Congratulations on getting your internship! You probably know that an internship in Trinidad and Tobago is an excellent way to get work experience and increase your network. If you’ve also heard that interns seldom make it as far as a full-time gig, you’ve been misinformed. Unless the firm explicitly states it at the beginning of your term, there is a chance whether the company tells you or not.
First and foremost, we recommend that you focus on small and medium-sized companies as they are habitually understaffed. Think of an internship as one long job interview and follow these tips to be at the front of the line when the company starts hiring.
Show Dependability
If you don’t treat your internship like it’s a full-time job, you don’t deserve to get hired. Show up on time every single day and don’t take time off unless it is absolutely necessary. If you have to miss a day, let the company know well in advance and offer to work extra hours to make up for the shortfall.
Although interns are often given leeway if they make mistakes or else they don’t pay as much attention to detail, get this idea out of your head. Once you know the layout of the office and your task list, you have no excuse not to match full-time workers in terms of performance. In fact, you should outperform them consistently because you have something to prove. It goes without saying that you should complete your assignments to a higher standard than your manager is expecting.
Be Innovative & Show Potential
If you don’t show that you’re more than a run of the mill intern, why should the company hire you? The key thing to remember is that showing potential doesn’t mean taking on tasks that are way above your level. It means completing all your tasks to a high standard, asking questions and showing a desire to learn.
Ask questions, not only in the interview but also once you have the internship find out more about the company and industry whenever possible and offer to sit in on meetings in the company’s various departments. Express interest in different career paths within the organization and ask for the chance to finish the next step of any project you’ve been working on. If you make a mistake, admit that you were wrong and ask for assistance. Above all, if you have a great idea, share it with the manager!
Become an Important Cog in the Wheel
When you walk through the company’s doors for the first time, you’re an inexperienced intern who is eminently expendable. By the time you leave, you should be an experienced employee who has shown their worth. Not only is proving that you are indispensable a great way to turn an internship into a full-time job, but it is also an important part of climbing the career ladder in future.
Show that you belong in the firm by taking on independent projects or working on deficient areas within the company. Display your flexibility by taking work from busy colleagues to help them meet deadlines. If you produce high-quality work, you’ll soon become the office’s ‘go-to’ person. If you attend meetings, don’t be afraid to speak up and offer your opinion.
Positive signs during your internship:
If you’re lucky, the manager may tell you there is a strong chance a job offer is on the way at the end of your internship. However, this rarely happens so here are a few signs to watch out for:
• The Company is Expanding: Look for signs that the firm is growing by checking out its website and industry news.
• The Manager Gives You a Field Test: This may involve placing you in charge of a project. If you succeed, you’ve proved that you’re ready to accept the responsibility of a full-time job. If you falter, you have the chance to prove you’re capable of overcoming a setback.
• The Boss Asks For Your Opinion: If a manager starts seeking your advice over more experienced staff, it’s a clear sign that you’re in the frame for a job.
• You Get Invited to Social Events: Believe it or not, being invited to Happy Hour is a positive sign. It shows that you’re a part of the team; don’t think the manager won’t notice.
• You Offer Solutions When Others Report Problems: There are few better ways to ingratiate yourself to the boss than by solving problems. While others focus on reporting an issue, you should be the one to deal with it.
Negative signs during an internship
It is important to know if you’re likely to get a job well in advance. This way, at least you’ll be able to plan one way or the other.
• Your Responsibilities Remain the Same: When a company plans to offer a job to an intern, they tend to start transitioning them during the internship. If you’re still stuck doing the same menial jobs at the end of your term comes near, you’re probably not getting an offer.
• The Boss is Not Introducing You to People: If your colleagues and manager aren’t introducing you to executives and other staff members within the company, it isn’t a good sign.
• You Don’t Get Invited to Meetings: Some companies in Trinidad and Tobago never ask interns to meetings. However, if other interns are asked, and you aren’t, your days are numbered.
If you don’t get a permanent job offer at the end of your internship, it isn’t the end of the world. If nothing else, at least you gain valuable experience, so you won’t be overwhelmed the next time you enter a workplace. We recommend that you find out if the company is likely to hire before taking an internship. Although you should try to work hard, in any case, the possibility of a full-time job could be just the incentive you need to excel.
