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Internship Application
Hello: I recently asked the below question, and only got one answer. But I thought I'd ask you, because (no offence intended) you are wiser because of your age. I also know - from reading your answers - that you have had a long working life. So if you could help, that would be really great. Thanks!
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I'm applying for an internship with a charity: they then put you with a leading politician for 9 months. It's great, because I've always wanted to do this, but a lack of money has always prevented me from doing so. This is paid, and so I'm trying to make my application perfect.
The problem is, how easily should I tell the truth? During my school years, I did the bare minimum to keep me going. I was literaly a straight B student. I got 1 A, and that was because my teacher pushed me. Even in that subject, I was 7 marks away from an A+. I asked my teacher, "Should I re-do it, and try and get the higher grade?" he replied "I don't care: You've gotten higher than the C you were predicted, and so It's really up to you because at least now the principle won't be breathing down my neck". Bad teaching, I know, but I decided to stick with the A. My science teacher also told me that if I just worked a little harder, I could get an A. I didn't listen, and stuck with my B.
In high school, I came out with mostly Cs and and a D. Again, I didn't really work as hard as I knew that I could.
Obviously I need to put my grades down, but should the explanation be "I was lazy, but I've changed". Because I believe I have. I've re-discovered my passion for learning, and regularly read old history and mathematics text books for pleasure. I've not had many jobs, but during my last one, the employer said that she had been doing her job for 13 years, and has never had an assistant as good as me. So yes, I believe I have changed, and I really enjoy working.
But should I say that I was lazy, and that I've now changed? Or will it put them off? I really need to stand out, because last year they received 30,000 applicants, and only selected 10.
Should I give them another reason for my poor grades? Any ideas?
Thanks, and apologies for it being so long.
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Some of those details would have changed the way I answered you.
Good luck, hope you get the position.
I did see this question yesterday. I was about to respond to it when I read the advice given by the one responder and how you rated her advice.
The advice I was going to give was going to be very similar in that grades are not the most important thing to employers once you are out of school and have a work history. A verifiable work history is something that is important to an employer along with a High School and College Diploma. Your ratting said you didn't want to hear that.
No employer wants to hear excuses with the possible exception of an explanation for a break in you work history. Giving an employer a bunch of excuses tells more about you than you think. Saying I use to be this way but have now seen the error of my ways. Does not always come across as you may think it does. It may come across as, "I'm desperate, I know I need to change and I will change."
Frankly when I was interviewing and someone said that to me, that is what I heard. When they left, their application went in the reject pile. If you tried to put all that information on the application itself, in your resume or on a cover letter; you would never get to an interview.
Always tell the truth in an application for a job or anything else. It is to easy today to be trapped in a lie. When interviewing never volunteer anything unless your asked a question that is an open ended question such as; "Tell me about yourself." Then stick to generalizations and let the interviewer ask more specific question. There are times when to much information is harmful and this is one of them.
How do you stand out in a pile of 30,000 applications. You write and outstanding cover letter. They are not going to read 30,000 resumes' or applications. They will give a brief look at the brief cover letter that should accompany your application or cover letter.
You start by thanking them for the opportunity to apply for this position. Then in less than 150 to 200 words explain why you are both right for the position and how the position is right for you.
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