When you start as a fresher joining a company as an intern there are a lot of unknowns that encircle you. These are the most common questions that you have —
What should I do so that I get my full-time offer?
What are the right questions I should ask?
Should I ask this question? What if it is too obvious and people judge me?
They are all seniors ! Shall I speak up my mind?
Who is the right person to ask my technical questions?
Where should I start learning?
and so many more…
Now, this blog does not cover the exact scenarios but here are some useful tricks that will help you build a great reputation as well as gradually make a strong team-member.
Tips
- Prepare before a Big Day — There will be times when you will be on the centre stage, meaning, you will be the one talking and others listening or watching. Examples include — Giving a demo, Talking about your project, Giving your introduction etc. There is no other way to make sure you leave an impression than to prepare.
- Note down the points that you have to discuss about.
- Think like the audience and possible questions that they can ask you. Prepare an answer before hand.
- Practice on your presentation skills not just speaking skills. Attention is drawn only when something new is spoken.
2. Ownership — This is an important trait that teams often look for. When you are assigned a project, it becomes “your” project. This means, you need to know everything about it. Not just technical part but also business point of view. Note that, this does not mean, taking decisions about your project without discussing your manager/team or without taking their approval. However, when you are talked about your project, there should be nothing, that you are not aware of it.
3. Go with a solution instead of a problem — As interns or freshers, you are expected to ask questions but what will make a good impression is when you not only talk about a problem you are facing but also a solution that you have thought on your own. Let’s say there is a problem that you are unclear about. Search for the solution on your own. Look for at least one solution (does not matter if it is not optimised or the best solution). This helps you in two ways –
- When you go someone and say — “I have a problem and I don’t know that best way to solve it but here is my solution.” There will be a chance that your solution holds good. This happened with me most often. In this case, you just found a solution to a problem without someone’s help and people notice that.
- When you go someone and say — “I have a problem and I don’t know that best way to solve it but here is my solution.” This means that you have exhausted your resources and the other person feels that you value his/her time that you are not coming to the person upfront.
Most Importantly …
4. Relax — Very under-rated, I must say. You need to relax when you are asked questions or suddenly told to address an audience or your leadership. Remember, they were also freshers once. With time, you get experience so its logical to sound in-experienced at times. It’s not a disaster. Sometimes you think too much before speaking and then lose control. “Relax” and speak what you have to. Just keep in mind, you should know your stuff.
5. Listen sharply — Whenever you are in a new place (or a workplace), keep your ears wide open. Pay very much attention in the meetings and important topics being discussed. Even if you don’t understand terms, keep noting them down to ask/search later.
6. Know your space — Being vocal and expressing your opinions does not necessarily mean trying to get involved in every meeting or conversation. Know your space where you are required. A bunch of things get discussed by leaders, seniors, managers that may not require your presence as an “intern”, acknowledge that and be okay with it. Too much eagerness can be negatively recognised.
7. Behave like one role above your current position — This has always been my intent. If you are an intern, behave like an SDE. If you are an SDE, behave like an SDE-2. Similarly, If you are an SDE-2, behave like a Senior SDE. This mostly means that you possess knowledge more than required for your current role. It becomes super-easy for the leaders to acknowledge it and make a decision. In fact, “this is the key point” for your conversion to full-time or even promotions.
Hope these points helped. Good luck !