As a career coach, I’ve guided hundreds of college students toward landing that all-important internship or first job. But when it was my son’s turn, everything felt different.
This wasn’t just about prepping for interviews or fixing a resume. It was personal. The stakes felt higher, not because he wasn’t capable, but because I knew what the job market demands. I’ve seen what happens when smart, motivated students stall simply because they don’t know where to start.
With my son, I knew we had to focus on more than just getting hired. We had to build his confidence. We had to clarify his skills, value, and how to discuss it… the same things I teach my clients, now being put to the test at home.
If you’re a parent trying to help your student take that next step, here’s exactly what I did with my son to help him prepare to land an internship and what you can do too.
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- Start With Who You Know
- Help Students Discover Their Core Skills
- Build A Resume That’s Clear, Confident And Printable
- Research The Company And Find Out What Is Important To Them
- We Didn’t Just Talk About Interviews, We Practiced Them
- Be Ready With Smart Questions
- Dress The Part Because It’s More Than Just Clothes
- Practice Until It Feels Real
- Bring A Portfolio
1. Start With Who You Know
My son is a rising senior studying child psychology. He wants to work with children who have behavioral or learning challenges. He was fortunate to have a few experiences working with children of different learning profiles at summer camps or other part-time jobs. When he expressed interest in gaining an internship at specific schools supporting children with disabilities, I did not tell him to look online for job postings.
I told him to reach back out to his previous employers and speak with them to give an update on his schooling and what he was looking for this summer. These employers gave him ideas of schools and specific referrals to speak with, where he could learn more. This was the first step. Networking with a referral was the best way to start.
2. Help Students Discover (Not Just List) Their Core Skills
He reached out to these individuals, who were more than happy to speak with my son. He set up a time for an informational interview. I ensured that he prepared ahead of these conversations.
I asked, “Do you have a plan of what to say or ask in these calls?” and he gave me the look.
Like many students, my son wasn’t sure how to explain his experience in a way that would add value to an employer.
I asked him the same question I ask every client:
“What are your top skills?”
He gave a heavy sigh and said,
“I have no idea.”
Sound familiar?
We took a step back and looked at everything together…his resume, summer jobs, and class projects. That’s when the patterns started to show up.
We discussed his experience as a camp counselor where he worked with children who needed extra support. He had to stay calm, redirect tough behavior, and think on his feet. That showed adaptability and strong emotional intelligence.
Even his job behind the prize counter at an arcade taught him something. He had to deal with long lines, keep families happy, and manage frustrated parents with indecisive children.. That took patience, clear communication, and a sense of humor.
What he thought were just part-time jobs were real-life skill stories.
Once he saw that, everything changed. He felt more confident. He could explain what he brought to the table. And he was ready to speak about it in a way that made employers pay attention.
3. Build a Resume That’s Clear, Confident, and Printable
Once we identified his core skills, we moved on to the resume. Every bullet point had to do a job. It needed to start with a strong action verb, show something specific he accomplished, and whenever possible, include a number or result.
We cut anything vague. No more “helped with events” or “responsible for tasks.” Instead, we focused on what he did and what impact it had.
But it wasn’t just the content. Presentation mattered too.
I had him print out a few clean copies of his resume to bring with him. Yes, even in this digital world. Why?
Because not every interviewer will have it in front of them.
Because it shows you came prepared.
And because holding that paper in your hand is a quiet confidence boost.
It might feel old school, but that simple piece of paper said something important: I’ve done the work. I’m ready to talk about it.
4. Research the Company And Find What Matters to Them
Researching the company isn’t about memorizing their mission statement or listing facts from the website.
I encouraged my son to go a little deeper. He looked for two or three specific details that genuinely interested him. Not just what the company does, but how they do it and why it matters.
That’s when he found something that clicked. The organization used pet therapy to support children and had a creative reward system to reinforce positive behavior.
These weren’t just talking points. They gave him a real connection to the company’s work and values.
So when the interviewer asked, “What do you know about us?” he didn’t hesitate. He shared what he had learned and followed up with,
“Here’s why I want to be part of what you’re doing.”
That kind of insight didn’t just make his answer stronger, it made him feel more prepared and more confident.
5. We Didn’t Just Talk About Interviews, We Practiced Them
Writing out the answer to interview questions isn’t the same as being ready for one.
When I worked with my son, we practiced the kinds of questions he was likely to face. At first, he did what many students do …he talked too fast and tried to say everything at once, hoping something would stick.
I reminded him, “This isn’t a quiz. Slow down. Be clear. Let them process what you are saying.”
We worked on answering with structure—beginning, middle, and end.
We focused on being calm, thoughtful, and easy to follow.
He practiced questions like:
“Tell me about yourself.”
“You said you’re adaptable—can you give an example?”
“Why should we hire you?”
It wasn’t about memorizing perfect answers. It was about being able to communicate with purpose.
And with each run-through, he became more confident. He wasn’t guessing anymore—he knew what to say, and how to say it.
6. Be Ready With Smart Questions
One of the best ways to make a strong impression in an interview is by asking the right questions.
I encouraged my son to come in with a list of three to five thoughtful questions that show real interest, not just something pulled from Google. And he had these written down to refer to during the interview.
He prepared questions like:
“How do you measure success for this role?”
“What are the most imporant attributes of someone who would take on this role?”
“What’s the biggest challenge your team is working through right now?”
These weren’t fillers. They showed that he had done his homework, that he cared about the role, and that he was already thinking like someone who wanted to contribute.
Good questions don’t just get answers, they leave a lasting impression.
One of the best ways to stand out? Ask great questions.
7. Dress the Part Because It’s More Than Just Clothes
Even though the company had a casual dress code, I told him, “You always dress one level above.”
He wore:
- A collared shirt
- Slacks
- A belt
- Polished shoes
Because how you dress affects how you feel.
Dressing well isn’t just about appearance, it’s about mindset.
It tells your student:
“I’m serious. I’m capable. I’m ready.” And I’m sure most candidates are not rejected for dressing professionally.
8. Practice Until It Feels Real
This wasn’t a one-and-done prep session.
We practiced everywhere …in the car, at dinner, during downtime.
Why? Because the more we practiced, the more comfortable he became.
And when it finally mattered, he wasn’t scrambling. He was confident and calm.
9. Bring a Portfolio: The Low-Tech Secret Weapon
No, not a phone or a folder, a professional padfolio.
Inside:
- Yellow-lined paper
- A pen
- Several printed resumes
- His prepared questions
- Notes from his company research
- A cheat sheet with examples and stories
It was organized, accessible, and didn’t rely on technology. Before the interview, he could quietly review and center himself, without distractions.
This simple tool made a big difference in how he felt walking in.
Final Thoughts: The Job Search is All About Confidence
We prepped the resume.
We practiced the questions.
We researched the company.
We covered every detail.
But at the end of the day, the most important thing my son walked in with was confidence.
Not because he was perfect.
But because he was prepared.
And when a student feels ready, they show up as their best, most authentic self—and that’s what gets them hired.
And the outcome??
After interviewing for multiple organizations, he received two offers. He was stressed about having to choose which one, but this is the best kind of stress to have. I am so proud of him as he did it on his own. He did not need to listen to or take my advice. He said that he felt so good about walking into these interviews, it almost felt like a game! I guess he won!
If your student is struggling to get started or stuck in the application spiral, we get it. We don’t just tweak resumes, we help students walk into interviews knowing,
“I’ve got this.”
Need help getting your child to that place of confidence? Book a free consultation or call 973-577-6161 today. We’ll help them take their next great step with clarity and confidence.
