How to best approach manager regarding return offer after summer internship?
I completed an internship at a bank last summer. During the internship's end, I received positive feedback from my manager and had expressed a clear interest towards returning.
The recruiter informed us that headcount will not be finalized until January. She said we can contact her after then regarding return offers. In the past year, all the interns received return offers after the new year.
My question is: in January, how should I best approach the recruiter and my internship manager regarding return offers?
I am thinking of writing something along the following lines to my manager, but I am not sure if this is appropriate:
Dear [Internship Manager's Name],
I hope you are doing well! Thank you so much for the opportunity to intern with [Company X] last summer. It was a truly rewarding experience, and I learned so much during my time there.
I genuinely enjoyed working with the team and contributing to [internship project]. Given how much I valued my time at [Company X], I am very interested in exploring the possibility of returning for a full-time role.
Could you let me know the best way to discuss the possibility of returning to [Company X]? I’d be happy to provide any additional information you might need.
Big thanks for reading through all of this - I know it is a very long post and I really appreciate your time!
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Discussion
(6 comments)- 07 days agoTech Lead/Manager at Meta, Pinterest, Kosei
First question: who makes the hiring decision at this bank? At larger companies, the manager doesn't have as much power, and the "higher-ups" control how many new grads get hired.
Assuming your manager does have meaningful input in the process, I like your idea of reaching out to them. Your email is great.
The change you could potentially make is to frame the conversation as more about relationship building and less on hiring:
I want to see how the company is doing and what changes you anticipate with the team.
The benefit of this is that even if the specific internship position is not available, you can use the call to get broader input about other FTE positions, maybe even at a different company.
If anyone reading this is a current intern, here's how to be a strong intern: How can I receive a return offer as a "superstar" intern?
- 03 days agoSoftware Engineer Intern [OP]Taro Community
Hi Rahul,
Thank you for your kind response!
I believe the decision regarding number of new grads hired is decided by the “higher ups” in my team’s organization. Would it still be a good idea to reach out to my manager, or would it be better to wait for the company to reach out?
I really like your suggestion to frame the conversation as more about relationship building. Would you suggest I still briefly mention my interest in returning to the company full time, or should I leave this out entirely and only ask how the company is doing?
- 02 days agoTech Lead/Manager at Meta, Pinterest, Kosei
Yes, still worth chatting with the manager directly. Even if they don't have direct authority over this decision, I imagine they still have large amounts of influence.
Besides, keeping that connection strong will pay dividends later on when your manager is at another company and thinking about who to hire.
Would you suggest I still briefly mention my interest in returning to the company full time, or should I leave this out entirely and only ask how the company is doing?
It's fine to bring it up since it's the obvious thing that an intern will want to know after their internship has ended. But I wouldn't make that the only thing you care about in the call.
- 02 days agoSoftware Engineer Intern [OP]Taro Community
Hi Rahul,
Thank you for your amazing advice!Would it be good idea to also contact the recruiter regarding full-time opportunities, or would reaching out to manager be sufficient?
- 02 days agoTech Lead/Manager at Meta, Pinterest, Kosei
Unless you think there's some urgency or limited positions you're pursuing, I'd talk to the recruiter first. There's a good chance you'll learn information in that call, which can educate your outreach to the recruiter in a follow-up call.
- 02 days agoSoftware Engineer Intern [OP]Taro Community
Hi Rahul,
Thank you for the very prompt reply!
If I understand correctly, is the best approach to :- first reach out to the recruiter and ask how the company is doing
- follow up with the manager after the call with the recruiter
