How to Turn an Internship into a Job Offer - CareerAlley

How to Turn an Internship into a Job Offer - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. For many college students, getting an internship can be an ideal way to gain real-world work experience. If the position is in an industry that you are interested in, you can see for yourself if you truly like the line of work. In some cases, an internship can even lead to a part-time or full-time job with the same company. If this appeals to you, there are definitely some things you should keep in mind while you are interning to increase your chances of becoming a paid member of the staff. Act professional all the time If the company where you are interning has a dress or uniform policy, be sure to follow it each and every day. Show up on time or a bit early, and when you are there working, stay focused and resist the temptation to update your Facebook status with a selfie from the copy room. And even though that one employee is a total pain and is always driving you and everyone else nuts with his constant jokes and chattering, resist the urge to complain about him with others. Remember the power of networking Once you have a foot in the door of a company, use your time as an intern to not only work and learn about the business, but also to meet the owners, managers and colleagues. These people are all key to your future employment opportunities. They will provide references and may let you know when job openings are available. Once your internship has ended, it wouldnt hurt to send a thank you note a real one on paper, not just a quick email or text or perhaps a nice bouquet of flowers or chocolates from FTD as a way to say thank you. Ask questions During your internship, do not be shy about asking questions; just be careful about what you are inquiring about, Career Builder notes. Try to ask questions that show you have a genuine interest in the work, what you are learning, and how things are done. Ask a supervisor what else you can learn or know to help do your job better, or how to become even more productive. You are your own best advocate If you see a job opening listed on the companys website, dont assume that since no one mentioned it they are not interested in hiring you. As Teen Vogue notes, supervisors and managers tend to be super busy people, and they might have honestly forgotten to suggest that you apply. If you feel that you are a good fit for the position, go for it. Sometimes even the most conscientious boss needs a gentle nudge that the best person for the job is standing right in front of her. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Joey Trebif