Obtaining a Co-op/Internship Position

Expect to interview for your co-op/intern position.

While some students seek co-op credit for a job they already have, other students use listings from the Co-op Program to help them locate a co-op/internship position. The process for obtaining a co-op position is similar to the process used to apply for a regular job -- you apply, you interview for the position, along with other applicants, and then the employer decides which applicant to hire.

When you find a co-op/intern opportunity through UNI CareerLink that matches your interests and qualifications, unless the vacancy notice states that additional application materials are required, you can click on "apply" and your resume will be e-mailed to the employer. Internship positions have an asterisk(*) behind them. If you do not meet qualifications for the internship, you will be informed you cannot apply online.

If the vacancy notice states the employer requires additional application materials, such as a writing sample, transcripts, or cover letter, submit these document through "My Documents" instructions in UNI CareerLink.

Some employers come on campus to interview. Others request interviews at their work site. Employers decide whether to interview on campus or not. Employers from some industries and organizations are more likely to interview on campus than others. At present, most of the employers who choose to interview on campus are from business and industry. Local-area employers, whether business, industry, or social service/nonprofit are likely to ask you to come to their work site for the interview.

Interview schedules are located through the "calendar" icon in UNI CareerLink under event type "Interview Date". Click on "Location/Job Position" for additional information. On-campus interviews are classified as open or closed interviews. With an open sign-up interview, any qualified applicant registered with co-op can sign up for an interview slot, using UNI CareerLink. With closed interviews, employers request resumes from qualified applicants, and then decide whom they want to interview. If an employer selects you from the list of applicants, then you would be able to sign up for an interview slot.

Once you are on an interview schedule, whether it is open or closed, on-campus or off-campus, the next thing to do is to prepare!

Do some research on the employer, review your resume and your skills for the position, anticipate questions you might be asked, decide what questions you want to ask, plan what to wear, know where you are supposed to go and when you are supposed to be there.

You can often locate company information on the Internet and through resources available in Rod Library and the Career Resource Center in Career Services. The peer career assistants in Career Services can help you locate company information. They also conduct mock interviews, so that you can practice your interview skills. To make an appointment with a Peer Advisor, call Career Services at 273-6857. Career Services also offers a variety of workshops to help you with resumes and interviewing.

During the interview, get a business card from the interviewer. After the interview send a thank you letter within the next day or so. peer career assistants can show you sample thank-you letters.

  • It is important to keep your interview appointments. If you have to miss an off-campus interview appointment due to illness or some other serious problem, contact the employer as soon as possible before the interview. If you have to miss an on-campus interview, contact Career Services (273-6857) during business hours and the employer will be notified. If you miss an on-campus interview for any reason, you will need to write a letter of apology to the employer and provide a copy to Career Services before you can participate in further on-campus interviews. Remember that if you don't keep your appointment, you are taking time that the employer could have used for his/her hiring process and may be keeping another UNI student from a job opportunity. See Career Services Ethics Statement for related information.
  • The employer will notify you if you were selected for the position. Most employers will call you to give you a verbal offer and may follow up with a written offer. Others may ask you to come to their site for a second interview after the first interview, whether on-campus or off. Then you would be contacted after the second interview.
  • You decide which offer to accept. After you receive the offer from an employer, it is important to let them know your decision in a timely manner, whether you decide to accept or decline the offer. If you don't accept a position, that means the employer needs to continue his/her search for a co-op/intern student and will need to get on with the search and hiring process. Delaying your decision may also mean that another student will miss out on an internship opportunity.
  • Once you accept a position, stop looking for other positions. If you accept a position and then go back on your word and refuse to take the position so that you can take another job, that action requires the employer to return to his/her search after other candidates had likely been dismissed and gone on to other jobs. This then means that the employer may not be able to fill the position when needed and that other candidates may have lost an opportunity that they would have taken, had it been offered. Being known as someone whose word cannot be relied upon is not the kind of reputation to have as a professional.