How to Land a Child
Life Internship
Caroline Greene, CCLS
Sydney Lewis, CCLS
Application Packet
Resume
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Organize and Personalize
Limit it to ONE PAGE.
Align everything. Use a table if necessary.
Chronological order, present to past.
Check and double check for all
grammatical errors. Have another set of
eyes look over it!
Past tense .i.e. Helped, Facilitated,
Created...etc.
Traditional font, 10pt to 12 pt; largest thing
should be your name.
Margins appropriate to length of your
resume. It's okay to manipulate them!
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Categories you can include, but do not have
to:
a.
Name and Contact information
b.
Objective
c.
Education
d.
Child Life Experience
e.
Volunteer Experience/Related
Volunteer Experience
f.
Work Experience
g.
Leadership Experience
h.
Professional Experience (i.e.
applicable certifications, professional
organizations, and conferences)
i.
Research Experience
Cover Letter
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Specific information i.e. mission
statement, something interesting
Address to that child life team or director.
(Tip: Go to the hospital's internship page
to see if they have an address you can use.)
Incorporate the hospital's name
ONE PAGE; composed of three
paragraphs.
Don't be shy. Shine, brag and be excited
about this new opportunity.
Discuss why you feel you would add a great
addition to their team.
Future employees want someone with big
ambition and someone who isn't afraid to
let their talents show.
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Name on top, same size as resume
Same font and size as resume, but margins
can be wider
Personal contact information aligned right
Hospital contact information aligned left
Addressed personally
o
We recommend sending a cover
letter to EVERY hospital you apply
to. Personalize it based on that
hospital. The tackiest thing you can
do is send the wrong cover letter to
the wrong hospital!
Three paragraph structure
Hand signed by you on resume paper
Application Packet
Cover Letter
Resume
Child Life Application
Hospital Requirements: Additional essays or application
Letters of Verification
CPR Certification
Background Check
Interview
Interview Attire
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Wear a suit, unless told business casual or to not dress up!
Child Life Tip
o May have to get on the floor and play with a kiddo, go for the pants if you wear a suit
Suit:
o Skirts should be long enough to cover your thighs (preferably to your knees) when seated
and wear tights or hose! Tip: Try New York and Company or Kohl's if you are shopping on
a budget!
Rules on tops:
o Collared shirt or a shirt with a high neckline. If you wear a sleeveless shirt remember that
you cannot take off your jacket during the interview.
o Make sure your top isn't too tight or too loose.
o Tuck in your top if needed.
Interview Attire
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Jewelry:
o Simple is best. A nice watch, or simple necklace that isn't distracting to you is best.
o Pearl studs are always classic.
Shoes:
o Plain, clean, professional shoes are best. Remember you may be touring a huge hospital
and be walking a lot.
o Heels should be no taller than about 2 1/2 inches.
o Closed-toe shoes
Hair:
o Neat and well fixed. Natural
o Should not be in your face or where you are tempted to play with it.
For Men:
o Wear a suit, a long sleeved shirt (even in the summer) and a tie!
o IRONED, clean and not wrinkled!
o Dress socks and dress shoes
Preparing for Interview
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Brush up on developmental theory
Have notepad and pen handy
Create portfolio
Turn off cell phone (unless it is a phone interview)
DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH ABOUT THE HOSPITAL.
o Why you are interested in them?
o Know something interesting about them so that you can refer to it during your
interview.
o How did you find them?
o Have they been in the news?
o What specialties are they known for?
o Keep your information organized so you do not mix up your hospitals.
o You should treat each interview and hospital like they are your number one
choice.
Interview Tips
Skype
1. Place with reliable internet connection and FREE FROM DISTRACTION
2. Pick a spot with a plain or not very busy background. Never sit in front of window.
Check to see if your school's career office.
3. Have in front of you: questions you want to ask at the end of the interview, a
working pen and a blank piece of paper.
4. Dress for the occasion.
5. Be aware of technical difficulties. It may take time to set up correctly. Try not to get
frustrated or flustered if this happens.
6. Smile and introduce yourself. Maintain eye contact. Also try not to fidget.
Tip: Throw on some lip stick/gloss it changes your whole appearance through a
webcam
Interview Tips
Phone
1. Reliable cell service, quiet, FREE from DISTRACTIONS.
2. Sit somewhere that you feel professional. Never have a phone interview in a
moving car.
3. Have in front of you: questions that you want to ask at the end of the interview, a
blank piece of paper and a working pen.
4. Be yourself, and be confident you know this stuff. Take time to answer questions. If
you need some time to think about a question simply say "that's a great question do
you care if i take a minute to think about my answer." If you can't hear the person
ask for clarification or say "can you please repeat that"
Tip: Just because the interview team can't see you doesn't mean they won't know if you
are shuffling papers or through a book looking for an answer!
In Person
Interview Tips
1. Totally different interview. Most likely last anywhere from 1-3 hours.
2. Eat a good breakfast, and stay hydrated
3. Dress professionally! Carry with you either a professional over the shoulder bag,
or a larger bag that looks more like a briefcase.
4. Clear directions. Parking information, directions once you get inside, and contact
person
5. Turn your phone off. Introduce yourself. Feel free to ask questions on the way. Try
to get there early to use the restroom and freshen up.
6. Normally panel interviews. If you need some time to answer a question, ask for it. If
you need clarification, ask for it. Be confident! Bring a pen, paper, and your
question list in your bag!
7. Tour the hospital. Another great time to ask questions and get comfortable in your
surroundings. Make sure you ask about the tour.
Tip: If you have time and live near the hospital, make a trial run the night before so you know
exactly where you are going. Don't live nearby? Check out the hospital's website for a virtual tour.
Questions to Ask
Get clarification and write it all down.
● Describe your internship program.
● How many and which rotations will I
receive?
● Who will be my supervisor?
● Is your program play based or
clinically based?
● Do you have a separate set of
assignments for your intern or do you
go with what’s required from the
university?
● What is the Dress code?
● What shoes are allowed?
● What are you looking for in an
intern?
Remember it’s YOUR internship.
● What experiences and resources do
you want to walk away with?
● What is the percent passing rate for
previous interns taking the
certification exam? Do you do exam
preparation?
● Does your team do any community
outreach projects or special events
that I will be able to participate in our
help out with?
● Is anyone on your team conducting
any research currently?
● Do you provide in-services or other
educational sessions for your interns?
After Interviews
1. How did it go? Write down all the information that
they gave you about their program so you can refer back
to it on offer day if they call.
2. Write a thank you note and get it in the mail asap
3. Hang up your suit or dry clean it if you are a chronic
sweater.
4. Go eat ice cream
Offer Day
Offer Day Advice
Remember, the Child Life Council says that hospitals have until 5PM eastern
time to call.
The Child Life Council asks that internship candidates respond yes/no within
24 hours of receiving an offer.
● One offer: Accept it and start apartment hunting!
● Two offers: Go over your notes. Ultimately, choose the hospital you feel
like you are the best fit for, where you can learn and be your best self.
● More than two offers: Which hospital can offer you the best
educational internship experience possible? Call people you know have
worked or interned there in the past. Call your adviser at school for advice.
● None: Give yourself some time to be upset. Think about what you can do
differently the next time around.
First Week as an Intern
● Get a good night’s sleep and EAT BREAKFAST!
● Make sure you know where to park, parking pass, etc.
● Don’t forget that paperwork you have to take to hospital
orientation.
● Have a water bottle! STAY HYDRATED.
● Get some good hand lotion and chapstick to keep on
hand.
● Take notes and soak up everything you can.
● Journal your experience so you can remember it months
later!
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