Employers are looking at internships as extended interviews – and so should you!

Does this mean you should not accept an internship with an organization unless you are certain you want to work there permanently? Absolutely not.

You never know when, where, or how your next great opportunity will present itself. Use your internship as a chance to practice putting your best foot forward in a professional environment and, when opportunity knocks, you will be ready.

Whether you aspire to a job where you intern or elsewhere, follow these suggestions to turn your experience as an intern into a launchpad for your career.

Build a strong relationship with your supervisor

Communicate frequently to ensure you understand and are meeting expectations. Work hard to demonstrate your initiative and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Complete assigned projects on time

Under-promise and over-deliver – especially when it comes to deadlines. Even if a project does not seem urgent, if you have committed to completing it by a certain time, your professional reputation is on the line. Communicate any possibility of delay promptly, along with a valid reason.

Evaluate your own performance and express eagerness to learn and grow

This shows that you are engaged, have a positive attitude, and can work well with others. Also, everything you learn increases your value as a future employee.

Build rapport with coworkers and network with everyone you meet.

Practice developing and sustaining relationships. Few skills are more important to your success for finding a job in a new city.

Learn about the organization

Check out the company’s website. Memorize its mission statement. Find out who the top executives are.

Express your interest in job opportunities in Little Rock

Make sure your supervisor knows you are interested in opportunities beyond your internship (if you are).

Ask for a written recommendation

It makes sense to do this during your internship. Your supervisor will likely change jobs someday, and you do not want to lose the chance to get their endorsement.

Take time to reflect on what you learned

Being able to articulate what you took away from the experience demonstrates a positive attitude and intellectual ability – both of which make a great impression on potential employers.

Say thank you

A brief and sincere thank you note, hand-delivered on your last day of work, expresses your gratitude and makes a positive final impression.

Keep in touch

Interns who proactively communicate with supervisors and coworkers are more likely to be remembered when job opportunities or reference requests arise. Connect with co-workers on LinkedIn and regularly interact on their page.

If you’re looking for a new job, check out our Job Openings page + to see what’s available. Apex Staffing specializes in connecting talented job seekers with high-quality, local employers. Our service is completely free for job seekers and we are always accepting applications.