"In the Co-op"

This semester is my 3rd co-op workterm at a large-sized corporation. My colleagues (who have been working there for a few years) and my boss have been quite happy with my performance. There is an opening within our department, for which I may not be the best candidate due to my inexperience and qualifications, but the other colleagues seem to agree that they would like to keep me on the team for a longer time and it would be stupid of the management to let go of me at the end of the 3rd term.

Are there any particular ways of pushing for this position, in trying to convince the management to hire me for it? I have already mentioned my interest in it, and what they are saying is basically I will have to apply for it when they post it internally. Are there any tactics perhaps that I should use in convincing them of my value? Thanks so much.

Highly Motivated

Dear Highly Motivated,

Having your boss and your co-workers support your application is a big leg up. When the position is posted make sure you include your boss as a reference and mention the good working relationship you have developed with your co-workers in your covering letter.

There is always some uncertainty in a hiring process, but it sounds like you have a pretty solid chance at this position. If there is anything you can do to address your lack of experience and qualifications such as taking some more training or doing extra work to build experience more quickly, by all means do it.

Other than that, the only thing you can do is wait for the job to be posted and then be first in line with your application.

Good luck with it.

Dr. John

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