitch to introduce yourself at career fairs, networking events and mixers. If you're attending professional association programs and activities, or any other type of gathering, have your pitch ready to share with those you meet

Your elevator pitch should describe who you are, what you have to offer, and what you would like to do -- in about 30 seconds. You should conclude with a question for the company representative but remember to do your homework. Don't ask a question that you could easily find the answer to by visiting their website, such as where their headquarters are located.

What to Include in Your Pitch

1. Who you are, plus a credential. Your name and something that differentiates you from your peers and/or establishes a relationship (graduate of same college, from the same hometown, etc.).

2. Your specific goal/career interest. This will allow that person to help you or possibly connect you to someone who can.

3. Highlight one or two key skills, experiences, or accomplishments relevant to the audience.

4. A question or request for assistance, depending on the situation you are using the pitch.   For example at a Career Fair you might ask, "Can you tell me more about the culture of our organization?" and at an event you might ask: "Perhaps we could meet for coffee to discuss your career path and opportunities in the marketing profession."

Tips for a Strong Elevator Pitch:

  1. Keep it concise: Aim for 30 seconds or less.
  2. Practice in advance: Rehearse with a friend, advisor, or in front of a mirror.
  3. Tailor it to the audience: Highlight experiences or skills most relevant to the event or employer.
  4. Be confident: Speak clearly, make eye contact, and smile to show enthusiasm.
  5. Be ready to adapt: Adjust your pitch based on the flow of the conversation or feedback you receive.

Job Search Tips

Follow these tips when exploring online job boards:

Leverage Multiple Job Boards:

Not all employers post their positions in Handshake or on third-party job boards so be sure to search both

Refine Your Search:

In addition to keywords, use filters for industry, major, job function, location, etc. to find positions that most closely match your qualifications and interests

Set Up Email Alerts:

Favorite positions on Handshake so you get reminders about the application deadline and set up email alerts on third party job boards so you learn about new postings that meet your criteria

Watch Out for Scam Postings:

If a job posting seem fake, or if you are asked to complete tasks atypical of the application process (e.g. paying a fee), then report the job posting to career services so we can research to determine if it is legitimate

Use Keywords Wisely:

Optimize your resume and LinkedIn profile with relevant keywords to match job descriptions and improve your visibility to recruiters.

Engage with Online Communities:

Join LinkedIn groups or forums related to your career interests. Networking within these spaces can lead to unadvertised opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What if I don’t have relevant experience?

    Don’t worry—everyone starts somewhere! Highlight transferable skills  -- from coursework, group projects, volunteer work, or part-time jobs. Focus on skills like like the Gies Professional Pathway competencies -- teamwork, communication, critical thinking, or problem-solving that are valuable in any role.  Employers understand you’re still learning and developing your skill set.

  • How do I stand out in a competitive market?

    Tailor your application materials to each position. Use keywords from the job description and emphasize how your skills align with the role. Networking can also help you stand out—a personal referral or connection to the company can make your application more memorable.

  • What if I don’t know what type of internship or job I want?

    That’s okay! Explore your interests by attending career fairs, talking to professionals, and researching different industries. Trying something new can help you discover what you like—or don’t like—which is valuable insight for your career journey.

  • How can I handle rejection during the job search?

    Rejections are a normal part of the process and not a reflection of your worth. Use them as learning opportunities by asking for feedback when possible. Stay persistent and keep refining your applications—the right opportunity will come along. If you find the process overwhelming, know that it’s okay to seek support. Our embedded counselor is available to help with managing stress, building resilience, and staying positive throughout your internship search journey.

  • Should I apply to internships or jobs even if I don’t meet all the qualifications?

    Yes! Job descriptions often list "ideal" candidates, but employers are willing to consider applicants who meet most requirements. If you’re excited about a role and can demonstrate your potential to learn and grow, go for it. However, international students should pay close attention to job descriptions to ensure the role is open to applicants who need sponsorship now or in the future. Applying selectively to positions aligned with your eligibility can save time and increase your chances of success.

  • What is a "Winter Internship"?

    Some accounting internships are offered during the Spring semester, often referred to as Winter Internships, and typically align with tax season.   When choosing to complete a Winter Internship, you generally do not enroll in courses on campus during the semester.  These internships are immersive experiences, providing fantastic insight into the accounting industry and practical hands-on experience.   If you are considering a Winter Internship, it is essential to meet with an academic advisor to understand how this decision may affect your graduation timeline, particularly if you are pursuing double majors, minors, or concentrations with semester-restricted courses.    Alternatively, many students opt for Summer Internships. However, due to their popularity, some Summer Internships, particularly at the "Big Four" accounting firms can be more competitive. With early planning and support from career advisors, you can maximize your chances of securing one of these valuable positions.

  • How do I balance my internship/job search with classes and other commitments?

    Set aside specific times each week to focus on your search, and break the process into smaller steps, like updating your resume or submitting two applications a day. Staying organized will help you balance everything more effectively.

    Landing an internship/job is a journey, and each step helps you grow closer to your goals. Remember, our career office is here to support you at every stage—don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance!