Have you considered bringing an intern onto your team? Interns are known to work especially hard and contribute to a more productive work environment. Regardless of the size of your team, having an internship program within your company has proven to pay off in various ways. Make the most of your internship program by following these top five tips.
Attract more candidates right off the bat with these tips!
Embrace their unique perspective
Often times, interns are younger and still in school, or just finishing school. They have a fresh perspective that no other employees in your office may have. This can include more knowledge on technology or technological platforms, or current consumer trends. Don’t be too quick to offer answers and instructions. Leave some space for your intern to share their ideas and methodology. You will definitely learn a few things and you might be pleasantly surprised to see how their ideas impact productivity. Be careful not to interpret this advice so that you are being hands-off. You will still need to make sure the “what” and “why” are communicated effectively and that you understand and support the chosen methods.
Don’t underestimate their value
Don’t recruit interns to do menial work just because no one else wants to do it. You and the person you hire as an intern will benefit most if you treat them the same as any long-term hire for your company. Maintain high expectations, understand their goals, and help them to stretch to meet and exceed them. You may choose to hire him or her later on but regardless, understand that you are their mentor and there should be a cultural fit as well as milestones to achieve.
Explore opportunities together
It’s nice to have an extra set of hands to help with tasks wherever they may come up, and interns can help to do that. Assigning your intern tasks of different natures can also help them get a better understanding of the company as a whole. You will also reap the benefits of their perspective across various departments and gain a better understanding of where he or she holds the greatest potential.
Save money- but don’t cut too deep
The average salary for interns in Massachusetts is around $15 per hour. This is significantly lower pay than many other types of jobs, which will save your company some money. That being said, never hire someone simply because it won’t cost much or because she is willing to work for free. Remember, even if there is a small direct cost, you will have the investment of your time and energy which is sure to be more than the payroll itself. Interns should always be paid in some way for the contributions they make. If you feel unsure about laying out the cash for someone, it’s probably not the right hire to be making.
Work for the greater good
All companies need to do their part in making sure that younger generations are properly suited to join the workforce, no matter the industry. The best way for them to learn the job quickly and effectively is to be fully immersed in the environment early on in their career. Look at the interns you hire as life-long relationships. In time, you will see the value they bring to your business network and information sharing.
Recruiting an intern onboard is sometimes treated lightly which results in missed opportunities. We hope these tips will help you understand the importance and value to be had by taking your internship program seriously and expecting great things from it.
For more tips on all things staffing and hiring, check out our Employer Tips or contact us at mglenny@franklinprofessionals.com.
