In today’s world just having a good degree and a high GPA are no longer enough qualifications to secure that all-important graduate job offer. More and more students decide to attend an internship during or after their studies with most of them choosing Europe, Australia or the USA as a popular destination for their internships.
Table of Contents
- But how to turn an internship into a job offer?
- Statement 1: Every great achiever is inspired by a great mentor!
- Statement 2: It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question – Eugene Ionesco!
- Statement 3: Your network is your net worth!
- Statement 4: You get what you work for, not what you wish for!
- Statement 5: Finally, yet importantly a professional image is a silent way of speaking!
But how to turn an internship into a job offer?
The truth is that the benefits of having one or more internships during summer break or immediately following graduation are many!
Just to mention briefly with an internship you can:
Boost Your Resume
Internships are popular amongst graduate and undergraduate students who need to gain research or valuable work experience.
Have a better idea of the career path that is right for you
Choosing a career path can be difficult. Unless you have tried a particular job, or at least you have some practical knowledge of how suitable it is for you
Develop Professional Connections
During your placement, you will have the opportunity to introduce yourself to professionals at all levels and from numerous departments and niches. The relationships you cultivate during your internship could prove vital with most of them leading you to the best job opportunities.
In this blog, we will dive into this last benefit, and we will explore different ways in which you can increase the possibility of receiving a job offer after the end of your internship with your dream company. After all, it’s better to turn an internship into a job offer rather than spend more time hunting for your dream job.
So read ahead!
You have almost finished your degree, you really enjoy your placement, and you feel ready to thrive in the working world! What are the possibilities to receive an offer from your supervisor?
While no internship guarantees a job offer in the future, it is still worth pursuing and potentially asking about this opportunity! And it is worth it, even more, to do your best to improve the chances for it!
Here are some important statements to keep in mind from the beginning of your placement so as to take control of your career!
Statement 1: Every great achiever is inspired by a great mentor!
For many students, internships are their first experience in a workplace setting. It is a unique challenge as well as an opportunity for them to thrive within their areas of interest.
Even though the idea of an internship might seem exciting more or less, I have met students who feel overwhelmed during their placement since they have an unexpectedly high number of responsibilities to cover alongside their studies.
My knowledge and experience so far have led me to the conclusion that a mentor is a necessity for each and every intern no matter their level of confidence and experience. Having a mentor who will be there for you to ensure a smooth and pleasant experience during this transition from student to working life is a must. Mentoring during your internship is a relationship focused on guidance and support and can be viewed as a learning experience.
But how can a student best contribute to this mentoring development that will increase the possibility of a permanent role in the near future?
I have good news for you! This depends on you and only you! Turning an internship into a job offer is not as complicated as it may sound to some. And that is because a mentoring relationship is built around the mentee’s goals. That means you’re ultimately the one who sets objectives for the relationship.
What does that mean?
You do the bulk of the scheduling meetings and moving the relationship forward
You need to be upfront about what you would like to cover during your time with the mentor – setting goals, priorities, and timelines
You are responsible for being available, and trustworthy when it comes to the accomplishment of all the weekly tasks and the open approach to new challenges.
You can develop self-awareness to maximize your mentorship and take personal responsibility for your actions and recognize areas where improvement is possible
Following all these steps mentioned above you will give yourself the opportunity to make better use of the advice given by your mentor and to build trust with your supervisor which is something very important especially if you are thinking of a long-term professional connection.
Statement 2: It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question – Eugene Ionesco!
Unsurprisingly, I have met lots of students who hesitate to do questions during their placement, this usually derives from an individual’s lack of self-confidence and trust in their own knowledge. However, it is important to remember that no one knows everything, and people are often just as confused as you are.
Most people don’t want to seem silly in front of the team, however asking for help as an intern shows the exact opposite!
Asking for help shows you are ready, willing and eager to learn. You are an intern, so your boss does not expect you to know everything. Questions also demonstrate your confidence to ask for help when you need it and that you want to make sure your job is done right, which will allow you to become more of a team player and gain valuable experience working with others.
So, when you ask questions, you simply appear more willing to learn and no one will judge you on that.
If you are struggling to gain confidence at work, follow the next steps to make yourself more comfortable in asking questions.
Practice
Everything boils down to good practice. Knowing when to ask questions and what types of questions to ask is a skill that must be practiced. It can be beneficial to start with simple questions and adjust as you grow.
Prepare questions beforehand
Make a note of the questions you would like to ask, familiarize yourself with the context and prepare some questions ahead of time. This will help you feel more comfortable asking the questions because you will not feel as lost and you can rely on the fact that you did your research.
Soo jump in! Listen, pay attention to details and ask as many questions as you need!
Statement 3: Your network is your net worth!
Don’t be frightened to seize this opportunity as an intern, take some time to feel comfortable within the new working environment and start investing time in people.
But how can you do that during your placement?
The answer is pretty straightforward: YOU REACH OUT TO THEM!
Don’t be frightened to seize this opportunity as an intern! Learn more about the other experts in your field and your workplace. Don’t be hesitant to start making real connections by reaching out either in person, at the office, on LinkedIn, on trade, online discussion groups, have a drink in the pub with the team on a Friday afternoon when off duty and why not create a post on LinkedIn and share some words in your online network about your wonderful experience in the X or Z company – everyone likes a positive, boosting compliment.
Statement 4: You get what you work for, not what you wish for!
Being a hardworking player is absolutely essential for succeeding in the workplace and will definitely increase your chances of getting a full-time job.
It’s up to you to prove that you can be more than an intern. How to achieve that?
Be proactive and Initiative! These two magic words can work miracles!
It is meaningful to remain focused and demonstrate your sincerity in accomplishing your responsibilities.
If you have finished with your work for the day don’t just sit around, kindly ask to help the rest of the team, shadow people’s work, suggest better ways to accomplish the job, and therefore, help the team thrive!
Always keep in mind that self-belief and hard work will always earn you success!
Successful interns have faith in their abilities and the ability of those around them. This allows them to take risks, learn from mistakes, and grow with the help of their mentor.
Without confidence, you may never venture out of your comfort zone and take this further step needed to ensure a permanent role. With a healthy level of confidence, you can be the best version of yourself!
Statement 5: Finally, yet importantly a professional image is a silent way of speaking!
Be on time, dress formally and remain tactful and courteous at all times.
Have a good one!
