20 things not acceptable to do as an intern
1. Don't nap at your desk. This is the real world kiddo, go grab some caffeine.
2. Don't watch Netflix on your laptop. Even if you have nothing to do -- find SOMETHING to do.
3. Don't take two hour lunches. If your boss permits one-hour lunches, take them. But just because you're not getting paid doesn't mean you can extend them.
4. Don't arrive late often and blame it on the subway. Subway delays do happen, but not that often. Make it a habit to arrive early.
5. Don't discuss your previous weekend's shenanigans with your fellow interns, or worse, with your boss. It reflects poorly on you.
6. Never say you don't have anything to do. Ask to help on projects!
7. Don't just do as you're told -- take the initiative. If your boss asks you to research the 10 best fashion blogs, bring him/her 20 fashion blogs, beauty blogs, etc. It'll only impress them.
8. Don't be silent. Don't be afraid to speak up. Research. Read the news. Come forward with your own opinions and ideas.
9. Don't ask your boss if you can wait till next week to present. This isn't your class and he/her isn't your teacher. Have something to show. It's ok if you let them know you found a lot more research you would love to include in your presentation and ask if you can show them your further research next week.
10. It's ok to say yes to after-work cocktails, but stick to one cocktail. This is still business, not an after-party.
11. Don't bring a stinky lunch to work. No one wants to smell your fish.
12. Don't ask for a recommendation one month into the internship.
13. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you have no idea what your boss just asked you to do, ask them to explain. You want to make sure you're doing a project correctly.
14. Don't read on the job. Again, with Netflix, this should be a no-brainer. Browsing Twitter or NY Times looks A LOT better.
15. If your work day ends at 6 pm, don't pack up your stuff at 5:55 to be out the door at 5:59. It looks like you don't care about being there. Stay till 6:10 to complete a task or ask if there's anything else you can assist with before you leave.
16. Don't ignore the rest of the team. Get to know them. Ask what their role is. It shows you're curious about the company and what each employee delivers to the company. You may discover a new mentor who's willing to teach you a few skills.
17. Don't leave your internship without intent to keep in contact. Send thank you notes to everyone who has helped you. Stay in contact -- it could lead to a job later.
18. Don't act like you're entitled. It doesn't matter who you know or how you got the internship. Respect your coworkers and learn from them.
19. Don't half-ass a project just because you're leaving in a week or a month. Give as much as you can so you can see your work follow through.
20. Don't whine. Yes, you're unpaid. Yes, you're probably making the 100th copy. But just do it.
2. Don't watch Netflix on your laptop. Even if you have nothing to do -- find SOMETHING to do.
3. Don't take two hour lunches. If your boss permits one-hour lunches, take them. But just because you're not getting paid doesn't mean you can extend them.
4. Don't arrive late often and blame it on the subway. Subway delays do happen, but not that often. Make it a habit to arrive early.
5. Don't discuss your previous weekend's shenanigans with your fellow interns, or worse, with your boss. It reflects poorly on you.
6. Never say you don't have anything to do. Ask to help on projects!
7. Don't just do as you're told -- take the initiative. If your boss asks you to research the 10 best fashion blogs, bring him/her 20 fashion blogs, beauty blogs, etc. It'll only impress them.
8. Don't be silent. Don't be afraid to speak up. Research. Read the news. Come forward with your own opinions and ideas.
9. Don't ask your boss if you can wait till next week to present. This isn't your class and he/her isn't your teacher. Have something to show. It's ok if you let them know you found a lot more research you would love to include in your presentation and ask if you can show them your further research next week.
10. It's ok to say yes to after-work cocktails, but stick to one cocktail. This is still business, not an after-party.
11. Don't bring a stinky lunch to work. No one wants to smell your fish.
12. Don't ask for a recommendation one month into the internship.
13. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you have no idea what your boss just asked you to do, ask them to explain. You want to make sure you're doing a project correctly.
14. Don't read on the job. Again, with Netflix, this should be a no-brainer. Browsing Twitter or NY Times looks A LOT better.
15. If your work day ends at 6 pm, don't pack up your stuff at 5:55 to be out the door at 5:59. It looks like you don't care about being there. Stay till 6:10 to complete a task or ask if there's anything else you can assist with before you leave.
16. Don't ignore the rest of the team. Get to know them. Ask what their role is. It shows you're curious about the company and what each employee delivers to the company. You may discover a new mentor who's willing to teach you a few skills.
17. Don't leave your internship without intent to keep in contact. Send thank you notes to everyone who has helped you. Stay in contact -- it could lead to a job later.
18. Don't act like you're entitled. It doesn't matter who you know or how you got the internship. Respect your coworkers and learn from them.
19. Don't half-ass a project just because you're leaving in a week or a month. Give as much as you can so you can see your work follow through.
20. Don't whine. Yes, you're unpaid. Yes, you're probably making the 100th copy. But just do it.
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