From Intern to New Hire: How to Seal the Deal
So you’re about halfway through your internship, and you are loving it! You’re making contributions, hitting it off with your co-workers, and loving the culture. But as time moves forward, you are confronted with an important question … Will this become a full time offer?
There is good news. There are very practical ways that you can increase the possibility of turning your internship into a full time gig! It will take intentionality and effort on your part, but you will be able to know that you’ve done everything in your power to secure a future with your employer.
The first step is to prove your worth. Think of your internship as an 8-week long interview. This is your chance to show your potential employer how you will contribute to their organization. Show up on time (or better yet, a few minutes early) for meetings, come with bright ideas, ask insightful questions, immerse yourself in the company culture, volunteer for special projects, and allow yourself to be coached.
Don’t skip networking! Developing relationships with your team and cross functionally is a great way to make connections and open doors for yourself. Be sure to make efforts to meet others and have meaningful conversations with them.
About halfway through your internship would be an ideal time to ask for a review of your work. Process the feedback you receive and make any necessary adjustments in your performance to ensure that you are meeting the needs of your company and your supervisor.
Finally as the conclusion of your internship approaches, request a meeting with your supervisor to discuss your future with the company. Express your gratitude for the opportunity thus far, make known your increased interest in joining the role post-graduation, and share your career goals. This conversation likely won’t come as a surprise to your supervisor as many companies use their internship programs as a pipeline to hire full-time talent.
Being direct and communicative with your interest in the company will enable you to have a helpful conversation that will give you clarity on your future. After your conversation, you can move forward with the knowledge that you did everything you could to explore this opportunity.