April is upon us, which means summer intern and new grad season! Here are some tips and pointers on how to best approach this exciting time.

UNDERGRAD INTERNS AND NEW GRADS

– This goes without saying, but when you’re searching and interviewing, your professionalism must be ‘on’ at all times. In your emails, over the phone, and within in your application materials. You can’t be too formal in this situation.

– Don’t overlook the small and mid-sized companies among the giants. You can often obtain a very rich entry-level career experience and equally-valuable resume-building from smaller places where it can wear a lot of hats.

– Hard work wins it. In the world of entry-level employment or MBA grad recruiting, you enter your employer with much to learn in terms of the industry, skill sets and business acumen. And if it doesn’t seem like it, you are in the spotlight. That company has indeed put many conversations and much thought, time and resources into bringing you onboard. Even if the organization is not your long-term home, hard work, a good reference, and a positive professional connection can open delightful doors in the future. You’re now in the world of professional networking!

SUPERVISORS OF UNDERGRAD INTERNS AND NEW GRADS

– If you haven’t already, take some courses, modules or study-up on the popular topics of ‘Generations at the Workplace’ or ‘Managing Millennials’ etc. There has been a surge of research and buzz around these topics, including the most recent group of Gen Zers entering the workplace. The characteristics are interesting, and unavoidable. Set and manage expectations, empower, hold to accountabilities, laugh along the way, be supportive and celebrate the wins.

– Engage other supervisors. You can be sure that your interns and new grads are discussing their experience at your company with their classmates and friends, their families, or perhaps career advisors. Do the same with your peers if you’d like. Organize huddles with other team leaders to discuss their and your experiences; attend association meetings and conferences.

– Realize that your interns and new grad hires carry your company and brand to an incredibly broad audience. This includes their immediate campus and alumni community, their entire Facebook network of thousands of classmates and friends from other campuses, etc. Providing your entry-level employees with engaging internships and positive new hire experiences can immediately propel your company forward, and also provide you with more brand advocates and positive relationships with your new hires and the campuses they come from.