How to Turn Your Internship Into A Full-Time Gig [Infographic]

Alexandra Ashton http://neomam.com 4m 1,110 #internship

The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.

An internship is a great opportunity to get real-world experience, boost your resume and get some valuable exposure in the business world. However, most internships only last a few months and the outcome is not always the one you were expecting… So how can you change this? How can you turn an internship into a real job offer?

That is exactly what this infographic will try to teach you by providing lots of precious advice and important numbers that could, one day, be reflected in your future. You too can be part of the success statistics!

First of all, it is essential to express your interest in everything, without overdoing it. Let your intentions be clear to the company, let your boss know you want the job and work for it like you mean it. No time lost meandering through Facebook or Instagram to check your friends’ photos and status updates. You need to focus on your goal and take this experimental period like if it was the best job in the world. This way, you might get exactly that: the job of your dreams!

Being alert means knowing the right information and asking the right questions. People expect interns to make basic errors, but the best way to avoid that and stand out is to learn everything you can, as well as pay special attention to the words you choose. Always try to be professional and clear in what you say and also in what you do. Sometimes actions can take you further than words!

And, finally, don’t ever make promises you can’t keep. It is better to stay humble and realistic about your capabilities and surprise everyone in the end, instead of promising and disappointing your boss and colleagues.

With these simple tricks and the knowledge from the following infographic, you will surely be able to turn that internship into a full-time job.

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How To Turn Your Internship into a Full-Time Gig

54% of recent graduates are unemployed or underemployed.

69% of companies with 100 or more employees offered full-time jobs to their interns in 2012.

70% is the chance you have of being hired by the company you intern with.

Simply put, if you’re a post-grad looking for work, internships are a treaty way of getting a foot in the door of your chosen industry. But how do you turn an internship opportunity into a job offer?

Know Your Field

Go online and learn what you can about the trends in the industry you are entering. Next, learn specifically about the company you plan to intern with. Make sure to understand the different areas of the company, the company culture, their community work and outreach.

Benefits

• It will give you context for company meetings and discussions.
• It will show you’re enthusiastic, curious, and even a self-starter.
• You can converse freely, without fear.

Don’ts

• Don’t be cocky. Instead, ask questions about what you’ve learned.
• Don’t pretend to understand something you don’t, or be to be an expert.

66% of employers believe relevant work experience is a more important factor than academic performance.

BE PROACTIVE

If you finish your work, ask for other projects or suggest other ways that you might be useful. Often times, a new employee or intern can offer an outside perspective that is highly valuable.

Benefits

• You are demonstrating you take initiative.
• You show you’re not afraid to roll up your sleeves.
• If you create something of value, or identify something the business has overlooked, you’ll make a big impact.

Don’ts

• Don’t spend time on social media or your phone during work hours.
• Don’t do anything crazy; it won’t turn out well.

53% of employers expect to hire more interns in 2013 than they did in 2012.

DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS

Join co-workers for lunch when you can, and participate in other company events and social opportunities.

Benefits

• You’ll cultivate stronger relationships with fellow employees.
• You’ll get a first-person look at the culture of the place.
• Networking within the company is just as beneficial as outside.

Don’ts

• Don’t force it. Make a genuine connection.
• Don’t just think about yourself – take an interest in others.

39% of workers eat lunch at their desk.
Buck the trend by suggesting places to go for lunch even if you brought your own lunch. Both you and your co-workers can come back refreshed and re-energized.

LEARN THE RULES

Show up on time, follow the dress code and don’t push it.

Benefits

• It shows you are reliable.
• It shows you respect the rules.
• In return, you’ll gain their respect.

Don’ts

• Don’t burn the candle at both ends. Get a good night’s rest and hit the ground running each morning.
• Don’t spend lots on expensive clothes. It won’t help you impress.

86% of interns say their internship was a positive experience.

BE POSITIVE

Part of an intern’s workload is taken up by jobs that may be menial, but you are still important. Be positive, even if sent on a ‘coffee run’.

Benefits

• A positive attitude is something your potential employer will remember.
• A positive attitude will improve the quality of your work.
• A positive attitude really will make the job more enjoyable.

Don’ts

• Don’t be disingenuous. Being positive is not the same as being so overly enthusiastic that you irritate people.
• Don’t be inappropriate. Telling oles is always risky. It’s easy to misjudge the tone or topic.

91% of employers think student should have at least one or two internships before they graduate.

Businesses: how can you get the most out of your interns

Give them an education: Give your interns something valuable they can learn. Don’t give them errands but real-world experience and skills.

Let interns network: 
Allow interns to observe senior managers and meet multiple departments.

Have an organized program: Know what you want from an internship and communicate your goals to your intern.

Interns should have:

• clear goals
• feedback in the right direction
• hands-on experience

Quiet times? Let your interns sit in on meetings. This can be a huge learning experience.

Consider interns as high-potential hires. An internship allows you to understand a person’s capabilities better than any interview.

So interns, make the ask…
If you enjoyed your internship experience and want to work full-time for the company, let the know!

Remember, an internship is what you make of it. It may not always lead directly into a job, but it can give you the skills, experience, and reference you need to get one.

Progress Business Publications
www.progressivebusinesspublicationsinternships.com

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