Internship: Dress rehearsal for your career

From dressing appropriately to handling bosses, an intership teaches you how to excel in real life
Megha, a first year student of Sri Ram College of Commerce, is set for an intern-interview at

manpower Consultants, a leading human resource consultant firm. She is dressed in smart formals. As she entered the office, she attracts fleeting glances of busy professionals in T-shirts and casual trousers.Interning is not part of her course curriculum. But she wants to appraise her interest area before she graduates and firms up career plans. The 18-year-old has been turned down by companies as a 'first-year student'. Manpower, however, doesn't disappoint her. She is asked to join two days later. "And on Monday, I walk in sporting my regular jeans and T-shirt, while every one is dressed in formals," she breaks into a smile. "I didn't realise that I was interviewed on a Friday," she says. Botching up with attire or matters more serious is a regular phenomenon with any intern. Mistakes will happen, but what should a fresher do to minimize the blunders? Interning, or working in an organisation while studying, is a chance to experience an industry. You imbibe work skills and professional etiquette. The experience comes in handy when you become ready to plunge into the job-market. Meghna learnt a host of things. "That included making presentations, handling media interactions, designing web and writing formal e-mails," she says. "I became confident, assertive and learnt lessons in diplomacy," she adds.
Prepare: Know about the industry and the company you will intern with. Check their website. "One fresher I know, used to read press-releases uploaded on company's website and hence knew more than what was published in the newspapers," says Sunil Kalra, consultant with a leading HR firm.
Be A SPORT: Don't take criticisms at work personally. Focus entirely on learning. "Remember you are at the bottom of the food chain," says Kalra. Don't say no to any work assigned. If you're being overburdened, speak to your boss and decide a deadline.
Have A POSITIVE ATTITUDE: Take your tasks and deadline seriously. If you come across as dedicated and responsible, you will be entrusted with assignments.
Be PROACTIVE: If you are invited to internal office or client meetings or seminars, don't ever say no. If you are not asked, express your desire to be a part of it. Whether you are allowed to actively participate or simply observe, you will learn how to conduct business operation, negotiate or close a deal, take decisions, analyse a particular event or case and how to react in situations.
Ask QUESTIONS: Instead of being clueless or ambiguous regarding the work entrusted and submitting a work way out of line, seek clarification. "Keep your boss updated about your work," advises Kalra. Don't indulge in gossip or try to extract information. Don't turn up late. "All these things get noticed," says Kalra. Gmail chats, facebook updates is best done from home. Never judge or find region, religion or caste connections with your boss or colleagues.
Don't JOIN THIS ORGANISATION: "Intern with companies that match your background and future career option," says Ravi Lochan Singh, managing director, Global Reach. Avoid organisations that don't over a period of time, assign you responsible tasks or "take interest in investing as much time and energy as it does for regular employees," says R.Sreenivasan, co-founder and director, Career Launcher.
Opportunity COST: At this stage one should join a well-known organisation. "Brand name matters," feels Megha. "Bigger companies can give you a certain work atmosphere and groom you in a certain way," she explains. "Start-ups with their democratic set-up are also a great place to work, but then you have to suffer on brand name and compensation," says Indu Walia, currently interning with an advertising agency.

10 questions to ask in an interview

When you are called for an interview, remember not to appear focused on yourself, money or the TA/DA that you would need to be reimbursed. Do not appear fake. Honesty and frankness is appreciated, in the right dosage. Be prepared to ask your own set of questions during the interview to help decide whether you want to join or not.1. What will be my scope of work, roles and responsibilities?It’s important to have an idea of the requirements as an employee. Nivedita Ghosh, Consultant and Client Manager, ABC Consultants advices, “Seek clarity on the duties and responsibilities for that position so that it does not come as a surprise package to you.”2. What are the skill sets required for effective performance in the given role?Understand what is required from your side, if analytic ability or thinking out of the box are needed, you need to be able to deliver on the same Count. According to Nishant Mohan, Director, Venture Baron Technology, a Mumbai- based company, “This helps in understanding if the company is aligned similarly or if you would find it difficult in aligning yourself to the organization’s goals and objectives.”3. What is the guidance offered in the initial stages in the organization?This will decide how smooth your transition will be into the company. If effort is made to help you fit in, chances are the effort will reflect into other aspects as well. More willing the organization is to hand holding during the initial period, more you will deliver better and more is the intention of the company to make the relationship work. It is like the companyInvesting in you. 4. Is there an acclimatizing camp to get used to the systems, work culture of the organization? Many companies place high importance on this, reflecting the organization’s ability to deliver on its promises and investment into human resources. Srinivasan, HR Director, HCL Technologies says, “It’s important to know this so that you have a clearer idea about whether you will find the right fit,the atmosphere is formal or informal.”5. What are my KRA’s based on which I would be assessed?All employees are evaluated based on the key result areas. Know how your contributions will be rated, be prepared and be willing to deliver. 6. Is there an annual appraisal system where my deficiencies would be discussed for self improvement?Be open to appraisal and always strive towards self improvement. Remember that this is not personal and a process, be willing to change and mould yourself into your job. 7. What is your salary structure and other benefits?Most employers will make an offer, so you rarely have to broach the topic.Be careful in your negotiation process, don’t appear to be too money-minded.Mohan warns, “Try and understand the salary break-up because an unfavourablebreak-up may result in lower income and more taxes.”8. How much does the company invest in their employees through learning and development programmes?Srinivasan, HR Director, HCL Technologies feels that your career landscape is also determined by the kind of career development programmes that are offered. Know what you can expect, be aware of whether you will get it or not if you join.9. What would be your reporting structure?It’s important to understand this process early so that you avoid making any blunders as part of the company. Many companies state there is no hierarchy, it is better to understand that it does exist. Openness should not be taken as a given, be sure to maintain a certain decorum and ethical approach at work. 10. What does the organization think about work-life balance?At a personal level this is important to be kept in mind. Srinivasan shared, “It will not be a question that puts to rest your mind in terms of deliverables but it would give you a sense of how flexible the company is in terms of other needs.”An interview is a two-way process, be prepared to be able to respond to an opportunity to ask questions. Remember each work space is a learning experience, be open to change and handling challenges as part of your work. No work should be impossible. Give it your best shot and not be scared to accept your limitations, work hard to learn at work and achieve success.