How to Turn Your Internship Into a Full-Time Job

Interning is one of the best ways to improve your chances of being asked to join a company full-time. We all have to start somewhere if we want to land the job of our dreams. An internship can be just the place to get things off the ground. 

Yes, being an intern means getting paid little to nothing. The work, however, can provide insights and experience in the industry you want to break into that you typically don’t get in school.  It’s also a chance to see if the role, the work and the company are something you actually want to be part of long term. 

I began my successful career as a paid intern and at the end of it was offered a full-time position. Below are tips to help you make the most out of your summer internship so that your future employer has no choice but to ask you to come on board. 

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Be Enthusiastic  

When I started as an intern, I made it a point to show my superiors how excited I was to be there. It didn’t matter what the assignment was or if the tasks I performed were mundane or repetitive. I did everything with a smile on my face. 

And it didn’t go unnoticed. I always showed initiative and even jumped at the opportunity to grab coffee, which most interns hate doing, for my managers. That always worked in my favor because I was given the company card and could get myself a beverage, too, without spending my own money. 

Help out as much as you can. Approach everything with passion and optimism, as that will demonstrate that you can handle more demanding aspects of the job, just as full-time employees do. Display your eagerness and willingness to contribute to the team. Because of this attitude, I started to get more and more job responsibilities that developed my skills, and I got the chance to shadow my managers on tasks as they performed them. 

Ask Questions 

At an internship, it’s expected that you don’t know much and so don’t pretend like you do. You’re new to this, so now isn’t the time to try to make it appear as if you’re so smart that you don’t need any oversight. 

Ask questions. It’s perfectly okay to get the clarity and direction you need to make sure that you complete tasks well versus acting like a know-it-all. How do you expect to learn and get better if you don’t? 

When you intern, there really is no such thing as a dumb question, so take full advantage of it. The other interns in my program would make the mistake of attempting their duties without getting all the facts first and would turn in assignments that needed to be redone or worse, revised entirely by their manager. They didn’t end up getting offered a full-time position after the program ended because of this. 

Also, make it a point to ask for feedback. It’s important to make sure that you are on the right track at all times and that you know how you can improve. This shows your future employer that you are mature and want to do the best work possible.

Keep All of Your Deadlines 

Do not be late when turning in an assignment. Deadlines are in place for many reasons and Rule No. 1, especially during an internship, is not to miss them. Your manager is counting on you to deliver work in a timely manner, and it’s also a test to see how reliable you really are. Learn how to prioritize. Make the most of your limited time and keep projects on track. Meeting deadlines shows that you are disciplined, determined and have strong project-management skills, which are always required in the workplace. 

Keeping deadlines also shows that you are aware that everyone’s work is interconnected, and that missing a deadline can put everyone else behind schedule. Deadlines can be tricky to tackle, and if you do feel that you are unable to meet them, then communicate that to your manager well in advance so that it doesn’t harm the overall company goals. 

Build Strong Relationships 

The first day of my internship, I went to every single desk and introduced myself to all the employees. Sure, it can be intimidating to strike up a conversation with a total stranger, but it’s necessary. 

Network and find mentorship wherever you can. Tell people who you are and that you are interning with the company. Employers want to see that you are a team player and can collaborate and get along with your colleagues. Establish a positive reputation across the board, especially with your direct report. 

Ask for 1-on-1s and even take your manager to lunch if you have the funds to do so. If you can’t afford that, sit with the other workers during meals or link up in the break room. Put in the effort. You have to build connections, so don’t let fear and imposter syndrome get in the way of creating lasting relationships. Everyone at the company understands what it’s like to start fresh at a job. Put yourself out there as these allies you foster can be your biggest cheerleaders and the reason why the company asks you to stay on full-time. 

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Show Interest in Full-Time Employment

Make it clear that you want to work for the company when your internship ends. When you are sure you’d like a full-time job with the company, schedule a meeting with your manager first and then HR about gaining full-time employment. Be prepared to showcase your impact by keeping a log of all your accomplishments and tasks and explain why you feel you would be an invaluable asset to the team. 

At my internship, I expressed that I have a unique personality and background that could help the company expand in ways it couldn’t, especially as it related to hiring and working with BIPOC talent and companies. You can be a skilled and excellent intern whose work is appreciated, but the company might not be prepared to offer you full-time employment when your internship ends. This doesn’t mean that it’s the end of the road. Because of your stellar work, chances are good that you’ll be top of mind when an open position becomes available. Be gracious and keep your head up no matter what. 

Three months may not seem like a lot of time to convert to a full-time employee. But if you truly embrace the internship, have fun as you absorb information and put the above tips into practice, you might walk away with the entry-level position you were hoping for.