Receiving an internship offer is already a significant accomplishment, but the journey doesn't stop there! It's crucial to leave a strong impression during your internship, as it plays a key role in shaping your future career and maximising your chances of receiving a graduate offer.

Here we’ll outline some of the key principles to follow as an intern, along with additional tips on how to make a lasting impression and stand out during your time at a company.

Take the initiative

Before starting your internship, make sure you are well-prepared and have fully understood any instructions from the company. Carry this mindset throughout your internship by actively engaging with projects and not hesitating to ask for help or clarification if you're unsure. This approach signals to the firm that you're willing to go the extra mile to ensure your work is of high quality and that you genuinely care about understanding the tasks assigned to you.

Build relationships with your team and manager

Your internship is a great opportunity to develop professional relationships and expand your network. Demonstrating a strong work ethic and building trust with your team and manager could lead to more opportunities and increased responsibility. These are also the individuals who will likely provide feedback on your performance, so making a positive impression is important. In addition, forming good relationships with your team can lead to invitations to social activities.

Present yourself professionally and pay attention to the details

Sometimes, it's the small things that make a big difference when it comes to being considered for a graduate role. With only a limited time to prove yourself, making a poor first impression can be difficult to recover from.

While these tips apply to most jobs and workplaces, here are some key behaviours to avoid:

Frequently arriving late to work

Adopting an overly laid-back attitude

Staying much later or leaving much earlier than everyone else without reason

Being too casual in your communication or attire

People do pick up on these behaviours and attitudes, even if it seems like they don’t. Your managers and supervisors are assessing not just your skills, but whether you’re someone they’d want to work with long-term. If you’re unable to demonstrate that professionalism and reliability during your internship, your chances of receiving a graduate offer decrease significantly.

Build connections with your fellow interns

One of the most memorable parts of your internship will likely be the camaraderie and collaboration among the other interns. Approaching your peers with a positive attitude and a team-oriented mindset not only reflects well on your ability to work with others, but also makes the entire experience more enjoyable and fulfilling. Plus, the friendships you build now could become valuable professional connections in the future.