Face it: looking for an internship can be tough. With little (and sometimes no) job experience and a small network, it’s challenging to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

But it’s not impossible.  

We asked Salesforce’s Futureforce Recruiters, who make over 130 schools visits a year, how intern candidates can differentiate themselves from the pack. Here’s what they say are the top characteristics of a strong intern candidate:

1. They’ve done their homework

Recruiters want to see that the person they’re interviewing has done their research on our core products and understand who we are as a company.  Candidates definitely receive bonus points if they are up to speed on our Ohana culture.

2. They can offer examples of experience

If you’re gonna talk the talk, you better be able to walk the walk. “I love it when students tell me they are innovative or entrepreneurial and actually have examples to back up these statements,” says FutureForce Recruiter Emily Shockley. We want students to be able to efficiently articulate how school projects can relate to real world skills in a concise manner.

3. They know what role they’re after

Candidates should be ready to pitch themselves for the specific role that they want. “I’m looking for someone who knows what they want to do instead of saying ‘I’ll do anything,’” says FutureForce Recruiter Ryan McCombs. “Definitely do not ask me what I think you should apply to.” While a student may not know exactly what they want to do after graduation, they should have a clear idea of why they want an internship at Salesforce and where they would fit in.

4. Their resume is short and typo-free

Limiting a resume to one page shows us a prospective intern knows how to communicate concisely and effectively.

5. They bring their own Je Ne Sais Quoi!

We want a candidate to show us what makes them unique! Be it a passion for solving problems or an eagerness to sell, we are all about creating a diverse workforce that can give us the unique perspectives we need to build innovative products and engage effectively with our customers and partners.

Learn more about Salesforce's University Recruiting Program, Futureforce, and current internship and new grad opportunities on our careers page.