Business4Moms

Hiring an intern is a great way to get extra help for your business, and possibly even find a future full-time employee.  But in order for an internship to be successful, you must choose your intern carefully.  Here are some tips for finding the right one:

1. Treat the process of hiring an intern like you would that of hiring an actual employee.  Request a resume, application, or both.  Do an interview, and give the same tests to your potential intern as you would any other applicant for a similar position.  This will give you valuable insight into the intern’s capabilities and work habits.
2. Remember that interns rarely have a great deal of work experience.  Even though you want to know that your intern is capable of getting the job done, it’s important not to expect too much.  The usual purpose of an internship is to gain work experience or credits for college.  So if you’re looking for years of experience in the field, an internship is not going to work out for you.

   On the other hand, there are some forms of experience outside the workplace that you could consider.  Some potential interns may have volunteer experience that is relevant to your business.  And most have done extensive coursework in their fields, giving them knowledge that they can apply when working for you.

3. Look for enthusiastic candidates.  Someone who is excited about the position will try harder than someone who is just in it because she needs an internship to get her degree.  And when most candidates are lacking concrete experience, trying hard is very important.
4. Think about which candidate can benefit the most from an internship with your business.  An internship is a two-way street, because you get work done at little or no cost, and the intern gains valuable experience.  But if the experience is irrelevant to the intern’s goals, she will be less likely to do her best.  Make sure that your intern is a good fit for the position and that she will leave with new knowledge in her chosen field as well as experience.  This will ensure that the internship is a success.
5. Make sure your intern has realistic expectations regarding the position.  She shouldn’t expect this to be an ongoing job, even if you plan on considering an intern for full-time employment.  If she gets a paying job out of the deal, that’s great, but she should be prepared to look for work once the internship is over.

Just like paid employees, interns can be very valuable to your business.  Taking the time to choose the right one for the job can pay big dividends.  By keeping your expectation realistic and looking for some key traits, you can find an intern that is perfect for your purposes.