How To Turn an Internship into a Full-Time Job in 7 Key Steps
Internships are a great way to gain experience in your field and determine what you want out of a full-time employer. Within my first few weeks as an intern at The Herald Group, I knew it was the perfect fit for me, and using the 7 steps below, I was able to secure a full-time offer out of the internship I loved.
Build relationships. Demonstrate a real interest in the people that already work at the company by asking them to coffee or lunch. Ask specific questions about their career path, and make sure to listen to their answers. This will not only allow you to learn more about them, but it will allow them to get to know you better too.
Earn trust. Every task assigned to you, no matter how small it may seem, is significant. If staffers can rely on you to consistently deliver a quality work product, more responsibility will come your way – giving you even greater opportunity to demonstrate your value.
Seek feedback. Asking for feedback on your performance can seem intimidating, but it is a critical part of your development and shows dedication to the job and drive to succeed. After finishing a task, ask how you did and how you could improve. Be sure to receive feedback gracefully and apply it the next time around.
Be proactive. Don’t sit back and wait for things to come to you. Look out for opportunities to offer your help before being asked.
Be innovative. Don’t be afraid to speak up and offer your unique ideas. This demonstrates a creative mindset and confidence to lead. This could be something as small as planning company outings or as large as suggesting to implement a CSR program. No matter the scale, introducing new ideas and/or taking ownership of a new program makes you a more integrated and valued member of the team.
Be clear. If you want a job offer, don’t be afraid to speak up. Your employer won’t know that you’re interested unless you ask.
Be yourself. At the end of the day, these are people you will be spending a lot of time with. They are looking for a human, not a robot, so don’t be afraid to let your personality show!