How To Navigate the Hiring Process for Summer Interns

The hiring process can be difficult to navigate, and this is especially true for summer internships. From the job listing to onboarding and everything in between, the process for bringing in summer interns can be challenging. However, knowing how to navigate this can lead you to a successful internship program with interns who think highly of your company and field.

Image via Pexels

Start early

Many students start looking for summer internships as early as February or March. Several prominent internship programs open applications around this time. To stay competitive, it is important that you start planning early. You need to map out which student career fairs you want to go to and make sure you have the resources you need to hire interns. You also should be looking at feedback from past interns and using it to make adjustments to your program. Starting early allows you to have time to make the adjustments and get a start on the upcoming summer.

Build a strong internship program

Before you even start the hiring process, you need to create a solid internship program so that candidates will want to apply. If possible, figure out how to pay interns for their work and offer various perks, even if they cannot have traditional work benefits. Link up with colleges to offer college credit for your internship so students can advance in their studies while learning in the field. Include a mentorship program to help interns learn from experienced employees. These things will draw internships to your company.

Write an effective posting

Students need to know what their internship is going to entail before they even apply. They need to know that they will be doing meaningful work while learning through your internship. It is important to write a description that highlights the benefits of the program as well as the job duties. If your internship is unpaid, be upfront about this, but also highlight any perks you do offer. Give it a good title so applicants will be drawn to the post.

Attend student campus career fairs

To get your job in front of student candidates for your internship, it is important to promote your company and the internship program. One of the best ways to do this is at the student career fairs on nearby campuses. Before the fair, research the students on campus and who the career fair is geared towards. For example, if your internship is in marketing, you would not want to go to a career fair solely for the food service. This way, you can tailor your elevator pitch to appeal to your target applicants. Make sure your booth stands out from the others and that you come across as approachable.

Know what to look for

When looking for interns, it is important to know what you are looking for in the role. While interns may not have as much experience as those who have been in the field for some time, they may still have some skills you desire, like teamwork, communication, and time management. You may want interns who have been involved in campus organizations related to the internship or who may even have some prior real-world experience. Look for someone willing and eager to learn and ask questions.

Be prepared for last-minute vacancies

Sometimes, no matter how much effort you put in, the interns you have lined up for the summer fall through. They may have gotten another offer or had a family emergency come up. No matter the reason, this means you are left with the responsibility to find new interns. You may have less time and might not have the luxury of having career fairs to promote the internship. Advertise the internship on social media and ask current employees if they know of anyone who would be a good fit. Make sure you are properly onboarding interns so they do not fall through.

Have an orientation

Interns may not have had jobs before this internship. As such, it is important to bring interns in for orientation. This will give them a chance to ask questions and see the office. You may want to go over the basics of how to use the computer system and any software they will need. Once training starts, this will be more in-depth, but just a brief overview can help calm their nerves. If there are multiple interns, bring them in to meet each other, even if they are working different days. This will allow them to know who else is interning and put a face to a name they may see on occasion.

Communicate

As with anything in business, it is important to keep communication open. If interns feel like you are not responding, they may think you ghosted them and will apply to another internship. Even if you do not bring a specific candidate on for the internship, give them feedback. Allow them to reach out with any questions they have through the process and be responsive.

Summer internships are an important part of students’ lives as well as your company. Navigating the hiring process effectively can help solidify a successful program.