What Characteristics A Good Intern Should Have

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What characteristics a good intern should have?

Here are some top traits to look for in an intern or entry-level employee.
 Initiative. Look for initiative, even during the application process. ...
 Positive Attitude and Eagerness to Learn. ...
 Adaptability. ...
 Professional Communication Skills. ...
 Critical Thinking.

TTopTop 10 Skills Employers


Want in an Intern
10 Skills Employers Want in an
Intern
op 10 Skills Employers Want in
an Intern
TOP 10 SKILLS EMPLOYERS WANT IN AN INTERN
Internships provide invaluable professional experience and allow you
to test the theories and concepts you’ve been introduced to
throughout your college career — not to mention they increase your
chances of being offered a full-time job later on.

No matter what your major or preferred industry, employers look for a


core set of skills and traits when considering applicants for both
internships and entry-level jobs. Your prospective supervisor is
interested in more than just your GPA, so whether you’re hoping to be
a summer intern, planning on honing your time-management skills as
an intern during the academic year, or applying for your first job out of
college, it’s worth your while to draw attention to the transferable skills
you’ve picked up during your courses, community service
and extracurricular activities.

Below are the top 10 skills employers want in an intern:

1. Communication

Communication occurs in a variety of ways, but future employers are


primarily interested in your ability to write and speak professionally.
You have the opportunity to demonstrate your written skills in your
resume and cover letter, and your verbal skills as you supply
thoughtful answers to the common interview questions you’ll likely be
asked. During your interview, you might mention your experience
giving oral presentations (which perhaps was required in some of your
classes). The ability to communicate effectively — to translate ideas
and convey information — is key in any field, whether it’s with your
supervisor, coworkers, or clients, and employers are well aware that it
is a valuable skill.

2. Interpersonal
The ability to communicate effectively is often related to one’s ability to
relate well to others, or “people skills.” Depending on the industry, you
may be interacting with clients and vendors as well as your co-workers
and managers. It’s important to be able to build and maintain
relationships and be the kind of person team members want in the
office with them every day. Interpersonal skills are also important
because employers seek individuals who can identify the wants and
needs of others and who can recognize and acknowledge the value of
differing perspectives.

3. Collaboration

As an intern, you’ll likely collaborate with other interns and company


employees. Your ability to communicate and relate well to others is
certainly important for collaboration, as is the capacity to work with
others toward a common goal. As part of a team, you have to
understand your own strengths and weaknesses so you know how
you can best contribute, as well as be aware of how you can bring out
the best in others.

4. Time Management

If you’ve managed to successfully take a full course load every


semester and meet assignment deadlines, to some extent, you’ve
already demonstrated time management skills. But as an intern,
you’re not going to have a syllabus to tell you when your deadlines
are. It’s up to you to organize your time and produce results.
Employers want to know that you can prioritize responsibilities and
recognize when it’s appropriate to multitask or focus on one particular
project at a time.

5. Adaptability
Today’s work culture — whether you’re hoping to intern for a startup
or well-established organization — often requires even the most
senior level executives to wear multiple hats. As an intern, one day
you might find yourself supporting the sales team and the next day
performing customer service. While you may have an interest in a
particular aspect of an industry, a willingness to become familiar with
the different parts of an organization is definitely viewed as an asset
(and also increases your exposure within the company).

6. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking refers to your ability to analyze and evaluate a


situation or issue and form a judgment. The tendency to think critically
can be demonstrated by a willingness to ask questions in order to
understand an issue from all possible angles, and to pose creative
solutions to challenges. It’s something many of your professors have
likely emphasized and is highly valued by employers.

7. Research and Analysis

If you’ve completed any research papers or projects for your


coursework (and you likely have), you already have experience with
research and analysis. Don’t be shy during your interview for an
internship; make it a point to bring up the empirical research you
performed for your psychology class and the conclusions you came to
about how your fellow students make purchasing decisions in the
campus bookstore. As a new member of the organization, you’ll be hit
with a lot of new information, and your ability to process that
information is a testament to your ability to fulfill whatever role you’re
assigned.

8. Initiative
You’ve applied for an internship to gain knowledge of an industry and
professional experience, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have
anything to offer. During your interview, highlight instances where
you’ve taken it upon yourself to contribute or positively affect change.
Your potential employer will appreciate the chance to bring someone
on board who doesn’t have to wait to receive direction for every task,
and who’s willing to assist others with their work.

9. Receptiveness

While taking initiative is important, so is the ability to receive feedback.


For example, if you’re asked about a time you made a mistake, you
can mention the feedback you received regarding the error and how
you responded to it. Your interviewer will want to know that you’re
willing and able to address any weaknesses.

10. Technical Proficiency

You certainly won’t be expected to be an expert in whatever platform


the company you’re applying to uses, particularly if you’re hoping to
intern for a company within a highly specialized industry. But you
should know your way around a computer, and your ability to navigate
basic productivity software will likely be presumed.

The above are commonly identified skills that employers seek in


interns, as well as applicants for entry-level jobs. Be sure to research
your particular industry and familiarize yourself with other skills or
character traits that may be desirable in your field.

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