Spending the last several years on a college campus working towards beginning your career may make you feel completely ready to begin your first internship – something you have anxiously looked forward to for a long time.
Although exciting, starting an internship can be a completely different world than originally expected. Even if you have held other jobs before, being an intern is an entry-level position, making you feel like a freshman on campus.
Courtesy and common sense are the most important factors in a professional office setting. Using those qualities and following these tips can help your internship debut run much more smoothly, and possibly help avoid embarrassing office blunders –
1~ Dress Professionally. As a student you may not have unlimited funds to purchase a new wardrobe to begin your internship. It’s not necessary to have a new suit for each day of the week – but it is vital to always look ironed and pulled together. Sloppy looking attire, or items that are too revealing or tight-fitting always give the wrong impression and are not acceptable in the office.
2~ Respect. Remember to respect everyone in the office no matter how people treat you. It’s also a good thought to keep in mind that most of the people in the office will be older than you and will most likely have different opinions, values and ideas. Be sure to listen intently, remember names when introduced, and soon you will gain the respect of other colleagues.
3~ Don’t Be Too Friendly. Using boundaries is an excellent idea for your new office life. Although being kind to co-workers is important – it is also necessary to remember that you are not on a college campus. Making friends with colleagues is acceptable, just keep the wild college stories to a minimum, don’t gossip about co-workers and keep in mind that you are developing a professional reputation every day that you are at work.
4~ Phone Etiquette. All young adults are excellent with making calls on their cell phones, but answering a phone at the office is a completely different thing. Make sure that you speak slowly and clear, so that you can be easily understood and always be polite – no matter how difficult the conversation is. If you have a hard time remembering details, take the time to write down notes during each conversation. This will help you later.
5~ Professional Email. Sending email has become the backbone of a successful business and sometimes is even more widely used than office meetings – making doing it properly a priority. Before sending anyone at the office an email, make sure that it has a quality subject line and the message is short and to the point. Avoid selecting decorative background prints for the email, and make sure to use proper English, spelling and grammar before hitting send.
6~ If You’re Treated Badly. Don’t be surprised if it seems that everyone in the office has made friends and no one wants to talk to you. Colleagues may also use you to do tedious tasks of theirs that they don’t wish to complete themselves. Try to remember that you are there to learn about the profession and are starting from the bottom. Getting along with everyone at the office is next to impossible. Just remember to treat everyone with respect, greet everyone with a smile, listen when spoken to, and always look eager to learn.
Common sense is the best thing to use and remember when considering the rules of office etiquette. Keep in mind that you are the new kid and the most inexperienced. Always be kind and observant, and put in hard work. Creating a good impression during your internship may open doors to other experiences or help land you a full-time position.
