This is purely for the Interns:
Dress what everyone else is dressing in the office, don’t mix up the job place with your college and walk in with casuals. Follow their dress code style that is followed at office, if they wear suits then even you should.
Show up on time. Tardiness is not a quality employers look for in potential hires.
Take only the specified break-time for lunch or coffee and always return on time.
Avoid missing work. If you must be absent, request permission from your supervisor in advance.
Ask advice and recommendations for individuals who are looking for people to mentor. If there is not a formal structure, request that one be administered. Take a leadership role and be innovative to promote your agenda.
Networking is one of the most talked about strategies in finding a job which can also be used for finding internships. It is said that up to 85% of jobs are never advertised and we can assume that there are also many internships that are never advertised as well.
Spend time to get known of people around you.
Everyone loves the fun, bright, and energetic intern who is so excited to be working. Because for everyone else this is a job they do every day. Half the battle in life is just showing up on time, professional dressed, with a good upbeat attitude.
It’s all about developing and keeping connections: reaching out to those connections for help when you need it & nurturing those connections when someone needs a little assistance from you.
Be yourself. Everyone can spot the intern who tries too hard. What you may think is attentive, others may see as desperate.
Do something different and during your internship period don’t forget to learn things about self, because self evaluation is really important to assess the difference between what you are and what you were.
Read as many trade journals and magazines as you can that are related to the industry you are interning in.
Find someone that you can talk to about the industry and who enjoys showing newbie’s the ropes.
Be enthusiastic about every aspect of the company and ask to be included in meetings, workshops and any other professional aspect. Your motivation will encourage the company to hire you after you have completed your internship.
Do send thank you letters to all people who interview you -- and all the people who help you find an internship.
It is during your internship that you can learn a lot of things, which are not taught in your academic classes. You also gain more practical knowledge. This is the time when you would be applying all the theories that you have learned from class.
Do make sure the intern is going to gain something genuinely useful. Going on sales calls, learning how to use PR tools, and being part of discussions with you and other managers about your business are just some of the things that can be meaningful to someone who is considering going into your line of work.
Go above the job description- It doesn’t matter if your job is not your ideal position or job function; go above and beyond the job description. This involves adding your own input when appropriate and taking on as many tasks as you can handle. By doing this you show initiative and you may be given the opportunity to work on projects that you find more interesting. It is also a great way to show your boss your skills and help you get a great recommendation.
Let the work intimidate you- Just because you’re working for one of the top companies in your field or for an expert in your field, don’t let the pressure scare you. As long as you work diligently on your projects and approach the position with enthusiasm, your employer should be happy with you.