The Update

From Summer Job To A Promising Career

It’s been a productive summer. You’ve done all the typing and filing for an entire department. Congrats! You’ve finished your summer internship, and now you’re looking for more.

This internship was a stepping stone in your career. For the next step, you’ll need to transition it into an actual job.

Here’s the good news: It only takes a combination of accomplishment, luck and know-how to land your dream position.

Remember these five pointers:

Ask for a Specific Position

A common mistake made by job-seekers is asking the broad question, “Are you hiring?” The answer may be yes, but it’s unlikely that anyone knows about every open position. An advantage of being an intern is learning about potential openings.

Keep an ear out for new projects, teams or promotions, as these will likely have new positions. Your immediate supervisor may not be able to hire you, but he can connect you with someone who can and recommend you for a position.

Time Your Request

Don’t ask about future employment on the last day of your internship; it makes you look like a procrastinator.

Ideally, ask after a big win. When you’ve just completed a major project, you’ve got the limelight. It doesn’t have to be a vital-to-the-life-of-the-company project, but should be a significant success showcasing your skills.

When referencing this accomplishment, use a humble brag. Ask your immediate supervisor if the task was done to their satisfaction. Getting them to sing your praises makes them more likely to recommend you for another position.

Be Everywhere

Part of the benefit of an internship is the chance to see the inner workings of a company. You can learn about different aspects of the business, but not through keeping your head down. Instead, take every opportunity to visit and work with other departments and people. The more people who know your name, the more likely it is you’ll get to stay.

Become Indispensable

Lack of experience can be an asset in your internship as it provides you with tremendous flexibility in how you tackle tasks. Find a piece of technology or a set of procedures you can master, either through training or observing others. Your objective is to become an expert in something the company needs. It can even be running the copier — anything goes, if it gets you in the door.

Be Professional

The best attribute to display in your internship is follow through. Be on time to work and take on every task with enthusiasm and dedication. Demonstrate to your employer that you’re someone they’d want to hire.

The summer internship can be a great start to a great career — if you want it to be. With a lot of work and a little luck, it can be the first in a series of career successes.

Join the RGCU Team

Looking for a career where you can make a real impact? At RGCU, we’re always searching for passionate, local talent to join our team. Whether you're exploring the Credit Union Movement or ready to take the next step in your career, we have exciting opportunities waiting for you. Check out our Career Center and discover where you fit in!