How to stand out from the rest during your internship
In the words of Kelly Cutrone, “Normal gets you nowhere.” And it’s true. If you want to stand out from your competition, you have to be willing to step outside your comfort zone and redefine your “normal.” Whether you’re just getting your foot in the door, or are finally at your dream internship, it’s never too early or too late to brush up on your internship etiquette.
Do more than what’s expected of you.
Be the first one into the office in the morning, and the last one to leave at night. Beat your deadlines, initiate new projects, or grab coffee for your team on a whim. All of these things go beyond your job expectations and will make you stand out as an eager and enthusiastic candidate for a full-time position post-graduation.
The small stuff matters, too.
Whether you’re filing papers, on a coffee run, or attempting to fix that horrifying monster machine they call the printer, bring your passion and enthusiasm to each project you’re assigned. Excelling at the smaller tasks will make your employer more trusting in you to complete larger and more important projects as your internship progresses. Hopefully by the end of your internship, you’ll be doing projects a full-time employee would be responsible for, making the transition from intern to employee even easier!
Show initiative.
Ask to take on more challenging projects or see if anyone needs an extra hand or second opinion. Don’t be afraid to seem annoying- your employer knows that you are there to learn as much as you can, and they will likely be glad you offered a helping hand. It’s better to feel annoying than to be caught browsing Facebook or doing some online shopping on the clock. Being proactive and showing that you have a genuine interest in improving the company will put you first in the mind of your employer when your dream job comes calling.
Be prepared. Always.
Regularly carry around a pen and pad of paper, take notes during every meeting and keep your desk area organized. It will show that you truly care and that you are eager to learn at all times. After all, you never know when the CEO or another senior leader will pop into your cubicle to check in on you and the progress you have made.
Don’t be afraid to speak up
It can be intimidating to make suggestions in front of full-time employees, but they hired you for a reason. As an intern, you are there to provide a fresh perspective, but no one will get that if you don’t speak up! Use your voice to contribute ideas to the team, and they will begin to think of you as a regular (and necessary) part of the team!
Ask for periodic evaluations.
Talk to your supervisor about setting up bi-weekly or monthly performance evaluations. Gaining constructive criticism from your supervisor will allow you to improve during the rest of your experience and gain insight for what skills they look for in full-time employees. Being able to take constructive criticism and turn it into improvement will show your employer that you are serious about learning and growing as a professional.
Stay connected even after you leave.
It’s important to stay connected to your employers even when your internship is completed. Ask them to lunch when you’re back in town, or email them updates of your professional and academic progress. Maintaining professional relationships long past your internship will keep your name in mind when your dream job opening comes along.