From Intern to Employee

By Stephanie Graham

If you’re an intern, there’s a very high chance you’ve probably already fantasized about that glorious, surreal and unequivocally triumphant moment when your supervisor sits you down at the end of your internship and utters those golden words to you. 

“We want to hire you as a full time employee!”

It’s every interns dream. Moving up that food chain and transitioning from “The Intern” to an official full time employee and proud member of a team. 

You’ve done the hard yards, and now it’s time to reap the rewards and to officially commence your professional career. 

But how exactly do you do that? How do you go from being that shy, inexperienced intern to a confident and experienced full time employee? 

Here are my top 10 tips to help you impress your co-workers and leave them begging to hire the intern! 

Stand out from the crowd

If you’re applying for an internship that’s been advertised online, it’s very likely that you’re going to be up against a mass of other ambitious and enthusiastic Uni students and graduates. In the building industry where first impressions are crucial, you need to find a way to stand out from all the other average Joe’s and ensure that your resume doesn’t get lost in the sea of applications. 

This could be anything from submitting a resume that’s a little bit different from your traditional CV, to actually taking the initiative to get off your butt and personally knock on the door of the firm and hand in your resume in person (after all, you are about to work in the construction industry, you need to show you can communicate with confidence!). 

Do your research
As much as we don’t like to admit it, we all love to indulge in a sneaky Facebook or Instagram stalk, so why not put those slightly creepy skills to good use and take the time to research the firm you would like to work for. Find out who works there, who their clients are and their recent achievements. This will impress your employers during an interview. It also shows that you have great research skills and initiative, which is vital in the construction industry! (Just don’t mention that trip they took to Queensland 3 years ago). 

Know what you want
Before you begin your internship, sit down and think about what you want to get out of your time working as an intern. If you’re goal is to transition into full time work, make this clear from the beginning and utilise all the resources you are exposed to. By working out what it is you want, your time as an intern will be extremely valuable in helping shape the beginning of your career.

Ask lots of questions
It may seem daunting walking into an firm of experienced professionals, but remember, you are there to learn the ropes and transition into a pro yourself, so don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. After all, that’s the best way to learn!

Be a sponge
Soak up as much information as you possibly can, it helps to write everything you’ve learnt down so you can reflect on it at the end of your time.

Show your enthusiasm and passion!
You want to work in construction right? This is your passion? Then show it! This could be even something as small as mentioning every so often to your peers and supervisor how much you’re enjoying your time as an intern and how much you value it.

Own your mistakes
It’s okay to make mistakes, we all make them! As an intern, owning your mistakes shows you are willing to learn and making these mistakes is also what will mould you into a successful professional! Trust me, once you make a mistake (and yes, we’ve all made them, you will never make it again!).

Stay Positive
It’s easy to get down on yourself when you’re at the bottom of the food chain. You might make a mistake and think that everyone around you must think you’re stupid. But guess what? Nobody expects you to be perfect, so stop feeling sorry for yourself and let it motivate you! You can sometimes feel like people don’t take you seriously because you’re ‘just the intern’, but show them your talent and dedication and you will soon become a vital and loved member of the team. Positivity is key!

Be Patient
Ahh, the old saying ‘good things come to those who wait’, in life and in work, this saying (typically recited annoyingly too often by your parents or teachers) speaks truth. If you are willing to put in the hard yards, good things will come to you, it’s only a matter of time.

Take initiative and trust your instincts
Just because you aren’t as experienced as your peers, doesn’t mean your ideas are any less valuable, so trust your gut and you will impress!

Now what are you waiting for? Get out there and ace your Internship! 


Steph is a Communications and Recruitment professional and Founder of Gusto Careers, a digital platform dedicated to helping aspiring Communications professionals kick-start their careers. 

Steph has worked in the PR and Marketing Industry for 6 years, having managed clients such as McDonald’s, Hawthorn and North Melbourne Football Club, Women’s Cancer Foundation and The Melbourne International Comedy Festival (to name a few!). She transitioned into the Recruitment Industry after discovering her passion for connecting companies to top talent and helping candidates land their dream jobs.

Having worked in the agency side of PR, Steph has a wealth of experience managing clients from a range of different industries and loves to share her advice, tips and industry insights. She has a passion for helping young professionals prepare for the industry.

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