With roughly one-in-four employers recruiting entry-level workers from the pool of current and former interns, it is more important than ever for college and university students and recent graduates to perform well in these employment proving grounds, says a press release from Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Inc.
Unfortunately, many of those involved in summer internship programs could fail to make a positive impression on their employers, according to one workplace authority.
“Thousands of young people will participate in paid and unpaid internships this summer. While most will do a good job meeting the responsibilities laid out for them, many will not take the extra steps required to ensure that they stand out, thus increasing the chances of becoming a permanent employee down the road,” said John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of the global outplacement firm.
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Internships are an essential stepping stone to full-time employment for entry-level jobseekers. In a recent survey of 100 human resources professionals by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, 26 percent of respondents said that internships are the leading source from which entry-level candidates are recruited and hired.
According to an outlook released earlier this year by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the entry-level job market has improved steadily over the past 3 or 4 years. However, the competition for these positions remains fierce and having internship experience is a must on any résumé. The latest data indicate that the number of internships being offered to bachelor’s degree students is on the rise.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)’s “Internship & Co-Op Survey” found intern hiring will increase this year by 1.3 percent among bachelor’s degree-level candidates. Overall, NACE expects more than 26,600 interns from all degree levels to be hired in 2014. The biggest increases in intern hiring will occur in retail trade, accounting services, food and beverage manufacturing, information and financial-related industries, including banking, insurance, and real estate.
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“Employers view internships as a valuable hiring tool. It gives employers the chance to evaluate a potential employee’s performance for an extended period of time in real-world conditions. It also lets an employer gauge how the intern fits into the company culture, which is nearly as important as skills and experience.
“It is critical that interns treat each day like a job interview…. As the slowing economy potentially leads to fewer full-time positions, it is critical that interns exceed expectations. Those who merely meet expectations probably will not get the full-time job offer,” said Challenger.