So you’ve managed to land the internship. Congratulations! You beat out the competition, proving you were the best of the best among the other candidates. Now you’ve got to turn that internship of yours into a paying job. How do you do that? Follow the guidelines below and the transition from unpaid intern into full-time employee should come with ease.
First off, let’s assume that you’ve done your research on the company. But if you haven’t you probably might want to think about it. Choosing the right internship is essential when trying to change your lowly position into that of a paid one. If the company is notorious for keeping interns as interns for more than eighteen months, you may want to consider interning at a different business. Try speaking with former interns who’ve made the switch, themselves, and get a gauge as to how long they served as interns. Again if, after a year and a half, they were still working without pay you might want to do things a little differently so you don’t end up wasting any unnecessary time.
Making yourself known around the office is another great way to speed up the time it takes for you to be called into the boss’s office and offered a paid position. This is known as networking. Get to know the people around the office and check if they need any assistance with projects or other tasks after having completed your own work, of course. Ask questions and carry a notebook with you wherever you go. You may learn something new and having a working knowledge of how things work around the office is definitely a quality a potential employer is looking for.
When interning at a new company it’s also a good idea to remember your place as an intern. Treat everyone you encounter with the professionalism and respect they deserve. You were brought along to learn the ropes. That includes mimicking the dress attire of the others around the office. Don’t dress in casual clothes if everyone else is wearing a suit and tie. This also includes retaining your professional composure—don’t get over involved in work drama or make enemies on your first day. Remember that everyone has to pay their dues in the company as well so even if you have an idea; report it to your supervisor. Speaking out of turn can land you in the hot seat.
Finally, be assertive, but not pushy. There’s something very attractive to employers about that go get ‘em attitude, but there’s always a limit to that. After the first week of an internship it’s advised you meet with your manager to establish a set of goals. Don’t overexert yourself to the point where you’re neglecting your responsibilities, but when a manager asks for help, be one of the first to raise your hand. You don’t just have to stick to your department, either. Volunteer to assist in other departments so you can get an overview of your company as a whole.
All in all, it’s good to set a reasonable date in which you’d like to transition from your position as an intern into a paid member of the company. Remember to act professionally and show that you are willing to work hard and you’ll have a job in no time!