When I was in my senior year, I worked as an intern at a human resource company. After completing my internship, I was promoted to a full-time employee. That job led me to where I am today as a recruiter.
If you’re currently completing an internship at a great company, you might be wondering: “What’s the best way to secure a full-time position?”
In my case, it was a combination of hard work and luck. Hard work because I’ve invested a lot in the job, and luck because the company was hiring at the same time I was applying to full-time jobs.
Now I want to share with you a few tips for transitioning from a summer internship to a more meaningful full-time job position.
Demonstrate a Strong Work Ethic
Your employers look for it, and your job security depends on it! Displaying a strong work ethic can get you a long way. If you:
- Have gone above and beyond your manager’s expectations
- Completed all projects on time
- Always arrived on time
- Gotten a great feedback
- Cooperated with the team
- Took constructive criticism and actively applied it
Then it’s safe to say that you’ve given your 100% during your internship. And your manager will respect that and take it into consideration when you ask for a full-time position.
If you believe that you should give more effort, start working on giving your 110% today. You want to make sure you’ve shown a strong work ethic when you sit down to talk with your manager. Because if you’re not useful as a short-term employee, your employer won’t go the extra mile to hire you full-time.
My advice to you is to treat your internship as a lengthy interview or audition. You have the lead role as a person who’s trying to prove they have the skills they listed on their resumé.
Additional Reading: 7 Tips for Creating a 5-Star Video Resume
Form Positive Relationships With Everyone
Not only that you should show yourself in the best light, but you should also form positive relationships with everyone at the company. Speaking from experience, the surest way to secure a job is utilizing your network.
What I’m trying to say is don’t just hide in your cubicle and complete your day-to-day tasks. Introduce yourself to other employees and get to know them on a personal level. Chat with them over coffee and ask questions like:
- What’s your role at the company?
- What does your work entail?
- What’s your favorite part of your job?
- Is there anything I can do to help you?
- Do you find my work satisfying?
Don’t be scared to extend a hand and help them with a project. Not only that you’ll build up your skillset, but you’ll also build a network of internal advocates who can vouch for you.
List Your Accomplishments
Before you ask for a meeting with the “big boss”, you want to put together a few talking points.
The first step is to ask yourself:
- What did I accomplish during the internship?
- What successes am I most proud of?
- What have I learned and improved upon?
- How has the company made me a better employee?
It’s always a smart idea to gather proof of your contributions ahead of the talk. My advice is to put everything together in a Google doc or spreadsheet so that you can have easy access. This will show your manager exactly how much you’ve developed and how that makes you a valuable asset.
Additional Reading: How to Deal With a Toxic Work Environment: Signs and Solutions
Outline Some Career Goals for Yourself
Once you set a foot into your manager’s office, they’ll be asking: “What are your long-term career goals?” You can’t just burst through the door and say: “I want a job at your company.” To ensure you get a full-time position, you need to make strong talking points.
My advice here is to think about your career goals. Reflect on your studies in college, on your experience, and the things you enjoyed working. Ask yourself:
- What part of the job I liked the best?
- What do I want to accomplish at the company?
- Where do I see myself in 5 years?
- What kind of mission do I want to be a part of?
Only when you answer these questions, you can go into your manager’s office and say: “Here’s why my values align with the company and how I can be a great asset to your organization.”
Schedule a Meeting With Your Manager
When your internship reaches its ending date, schedule a one-on-one talk with your boss or manager. Use that opportunity to have a discussion about your future with the company.
The first thing you want to do is express your gratitude for having the chance to be part of the company. Showing gratitude always leaves a favorable impression.
The next step is to express your desire to become a full-time employee and remain a part of the team. Now it’s time to strengthen your case and present your accomplishments at the company and give your boss proof of your strong work ethic. Highlight two or three projects on which you enjoyed working. Mention what you loved about the projects, and what you learned from that experience.
When your boss asks about your long-term career goals, explain how this internship fits into that big picture.
Additional Reading: How to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Stand Out
Here’s How Your Request Should Sound Like
If you’re unsure what to say and want to sound both professional and enthusiastic, try this script out:
I have very much appreciated the opportunity to work with [company name] over the past [number of months]. I loved working [highlight a project you worked on] where I developed [a skill you improved upon]. It was a pleasure being part of such an amazing team of professionals and great people.
I’ll be graduating [date] and starting my search for a full-time [industry] position. I have asked for this meeting so that I can inform you in person that I am interested in transitioning to a full-time position at your company if that is possible. I want to be taken into consideration if you have any current job openings now or in the near future.
Thanks again for making this such a wonderful internship experience!
Key Takeaways
At the end of the day, two scenarios are possible. There’s a good chance you won’t get a job offer. The company might not have the budget for a new hire, or they might be after someone with more experience. When that happens, remain professional and say you will keep in touch.
There’s also a 50% possibility that they will make you a full-time employee after your internship. Take full advantage of this amazing opportunity and step into your professional career with confidence and enthusiasm for what the future might bring.
