There are tons of valuable things you get out of your internship. Connections, hands-on experience, new skills, a resume booster, and (if you’re lucky) a decent paycheck—they’re just a few of the perks that come along with your role. But—let’s be honest—there’s one specific thing you’re hoping to cross the finish line with: A full-time job.
Nobody can blame you. When you’re sinking your time and energy into something, it’d be great to have a full-time gig to show for it at the end. Yes, there are some companies that have a reputation for hiring interns after graduation. And, others? Well, they thank you for your hard work, put an overly-frosted cake in the breakroom, and then send you on your merry way.
If you’re one of those people who wants more to show for your internship than a sugar high (cough, like a full-time job, cough), the ball is in your court. Coveted full-time positions aren’t just doled out willy nilly—they’re earned. So, you’ll need to prove you’re worthy of those glossy new business cards.
How? Do these three key things every day during your internship, and you’re sure to up your chances of walking away with a full-time position.
1. Go Above and Beyond
This first one should go without saying. But, that still doesn’t mean I could just totally leave it off the list. Again, it’s up to you to prove that you’re worthy of a full-time commitment from your internship employer. You shouldn’t expect that reward without putting in your fair share of elbow grease.
Be forewarned—this doesn’t mean just skating by and putting in the bare minimum day in and day out. Instead of simply meeting expectations, you need to exceed them.
So, do whatever you can to prove to your employer that you’re always willing to go the extra mile. Companies constantly keep their eyes peeled for candidates who can not only talk the talk, but walk the walk—and, your internship is the perfect opportunity to really strut your stuff in that regard.
2. Communicate With Your Co-Workers
You might be tempted to keep your head down, keep to yourself, and stay focused on just your work. And, most of the time, that’s a smart strategy—you don’t want to look like a slacker who’s always eagerly jumping into office gossip, after all.
However, it’s important that you don’t sacrifice building rapport with your co-workers in order to work 24/7. No matter how large your company, offices are pretty small—and, as you already know, word spreads like wildfire.
So, if you’re well-liked in the office and everyone rants and raves about how wonderful you are to work with? Well, that’s good news—and it’s information that will likely travel to your boss. Since you’ve already proven you mesh well with the team and slide in seamlessly with the company culture, you’ve just significantly improved your chances of landing a full-time gig.
But, if you’ve only managed to foster a reputation as the hermit co-worker who keeps his eyes glued to the computer and would rather eat lunch in a bathroom stall than socialize with his colleagues? Let’s just say the outlook isn’t quite so bright.
3. Express Your Interest
No matter how intelligent and accomplished your superiors are, nobody can read minds. What does that mean for you? It’s simple: You need to be direct and forthright about what your end goal is when your internship comes to a close.
Yes, that means you should make it clear to your boss that you’d be thrilled with the opportunity to come onboard full-time. Don’t assume that she already knows this—those assumptions never end well for anybody.
Setup a meeting with your boss to discuss your game plan, if necessary. And, make sure that you’re constantly demonstrating your excitement about the company. Every organization loves an employee with passion and drive, so that’s a surefire way to bring yourself closer to the front of the pack!
It’s totally natural to hope that your internship leads to a full-time job—hey, that’s why many people accept internships in the first place. However, wishing alone won’t land you that coveted job title. Instead, you need to grab the bull by the horns and take charge in order to show that you’re deserving of a full-time role.
So, remember to do these three things every single day, and you’ll be ordering those fancy new business cards in no time!
