How to Create an Internship Program That Produces Top Talent

The cycle that many companies face when it comes to finding and screening job candidates is one that can be quite difficult to break. However, there's a more effective solution here through the strategic use of interns. These internship programs are a better way to test and evaluate potential candidates for employment. With schools and colleges breaking up for the summer, now is the perfect time to hire an intern. Here are some tips on how you can create a successful internship program for your company.

1. Identify Your Business Needs

If you haven't done so already, you need to start by identifying the specific business needs that your company has. This will help you to better understand why you are bringing an intern on board. Do you need someone to help with customer service? Are you looking for someone to handle some of the administrative duties within the office? There are many different areas that you can utilize an intern in. This is why it is important to figure out what your specific goals and objectives are before you start to look for an intern.

2. Recruit on Their Turf

You will want to make sure that you are posting your intern job openings on the appropriate websites and in the right places. The first place that you should look is your college's career website. Many times, they will post internships that they think would be a good fit for your company. You can also look on popular job websites, such as Indeed and LinkedIn. The more places that you post your intern job openings, the better your chances of attracting top talent.

3. Have a Clear Job Description

It is vital to have a well-written job description for your intern opening. This should include all of the duties and responsibilities that you expect them to handle. You will also want to include what their pay and hours will be. When you are writing your intern job description, make sure that it is clear and concise. You should also make sure that it is interesting and provides enough information to pique their interests.

4. Have a Robust Orientation

Your intern needs to know what to expect on their first day. This means that you need to have a robust orientation for them. This will include an overview of the company, their duties and responsibilities, and what the expectations are for their internship. This will help to ensure that they are comfortable with their new surroundings and that they understand what is expected of them.

5. Offer Training and Feedback

Your intern needs to be trained on the job. This means that you need to provide them with the resources that they need to be successful. This may include job shadowing, on-the-job training, or even formal classroom training. You should also provide them with feedback on their performance. This will help to ensure that they are meeting your expectations and that they are continuing to improve.

6. Set Clear Goals and Objectives

Your intern needs to have clear goals and objectives. This means that you need to sit down with them and discuss what you expect from them. This will help to ensure that they are on track and that they understand what is expected of them.

7. Be Available for Questions and Concerns

Your intern may have questions or concerns. This means that you need to be available to answer them. This will help to ensure that they are comfortable and that they understand what is expected of them.

8. Evaluate Their Progress

You should be evaluating your intern’s progress on a regular basis. This will help you to see if they are meeting your expectations. It will also help you to identify any areas where they need improvement.

Conclusion

Creating a successful internship program involves finding the right partners, setting clear expectations, and providing adequate support. By taking the time to identify these key components, you can create an internship program that will be beneficial for both your organization and your interns.

A good internship program can go a long way, but you also need an effective assessment test for job application. With the help of Kandio, you can hire great talent through the use of our FAANG style interviews and career skills assessment. We bring you an easy-to-use platform that enables you to assess and hire great talent. Try Kandio for free and get the right people for your company!