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How To Turn Your Internship Into A Job
Generally, as an intern, you work for very limited pay if at all. You do so in order to gain more experience, technical knowledge and career networking. During this period, you gain valuable skills, polish your professional reputation and create essential business contacts. If you're a competent intern, you can build helpful references, and professional relationships, which can even turn into career results.
However, internships are still intended for a prearranged duration. So what exactly can you do to make this position as an advantage and turn it into a career opportunity?
Play It Right
Treat your internship with the same seriousness you would give a real, paying position. Be diligent and enthusiastic in carrying out your duties. Fill yourself with the desire to change this temporary position of yours into a full-fledged permanent position, so that it flows out to those around you. Although you may not be able to control whether the company will have a position available to move you into, you can certainly control whether you convey the appearance of being someone they would want to move into that position when it does become available.
Appearance
Like it or not, you get only one chance to make a first impression, and your appearance is one of the first things people notice about you. Starting from the initial introductions and interview, you should present a professional appearance that communicates your dedication to your work. Although you may be applying for an unpaid position, you want to show that you take your work seriously.
Prepare for the part and develop a demeanor that bespeaks courtesy appropriate to someone who strives for an executive-level position. Always speak correctly and clearly make sure that your dress and behavior are exemplary. Casual attire and slovenly speech have no place in the professional workplace, especially if you want to last.
Attitude
Having a positive demeanor and helpful manner can actually help jump-start your professional career. Be eager to show up on work with a smile. Do your best to complete all the tasks your internship requires to the best of your ability. If you don't understand what is required of you, ask rather than muddling along by yourself or doing nothing.
Being courteous and friendly to your coworkers can also pay off. Your employer actually notices if you're able to get along with colleagues and work cooperatively with them. Being able to manage interpersonal conflicts and handle high-pressure situations can also place you in a good position to become a permanent hire.
Accomplishments
Many students tend to approach school and any internships or work-service positions as a necessary chore to endure before they get to what they really want to do. As a result, they tend to focus upon doing the minimum to skate by.
If you really want to place yourself in good stead, you need to regard your internship as a period for displaying your capabilities to their fullest. Far from being merely a hoop to pass through on the way to bigger and better things, an internship is your first opportunity to make your mark on the professional world.
Always make sure that you document everything that you accomplish. Thus you will help ensure that you will be credited during evaluation periods. Always keep copies of your praiseworthy emails and memos. And always make sure that your superiors can see the evidence of your hard work.
Be Available
If you really want to transform your internship into a professional position, you need to be available to your employer. Make sure that your boss knows that you desire a permanent job within the company. As your internship program draws to a close, if you really want to continue working with the company; then don't hesitate to meet with your boss to ask if you can have the job.
