If you’re on your third, fourth or even fifth internship and are starting to worry about when you’re going to make a breakthrough, fear not because you’re not alone. Whether you agree with them or not, interning has long been a part and parcel step in securing your first job and naturally that means competition. But from acting like it’s your full time job and not just an internship, to going over an above what is required of you, according to fashion PR Jade Jackman, getting noticed isn’t as difficult as it sounds.
She’s the perfect example of how to make the transition. After graduating with a degree in media and communications, she cut her teeth interning at My-Wardrobe.com. A stint at Grazia shorty followed, before she was called back to the e-tailer for a six-month placement and later offered a full-time PR Assistant role. Here, she offers her top tips for making the transition.
Do everything with a smile on your face: I find it funny now when I work with interns that huff and puff when they have to carry out tasks which may require them to pop out of the office or stay behind a bit later than normal. When I interned at My-Wardrobe.com, I was given random to get on with and was often asked to run personal errands but I was happy to go over and beyond to please my director. I was always keen to help and do everything she passed my way, which in turn made her feel comfortable to trust me with even the most personal of tasks.
Working late is part and parcel of working in a fast paced environment – during my internship I don’t think I ever left on time – so I made a point never to leave the office without finishing tasks and asking my superiors if they needed help with anything. The worst thing you can do as an intern is to hurry a job or leave it half finished and run out of the door bang on time – it shows you’re not willing to go the extra mile. Being on hand to support the team shows that you’re completely committed to the brand or company that you’re working for and also shows that you’re a team player.
It’s not always easy, the hours can be long and the days can be tough but I never once complained and no task was ever too great. In hindsight, it was such a great foundation because that’s just the nature of working in a fast-paced, competitive industry. Appearing willing will open you up to a whole host of opportunities for more responsibilities and will go a long way in helping you secure the job you’ve been working hard towards.
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”697096″]
Use your initiative and be proactive: Don’t wait until you are asked to do certain things if you know they need to be done. Anybody can be reactive but being proactive demonstrates that you are one step ahead.
All workplaces want you to fit in and adapt to their style of working but they are always open to suggestions because this shows you’re taking an interest. As an intern, it’s not always easy to make your voice heard but if you have brainstorming sessions with your team or meetings, don’t be afraid to put your ideas forward.
In a busy environment like a press office, your boss and colleagues may be too busy to remember to ask you to do certain things so it will impress them if you carry out the daily tasks without them asking you to. It’s often frustrating when you have to keep reminding an intern what needs to be done on a daily basis when you’ve run through it a number of times. You always remember the ones who use their initiative so make note of things as you go along to familiarise yourself.
Once you’ve gotten into a routine, you will know what needs doing first thing in the morning so make sure it’s done. Once the niggly daily procedures have been taken care of, you’re boss will notice that you have time to help with other tasks making it more likely that they will give you more responsibility.
Remember how your boss likes everything: From how she likes her coffee to her home address, pin numbers and passwords – I quickly had all of that etched in my memory. After working at My-Wardrobe for almost two years, I followed my director Lauren Stevenson to Harrods and now to her own agency Aisle 8. My career path couldn’t be a better example of how important it is to study your boss and know how she likes everything. Lauren appreciates that I understand how she works so has opened up positions for me wherever she’s gone as a result of that.
The best way to establish that kind of relationship is to take notes of everything. I would always jot down things like where Lauren liked to take editors or clients out for lunch or breakfast meetings. That way, when she’d ask me to book a table, I knew exactly where to book without her telling me. Always make note of things like how your boss like documents presented even down to the fonts they use. If they are particularly a stickler for details, make sure to write those down too.
I used to keep a folder on my desktop with templates of everything so I could always refer back to them and present work in the correct format. I also saved all relevant telephone numbers and credit card pin codes in my mobile so I didn’t have to ask too many questions and could react quickly to tasks given to me.
Always find a solution: I love solving problems. Whether it’s a missing sample or your boss losing their laptop in Heathrow airport (true story), it’s important not to rest until you have resolved the issue. There will always be daily hiccups so it’s important to tackle them hands on and not let them deter you. If you can help in any way, do so and add your input. This will demonstrate how resourceful and invaluable you are to the team, which is exactly what you want to do. Being an intern means you are there to support the team and more often that not, that support is vital.
Act like it is your full time job and not just an internship: Have a positive attitude and treat your internship as if it’s a full time position. If that means starting early or staying late, be enthusiastic and show your willingness to work hard. Clocking in and out without much motivation won’t rub off well on your colleagues and they will remember you for the wrong reasons. Simply being there isn’t enough. Remember, they want to employ somebody who is genuinely committed to the brand and will be an asset to the company. If you have a positive attitude, work hard and show your determination, your boss or a colleague will notice. So many interns come and go but you want to be the one they remember and want to hire. Once you’ve proven yourself, you will always spring to mind when they are in a position to hire for a permanent member of staff.
Images by Dvora for The Lifestyle Edit. This interview has been edited and condensed.