Summertime is winding down and so is your chance of landing a full-time gig at the end of your internship. Now is the time to start writing the story that you’ll want to tell for years to come. Whether it’s getting hired in the same job, or being well-prepared and more marketable to land one somewhere else, these steps will help you create your own happy ending.
Research and create the setting
Like any great storyteller, you will need to research to make sure your story comes together. Start with collecting a few documents such as the mission and vision of the company and your department, the internship vacancy announcement, the job description and the notes you took during the first week or so of work. Based on the tasks you were assigned, identify the trends and what problems needed to be solved.
Then, prepare to create the description for the job you want.
“We have the most influence before the job description is written. Once it is written and posted then there will be hundreds of applicants to compete with,” said Sunitha Narayanan, career coach at Promark Company, A Career Partners International Firm.
Unfortunately, the competition is fierce, given that the job market is saturated with highly experienced job seekers.
“You don’t want this to be about competing, you want it to be about making your talent relevant,” said Narayanan.
Outline your plot
Every storyteller follows an outline or timeline so her story will develop logically. Hopefully, you kept track of what you have done at work so yours will too. If not, take the time to develop an outline of things that tell the story of how you have contributed to the workplace since your arrival. Specifically, write down at least three remarkable examples that show why you are uniquely qualified, how you have been a solid contributor and most importantly, why they need to keep you there to continue getting the job done.
Tell the Story
The greatest stories are those in which we can relate to the characters in some way. Your goal here is to tell a story that makes the employer feel connected to you. Keep in mind the ever-important hiring manager’s question: What’s in it for me?
“One of the biggest lessons you may have learned is that full-time people get very bogged down in day-to-day stuff,” said Narayanan. “What did you do to take away from their workload and help them shine? This is where there is a great story to tell,” she said.
Communicate clearly the relevance of your talent in a way that makes you indispensible. The familiar “Challenge, Action, Result” format is helpful here, or as Narayanan explained: "I saw this need, I used these skills and this is what happened."
Ideally, you will have lightened their load so much that they just can’t imagine being able to get the job done without you.
“Your supervisor might even go to bat for you by explaining to HR or upper management why he or she needs your help to finish a project or maintain the level of productivity that has been achieved,” said Sheri Kennard, student intern programs project lead at Sandia National Laboratories. “If they still can’t hire you for that job, you supervisor may talk to other managers about opportunities in their departments.”
Get Help from the Team
Interns who hope to get hired need inside help to put their relevance into context and to spread the word about their work.
“People need to see you and know you,” said Alicia Lambert, an HR consultant with a Fortune 100 insurance company. “Find vice presidents, directors and executives and request 15 minutes to meet with them. If you ask about how they got to where they are, they may also ask about what you are doing and how you contribute to the organization,” she said.
Also, make a point to meet and talk with different people all the time, including those in other departments.
“If people don’t know you, they won’t think of you if an opportunity arises,” said Lambert.
Furthermore, no matter who you are talking with, be clear and confident in communicating your value and the fact that you want the job. Make it easy for them to picture you as a part of the team.
“Students need to believe they bring a lot to the table and we are looking to them as our future,” Kennard said.
And that could mean a happily ever after for everyone.
