Climbing the Career Ladder: How to Rock Your Internship

Being a recent graduate in Ireland is tough, there’s no denying it. The jobs market is dreadful, the economy is still in bits and most graduates struggle when it comes to finding full-time employment post-college.

Recently we were chatting about internships and how the right internship could not only help you get your foot in the door, it could also help you to land a permanent job.

So how do you go about making your internship work for you? How can you milk the experience and ensure that your employers are sufficiently impressed with your performance?

Here are a few tips on how to show everyone in the company that you have ‘future-employee’ written all over you.

1. Nothing Beats Enthusiasm and a Positive Attitude: Everyone loves a happy, positive person and this is especially true when it comes to the work place. Always show that you’re more than happy to be inside the company working as an intern. If anything needs to be done, no matter how boring/frustrating it is, show enthusiasm. And approach every job with a positive attitude.

Positive, enthusiastic people are always attractive to employers because they know that they can count on you to get the job done and not to moan and groan about it.

Plus a happy person always brightens up the atmosphere. Enthusiasm is infectious and inspiring.

2. Always Be Up for a Challenge: Can you make me a cup of tea? Sure! Can you write about the Fiscal Treaty Compact? Of course I can! Do you know anything about nuclear physics? No, but I can learn about it!

No matter what your boss asks you to do, show that you’re ready, willing and able. Always be up for anything (eh…within reason, of course). Show that you’re enthusiastic and passionate about your work and rise to the challenge. A challenge is an opportunity for you to shine and to show your boss that you’re capable to do whatever needs to be done and that, most importantly, you can do it well.

3. Ask for More: You may not be aware of it, but when you are an intern, your boss/colleagues will be watching your every move. They will be monitoring you, so the worst thing you can do is sit at your desk and browse Facebook if you’ve finished all the work that someone has given you. Never allow anyone to see you being idle.

If you’ve finished your work ahead of schedule, go to your boss and ask if there’s anything else you can do. Earn brownie points with your co-workers by asking them if there’s anything that they need help with. Any good turns that you do for them are bound to be reported back to your employer and trust us, they will definitely remember you for it.

4. Befriend Your Colleagues: Make the effort to get to know your colleagues. When the end of your internship rolls around, these could be the people who fight your corner with your boss. If you’re friendly and nice to them, they’re far more likely to say positive things about you to your boss. They’re also much more likely to say that they could do with having you as a permanent member of staff.  

Plus you will see these people all day, every day until your internship is finished, so you may as well attempt to forge friendships with them. Who knows? Your future-BFF could be lurking somewhere in the office as we speak.

5. Ask Questions: If you don’t understand something, just ask. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, if anything it shows your commitment to learning how to do the job just right. So don’t be afraid. Remember – the only stupid question is the one that goes unasked.

6. Be Grateful for the Opportunity: Always appreciate the fact that you’ve been given an opportunity to gain experience and learn from people who are considered experts in their current field. Say thank you, express your gratitude often and in general let your boss know that you appreciate the fact that they picked YOU to be their intern.

7. Ask for Feedback: It’s always a good idea to develop a good relationship with your boss or supervisor. Once a month have a brief check-in with him/her and ask for their feedback. Ask how you’re doing and if there is anything you’re doing wrong or anything that you need to improve upon. Be open and take everything that your boss says on board.

They will admire you for having the guts and maturity to sit down with them and discuss your progress.

These tips are just a few ideas to help you excel in your internship and make the most of the opportunity. Make sure you remember us when you’ve worked your way up to the position of CEO!