How to find the best internship while studying at ESSEC

Finding an internship while being a student at ESSEC requires good strategy and a clear vision of your future, but with some good insider tricks you can really boost your chances!

 

1. Book an appointment with ESSEC Career Center

If you’re reading this article you are probably a student at ESSEC, and if you’re lucky enough to be enrolled in one of the top business school in the world why not using one of the greatest services ESSEC offers: career consulting.

"Never understimate the importance of talking to experts"

Here you will get unique insights regarding the industry and the top skills required. You can easily book on MyESSEC a 1h meeting with a career booster in consulting, finance or maybe luxury and dramatically increase your chances of getting the internship you want!

2. Networking

Now that you have the best insights on a company or on an industry, you still need to gather internal information from that company. This will help you say and do the things the HR expects from you. But how can you get this kind of exclusive insights? Luckily, being at ESSEC means being part of a family, and you can always search on LinkedIn some ESSEC alumni who worked for the company you like and send them a message. In addition to this, you will have access to an incredible database of alumni experiences that you can consult every time to gather useful information.

3. Career fairs

Being enrolled in the 4^th MiM worldwide (Financial Time ranking 2018) means that top employers are naturally attracted by you, and they will come multiple times a year to the Campus in order to present their company, their values and their working opportunities.

"Sometimes you will find 10 applicants for 1 single position"

Company presentations and fairs at ESSEC are happening every week. Dress elegantly, print some CVs and start networking!

4. CV and Cover Letter

Now that you gathered so much information, both internally and externally, it’s time to fine tune your CV. Technically, you should have a CV that highlights the specific top skills required for each job you’re applying for. For what concerns the cover letter, don’t forget that it is nothing more than your “selling pitch”, meaning that you need to use it to “sell yourself” and your skills and to show why you’re so unique between the other applicants. You can find very useful career suggestions on the MyESSEC Career Center.

5. Apply!

Very often, applying on LinkedIn means being 1 in 1'000 applicants, thus lowering your possibilities of getting noted by a large extent. Do you know that on average, an HR takes only 6.25 seconds to screen your CV (even though, it still takes 2 full hours to screen 1’000 applicants)? Much better to apply through Job Teaser, the ESSEC Career Service portal. Here you will find exclusive opportunities from partner companies that are carefully selected for ESSEC’s students.

"You're the perfect fit for our company...Welcome aboard!"

6. Prepare your Interview

Now that you have your interview you finally have the opportunity to show your skills and why you’re the best candidate. If you want exclusive insights on how to crack your job interview, write us a comment and we will prepare another article on this!

How to go from “Je m’appelle baguette” to acing a job interview in French

 It’s not a new trend that studying abroad provides plenty of cool opportunities to learn a new culture and language. Despite the fact that most universities offer lectures in English, it’s a good idea to step out of your comfort zone and get to know the basics of the local language. If you are planning to stay abroad for work, it is even more important to do so.

"...it’s a good idea to step out of your comfort zone and get to know the basics of the local language"

In some places, like the Netherlands or Germany, one can survive for longer periods with the aid of English only; in France this is not the case. Here, everyday activities such as grocery shopping or buying a transport card might become quite challenging, let alone finding an internship. In fact, one thing that is silently known but not openly admitted is the difficulty of finding a job in France without being fluent in French. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of companies that are willing to close an eye on this if the candidate’s profile is well fitting, but one should at least be able to interact with co-workers in their native language.

Therefore, for the sake of a smoother everyday life but also for the pursuit of one’s career, it is recommended to learn the basics of the French language before arriving to France. Although it might be hard to squeeze in French classes while preparing for the GMAT, applying to different master’s degrees, writing a bachelor thesis or completing an internship, it would be a small sacrifice that will yield results later on. Below are a few tips (that can be followed anywhere, at any time) to learn the language in an effective way.

"...it is recommended to learn the basics of the French language before arriving to France"

#1 Technology is your ally (apps, videos, etc.)

Today is probably the best era to learn new things, as we are surrounded by tools and techniques allowing a more personalized approach to acquiring new skills and knowledge. The good old flashcards can be useful but slightly unpractical, so apps providing quick exercises like Duolinguo, will boost one’s vocab in no time. Another precious tool is Easy French, a YouTube channel offering a plethora videos (with subtitles) for any type of user and interest.

#2 Know the Rules

Grammar is the bone structure of a language and although studying it intensely might not be the fastest way to master a language, having a rough knowledge of verb tenses and their uses might actually make the difference between making people giggle and being able to impress a recruiter. The Becherelle, a tiny (it fits in any medium-sized purse J) booklet on verbs’ conjugations and basic grammar rules, is definitely one’s best buddy on the journey to mastering the French language.

"...having a rough knowledge of verb tenses and their uses might actually make the difference between making people giggle and being able to impress a recruiter."

#3 Movies & series

It is true that one is a click away from changing the language settings on Netflix or from downloading a movie in another language, but one can use the study of a foreign language as an excuse to get acquainted with a completely new cinematographic tradition. Luckily, French cinema produced some masterpieces, ranging from the classic Amélie to the success of Intouchables. However, for those who enjoy the lightness of series, Plus Belle la Vie and Caméra Café should do the trick. Watching a movie in French with French subtitles can actually help the ear get used to the new words while training the eye to their spelling.

#4 Imagine a situation with Frenchies

Another extremely useful activity is to imagine an everyday situation, such as visiting a provider to get a forfeit and then translate the imaginary conversation on paper. This might sound weird to do, but it is actually very effective as it prepares to react to ordinary events without having the need to use the sign language.

#5 Wanted: French native speaker

Needless to say, feeling comfortable having a conversation in a foreign language is the hardest part of the whole process and yet probably the most crucial one, especially if the goal is to ace the interview and get the job. And here is where the greatness of social media comes in: believe it or not, people of any nationality living abroad will have a Facebook group in which they share experiences and tips. All one needs to do is to look for it (for example “Les françaises à Berlin/New York/Katmandu”) and share a post asking if anyone is willing to spend some time weekly over a coffee to chat in French. 

"...feeling comfortable having a conversation in a foreign language is the hardest part of the whole process and yet probably the most crucial one"

Most likely, those who come forward are glad to meet new people and to share their culture and in the best case scenario, they will be willing to check your homework or recommend you books and movies. This is not only much cheaper and more flexible than enrolling in a traditional language course, but also achievements will come more quickly and there’s the chance of making a new friend.

All these are just a few of the many ways in which one can learn a new language; however there are some key ingredients to a successful approach: commitment and motivation. They prevent from constantly postponing and from giving up once the first difficulties arise (rest assured, they will). One just needs to drop the excuses, the “I’m not a language person” idea and use downtimes fruitfully. By regularly practicing French when commuting on public transport, while waiting for the nail polish to dry or even during your workout routine, results will come sooner than expected.

"By regularly practicing French...results will come sooner than expected."

Written by Costanza Poser, 1st year MiM Grande Ecole Student 

From the other Side of the Desk - Part 2

Are you ready to convince the interviewer that you are the best person for that job? Then, follow these tips and keep in mind that the interview is not a challenge but a way to demonstrate your value! In this second part, we we will give you tips on how to behave and what to do on the day of the interview, as well as hints about what to avoid. Part 1 focuses on what employers want and how you can best prepare for your interview.

“The STAR technique will allow you to find evidence of what you’ve done that will meet your employer’s needs”

AT THE INTERVIEW

1.      Dress appropriately: the way you dress is a signal of yourself and of your competence… first impression matters!  Dress appropriately to the organization in question.

2.      Bring everything you need:

·         Your passport, the invitation at job interview, copies of certificates…

·         Questions, facts and figures to include in the meeting

·         Copies of updated CV

·         Notebook and pen

3.      Now it’s the time to sell yourself! A good way to express your ideas in a clear and coherent way is the STAR technique: it will allow you to find evidence of what you’ve done that will meet your employer’s needs. 

      

      It can be used answering questions that involve examples on your leadership skills, your initiative and teamwork abilities. The STAR technique organizes your thoughts around:

-          

      The Situation: which was the setting?

-          The Task: what did you have to do?

-          The Action you took: how did you behave? Which was the action you took that lead to an excellent outcome?

-          The Result: which was the positive outcome of the situation, thanks to what you did?  

"...find evidence of what you’ve done that will meet your employer’s needs."

4.      The Closing: Ask smart questions:

·         What would a typical day be like?

·         What will be the challenges in the developments of this position in the future?

·         What’s the next step in the procedure?

·         What are the qualities you are looking for in this position?

TIPS: HOW TO PERFORM WELL AT THE INTERVIEW

1. First impression and first contacts are very important - be polite to everyone you meet!
2. Be enthusiastic and positive - don’t complain about the bad weather, the horrible ride an don’t denigrate anyone.
3. Non-verbal signs – remember to:
1. Speak clearly
2. Look in the eye
3. Don’t cross legs and arms
4. Listen more and speak less

5.      When asked: “Did you apply to other jobs to other companies?” reply with a company that  is in the same sector, and choose the best one.

6. Follow up after the interview - send a thank you email right after the interview or the day after.
7. Have a back up plan - if you don’t get the position, it is important to ask a feedback on where you should improve and where you fell short

“Listen more and speak less”

KEY INTERVIEWING ERRORS

And to conclude, here is a list of what you should avoid!

• Late to the interview
• Inappropriate personal appearance
• Limited eye contact
• Bad attitude and arrogance
• Poor oral communication
• Distracting body language
• Lack of preparation and company research
• Vague responses to questions
• Indifference and enthusiasm
• Being desperate for the job
• Lack of career directions
• Badmouthing people
• Asking about salary, benefits and perks
• Dishonesty / evasiveness
• Failing to ask questions

We are sure that by following these tips you’ll nail your next interview! Good luck J

From the Other Side of the Desk - Part 1

This blog is a sister to the previous 'How to Rock your Interview' Blog, discussing how to perform well in your interview and to land that dream job.

To further develop the tips and advice that ESSEC Business School can give you to be successful in your interview endeavours, one of our very own, Lucia Casagranda, has had the opportunity to gain in on some secrets from the HR director and headhunter of PWC (PricewaterhouseCoopers). 

Here the advice she has been able to compile for the yoda of HR himself, Mr. Edward Bryant - so, read on, grab your pencil for some notes, and go get 'em tiger. 

Congrats, you’ve been called to sit a job interview! Now keep calm and don’t stress, as only 4-5% of applicants are called to sit the interview. Now it’s time to demonstrate what you can do for the employer. Your focus, from now on, is how to impress the employer and show what you can do for them not the other way around! 

"...only 4-5% of applicants are called to sit the interview"

Are you ready to convince the interviewer that you are the best person for that job? Then, follow these tips and keep in mind that the interview is not a challenge but a way to demonstrate your value!

In this first part, we will focus on what employers want and how you can best prepare for your interview. In part 2 we will give you tips on how to behave and what to do on the day of the interview, as well as hints about what to avoid.

WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT

First of all, it’s important to know what employers want. They are looking for evidence. In particular, they are looking for three elements:

• Motivation for the role: are you passionate and enthusiastic about the role?
• Can you adapt and adopt the organization’s vision? Can you fit into the team? Do you have the soft skills, social skills, empathy needed? These are things that you don’t learn at school or at university!
• Do you have the skills abilities to do the work? Evaluate not only current skills, but you’re your ability to develop them.

“Employers are looking for motivation for the roles, soft and hard skills.”

PREPARING THE INTERVIEW

Before sitting the interview, it is crucial to prepare the following aspects:

1. Logistics - what type of interview will it be? How much time will it take? You need to be aware of what the program is for the day, and try find out who are the people who will interview you. Moreover, don’t be late, as this will show a lack of responsibility and interest towards the post.
2. Self-assessment: You are the product that you are selling, thus you have to know yourself.  It is important, thus, to carefully review what you know and what you want.

“You are the product that you are selling, thus you have to know yourself”.

 WHAT YOU KNOW:

-          Your skills: what are you good at? Ask yourself: “What are my greatest accomplishments?” Make a list and then try to find common threads to see which were your skills and which were your interests. Moreover, define which are your strengths and your weaknesses.  

WHAT YOU WANT:

-          Your interests: what do you enjoy?

-        Your values: what is important in your life? Is it helping other people? Work-life balance? Or rather appreciation and power? Examples of questions to be asked are: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What do you want to do in life? What are your values? What is important to you?

It is also important to learn and identify your gaps. An effective way to tackle questions on experience or competences you don’t have yet is: “I don’t have this particular competence that you need, but I talked to / took a course / read about / went to conference… and learnt that ….”.

"It is important to learn and identify your gaps."

3. Do your homework: It is important that you research about the company, about the sector and about the job. Here are some tips!
• Look at the website of the company: look at the publications, annual reports, publications, intelligence reports not only of that company but of others in the sector.
• Know the Job description: if you don’t have it, ask for it! Which are the competencies required for the specific job?  
• Learn about who are the key posts at the company, who is the competition, learn about market trends, numbers and figures.

3. Practice practice practice… and get feedback!

How to Rock your Interview

After sleep-less nights and stressed out days of submitting your CV, searching for jobs and listening to depressing music, you have finally landed an interview.

So, what to do?

Sure, you can chill out for a day and appreciate the hard research you have done in writing your CV and being constantly on the prowl for your job hunt, but just like Julius Caesar, you need to come up with a strategy for domination.

Since this is the last step of the recruitment process, you need to be sure that you are ready, steady, and concentrated, as if you were the great Caesar himself.

"ESSEC Business School has tips to help you rock your interview hard, just like Nirvana, and trust me, you’ll need all the help you can get."

ESSEC Business School has tips to help you rock your interview hard, just like Nirvana, and trust me, you’ll need all the help you can get.

This advice will not only help you shine when speaking with the panel, but calm your nerves and makes you sane – the last thing you want to have is a fight club episode with yourself.

Preparation is the secret Ingredient.

Don’t wing it. Ever. When passing an interview, you need to make sure that you know everything there is to know about the company or school you are applying to.

Get familiar with the entity you want to work or study at – stalk them, prowl their social media websites to know the recent gossip, news, events, make coffee dates to find out about the company or school from alumni or current employees or students – anything that will help you understand the company or school in a better light.

Know exactly about which programme or job position you are applying to, especially its’ missions, paths, and strategical implementations.

"...make them see that you are not only offering your 

skills but the company or school you are applying to will 

offer you something in return." 

It’s also a big plus to have a set goal in mind of what you want to achieve and how you want to grow in position you want – make them see that you are not only offering your skills but the company or school you are applying to will offer you something in return.

It’s Okay to Practice

Talking out loud to yourself might seem like you are crazy at first, but in fact, it will help you practice for the real thing.

Preparing for a Q&A sesh is a fantastic way to get ready for that important interview, especially when you know that the panel will ask you something like, “So, tell me about yourself”.

Though this seems like a piece of pie, once you actually sit in front of those judging eyes, you want to be well rehearsed, without all of unnecessary stage fright.

"...you want to be well rehearsed, without all of 

unnecessary stage fright."

When you are repeating your answers to yourself in front of a mirror, (I know, it’s weird, but go with it), work on putting your best foot forward – make sure that your answers are logical, well thought out, confident, and reflect your self-potential and the added value that you are sure to bring.

Communication is key in an interview – work on communicating clearly, with a good rhythm – work that groove that you got going on and the panel might start to break dance. 

 "...work that groove that you got going on and the panel 

might start to break dance." 

Body Language is not only Precious, it’s Transparent

Your body is a vessel of words. The way you sit, look, and walk will be judged. So, there is no need to say that putting your feet up on the desk is disastrous.

When sitting in an interview, make sure to always make eye contact with the person speaking. Never cross your arms, always cross your legs, and make arm gestures that seem inviting, open, and willing to listen.

"...Your body is a vessel of words."

This will not only let the jury know that you are an open and trustworthy person, but that you are confident in what you are saying, while being attentive to the other party.

Ask as a River of Questions

It is never good when an interviewee does not ask questions at the end of the session. This makes the candidate not only seem uninterested in the position or entity, but uninterested in the people that he or she was interviewed by.

This is definitely a big mistake – prepare to ask some questions the day before your interview, as to make sure that you seem very interested and enthused by the position offered.

Questions signify interest – interest creates a good impression.

"Questions signify interest – interest creates a good 

impression."

Be Yourself!

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is to be yourself. Recruiters and judge panels like originality – it is paramount to them that the candidate can bring a fresh pop and new creativity to the team.

So, talk about why you are unique, what makes you you, and why your path of life has pushed you to apply for this position. Don't make a soap opera, of course, but differentiate yourself from the other candidates by preparing a personal story of some kind of why you are here and what this position means to you. 

"Recruiters and judge panels like originality – it is 

paramount to them that the candidate can bring a fresh 

pop and new creativity to the team."

Personal struggles and achievements are gold - this lets the panel see your potential, uniqueness and color. 

And….Don’t Stress

The people interviewing you are just people, like you. Remember that they too have fears, goals and dreams.

During your interview, it is important that you attempt to relate to them in a human way, and build a connection. They will appreciate the anthropological side of you.

"...it is important that you attempt to relate to them in a human way, and build a connection."

With that said, go knock ‘em dead.

Go get ‘em tiger.