Top 10 tips for interns
It’s a rite of passage for many graduates and post-grads – the daunting internship. Nowadays having an internship, or multiple work experiences, under your belt is a huge asset in any employer’s eyes.
An internship gets you hands-on work experience and a foot in the door. It’s really hard to get a start anywhere these days without specific experience, plus being an intern means you’re thrown into the deep end which is a great way to learn!
Speak out – Being in a new workplace, especially one that’s already established, is a big challenge and you’ll feel out of your comfort zone, but this is your time to learn! Get the most of your internship by speaking up, asking questions, and play an active role in team communication. Asking questions shows that you’re engaged in the work you’re given.
Take criticism with grace – Take feedback as a learning tool to correct your mistakes or improve. As an intern, you don’t know it all. You may have x number of years of education but nothing is more valuable than hands-on experience. Ultimately, this is a learning opportunity that extends beyond the classroom. You aren’t expected to do everything perfectly, so take criticism with grace.
Pay attention to the details – Nothing makes a potential employer throw away a resume faster than glaring spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes. Putting care into how you present yourself shows that you want and deserve to be noticed.
A positive attitude – Seems simple enough but an upbeat outlook can go a long way. Just remember, skills can be taught, but an attitude can’t. Something as little as introducing yourself to everyone will provide you with a broader understanding of what each person does. This might even enlighten you to discover a new career pathway and shows to your colleagues that you are personable and a good social fit.
Research the company – Understand what they do, ask about interesting aspects of the business, and let your enthusiasm shine in person. Above all, make sure you are excited about the company, the internship, and the possibilities ahead.
Set goals – It is always a good idea to meet with your supervisor at the beginning of the internship to find out what their expectations are for your experience. What are you expected to accomplish every day? Every week? Make sure to request feedback from your supervisor to make sure you are on the right track.
Be professional – Be mindful of how you present yourself to your co-workers and supervisor. What is the appropriate attire for your workplace? What is appropriate email etiquette for the person you are addressing? And don’t forget the basics of common courtesy – be punctual, say thank you, follow up and follow through.
Take initiative and keep busy – If things are slow, take action and get ahead of work for tomorrow or even just assist with general floor admin like tidying up. See if it’s okay to ask another employee if they need help. Or, generate ideas about what you might be able to work on as one big overall project to fill down time, and present it to your supervisor. They will be super impressed!
Stay organised and manage time wisely – Take notes during all meetings and keep to-do lists of tasks and deadlines. Always complete projects on time, and when one task is done, ask for another. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with projects, talk to your supervisor about prioritising your work.
Keep in touch – The end of your internship shouldn’t mean the end of all forms of contact with the company and the relationships you’ve worked so hard to build. It’s important to remain in contact with your supervisor. Whether it be about future job openings, touching base from time to time or asking for career advice. Keep networking and growing your industry contacts. A good intern WILL get noticed!