How To Turn Your Internship Into a Full Time Job

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There are many different reasons that encourage students to throw themselves into interning. If you’re at the early stages of your career you might just be looking for a way to bulk out your CV during your summer break. If you’ve just graduated you may be further along in the process, interning in pursuit of a full time job. Either way turning that summer internship into a full time, permanent position is the ideal scenario for most.

So how do you go about making the leap from intern to employee?

Get to know everyone.

Make an effort to get to know your team and not just a brief hello. Offer to make tea and coffee, take colleagues up on a lunch invitation, ask questions and show interest in their work.

Sometimes the hardest part is just letting people know your goals and what it is you want. Once you’ve overcome that obstacle, they’ll know what they can do to help you get there. Maintain an enthusiastic approach when carrying out your daily tasks and show that you’re excited about your work and most importantly, that you’re keen to stick around. Get to know everyone’s various roles and where the various departments are headed within the company. At times the intrigue may be returned so be prepared to put your best self forward when people ask about your background.

Further down the line, when connections with colleagues have surpassed small talk and you feel comforatble enough, ask your colleagues if they have any advice on how best to secure a full time position within the company. You’d be surprised just how many employess were once in your position and interning for the same company. Not only will you hopefully secure a little insight into how best to progress but by asking for advice you’ll show a proactive approach to progressing in your career.

Always respect your manager.

While colleagues views and an overall view of how you fit within the team will contribute to a decision to extend your position with the company, the final say will ultimately come down to your manager. Make sure you’re checking in regularly with them (though try not to be too annoying) so that he or she knows what you’re working on and how you’re progressing with each project. It’s also important to check in with your manager when you’re asked to work on other projects by other colleagues. It may make you feel like the little kid having to ask for permission but it means your supervisor can ensure your workload remains manageable and fair. Loyalty and respect is an important trait to some of the most influential egos of the industry.

Make it a priority to meet your manager’s objectives and request feedback when the opportunity arises.

Weekly meetings may not be an option but as an alternative, try sending your manager an email outlining the things you’re working on and your accomplishments at the beginning or end of each week.

Get creative and fight for it.

Sometimes company’s just aren’t hiring and through no fault of your own, securing a full time position with the company just isn’t an option right now. The timing may just be off. That’s not to say you should give up entriely though. Assuming you’ve spoken to your manager in review of your performance and made your goals of career progression clear, take the time to explore other options with your manager.

Are there ways you could maintain a relationship with the company? For example, working part-time hours while you finish studying or taking on a specific project to continue once your formal internship programme has ended.

Remember that interning is a two way street. If you find a problem that you think you can solve, offer to do so. It’s additional experience for your CV and may just lead to something more permanent down the line.

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