Start-ups, apart from being on a perpetual quest to make their ideas work, are constantly seeking individuals who are willing to learn and are eager to prove themselves.
On one side, there are start-ups that are aware of their position as an educational one-stop shop for interns, thereby encountering a variety of people and skills on their journey towards organisational growth. There are others who scout for young minds that they will help nurture while they work and grow together in the direction of healthy accomplishments.
Whether an intern opts for a short-term stint at gaining a new skill or decides to stick it out for good while transitioning from intern to employee, there is a standard set of skills and qualities that start-ups will always be on the lookout for.
Passion and enthusiasm Find an intern who wholeheartedly believes in the mission of your start-up. They are simpler to connect with and possess an earnest craving to prove themselves. Individuals who are passionate about a collective goal are sure to impress.
Experience While it is preferable to hire an intern who has had a certain amount of experience in the required field, the experiences need not necessarily come from other organisations and start-ups alone. Students who have organised workshops, who lead teams or are a part of various clubs would definitely make proficient interns.
Handle pressure The operations of a start-up are bound to be enveloped in a steady pace of deadlines and never-ending assignments. An intern’s ability to juggle tasks and perform well under pressure will help him/her during the time spent as a trainee and in the future as well.
Independent A start-up might be deemed a place to hone skills and learn new things but it has no place or time for incessant tutoring. While it is recommended that start-ups assist future interns with their tasks and responsibilities during the first few days, it is important for the interns to work independently and effectively with the least amount of supervision and guidance.
Communication skills Communication isn’t only about having good written and verbal skills, though it is doubtless a vital necessity. For your future intern, having good communication skills also involves being able to converse with a diverse set of teams clearly and regularly as and when required. From the smallest doubt to the silliest suggestion, having a channel open at all times can dispel the faintest hint of office politics with ease.
No matter what the skills you exclusively look out for in your interns, it is important to assess them first. You could ask them scenario-based questions, have them come up with ideas for hypothetical issues and campaigns and inquire about their solutions for dealing with situations void of any guidance. It might not be possible for an intern to have all of these skills, but if they do possess a few of them, it is safe to assume that they will definitely learn and grow on the job.
Courtesy: HelloIntern
