As an employer, hiring interns can be one of the best and most rewarding business experiences you will have. However, if you’re not careful, it can also be one of the most frustrating experiences as well. Follow this guide to hire an intern in 5 easy steps and make the whole process go smoothly, with minimal stress on your part!

Step 1: Assess Your Needs

Taking the time to figure out what you need is the key first step. What kind of tasks do you want your intern to help with? Do you need help at a specific time? If so, when? Asking these simple questions will help you determine which resources and skills are most critical. You should also ask yourself if there’s any equipment or facilities that you’ll need to provide for them. Think about the availability of tools and materials needed as well.  Outline Your Needs: Once you’ve assessed your needs, it’s time to put them down on paper—literally! It may seem daunting but if done properly it can really save time later on.

Step 2: Find the Right Candidate

Start by carefully examining the job description. Then, think about your expectations for the position and decide what skills and qualifications you need. Asking yourself these questions will help you get started. Who are my target audience? What social media channels can I use? What other types of marketing work well with this business model? How much time per day would the person be required to devote to social media posts and updates? What about traditional forms of marketing like flyers, billboards, email campaigns, etc.?

Step 3: Close the Deal

An interview should not be a time where you quiz the person about their previous experience and qualifications. This part of the process is simply getting to know each other, getting a feel for how they might fit in with your team, and answering any lingering questions you may have.

The only point of bringing up qualifications and previous experience is when you are wondering if they are capable of performing the necessary tasks.

Step 4: Create an Effective Routine

Providing a structured and detailed schedule is the best way to make sure that your intern is comfortable. They will be more engaged, and you will know what they are doing every day.

A well-defined routine should also include time for meetings, lunch, emailing interns, time set aside for phone calls, and figuring out what needs to get done each day. This takes time management skills on behalf of the business owner. The major thing to remember is not to put too much pressure on the intern by not giving them enough work or by setting unrealistic deadlines. It’s easy for businesses with small budgets or businesses without many employees to hire someone as an intern, but if you’re looking for someone who will bring value to your company and learn from the experience, make sure you take these five steps into consideration!

Step 5: Get Out of Their Way!

This might sound counterintuitive, but the best way for you to hire a great intern is not to do anything at all. As a potential employer, your main objective is to create the most welcoming and comfortable working environment possible for them. Therefore, it’s up to you as the business owner or supervisor on hand during their internship, not necessarily anyone else in your organization, to make sure that their expectations are set from the start.