Are you thinking about hiring a Summer Intern?

The season for hiring interns is approaching fast. Is your company thinking about or already implementing an internship program? Internships can have numerous advantages for both the company and the student participating. Here are some best practices to create great experiences for your interns and get maximum results for your company:

1. What Are the Benefits of Taking On An Intern?

An intern can fill many needs at your company. They can do tasks that take up a lot of time for a valuable employee. It can give a permanent employee good managerial experience in regard to training and delegating tasks as well. Does your company do any employee appreciation activities? If so, why not have your intern help plan these events so that your staff can focus on more strategic tasks? Whatever your need, creating an internship can be a valuable option.

2. To Pay or Not To Pay? That is the Question.

Unpaid internships are legal, however, there are strict guidelines to which a private, for-profit company would need to adhere in order to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act to avoid minimum wage or overtime penalties. If you wish to create an unpaid internship, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• The intern cannot contribute to the success of your business. This is a big one and why most interns are paid. What does this mean? The intern cannot file, answer phones, answer emails, assist customers or perform any other task that could be, should be or is typically done by a paid employee. The intern would only be able to participate in educational type activities and observe others.

• The internship must be similar to training which would be given in the educational setting.

• The experience must be for the intern’s benefit.

• The intern cannot displace regular permanent employees, but should work under close supervision of existing staff.

• The intern is not entitled to a job at the end of the internship period.

• The intern and the employer are both of the understanding that the intern is not entitled to wages.

Remember, paid internships must offer at least the current minimum wage ($8.25 for Illinois) if you have at least 4 employees. Minimum wage laws do not apply to business owners’ family members.

3. What Does Your Intern Get Out of It?

You can offer additional benefits aside pay that can be communicated with the candidate prior to hiring them. Examples include flexible hours, potential for hire, etc. Also, the intern gets valuable work experience helping plan or execute deliverables during the program that they wouldn’t get inside a classroom. A good practice is giving them options and allowing them to try different tasks to get a more well-rounded experience.

4. The Liability Behind Providing An Internship

Internships are considered part of the ‘at will’ employment status which means just like your other employees, they can be terminated for poor conduct. You are also responsible for providing a safe work environment and maintaining compliance with workplace and discrimination laws. In Illinois, interns must be covered by workers compensation. Basically, all of the liabilities you would assume with a permanent employee, including unemployment, should be assumed with an intern.

5. Remember That Your Intern Is a Touchpoint

Your brand has many ways it can interact with customers, called touchpoints. Even if your internship program isn’t a top priority, remember that it will have a lasting impact on the candidate. Make sure to really show that individual the great qualities behind your business because even if they don’t end up staying as an employee, that impression your business made will impact how the individual talks about your brand.

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An internship program can create invaluable experiences for a recent college graduate or current student as well as give your organization some administrative support. Another great resource available to businesses and students is www.interships.com. Businesses can peruse candidate resumes, students can post resumes, and there is a wealth of valuable information regarding internship programs including a live chat room to submit questions.