How to Hire An Intern
When hiring new staff for your business, it’s likely you have considered several options: permanent employees, part-time workers, or perhaps even casual staff. What you may not have considered as a viable staffing choice is an intern.
Hiring an intern is a fantastic move for any business. Not only will you be helping a young person launch their career, you’ll also get the chance to experience the new ideas and energy a young person can bring to the workplace.
Curious about how to get started with using interns? Read on for a quick mini-guide on how to hire an intern.
The Value Of Interns For Employers
Interns can bring immense value to a business. Often, young people are the ones most engaged with new technology and bring fresh ideas and a vibrant new perspective to the tasks they are set. They may also represent a different demographic than your other employees and offer a distinct viewpoint or angle.
Before you start to seek out interns, you should determine as clearly as possible what the position will entail. This will help guide your search for candidates, and provide a better experience for the intern once they’ve been chosen.
A good internship is one where junior workers are treated like part of the team and given worthwhile tasks to perform.
Decide On The Intern’s Tasks
The day-to-day tasks you need your intern to perform will vary depending on the nature of your industry and the specific needs of your business. In many situations, an intern functions as more of an assistant, shadowing you or another employee and completing tasks as needed.
Other approaches may be similar to an entry-level position, giving the intern opportunities to work more independently and take chances. Both options have value; the ultimate decision is up to your business.
You’ll also need to decide whether the internship will be paid or unpaid. According to Interns Australia, 87% of interns in Australia aren’t paid and 60% are illegal, yet in many industries, internships are pretty much a prerequisite to getting a job. Consequently, they strongly advocate for interns to be paid.
“Talent and potential sit in all parts of the community. By paying your interns, you ensure that you aren’t excluding the talent who can’t afford to work for free.”
You can refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s internship guidelines for direction.
Advertising For An Intern
Now that you know what you’re looking for, focus your search and connect with the right people and organisations who can help. Universities, schools and other training facilities are going to be your best resource as students and recent graduates are the prime market for internship roles. Social media is also a useful tool for connecting with young people on the hunt for an internship.
Need help sourcing the finest candidates for your internship roles or other positions? Get in touch with On Line Recruitment to speak with an experienced and friendly team member about our hiring solutions.
