An internship is a great opportunity to learn new skills in a real-world environment, but it can be a chance to secure a permanent full-time job if you play your cards right. Often, companies will work to keep talented interns on staff, especially if you can prove your value to the organization in the short time you have with them. To help you turn your internship into a starting point for your career, here are some tips to follow.
Be Observant of Others
Those working around you can provide you with significant insights into the unwritten rules that define the company’s culture. By learning to follow those rules, you can fit in with greater ease, making you seem like a natural part of the team. This makes it more likely that people will see your exit as something to be avoided, increasing the odds you’ll be invited to stay.
Give Your Work Your All
Even if your work is low-level, you want to show you are dedicated to doing the best job possible. By applying yourself to every task you are given, people will be more inclined to offer you more advanced work. Plus, this helps build trust between you and those you work with, as you aren’t treating your duties as though they aren’t worth your time.
When you are an intern, people are relying on you to do your part, so always give it your all if you want an opportunity to stay.
Be Mindful of Your Attitude
No matter how dull or mundane your tasks tend to be, you want to put forth an effort to complete them with a smile. If you allow negativity about your duties to affect your attitude, people will notice, and they won’t be as interested in keeping you around. However, if you remain cheerful regardless of how low-level the task may be, people will assume you are a team player who is willing to do what it takes to help the company, and that’s certainly a powerful impression to make.
If You Don’t Have Enough to Do, Say Something
While a little bit of downtime is nothing to stress about, frequently having nothing to do is a problem. If you find yourself twiddling your thumbs, be proactive and speak with your manager. Let them know that you have finished your tasks and ask if there is anything else you can do to help the team. This lets them know you are a go-getter who wants to keep moving forward, and, often, they’ll be grateful for the extra hand.
Make Connections
Typically, it feels more natural to connect with other interns while you are with the company, but forgoing relationships with full-time employees means you are missing out on great networking opportunities. Make an effort to get to know your other co-workers too. Not only can they be a wealth of knowledge, but they also may come to bat for you to help you secure a full-time position.
While there is no guarantee your internship will turn into something more, by following the tips above you can increase your odds of being asked to stay.
If you are currently looking for a new job opportunity, the team at The Advance Group can help you explore new options. Contact us today to see what may be available in your field.
