A Conversation with Miri Rodriguez, Head of Global Internship Program at Microsoft: Part I

In this episode, Business Today and Miri Rodriguez, Head of Global Internship Program at Microsoft, discuss strategies for how students can tell their story as they navigate career during coronavirus, including tips on brushing up your resume and LinkedIn.

Miri Rodriguez is a globally recognized Storyteller, Head of Global Internship Program at Microsoft and author of Brand Storytelling. She is a creative journalist and content strategist, evangelizing brand narrative and showcasing how thought leaders can leverage storytelling techniques for culture activation and influence in the digital age.

Miri has earned several awards in digital marketing and customer experience and is ranked as top in-demand speaker at leading industry conferences around the world. Miri brings 15+ years of expertise, valuable industry and consulting insights matched with a lighthearted and connected delivery approach. Her social advocacy and philanthropic work include volunteering to train social enterprise leaders in Southeast Africa, coaching students at Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship in the U.S., and mentoring men and women of all walks of life to build their personal brand with empathy, passion and purpose. Her biggest accomplishment to date is being a mother of 2 boys and an American Bulldog. She can also run in heels. Ice cream is her superfood.

Key Highlights:

  • Building an effective resume starts with good storytelling, so make sure to tell your origin story: if you can insert who you are, what shaped your life, how you got into the school you attend, who you sought for support and mentorship, etc. within the data points, your resume will offer a stronger, more holistic picture of your personality and experience

  • Rather than using standard terms for your resume header, add specific attributes that reflect who you are by speaking to how you feel about a unique passion

  • Also, dig deeper into how your attributes align with the mission and values of the company or organization you are applying to, and highlight these in your header

  • Diversity is not just about cohorts; your lived experiences and insights are unique, and employers recognize when you to bring that diversity of thought and experience to the table

  • Polish your LinkedIn profile, which functions as your digital resume / business card, as it makes the first impression for most employers, especially who may not have direct access to your actual resume

  • You are allowed to and should be informal and social on LinkedIn, so play around with your real estate by showcasing your creativity through videos, posts, etc.