14 Sep 5 Tips For Turning Your Internship Into A Full-Time Job
written by Charlie Fletcher
Though many internships are often temporary positions simply meant to offer students experience in their chosen field while they finish school, they can — and do — turn into full-time positions. Many employers use internships as a recruiting method to test out potential employees and see how they would fit within the company culture. So if you impress them during your time as an intern, your chances of turning it into a full-time position will increase.
This article will look at the benefits of getting an internship, as well as five tips for how to turn your internship into a full-time position.
The Benefits of Getting an Internship
The job market for many industries today has become incredibly competitive. Older generations were not as educated as today’s younger generations, which meant that simply having a degree helped them stand out and land a job. But now, it’s much more common for most job applicants to have a degree, which means students and recent grads are having to go above and beyond to stand out and land their ideal job.
As such, internships have become more and more common as they can boost your potential and increase your chances of getting hired. Statistics show that 34% of college grads who did internships significantly improved their career paths and employment opportunities. Additionally, more than 56% of those who interned in recent years ended up becoming full-time hires.
Getting an internship or multiple internships also allows you to scope out potential employers to find your ideal company. From the outside, it can be hard to do research that lets you know what it’s actually like to work there. But if you get an internship, you can get a better idea of the company culture and the benefits they offer.
Finding a company that offers good benefits is especially important today. Some of the top workplace benefits to look for include, flexible work schedules, physical and mental health & wellness programs, good retirement plans with a company match, plenty of time-off and paid leave, and affordable health insurance.
Five Tips for How to Turn Your Internship Into a Full-Time Position
So, how can you turn an internship into a full-time job? Let’s find out.
1. Nail the Interview
When it comes to increasing your chances of becoming a full-time hire, you want to impress your potential employer right out the gate. In other words, you want to nail the interview to set a good first impression.
Whether it’s a virtual interview or face-to-face, the key is to prep and then prep some more. Practice having the interview with a friend or family member, think about the kinds of questions you will be asked and prepare answers for them, and come up with questions of your own that show your interest in the company and what you will be asked to do as an intern.
2. Establish Your Credibility
Once you land the internship, you want to establish your credibility with your manager, supervisors, and fellow potential colleagues as soon as possible. Don’t just wait around for people to come to you; show initiative by taking action on your own to find your way around and take on tasks.
And don’t be afraid to ask questions. Questions show that you want to and are making an effort to learn. If you just sit around waiting for someone to inform you or tell you what to do, it doesn’t show them that you’re really that interested in doing the work.
3. Network, Network, Network
An internship isn’t just a way to gain experience; it’s also your chance to network and build professional connections and relationships that can benefit should you land the job or should you need to seek a full-time position elsewhere. Of course, the goal is to turn the internship into a full-time position — but there is no guarantee, and networking can increase your chances of still landing a job, even if it’s somewhere else.
If you do land the job where you are interning, networking and building relationships with others in the workplace can give you a leg up once you start as an official employee. You will already know the ropes and have genuine connections that can make it easier for you to settle into your full-time position and do well.
4. Go Above and Beyond By Asking For More Responsibility
Once you settle into a groove as an intern and become comfortable with your daily tasks, it’s a good idea to start asking for more responsibility. Asking your manager or supervisors for more responsibilities shows that you are capable, determined, and a hard worker, which is something they will want in a full-time employee.
You can start by asking if there is anything you can do if you finish your tasks or assignments early, or you can just come right out and say you’d like to take on more work if they have it. Another great way to show initiative is to look for new ideas or ways to do things that could improve processes and workflow and bring your new ideas to your manager.
5. Connect With Upper Management
Networking and connecting with upper management is crucial as an intern because it can significantly boost your chances of landing a full-time job offer. In many situations, upper management and company leaders don’t pay much attention to interns and never even cross paths with them, but it is ultimately up to them who gets hired full-time.
So if you can, try to find time to meet with those in senior positions. You can try to connect with them face-to-face if you cross paths, send an email to set up a meeting, or even try to connect with them on LinkedIn. Don’t be intimidated or afraid to make your presence known.
Once you know you want to turn your internship into a full-time job, it’s also a good idea to connect and sit down with your direct manager. Show them that you are interested in becoming a full-time employee and growing within the company by asking them what you can do to increase your chances of getting hired. Discussing this with your manager as an intern and setting goals can increase your chances of landing the job.
Wrapping Up
The more visible you make yourself as an intern, and the more you prove your credibility and show initiative, the more likely you are to turn it into a full-time position. Understandably, being an intern, especially if it’s with a big company, can be intimidating and even overwhelming at first. You might feel inclined to keep to yourself and wait for instructions so as not to do anything wrong, but that’s not going to get you the job.
Be confident and stand out. Chat and connect with the other workers as much as you can to settle in and feel comfortable. And don’t be afraid to ask questions and ask for more to do. The more you show your potential employer that you are committed to being there and doing hard work, the more likely they will be to notice you and offer you a position.
Charlie Fletcher is a freelance writer passionate about workplace equity, and her published works cover sociology, politics, business, education, health, and more. Read more here.
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