Interns Offer Affordable Assistance Opportunity to Home Based Business

A Home Business Article Contributed by Sharon Hill

Hiring an Intern for Your Home Based Business Opportunity

So, you've started your entrepreneurship - your home based business opportunity. You're sole proprietor of a financially struggling company that you operate from your living room. For the first few months you struggle to get the word out about your business, just hoping to land and keep a few good clients. Then as advertising brings in customers and word of mouth brings in others you start to grow. There comes a point when you think, "I've got to get that filing done, but there's no time."

Or "I wish I had time to actually look for new clients, but the current ones are keeping me too busy." Or, "I really need to get that direct mail out done." You know you need help but you don't really want to start with all the headaches of hiring and staffing. Nor can you afford to pay someone a competitive wage.

Why is an Intern Good for Your Home Based Business Opportunity?

Interns are a boon for your home based business opportunity for several reasons. First, they are generally folks whose ultimate career goal is to work in your firm's industry, so you're getting someone who is interested and committed. Second, they are generally college students who are learning the latest techniques in your industry, who are willing to work for low or even no wage for college credit and work experience.

Third, when you do become solvent enough to need full time employees you have the names of potential job candidates to interview - and you already know their job knowledge and work ethic. You can be confident they know your firm's products and services and can get the job done - after all, you trained them.

How do You Find an Intern for Your Home Based Business Opportunity?

The first thing you'll want to do is contact the colleges (don't neglect two year and trade schools) and universities that teach the job tasks you need in your business. You'll want to talk with someone in the placement office. In the event that there is no placement office or no formalized intern program make an appointment with the head of the department that teaches about your industry and present a formal proposal to offer an internship.

Be prepared to suggest job tasks, length of internship (ideal is the length of one semester, or, better yet if the timing is rest, the entire summer.) pay, and the benefits to a student of being your intern.

You'll want the internship tasks to be an even mix of easily accomplished entry level tasks and some that will require that the intern apprentice to you, watching and learning while working on projects a little more difficult. You don't want to frustrate your intern, but you don't want her or him bored to death either.

Make sure you get timely feedback from your intern - perhaps half way through the internship and after the internship is over. Be sure and thank her for a job well done, and let the relevant instructor or department head know what a fine job your intern did. You might also consider a bonus at the end of the internship - cash, college bookstore gift certificate, dinner for two.

Remember, you didn't just hire an intern - you presented yourself to a very large future labor force. You'll want to make sure you put your best foot forward.