Building Your Team With Interns - take a queue from Goliath
by Michele O'Connor
When Jupiter-based SilverCensus.com decided to expand it's support team, it turned to interns throughout the US. The company immediately started to post available internships in Marketing, Information Technology, Communications, Journalism and even Social Work. Within days the team expanded and SilverCensus managers now have a support backbone of people that are motivated, enthusiastic and willing to do what it takes to establish & secure a future career. This hiring campaign is taking place nationally in order to address the company's massive growth. SilverCensus.com is a resource for senior living and health services.
David Mezzapelle, Marketing & Development Director at SilverCensus, is running the program. He joined the team through a recent merger with Stamford-based GoliathJobs. David is no stranger to hiring interns. Back in 1990 he needed to build a marketing force for his previous company, Goliath Technology, throughout the US & Europe to establish his company's presence in key regions. This successful and innovative campaign put his company on the map and quickly allowed Goliath Technology to control significant market share in the IT distribution industry prior to its sale in 2007.
The moral of the story? Take a queue from Goliath. Many companies such as SilverCensus are doing the same and are achieving results. The benefits are endless. "During an economy where normal hiring efforts are limited, hiring interns is cost effective. Plus, the motivation & flexibility of these interns is amazing," says Jessica Adams, Founder of SilverCensus.com. "I am grateful that our company can help these people establish valuable experience in their field of study and pave the way to a future career, " adds Adams.
"It is very rewarding to see interns participate in company roundtable meetings. The feel empowered when they can speak to the team and provide input. The same applies when they can interact with clients," says Mezzapelle.
Let's face it. Being on the frontline for these interns is the #1 attribute on their resume. Nothing says "experience" more than actual experience. Here are a few key points that an organization should consider when building a robust internship hiring campaign:
- Consider the different areas within your organization that need help or assistance. Interns now exist in all concentrations from accounting to marketing & sales, customer service, IT, law, healthcare, industrial and even communications & journalism.
- Research local colleges in the regions where you are willing to hire. You can also retain companies such as GoliathJobs.com or College Recruiter who can manage your internship campaign at a low cost.
- Have managers draft a program, similar to a curriculum, that outlines the duties & responsibilities of the interns for their department.
- Establish a payment plan for interns and budget accordingly. GoliathJobs suggests between $200 - $300/month depending on the role and the hours they can commit. Keep in mind that most interns are eligible for college credit towards their major depending on the internship program at their school.
- Look beyond the current need. Interns that perform and successfully meet your needs are ripe for full-time employment post graduation. Companies like SilverCensus, Goliath, IBM and many more have hired a significant amount of employees this way.
"Hiring interns is one of the best ways to grow your company, manage market share and get involved in the local community all at the same time. The altruism and civic-minded nature are beyond what most HR people realize. Remember that hiring interns not only helps your company's bottom-line but it also allows you to provide students, and recent grads, with an arsenal of experience, confidence and career building skills," says Mezzapelle.
2009 GoliathJobs, Inc. All rights reserved.