Turn an Internship Into a Job With These Ten Steps

Any internship opportunity, whether paid or unpaid, provides invaluable experience in your chosen industry. Smart interns soak up all the job knowledge possible during their stay, but savvy workers secure a permanent position with the company. Follow these 10 ways to turn your internship opportunity into a full-time job.

1. Share Your Goals

Discuss your goals with your manager, and express your interest in working full time for the company after your internship opportunity ends. Be direct, and ask if there are any openings in the organization. Even if there are not, he may contact you when there are openings since he knows you're interested.

2. Make Connections

Step outside your comfort zone, and connect with other employees in the organization to build your network. Invite a few co-workers to lunch, or volunteer for a committee to increase your connections. When managers see you fitting into the company culture, they're more likely to hire you on full time.

3. Be Professional

Display your professionalism throughout your internship. Dress the part, and follow the work rules set by the organization. Showing managers you take your role seriously proves your worthiness as a permanent employee.

4. Put in the Time

Don't underestimate the value of coming in early and staying late. This shows your dedication to the job and the employer, and may be enough to convince managers you're a faithful employee.

5. Show Your Interest

Whether you're working on an exciting project or assigned a menial task, remain positive and show you're eager to learn. Ask questions, and seek out training opportunities to increase your knowledge.

6. Follow Instructions

Take your responsibilities seriously, and follow instructions completely for every task you're given. Even if you're just filing papers or making coffee, do it with a positive attitude.

7. Accept Extra Work

If you find yourself with too much downtime, volunteer for additional projects for which you have an interest. Offer your talents where they're needed, or offer to help out a co-worker who is overwhelmed.

8. Communicate Openly

While performance reviews may not be a part of your internship opportunity, you can still ask your manager for feedback on your skills and areas where you need to improve.

9. Keep Record of Your Accomplishments

Create a list to track the contributions you make to the organization. These significant accomplishments make a great addition to your resume and may be just what's needed to convince the manager to bring you on as a full-time employee.

10. Express Your Gratitude

When your internship opportunity draws to a close, write a thank you note to your manager. Consider sending handwritten notes to any other employees who made an impact or took the time to mentor you.

An internship opportunity provides you with on-the-job experience and makes an excellent addition to your resume, but the benefits don't have to stop there. Get the most out of your experience by making your mark on the organization and turning your internship opportunity into a full-time job.

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