It’s that time of year where the office expands and all the interns start. Below are some tips i wish I knew when I was an intern and some I wish I could scream from the rooftops to Interns.
Prove Yourself. Every Internship counts!
Just because the manager you report to does not comment on your wardrobe or behavior, it does not mean it’s a free pass. This is a crucial time for you. You want to do what you can to be professional and prove yourself.
Ask Questions.
There is a non annoying way of asking questions. You can write a list of all the questions you had in a day and send it to your supervisor or email your supervisor at the end of the day. You can also find other peers that can help answer your questions. Asking questions shows that you are interested, just be sure that you word your questions tactfully as to not offend certain employees or the company.
There is ALWAYS a dress code.
Even in the most casual work atmosphere there is a dress code. This means, no holes in jeans or clothes. I prefer to keep sandals and toe reveling shoes for outside of work as well. Do not wear tight clothing or short/reveling clothing. If you have to question it at all I would just not wear it. It’s okay to look boring at the office. In fact, you will soon start enjoying your office clothes because they will be a lot more comfortable and cover more space than the mini skirt you wore to school. I would err on the side of caution with the clothing and dress up every day. Do not wear tennis shoes unless everyone you report to wears them.
Take Notes and Be Present.
Be thankful of peoples time when they spend time explaining procedures and training you. They are very well aware you will be leaving soon and they are trying to help you. Take detailed notes.
No Social Media/ No Phones.
Do not use your cell phone during work hours. People are just waiting to see you on your phone to judge you so just don’t let them. Depending on how serious you want to take this internship I would turn off your alerts and just silence your phones till lunch and after work.
Don’t Assume.
Don’t assume you get everything full time employees get. In fact don’t assume, period.
Say Thanks!
Send a thank you note to everyone who helped you along the way. I’m old school and love hand written notes, however sending an email is just as good. That being said make sure you have a clean and professional email address.
Don’t Mix Work and Pleasure.
You can make tons of friends during your internship program. Just be careful not to mix work and pleasure. For example, if there is a group happy hour and you are not 21 just get a soda and lime. Don’t risk drinking especially on the company’s watch. You do not want to be a liability or the rumor that’s circulating the next morning. On the other hand, if you are over 21, limit your drinks to a total of 2 and less if you can’t control your liquor. I also want to add that being aware of your volume will go a long way. I can’t count the times i’ve heard giggling from a corner.. which in theory is fine.. however it’s not the most professional look and it makes interns just look like they aren’t serious about their time with the company.
I’d love to hear your advice on internship etiquette or any stories you have from your experience at work as an intern or hosting interns. Let me know in the comments below! :)