Surveys show that 30 – 40% of internships result in full time jobs. You can
either luck into a full time job offer, or you can prepare for it. If you are the
type who likes to control your own fate then use these five steps to turn your
internship into a job.
1. Walk the Walk
After you have proven your ability to do the job, you have to demonstrate you
are a good fit with the corporate culture. Anything from your work ethic,
your sense of humor, the clothes you wear, and how you approach problems, is
grounds for a match with culture.
If your way of doing things is just too different from the unwritten rules of the
job, then you simply will not be offered a job.
Having said that, don’t pretend you are something you’re not while interning.
You can’t fake it forever and you’ll only be miserable, talking your work
performance and productivity down with you.
2. Be Your Best – Always
In an internship position you must always be “on.” You are being watched
continuously. Make sure that what people see is a guy or gal who is
competent, committed, talented, and industrious. Be the kind of coworker
that is a benefit to everyone and makes everyone’s job just a little easier.
3. Solicit Feedback
Ask about your performance. Don’t just assume you are doing a good job.
Confirm it and ask for ways to do even better. Ask you supervisor for feedback
but don’t forget to ask for your coworker’s advice as well. These people have
enormous influence on hiring decisions. If they don’t like you, you won’t get
offered a job. The way to stay in people’s good books is to be positive, take
initiative, and work as part of the team.
4. Be Creative
Take any opportunity you can to show you are a creative, out of the box
thinker. Look for problems to solve, efficiencies to make, processes to
improve. As mentioned previously, don’t be arrogant about it, but sell your
ideas in terms of making life easier for everyone.
5. Ask For a Job
There’s no shame in asking. Everyone there knows you don’t have a real job
but they might not be sure if you want one with their company. The worst you
can be told is, “No.” At least you won’t spend sleepless nights wondering if
your boss will call and offer you a job the next morning.
When you ask for a job, try to identify opportunities to create a position for
yourself. Use your knowledge of how the company runs to propose ways to
meet the needs that are not currently being met. Prove your ability to add
value.
If you don’t get hired immediately, stay in contact. Openings come up all the
time and you want to be the first on the list before a job is posted. In the
meantime finish your studies and keep your contacts appraised of your new
accomplishments and education.
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This is an except from How To Succeed At Work - The Complete Guide to Finding, Landing and Succeeding in Your Chosen Job or Career, an ebook which I have had the pleasure to work on during my internship over the last few summers. Click here for more details. |