Welcome to Edition #34 of Ask Gorick Anything. This AMA is part of Gorick's Newsletter, where Harvard career advisor and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Gorick Ng shares what they don't teach you in school about how to succeed in your career.
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→ Read time: 5 min
ASK GORICK ANYTHING
“Return offer advice for interns?”
Have a career question? Ask me here.
Subscriber’s question:
“Hi Gorick,
My boss just informed me that he wants to speak to me soon to talk about my “future plans” since my internship is ending Aug 15.
I’m planning to prepare a bit so I don’t babble at his questions. If you have any advice for me, I would VERY much appreciate it.
I’m going to hit up your book and get some tips meanwhile. Thanks!”
— “Hoping for a return offer” from Greenville, NC, USA
Gorick’s response:
Hi “Hoping for a return offer”,
Thanks so much for reaching out! Exciting to hear about the potential of the return offer—and also understandably nerve-wrecking. Fear not, because there’s usually a formula (and a framework) to these types of conversations.
First, you can expect your boss to ask the following question to start:
How’s your summer going?
To which I would highlight…
- the experiences that you appreciated
- the work that you’ve done that you’ve enjoyed
- the people you’ve met and gotten along with
For example:
- “Thank you for taking the time. Your advice and mentorship have helped me become more [positive characteristic] over the past while.”
- “I've really enjoyed the ______ side of things.”
- “I can definitely see myself continuing to grow with [team / manager / organization].”
Your goal? To show the other person unprompted that you’re invested in them, so they should be invested in you. After all, they don’t actually want to hear your views on the weather when they ask, “How’s your summer going?”
What they’re really wondering is, “Does the firm’s perspective of you as an intern align with your views of this experience?”
After that, the conversation can go in several different directions!
Possible return offer outcomes include:
(A) They have already made up their mind that you will not get a return offer
(B) They want you to return, but with modifications (e.g., would you be open to returning during the school year or pushing your return offer back by six months)
(C) They want you to return according to the normal schedule
If (C), they want you to return according to the normal schedule, congratulations! Focus the conversation on how excited you are to return and the growth opportunities that specifically speak to you (so they can hopefully give you the position that you want now) by asking:
“I'm honored to hear that you see potential in me! I’ve really enjoyed ______ and would love to do more of this type of work. I'd love to even explore moving into ______. Do you feel like this makes sense? What do next steps look like?”
If (B), they want you to return with modifications, try saying, “Thank you! I’d love to learn more.” Or, if you aren’t sure and feel nervous about making any decisions on the spot, try asking, “This sounds compelling and I’d love to give this decision the time it deserves. Could I think through the logistics and get back to you by the end of next week?”
If (A), they do not want you to return, say that you are appreciative of the opportunity nevertheless because of X, Y, and Z. Then, ask, “May I ask what the deciding factor ended up being? I definitely want to use this as a learning opportunity going forward.”
Listen to their response and ask clarifying questions if you have any, but otherwise accept the feedback, resist arguing back, and write down what they say in your notebook. Their mind has already been made up, so focus on showing that you are willing to learn and improve.
Whether it's (A), (B), or (C), at the end of the conversation, reiterate how excited you are about the opportunity and how much you look forward to staying in touch!
By the way: if you are rejected (and unless they tell you), you may never know why this decision was made. Maybe you really did underperform. Or, maybe the company isn’t doing well or is taking a different direction. Or, maybe it was just politics (as I explain here).
It’s also possible that your manager or whoever you’re talking to actually really likes you—but didn’t have the authority to override the decision. If this is the case, the best thing you can do is to continue flexing your Three C’s because an opportunity could always come up—and you want them to think of you.
No matter the outcome, remember: there are many roads to a successful career. This is not the end. You are just getting started.
Best of luck!
See you Tuesday for our next story and unspoken rule,
Gorick
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