You have started internship at the only place that was able to call you back after reading through your application. You do not want to misuse that opportunity working there because many have applied and a few are chosen. These lay out the things you will be expected to be knowing before hand; unwritten etiquette behaviour at your intern job.
Be smart and formal. They will not tell you the dress code of a certain work place because they expect it to be a given. You need to know that when you work at a law firm, have a suit, or a tie on. You work at the reception of some office and you want to come in jeans or shorts even on Monday? No one’s going to teach you this!
Do not always expect pay for what you are doing. Internship is usually supposed to be a free service. But your boss knows how much little or great work you do at work. There is probably someone at the office that even forwards reports about you. Boss will know if you deserve payment or not. You never know, at the end of your internship, you will receive a check. Do not expect it.
Come to office early. You know your work place starts at 8 am, you want to come at 8:30 or later when everybody has settled in so you can make the grand entrance. Come on, you’re a grown ass woman/man, get to work on time. It does not matter whether the office is locked. Waiting at the door speaks volumes of how much you respect the “job.”
Make sure you greet everybody in the office. You do not share a bed with anyone at your work place. Even if you did, you always ask your bed mate how he/she slept. The mentality of entering office and rushing to your desk when there is a secretary at the reception who needs a smile of encouragement from the people she works with is horrible. It does not kill to say “Good Morning” every morning.
Respect everyone your workplace. Do not familiarize. There is a tendency of feeling at home too soon and too much. So you want to sit on everybody’s chair in the office. Enter your bosses office even without knocking at his door, even when he/she has a client. This is wrong on all levels, don’t take kindness for weakness. Your boss is being nice to inspire you, not have you take advantage of him/her.
Avoid texting your boss. To text someone is considered rude. You need to know if the person you are working with is a text/social media person. Try asking “Do you mind texts.” The guy will tell you it is fine and give you his/her limits if he/she has any. To call someone is very formal and respectful. “DO NOT USE WHATSAPP CALLS ON YOUR BOSS.”
Get off social media. We are addicted to our phones like without them we lose life. This is not true. You will survive without texting or checking your Twitter. It is not right for you to keep on checking your phone every time, you will even fail to complete your assignments.
Communication!!! When you are given something to do and you are not sure how to do it, ask. You are interns and are learning. The Boss might give you something to do and he knows you cannot do it. Ask someone in the office to guide you instead of doing what you were not asked to and produce substandard work. If you want a day off, ask, do not just not come. Ask for permission.
Do not misuse the Wi-Fi. Very few will be lucky to find WiFi at their work places. Use this opportunity to conduct research and not to download latest music albums or movies. You will deplete the bundle and hear the boss complain each and every time it happens. It is for research.
Do not forget the magic words. “Thank you! Sorry! You are welcome” it does not hurt to be that kind.
The experiences at internship places teach us a lot. Take the chance to be kind, nice and you will learn and even be treated with respect where you merit it.
