Archive: Around Town

Dear Margaret: I'm a middle manager at a company that makes a practice of hiring many interns from local colleges. The students get real world experience on the job, it's a nice addition to their resumes, and as a company we get possible new hires and additional part-time employees to help with projects. You'd think this would be a win/win. However, it feels like the Wild West. The interns arrive and leave whenever they please, on a day when we are hosting important clients they come dressed in what looks like beachwear, it's difficult to keep them on task, and they sometimes come in hung over from a previous night's party. Trying to corral these new hires is frustrating and is taking time from focusing on my job. It's my unspoken responsibility to manage them. I'm feeling overwhelmed and overrun. Any suggestions?
Cowboy Herding Cats
 
Dear Cowboy Herding Cats:  You need to get this situation under control before the problems begin. You've identified several problem with these young employees, and you know what you expect from them. They, on the other hand, are coming in unaware of any expectations. It would behoove you to make up a fifteen to thirty minute presentation on their first day of work detailing company code of conduct, including dress code, interfacing with customers, and any other rules that apply. Odd as it may seem, young people are not intuitive as to behavior expected in a corporate environment.  And when I say detail, I mean it in the minutest sense. For example, if the interns are expected to be included at a luncheon with a client, table manners should be included in the presentation.  Don't leave anything to chance. You'll be building better character in these interns who, if not in your own company, will be better employees in another job.

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