Whether you've recently graduated college or you're still completing your degree, a summer internship helps you gain valuable work experience. Like so many interns, you might do whatever it takes to turn a summer internship into a permanent job. Not every internship leads to a job offer. But if the company is looking to hire, you'll need to make a great impression. Here are seven tips to get hired after a summer internship.
You need to prove to the employer that you're responsible. This might be your first real work experience, but this isn't an excuse to arrive late, leave early or take too much time off. Employers are looking to hire responsible, reliable workers. If you show you're this type of worker, you have a good chance of getting an offer once your internship ends.
Attitude says a lot regarding whether you're the right match for a company. Even if you have setbacks or have bad days, maintain a positive attitude and be enthusiastic about the job. These are traits employers look for in job candidates.
The more you learn about the company, the easier it'll be to transition from an intern to a permanent employee. You need to go the extra mile and show the company you're interested in a long-term relationship. Take the initiative and learn as much as you can about the company and position. If the company think's you're an asset, they're not going to let you go.
As an intern, you might have limited responsibilities. As a result, you might have a lot of idle time. Rather than surf the Internet or play games on your phone, approach your supervisor and ask for more responsibilities. Maybe you can help another department. This also provides an opportunity to learn other aspects of the business and gain additional work experience.
It's important to develop a relationship with your colleagues, including your boss. So don't isolate yourself. Eat lunch with your coworkers or invite them out to lunch. If you become a valuable member of the team, and if your personality matches the company's culture, you might be offered a permanent position, or the company might keep you in mind once you graduate.
The more feedback you get, the better. Getting feedback is the only way to know whether you're doing a good job, or whether you need to improve in certain areas. Many interns are afraid to ask for feedback. But if you're serious about turning an internship into a permanent position, you need to know how you're performing. Don't wait until the end of your internship to get feedback. By then, it's too late to make needed adjustments. Get feedback during the first couple of weeks.
Once your internship ends, speak with your employer and let him know you enjoyed working for the company, and ask him to keep you in mind if any positions become available. It doesn't hurt to follow up with your employer after a few months or once a year.
A summer internship is one way to get your foot in the door with companies, but you have to show that you're reliable and competent. What are other tips to get hired after a summer internship?