By Marina Lecubet
An internship is an exciting time. You wanted to build skills with the company, and they wanted you to come and learn from them. They gave you a position and put you to work, maybe for the first time. But you have longer-term goals.
Fortunately, while you’re learning key workplace skills and building a professional network, it’s also possible to turn your time with the employer into a full-time job.
How do you make sure that your time with the company gives you the best chance to earn a full-time position once your internship is over? Here are 10 ways to impress the company:
- Send a thank you note to the hiring manager and/or HR once hired as an intern. It’s a professional courtesy, plus everybody likes to know that they are appreciated!
- Ask specific questions, like “What is the dress code?” about the job and workplace culture.
- Act like an employee and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Connect with your team. Blend in and mingle, and offer yourself for special assignments and projects. Volunteer for fun activities and committees. Become a real part of the workplace.
- Connect with key personnel; not just managers, but those employees who are most admired for their diligence in their work and time in the company.
- Care about your work. Be diligent. Go the extra mile and care about what you are doing.
- Show interest in the company. Study its history, its connections in the community, its professional milestones.
- Listen to your supervisor, and take their advice and guidance.
- Read and know the employee handbook. Respect company policy, and ensure that you are up to standards for everything from dress code to safety procedures.
- Practice diversity. Keep personal differences aside, and learn from others.
If you’re able to do these things, you’ll show that you care about your internship and want to pursue a longer-term working relationship with the company. People, especially your supervisor, will notice your effort, which can go a long way toward building a stable future with the company and the career of your choice.