stories and charts

i'm a twentysomething earning my stripes (and degree) in graphic design.
from texas, to new york city, back to texas. this is my personal blog.

internship/employment advice?

I know someone can help out with this… I’m in the process of finding yet another design internship, this time in the Austin area. I’ve applied for both paid and unpaid positions, although really.. it’s going to be rough if I have to take an unpaid spot.

I got a call (voicemail) from an HR person at an extremely well-known national nonprofit in the area, wanting to chat/interview me for a design position. BUT it’s unpaid. (it would look really awesome on my resume, though.)

I have applied to a couple other paid positions, but am still waiting to hear back. I think I’m going to go ahead and interview with this nonprofit.. but what is the correct etiquette for turning down the position if something better (paid) comes along? What if something comes along even before the interview?

aaaaaand go!


Posted: 6 months ago

8 notes

  1. bryanac said: Agree with what most everyone has said. Take the interview and if a paid position comes along, be honest and politely decline giving them your reasons for doing so. Good luck! :)
  2. audiovisualdisco said: with my experience they usually give you an offer, or thats what has happened to me. i got a formal job offer over the phone and written and they gave me time to look it over for 2 weeks and decide if i was going to accept.
  3. wanderlustandtethers said: Get paid. Keep doors open; always be the professional (they need you vs you need them). Write thank-yous. State you are accepting a paid position. Consider mentioning hopes to help them out / consult for / work with them on future projects.
  4. wndytrrs said: Go ahead and schedule an interview! If they offer you a position, tell them you would like some time to think ut over and give them a time frame in which youll get back with them. In the meantime if something better comes along, dont waste your time and theirs—cancel the…
  5. notfranciscomarin said: Tell them the truth. Be polite and courteous, thank them for the opportunity to work with their company, and say you would really love to work with them but as a college student/grad, taking a paid job at the moment takes priority.
  6. thrueyesofarunner said: i’m applying at multiple restaurants right now and having a similar issue. should hear back from two of them today and i’m not sure what to do if the first one that calls isn’t my top choice! good luck on your stuff—i’ve got no answers tho :/
  7. inchiaroscuro said: go to the interview. if someone else wants to interview you for a paid position, you’ll just have to explain your situation and that you need money. then maybe the non profit will pay you the same amount or more if they want to keep you that bad.
  8. brookebutler posted this