With unpaid internships spreading across the jobseeking landscape like fire on a shell suit, we could all do with our own personal employment version of Mr Miyagi. Look no further than Lauren Berger, Intern Queen. Having spent her post-university years interning at every television network imaginable, she built up a treasure trove of knowledge that she has since gifted to the work-seeking world. Her website is a massive success in America and is chock-full of advice nuggets that are equally handy across the pond. Her first book, All Work No Pay, became the interning bible. Her follow-up, Welcome to the Real World has just come out.
We hit her up for some top tips on how to get through your internship and out the other side with more than some stolen stationery and a nagging sense of impending doom.
**It's OK to ask how the photocopier works **
The biggest mistake that people make is to make assumptions. Even when you think something is supposed to go one way it often doesn’t. So never assume anything. Put all of your questions together in one place, so that you’re not asking things sporadically. Be organised about it, but definitely ask the question.
Nobody puts baby in the corner
A lot of interns will go into companies and there’s nothing to do. You can feel like you’re stuck in the corner. A big mistake is to stay there. If the company isn’t providing you with enough work to do, find some. Talk to your supervisor and come up with a list of things that you would like to do to help the company.
**Be friendly and introduce yourself **
A lot of interns don’t make their presence known to the entire office. Even though you’re interning in one department, you should go around and introduce yourself to executives in other departments. You want to connect with as many people as possible over the course of your internship. Become best friends with the assistants. And when you’re standing in the break room and having a cup of coffee and a big executive walks in, as long as you’re not interrupting them, politely extend your hand for a handshake and introduce yourself.
You don't have to give your boss's chihuahua a bath
Give your internship two weeks. Feel it out and transition into the company so that they’re used to having you around. After two weeks you should re-evaluate and decide whether you like the tasks that you’re doing. If you don’t, be proactive and approach the employer with solutions. Say 'I’m enjoying doing XYZ, but I had other ideas of ways that I could be helpful'. That way, you can literally create your own internship. Particularly in smaller companies where the internships might not be quite as structured, there are a lot of opportunities to create your own tasks.
'Party intern' is not a thing
Don’t gossip in the office. And don’t talk about where you went last night. Reputations stick quickly and you don’t wanna be known as the party intern.
...but don't miss the work drinks
Not taking advantage of networking opportunities with the company is a mistake. Whenever you’re invited to an event you always want to understand no matter what it is and who’s attending. More times than not you’re gonna wanna be there.
...and swerve the Jager-bombs once you're there
Don’t get wasted with your boss. Stick to a two-drink limitwhen you’re out with your co-workers. Because you wanna be in control of all of your interactions. And you definitely don’t wanna be flirtatious. If there’s a romantic connection, save it for after the internship.
**Your new Lycra flamingo-print catsuit is not office appropriate **
Even if you work in a very trendy environment, make sure that your personality is coming across as larger than your outfit. A big mistake that interns make with styling is that they let their outfits lead. The goal of an internship is that at the end the executives think that you’re reliable, responsible and amazing. If they’re remembering you for the wrong reasons you’re doing yourself a disservice.
**No need to mention the store cupboard power nap on social media **
You can’t talk poorly about your internship online. A lot of people Tweet things like 'I’m so bored at work today' or 'look at the mountain of work on my desk'. Even if your profile is privateyou have to assume that someone’s watching.
Know when it's time to shout 'show me the monaaaayyy'
Just make sure that you’re always learning. When an internship stops being about learning things, then the lines get blurred between who’s an intern and who’s an entry-level employee. Once you’ve stopped learning, that’s when you should have a conversation with your internship co-ordinator and see what arrangements you can come up with.
Oh, and, don't be a stranger
Stay in touch with your professional contacts three times per year. You never know when they might come in handy.
For more great work tips, check out GoThinkBig.co.uk for straight-talking careers advice
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.