Looking for your first job can be the most stressful job search you ever do. But what if you could avoid it altogether? A 2004 survey of companies who used interns, conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, found that about 45% of them filled full-time staff positions from their intern pools. Translation: If you play your cards right, you could receive your first job offer without having to send out a single resume.
Look the Part
You may be "only an intern," but that shouldn't stop you from acting like an employee.
Show up on time. Dress professionally. Don't leave early unless it's urgent and you've cleared it with your supervisor. Learn and adhere to company policy and procedure just as employees do.
Even if you witness other employees or fellow interns taking certain liberties, resist the temptation to join in. Don't whip out your walkie-talkie cell phone and start chatting with friends on company time. Don't take long lunches -- unless you've cleared it with your supervisor (or you're lunching with your supervisor). Don't engage in office gossip.
If you behave like a valued employee, everyone at the company will think of you as a valued employee. As such, your imminent departure could prompt management to ask you to stay on (or return after you complete your degree).
Don't Be Stingy When Paying Your Dues
Even though you may act like an employee, you may find yourself being treated as less than such one, in terms of the assignments and tasks you're given. In fact, you may have to do less-than-glamorous work for the duration of your internship.
Lowering your expectations about how exciting an internship will be can soften the blow of being asked to pick up your boss's dry cleaning, stuff envelopes or spend all day at the photocopier.
Whatever task you are given, don't balk (unless it is illegal). Take on assignments early and with a smile. People will remember that you were gracious and hard working.
Go Above and Beyond
Your tasks may be seriously limited to menial and clerical duties. Don't despair. Odds are you can expand your repertoire by offering to go above and beyond the call of duty.
If you see someone in the office staying late, or hear an employee complain of being swamped with a particular project, ask, "Is there anything I can do to help you?" At first, you may not be given anything much more exciting than your usual assignments. But your initiative will be remembered and could lead to more interesting tasks in the near future.
When you have any downtime at the office, open your eyes to the things that aren't getting done because employees are too overwhelmed. Perhaps there's research to be done, reports and proposals to be proofread, queries to be answered or paperwork to be filed. Go to your supervisor and offer to pitch in.
Get to Know Everyone ... Especially Management
Your day-to-day routine may not afford you contact with many people at the company. Remedy the situation by asking everyone you do meet for five minutes of their time to talk about their roles at the company. Too shy to knock on office doors? Ask your supervisor to help you arrange a few meetings. Do this early in your internship and it will serve as a good introduction for you.
This process will give you a sense of how the organization works as a whole. And, because most people love to talk about themselves and/or their work, it's a great way to connect.
Finally, you'll know exactly whom you should go out of your way to impress and approach for a job in the future.
