Your internship experience has given you an opportunity to better understand the organisation and the industry, as well as gain insight into your own career values. Have you thought about the possibility of turning your internship into a full-time role?
Here are some steps you should take after your internship:
Evaluate your experience. After your internship, take time to reflect on your experience. Consider what aspects of the job you enjoyed and where your strengths lie. This will help you narrow down your career goals and target the roles and companies that align with your interests.
Update your resume and LinkedIn profile. Be sure to update your resume and LinkedIn profile with your internship experience. Highlight the key projects you worked on, the skills you developed, and any measurable achievements (e.g., “increased team efficiency by 15% by streamlining internal processes”). Tailor these to match the kind of roles you are interested in for full-time employment.
Express appreciation. Even if the organisation is not hiring at the moment, don’t forget to express your appreciation to your mentors and supervisor for the time they have spent on guiding you. Seek feedback on how you can improve and ask if they would be willing to write a testimonial highlighting your skills and achievements or make a recommendation via LinkedIn.
Maintain connections. Continue to keep in touch and connect with your colleagues via social media platforms such as LinkedIn. You never know when your paths will cross again or when you will need their help in the future.
Leverage your network. In addition to keeping in touch with colleagues, take the time to grow your professional network. Attend industry events, webinars, or alumni meet-ups where you can connect with potential employers or mentors. The more you network, the more opportunities you may uncover.
Consider additional learning. If you found gaps in your knowledge during your internship, consider enrolling in courses to boost your skills. Whether through online learning platforms or workshops, continual learning will demonstrate to employers your commitment to growth and professional development.
Securing a full-time job after an internship can take time, especially if there are no immediate openings. Keep applying for roles while continuously enhancing your skills. Stay positive and persistent, and also be flexible — exploring different roles may lead to unexpected opportunities and broaden your career options.
According to a LinkedIn report in 2023, 70% of companies offer full-time jobs to their interns based on the effort, time and resources they have invested during the internship. Seize the opportunity for yourself!
