How to Hire an Intern?: Steps & Sources of Hiring

Are you considering hiring interns for your company? Internships offer valuable opportunities for both students and organizations. However, hiring an intern goes beyond simply advertising an opportunity; it requires a well-defined procedure to guarantee a successful internship program. In this blog, we will take you through the steps on how to hire an intern that will guarantee a mutually beneficial experience.

How to Hire an Intern: Different Ways to Source Interns

To source interns effectively, it’s essential to explore various avenues. Given below are different ways to source interns for your internship programs.

1. Social Media Platforms

• Social media platforms are effective ways to reach a wider audience and attract potential intern candidates. 
• You can also consider involving your current interns by having them share their experiences through videos or posts. 
• Showcasing your intern’s daily activities can also pique interest and encourage new applicants to apply.

2. Online Job Postings

• This method allows you to connect with potential candidates from all over the country.
• Make sure your postings include relevant keywords that convey the role is an internship opportunity.
• If you’re wondering where to hire interns, Internshala is a great place to begin with. Internshala is the top internship jobs and training platform in India. It offers more than 40,000 paid internships across numerous fields, such as engineering, media, law firms, and art.

3. College Partnerships

• You can reach out to local colleges as they can potentially refer their students for your internship opportunities. 
• Many colleges have online job boards where you can advertise open intern positions. 
• Another effective strategy is setting up a booth at career fairs held by these colleges. This will enable you to meet and connect with potential candidates who are looking for internships.

4. Referrals

• If you’re considering how to hire an intern for your company, one of the best ways to do so is by utilizing a referral scheme. 
• When starting your internship program, consider asking your current interns for recommendations. As they are college students or recent graduates themselves, they may have connections to other individuals seeking internships. 
• You can reward your interns by offering a prize or bonus as an incentive for successful recommendations.

How to Hire an Intern in India: Practical Steps to Recruiting Interns

The section below will take you through the steps on how to hire interns in India.

1. Design the Internship Framework

To effectively recruit interns, it is crucial to establish a well-defined internship process. Before advertising your program and approaching potential candidates, certain aspects must be addressed internally. 

These include determining the purpose of the internship program, outlining a timeline for the internship, identifying individuals the interns will work with, as well as finalizing the number of interns to be hired and their respective departments.

2. Outline Qualities of an Ideal Intern

It’s important to keep in mind that interns may not possess all the necessary skills or experience you typically seek. Therefore, it’s crucial to assess their transferable skills. This can be done by discussing their part-time jobs and extracurricular activities to see how they approach work. Are they able to actively learn and grow? Do they demonstrate a growth mindset? 

3. Generate a Review System

Creating a review system to assess the work performance and productivity of interns requires careful planning. To ensure fairness and accuracy, it may be beneficial to incorporate strategies, such as improvement plans, professional development training, and other approaches that support the growth and progression of interns in their careers.

4. Advertise the Internship

To effectively reach your target demographic, it is essential to advertise in the appropriate channels. This involves utilizing university job boards and specialized internship posting websites to promote available internships. Popular options for advertising internships include Internshala, AfterCollege, InternJobs, WayUp, CollegeRecruiter, and YouTern.

5. Set an Interview Process

When considering the strategy for hiring interns, there are various approaches you could take. One option is using phone screenings to inquire about their qualifications and experience, while another approach could involve conducting behavioral interviews, similar to those used for full-time employees. 

Additionally, implementing an onboarding process can serve as a way to introduce new interns and provide them with initial training. It’s important to establish meaningful roles that benefit both the intern and the company.

6. Refine the Recruiting Process

Classroom learning mostly involves theoretical concepts that are difficult to apply in real-life situations. Therefore those without any job experience are likely to be unfamiliar with workplace tasks, such as utilizing different business tools. 

For this reason, employers need to take the time and effort to train interns by providing them with adequate resources, tools, and instructions. By doing this, interns can have the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world circumstances. You can also learn more about the recruiting process through this in-depth human resources course.

7. Design an Internship Programme

Interns have high expectations for gaining experience and knowledge, especially if they are participating in an unpaid or underpaid internship. To meet these expectations, it is important to implement a comprehensive training program that equips interns with valuable skills applicable to their future careers. 

This can be achieved through mentorship opportunities and hands-on training tailored to each intern’s role and individual learning needs. Above all, it is essential to create a supportive environment where interns feel appreciated and encouraged during their time at the company.

8. Comply with Internship Laws

Be sure to comply with laws related to internships. In most cases, it is against the law for a private for-profit organization to hire unpaid interns. Conduct thorough research to determine which regulations apply to your specific situation and ensure that you are following proper procedures and obeying internship guidelines.

9. Evaluate the Internship

Quality internships can be compared to quality academic courses, as they offer valuable learning opportunities for both interns and employers. It is essential to gather feedback from interns on the new skills and knowledge they have gained and their experiences working with the team. 

Seeking input from interns can also enhance an internship’s effectiveness. To maximize the benefits of hiring an intern, organizations should prioritize this aspect of the process too.

Conclusion

Creating an internship program requires careful consideration and a dedication to offering a meaningful educational opportunity. By adhering to these guidelines on how to hire an intern in India, you can guarantee the success of your internship initiative, which not only helps students gain valuable experience but also enables your organization to identify potential talent for the future. 

Now that you have learned how to hire an intern in India, here is a valuable resource to help you select the right interns for your firm. Let us know in the comment section if you have ever created an internship program.