Onboarding for Interns: Step-by-Step Guide + Checklist
Onboarding for Interns: A Simple Guide
Bringing interns into your company can bring fresh energy, new perspectives, and long-term hiring potential. But without proper onboarding, it’s easy for interns to feel lost, underused, or overwhelmed. Intern onboarding should be simple, structured, and supportive. Here’s how to do it right.
Why Onboarding for Interns Matters
A smooth onboarding experience helps interns:
- Understand their role and responsibilities
- Learn company tools and workflows
- Connect with managers and team members
- Start contributing sooner
- Build confidence and engagement
Poor onboarding leads to confusion, low productivity, and wasted time for everyone involved.
Common Onboarding for Interns Mistakes to Avoid
- No structure: Winging it leads to confusion and wasted time.
- Overloading on day one: Dumping too much info overwhelms interns fast.
- No clear responsibilities: Interns end up doing random or low-value tasks.
- Lack of feedback: Without guidance, they can’t improve or feel valued.
- Forgetting the social side: Interns need connection, not just tasks.
Fixing these mistakes requires thoughtfulness and consistency.
Before the First Day
Preparation is key. Get everything ready so the intern feels expected and welcomed.
- Assign a buddy or mentor
- Set up workstations and logins
- Create a simple schedule for the first week
- Send a welcome email with logistics
- Prepare tasks or projects they’ll start on
First Day Essentials
Make the first day clear and supportive—not overwhelming.
- Welcome them with a quick team intro
- Walk through the workspace or virtual setup
- Explain how the company communicates (Slack, email, etc.)
- Review goals, expectations, and working hours
- Go over confidentiality, policies, and tools
- Let them shadow or observe someone in action
Week 1: Training and Integration
Focus on giving context and building confidence.
- Provide short, focused training sessions
- Encourage questions
- Assign a small, clear task early on
- Set up weekly check-ins with their manager or mentor
- Make space for feedback and reflections
Ongoing: Support and Feedback
Interns grow fast—if they feel supported.
- Offer regular feedback and praise
- Gradually assign more meaningful tasks
- Let them collaborate with different team members
- Encourage participation in meetings
- Ask for feedback on their onboarding experience
Final Days: Offboarding and Next Steps
A structured exit shows respect and helps interns feel valued.
- Review their work and learning outcomes
- Offer a reference letter or LinkedIn recommendation
- Ask for feedback to improve future onboarding for interns
- Stay in touch for future opportunities
Intern Onboarding Checklist
Before Start Date:
- ☐ Assign mentor
- ☐ Send welcome email
- ☐ Prepare desk/tools
- ☐ Create onboarding schedule
First Day:
- ☐ Introduce team
- ☐ Tour tools/platforms
- ☐ Set expectations
- ☐ Review policies
Week 1:
- ☐ Provide training
- ☐ Assign tasks
- ☐ Schedule check-ins
Ongoing:
- ☐ Offer feedback
- ☐ Gradually increase responsibility
- ☐ Invite to meetings
Week 2 (Final):
- ☐ Conduct final review
- ☐ Give recommendation
- ☐ Collect feedback
Tips for a Great Intern Experience
- Keep it simple. Don’t overload them.
- Stay flexible—they’re here to learn.
- Make it social—networking matters.
- Show appreciation early and often.
FAQs about Onboarding for Interns
How long should intern onboarding last?
Usually 1–2 weeks is enough for most interns to get up to speed, but continue offering support throughout their time at the company.
Should interns be treated like full-time employees?
Yes, in professionalism and inclusion—but keep expectations aligned with their learning level.
What tools help with intern onboarding?
Use checklists, Google Docs, welcome videos, and project management tools like Trello or Notion for easy tracking.
What if we’re onboarding interns remotely?
The same principles apply—just add virtual intros, video calls, and overcommunicate early on to build connections.
Links Related to Onboarding for Interns
- What is a Placement Year?
- Pre-Internship Training Course
- What is the Turing Scheme and how does it work?
- Can I work during my Erasmus year?
- How to decide whether to study a new subject on your Erasmus year
- A Guide to Making the Most of Your Erasmus Experience
- 5 Tips for Building a Strong Personal Brand During Your Internship
- Spain Study Visa
- Interning at a Startup
- Erasmus Internships
- What are Pre-Placement Offers (PPO)?
- What are internships / intern jobs?
- Nationalcareers.service.gov.uk – How to write a job curriculum