05 October 2009 by Jim
Struggling with workload but low on cash? Can't afford temps but
need an extra pair of hands? Look no further than the helpful
enthusiasm of the INTERN.
These chirpy souls come in at the bargain rate of £0.00, and a
knowledge and keenness about your field come included in that
price.
Don't know where to find one? Ask around friends and family,
place ads in student publications or on relevant trade websites,
advertise on Gumtree (which usually gets huge responses), talk to
local universities and colleges and talk to local employment
agencies about offering work placements to those who need more
experience to get that crucial first job.
Don't know how to manage one? Follow these handy tips for
getting the most from your intern:
- Be selective - read through their cover letter
and cv carefully, ensuring that they and you would benefit from the
experience - look for new skills that your team currently lacks or
is short on - conduct interviews if you get loads of
applications
- Be clear - make sure that they know this is an
unpaid placement and explain what they can hope to get out of
it
- Be helpful - cover travel and food expenses if
you can - the cost of a coffee here and there to you is a weekful
of food to a student
- Get off on the right foot - before they start,
explain exactly what your business does, what time they should
arrive, what time your day finishes, how best to get there, your
contact details, the office dress code and anything that they might
need to bring such as stationary or a notepad
- Make them feel welcome - a chat over coffee
first thing and an introduction to everyone on the team breaks down
barriers and puts them more at ease
- Don't patronise them - treat them like any
other member of staff
- Give them interesting tasks - they're working
for free and deserve to get more than just filing
- Ask for their input and ideas - someone who's
new to the team has a different way of looking at things and will
bring fresh life to your team's thinking - and it makes the intern
feel valued
- Be polite - they're doing you a massive favour
- let them know how much you appreciate it
- Explain things - show them how the business
works, why it works, and talk them through some of your best and
worst pieces of work so they can learn more about the industry
- Give them contacts - ask about their career
aspirations and help them get a leg-up by putting them in touch
with anyone you know who could help
- Give them feedback - let them know how they're
doing, as they probably won't have a clue - showing them how to
improve and refine their skills will also mean that you can get
better work out of them
- Give them advice - review their cv, assess
their performance and give tips on how to get to where they want to
be
- Give them a chance - finally, if you're really
impressed with how they've done, keep them in mind for the next
time you take someone on and tell them your intentions so you both
keep in touch