How to get hired as a BlueCat intern/co-op

So, you’re thinking of dedicating time to BlueCat Networks as a co-op student. That’s exciting! Whether this is your first time applying for a co-op position or your last, I’ve laid out some helpful tips for you to get a better understanding of our application process and save you some time.

Research

Before applying to BlueCat, it’s important to do some research. Look, we get it. Deadlines are tight. But you might accidentally apply to BlueCoat if you don’t!

So, before you apply, do some research. Find out what we do, what DNS is, who some of our clients are, and now go back to what we do and try and understand what any of it means. If you don’t understand what any of this means, it’s okay. Don’t stress. We’ll help you out during your interview.

Resume

And now – the resume. Can’t apply to a job without a resume, right?

Your resume should clearly include your name, what skills you bring to the table, and make sense for the position you’re applying to.

Regardless of what you’re applying for, make sure your resume looks good. A good resume will stand out. A good resume doesn’t look like every other resume and is tailored to the specific job that you’re applying for.

Cover Letter

Like your resume, if you’re asked to write a cover letter, make sure to tailor it to the job.

When writing a cover letter, don’t just craft a wordier version of your resume. Let your personality shine through. I once saw someone write that they wanted to be in sales because of Dwight from The Office. I loved that.

Also, please don’t write a novel. Tight deadlines, remember? A short, concise, and personal cover letter for this process is better than your career version of a Dostoyevsky novel.

Review

After crafting your resume and possibly writing a cover letter, make sure you proofread both before submitting your application.

Typos happen. We’re only human* so we’re bound to make mistakes. We all do it! However, it’s important to catch those little mistakes. Attention to detail while facing a tight deadline in a high-pressure situation is the kind of environment you’ll be in while working at BlueCat.

It doesn’t look good when you do something like misspelling your own name. It sounds unbelievable but trust us – we’ve seen it.

*If you’re a smart dog reading this, don’t worry about making mistakes. You’re hired!

Your resume is done. You’ve written a concise cover letter. You’ve proofread both. Time to apply!

Applying

Don’t apply to every co-op opportunity you see. Apply for a role that makes sense for what you do, what you’ve studied, and what you’re interested in.

It may not seem like it, but applying to everything in sight is like whipping pencils at the ceiling. Maybe one will stick, but it doesn’t look good and you could take someone’s eye out. Okay, maybe that last part may just have to do with pencils.

It also doesn’t increase your chances with BlueCat. If you’re applying to a marketing position, we want to see that you have an interest in marketing. Were you a systems analyst for two co-op terms? Even if this is your first co-op term, we still want to see your interest in the role. Have you taken marketing courses? Do you regularly make blog posts or run social media pages?

Now that you’ve applied to the job posting through your school’s co-op portal, had someone refer you, or tied your resume to a carrier pigeon and sent it over to BlueCat, the recruitment team will take a look at it. And there are A LOT of them. Like billions. Okay, maybe not billions but over a thousand. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your resume stands out!

Interview

Once your application is complete, it’s time to play the waiting game.

If you’re not selected for an interview at this time, this isn’t the end. We wish you the best in your search and thank you for taking the time to apply to our company. Don’t be afraid to apply in the future!

If you are selected for an interview, woohoo! You get an email saying that we want to interview you! But before you get a bottle of champagne or, since you’re a student, the fanciest brand of instant ramen, remember: you’re only halfway there.

Offer

You’re at the finish line. Resume? Done. Application? Done. Interview? Crushed it. What’s next? A lot of background stuff on our end but if it goes well, an offer!

Getting an offer from BlueCat Networks is exciting! For you, for me, probably for your parents. We want you!

Now what? Read it over. If you have any questions, reach out to the recruitment team. They’ll be happy to help clarify any questions you may have!

After realizing that there’s no better place to get some experience, strong mentorship, and exposure to an amazing work culture, you sign the offer letter.

Congratulations! You’re officially a BlueCat!