3 Tips for Landing a Supply Chain Internship at Toyota

This week I have taken the time to network with my recruiters and the supply chain managers that interviewed me for my internship. Toyota has a very competitive supply chain department, and it can be difficult to stand out during the interview process. In fact, Toyota receives hundreds of applications each semester! I have compiled the following tips for students wanting to intern at Toyota in the upcoming semesters:

1.????? Elevating your resume.

The first step of the interview process is getting your resume moved forward. Some common mistakes to avoid include not doing spell checks, failure to demonstrate being a well-rounded student and not enough quantitative data. ?Recruiters and mangers look for quantitative data when looking at your resume. It is important to include metrics in all your experiences.?Failure to do so can make your resume look less attractive. Next, it is important to remember the basics. Run a spell check after completing your resume! In some cases, it can be the deciding factor. Do not include high school involvement. Recruiters and mangers are interested in your college involvement. If you are someone with no work experience, your school experience should mirror what that would look like. Do NOT include every activity or club that you have been involved in. Focus on quality over quantity. Highlight a couple of activities, demonstrating how you drove change and were impactful. Being a well-rounded individual is important to companies like Toyota how value culture, respect for people, and driving curiosity. Lastly, showcase your skills. Managers are looking for skills like excel, communication, collaboration, and understanding the basics about supply chain management. Demonstrating the use of these skills on your resume can make you stand out.

2.????? Be open to learning and demonstrate interest.

Being open to learning, especially if you have 0 corporate experience is great. Your interviewers understand that you are in college but your willingness to learn can secure your internship. Recruiters are actively looking for candidates who embody Toyota’s pillars (Kaizen and Respect for People) from the start. Next, demonstrating your interest in Toyota. Do your research on the company and industry. In person events like career fairs are a great place to demonstrate your interest. You can only see so much on your resume. Being able to speak to a recruiter and putting yourself out there is exactly what they are looking for. Here are some great questions to ask them:

• How has Toyota helped you grow professionally?
• What is something that Toyota is passionate about that you really align with your values?
• What is your favorite thing about working at Toyota?

Be personable and have a positive attitude! If your interviewers can see themselves working with you, you have a greater chance at landing the internship.

3.????? Having a great interview.

Be prepared! If your resume moves forward, you will be interviewed by your future supply chain manager. They are looking for a positive attitude, a likeable person that they can work with, and someone eager to grow and learn. Stand out in your interview by showing knowledge and passion for supply chain and the company. Toyota asks situational and behavioral questions to understand if you will be a good fit. Know your accomplishments and be prepared to answer in a STAR format. Have an example ready for any situation. Like stated before, do your research. Know about things going on in the company or industry.

Here are some questions I was asked during my interview:

• What is something that Toyota is working on that interests you?
• What are you hoping to get from an internship at Toyota?
• Give an example of how you have used excel in your college classes.
• What are you looking for in an internship? ?

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The key takeaways from this article are show interest and be prepared. Consider applying for a Toyota internship. It is a great opportunity and will open many doors for you. Thanks for reading and feel free to reach out with any questions!

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