Turn Your Internship Into a Full Time Job
Did you know that most companies really want you to convert your internship into a full time job?
The National Association of Colleges and Employers says that more than 50% of internships get converted to full time employees. The harder it is to find good employees with the skills they need in the job market, the more hiring managers would love it if you were able to turn your internship into a full time job.
The Society for Human Resources Management states that the cost of bringing a new hire on board is just over $4000. So if the company spends that money to recruit and hire an intern, they love it if the intern is able to turn that internship into a full time job.
Organizations like INROADS prepare college students to participate in prestigious internship programs with that specific goal in mind. With preparation and the right training, students who land competitive internships will want to go back to these companies after graduation. If you are completing a paid internship or unpaid internship this summer, think about these tips to help you convert your internship to a full time job.
Go in with an Impressive Resume
If you have a great resume going into your internship, you are a prime target for being hiring upon graduation. If you have participated in leadership programs, have a good GPA, are involved on your campus, it is likely that all you need to do is perform well as an intern and you will walk away with a full time job offer starting after graduation.
Impress your Supervisor
Use your internship experience to show your supervisor and everyone you work with, that you could be part of the team. Do your work, stay professional and impress your supervisor with your excellent communication skills, your team skills and your ability to learn.
Have a Vision
During your internship, you will have a lot of opportunities to meet people across the organization including C-level executives. Don't be shy about sharing your thoughts about where you would like to be after graduation. No one expects you to have your entire future on lock down (by the way most people don't) but the clearer your vision is about your future, the more in tune you will be with opportunities that come your way. The more purposeful you can be about wanting to convert your internship to a full time job.
Ask for the Job
Ideally, the employer wants the hire and if you know it is possible and want the conversion as well, you should ask your supervisor about it. If you have demonstrated your value as a good fit for the company, why not ask? By the way, if you don't get the job offer at the end of the summer, don't assume you won't get an offer. Sometimes those offers come in the fall or early spring of your senior year. Therefore, remain professional, add your new contacts on your LinkedIn page and maintain a positive attitude about the company.