Business internships are short-term work exposures offered by organisations for people- mostly students, to understand how work-life functions. Internships involve:
- Working on projects relevant to their field.
- Understanding the work environment.
- Developing both hard and soft skills.
Today, internships have become more common, and employers expect them to be a part of every resume. Applicants with previous work experience are always preferred over freshers. Employers use internships as the talent channels to fill full-time positions in the long run which involves-
- A long interview
- A training program
- Smart hiring
- Entry-level job role exposures
- Development of skills
- Build industry connections
Internships can vary in different time frames. Generally 3 weeks to 12 weeks which is important to note
Skills An Employer Seeks In An Intern:
When an employer decides to source an intern for internship programs, it isn’t just the post-learning and development. Employers expect candidates to possess a specific skill set when they get on board. Candidates tend to have a mindset of learning things on the job, but working on certain personality development traits can help them have an upper hand over other candidates. Employers always seek interns who have the qualities and characteristics to succeed in a role at the company.
Let’s review the must-have skills that provide weightage to your candidature for a role in a company:
- Communication skills
Communication is a broad term, and speaking about the corporate world, an employer is keen to understand your ability to write and speak professionally. The written skills are tested through the resume and written tasks or question answers. At the same time, the verbal skills are pushed through the Q/A round of Interviews and group discussions.
- Interpersonal skills
Interpersonal skills are referred to as “people skills,” wherein a person’s ability to communicate and interact with fellow employees, clients, vendors, etc., are checked upon. Hence, having practical communication skills are crucial so that employers can assess whether you can identify the wants and needs of the company or not.
- Time management
Organising your time by your work and producing time-effective results is a compulsion in the corporate world. Any employer would pick a candidate who can prioritise work according to timelines.
- Critical thinking
Having a critical aspect over things helps understand the tricky loops of a project or work. Being able to analyse and evaluate a situation or issue and form a judgement is a skill and employers look forward to people having a critical mindset.
- Positive to Criticism
Work-life is very different from what a person undergoes every day. Some days may be inspiring and full of learning; whereas, sometimes your output may not please your employer or can not be at satisfactory levels. You might get criticised at times, but keeping calm and taking feedback positively will help your journey in being full of learning.
- Adaptability
Even if it’s the most basic level or at a high position, employees and interns are expected to fulfil different roles and duties in the company. Today’s work culture is dynamic and demands more of a multi-tasker for better results.The above are the most commonly identified skills that an employer seeks when he onboards a candidate for internship programs in Australia. These skills are crucial when you enter an organisation and further helps in grooming your personality for future professional growth.
