how to get involved

I remember coming to Davis as a freshman and thinking, "Wow, I have to start building my resume all over again." I was determined to get involved but wasn't sure how to.

Here are some tips and tricks I learned throughout my two years at Davis on getting involved!

GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR.

First off, it's going to be difficult getting involved with internships & jobs as an applicant with no experience. So during my freshman year, I really focused on getting my foot in the door and getting involved with activities that showcased my leadership abilities. I applied for an Assistant Director position at Picnic Day and I honestly believe that it was a great learning experience that gave me a lot to talk about during interviews. Although it wasn't completely relevant to the internships I wanted to get involved with, it helped me learn essential teamwork & organizational skills.

THE APPLICATION

Before you start applying, make sure you have a good cover letter and resume on hand (and always personalize your CV for each organization you're applying to). Get it proofread by people you trust and even the Internship and Career Center. When responding to questions on the application, make sure to establish a unique idea, expand on why it's important, and implement your qualifications/skills into the response to show that you have what it takes to make the idea a reality. Basically, you need to expand on each question and not just "answer" the question directly.

EMAIL ETIQUETTE

When you receive an invitation to interview, always thank the person who sent you the email! Same with after an interview, always thank the interviewer and send a follow-up email to thank them for their time while summarizing your accomplishments.

THE INTERVIEW

Practice common interview questions before your interview! However, I know some people don't like doing this because it makes their responses seem too rehearsed.

Some common interview questions are:

• Tell me about yourself

• What can you bring to this job?

• What skills/qualifications do you have?

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?

• What ideas do you have? How can you improve __

• What makes you different from other candidates?

• Situational questions: What would you do if ___

• Do you have any questions for us?

While your responses are important, I also find that non-verbals and the way you present yourself can impact whether or not you get a position. While a lot of jobs want qualified candidates, they are also looking for someone who will fit into their work environment. This means that they want someone with a positive attitude, has potential, and is easy to work with! For me personally, I put an effort into giving a friendly impression and smile a lot throughout my interview. Sometimes I also record myself to see how I would look during the interview (this is a really good way to catch any bad habits like shaking your leg, excessive blinking, monotone voice, etc). After being on both sides as the interviewee & the interviewer, I realized that a lot of responses and experiences sound the same after you continue to interview candidates. To stand out, have unique responses and show your own charisma!

If you tend to get nervous during interviews, just know that it's normal. But don't let it hinder your ability to perform well and instead turn your nervousness into excitement. Before interviews, picture yourself doing well and know that an interview is just a conversation to help the interviewer get to know the interviewee. The more interviews you do, the better you'll get at them!

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

A lot of clubs and organizations on campus don't care about your previous experiences but more so your vision and how much of an impact you'll make in the organization. Don't think that you won't be able to get involved early just because you lack experience or because you're a freshman. I personally felt extremely stressed but was able to find success during my freshman year and I know many others did too. You can do it!!! Know that a couple of failures don't determine your success. I interviewed at 2 student-run clinics before I got accepted into one and I'm so glad I ended up at the one I am currently in (timing can work in your favor!). Good luck in all of your future endeavors :)