There is no one-stop solution when it comes to hiring. Great talent is hard to find and recruit. If you’re looking to build your team with aligned core values, motivated and flexible new talent, or a diverse mix of experience, education, gender, and race, you may need to consider new sources and recruitment processes.

If your business has a new digital element or you’re working in a new sector that requires skills you haven’t hired for before, it might be time to consider new recruitment strategies. Recruiters need to be more than attentive—they need to find the best tools and apply effective approaches to bring in top talent. One such approach is hiring interns. In this post, I won’t explain how to hire interns, but rather I will explain the benefits of hiring interns as a startup or SME. The benefits are outlined below:

Efficient Approach: Considering the time and money required to hire and train new employees, retention should be a goal for all organizations. Hiring interns can be a cost-effective approach compared to bringing on new hires. Bear in mind, internships should not be a way to exploit talent. Consider offering stipends and ensure that you comply with market standards to protect your brand. Avoid unpaid internships as much as possible; if you can’t afford to pay a market rate, at least negotiate with the candidate on how you will compensate them based on your ability to pay.

Effective Approach: Hire with confidence. Converting interns into full-time staff is effective because you are already familiar and confident with their abilities to do the required work. Internships present a low-risk way to explore the right fit since you have engaged with the interns and are aware of their performance. Employers can use internships to mold talent according to their specific needs, ensuring a better fit for future full-time positions.

Cultural Fit: Interns offer a unique opportunity to cultivate a strong cultural fit within your organization. Young talent tends to be more adaptable and open to learning, making it easier for them to assimilate into your company culture. Unlike experienced hires, who may come with ingrained habits from previous workplaces, interns are often a blank slate. This allows you to train them according to your organization’s values, behaviors, and work ethic, leading to a more cohesive team environment. This adaptability can lead to a quicker integration process and a smoother transition into full-time roles if they are eventually hired. 

Making an Impact: Hiring interns, especially from the African market, is a powerful way to contribute to reducing unemployment and bridging the skills gap among young talent. By offering internships to African youth, you are not only helping them gain valuable work experience but also empowering them to compete in the global job market. This initiative plays a crucial role in economic development by creating opportunities for young people who may not otherwise have access to them. As a result, your organization benefits from a diverse and dynamic workforce, while also making a significant social impact. 

Internship is an efficient way to hire talent that fits your culture and can stay for longer in case you convert into full time staff. 

We have a pipeline of vetted interns in technology, operations and marketing ready to serve for SMEs and growing startups. In case you are looking to hire, do not hesitate to email us on bettercareer@gmail.com.