From the initial tutorial on company culture and performance expectations to the teaching of best practices for each task, interns are a huge investment for full-time staffers.

Thankfully, a well-trained intern can be an asset to any company, helping boost the bottom line with fresh ideas and an eager can-do attitude. We checked in with experts to find the five best ways interns can pitch in this summer and earn their keep.

1. Have them clean out databases and set up a file-sharing system.

Many interns, because of their digital prowess, can easily set up systems for collaboration and sharing data, says Nancy A. Shenker, author of  Don’t Hook Up With the Dude in the Next Cube: 200+ Career Secrets for 20-Somethings.

“In the short time our intern has been on board, I’ve spent a lot less time looking for stuff,” says Shenker of her own experience with a younger part-timer.

Shenker says interns can be an asset cleaning up company databases and getting rid of outdated files — just don’t forget to make sure your full-time staffers have a firm grasp on what’s happening before the intern heads back to college.

If your interns should discover some treasures while they’re exploring old files, Chuck Pappalardo, managing director of executive search firm Trilogy Search, says they should be put to work on bigger projects.

“Research is a critical component of business today and a skill set that most students have honed,” Pappalardo says. “In addition to uncovering information, an intern can develop creative ways to visually present the data.”

2. Have them conduct and serve as research for your target market.

In many cases, interns in their late teens and early twenties are part of a demographic companies want to target. If your company sells clothing, makes technology or has a presence in the digital space, interns can be a real asset when it comes to product development, says Jason Henham, managing director of Slate Consulting, a small business consultancy.

“If interns form part of the company’s target market, take advantage of the intern’s network of potential customers by allowing them to use the product, share information on it or provide direct feedback on improving it and customer service surrounding it,” Henham says.

Companies could also benefit from using interns to conduct research that results in direct contact with buyers from the target market, he adds.

“For example, interns can administer surveys or conduct interviews with people from the target market and compile the results, leading to a white paper that can be shared with the market.”

3. Ask them to fill-in for the receptionist.

Although this may sound like a menial task, Tyler Barnett, president of publicity firm TBPR in Beverly Hills, Calif., says his interns gain much-needed practice on the phones, which is a crucial skill to bring to most workplaces.

“We have our interns answer phones and handle office manager duties in addition to their PR work,” he says. “This not only cuts out the cost of a receptionist, but allows interns to practice interacting with clients and customer.”

Barnett says he finds that interns are typically “friendly, outgoing and excited.”

This resonates in their voices when they answer the phones, and gives off a great impression to our clients and colleagues,” he says. “Clients love chatting with interns over a receptionist because the interns usually know exactly what’s going on with their campaign.”

4. Give them the keys to social media.

“Generation Y is celebrated for their tech-savvy, highly collaborative nature, optimism and social consciousness,” says TheLadders job search expert Amanda Augustine. “Consider utilizing your interns to expand or improve your social media efforts by managing your social media channels or exploring new channels to use such as Vine, Pinterest and Facebook.”

Because social media is an essential part of all company strategies, your interns will be learning skills that can translate to any full-time job, says executive coach Karen Elizaga, owner of executive coaching firm Forward Options.

“They can also create graphics, video or slide presentations to use” on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, says Elizaga, and those can be used in their professional portfolio.

If there are social media platforms your company has yet to break into, interns are a great place to start, says Michelle Benjamin, CEO and founder of workforce solutions company Benjamin Enterprises.

“Whether it is insight on which social media platforms your company should be using, or reviewing your website pages on different mobile devices for compatibility, use your intern and the tools they use on a regular basis to your advantage,” she says.

5. Keep up with your competitors

Since it’s always good to be current with what’s going on outside the four walls of your own company, Elizaga says interns are the perfect choice to research relevant blogs and thought leaders in your industry and provide regular updates.

Nathan Parcells, co-founder and CMO of InternMatch, an online platform that matches students with internships, says it’s difficult for full-time employees to find the time to stay abreast of what’s going on in the industry.

“It’s hard to find time in your day to keep tabs on what your competitors are doing,” Parcells says. “Allow your interns to generate competitor reports and point out areas in which you could be improving.”

Staying afloat in your industry means being on top of the latest trends, he explains. Interns can be in charge of creating a “daily trend report” to keep up with your ever-changing industry.

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This year, employers will hire 2% more new grads from the Class of 2013 than they did from the Class of 2012, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. The organization also found the current unemployment rate for recent grads to be 8.8% — higher than 2007′s rate of 5.7%, but down from 2010′s rate of 10.4%.

To land an entry-level job in today’s competitive market, recent grads can look to these five tips to set themselves apart from the masses:

1. Boost your resume

“First-time job-seekers should fill their resumes with a variety of experiences necessary to thrive in the position for which they are applying. This may include part-time jobs held during college, volunteer work, professional student organizations and, most importantly, internships,” says Nathan Parcells, co-founder and CMO of InternMatch, an online platform that matches college students with employers.

Out-of-the-classroom experience can “move mountains” when it comes to proving to employers you’re more than prepared to take on an entry-level position, Parcells says, adding that recent grads should always list relevant skills at the top of their resume.

“Most students put their education first,” says Dana Manciagli, author of Cut the Crap, Get a Job. “But you’re not a student anymore. On your resume, you’ve got to list your experience first, including volunteer positions.”

Grads should also avoid using self-aggrandizing terms such as “excellent” and “outstanding,” says Chuck Pappalardo, managing director of executive search firm Trilogy Search. “Instead use action-oriented words such as ‘completed’ and ‘improved.’”

“For instance, if you were the kitchen manager at a restaurant in college, say what you were charged with, what things you did to make work flow better and how you trained waiters.”

2. Join, interact with and clean up social media

“Recent grads need to appear as professional as possible during their job search. This means ditching the college party profile pictures and potentially changing your social media profiles to private if you don’t plan on posting professional updates,” Parcells says.

Grads should also keep in mind that all non-private social media profiles should be consistent in their level of professionalism.

“Your blog posts may boast your knowledge and expertise in your career field, but if your Twitter account doesn’t give mention, what will employers think?” he says.

When it comes to social media, the goal is to “make hiring managers do a double-take” by actually using your social profiles to share your career knowledge, Parcells says, adding that it’s always a good idea to participate in Twitter chats related to your industry and post relevant industry-related articles.

To ensure you’re searchable on social media, Pappalardo suggests using only your professional email address when signing up for accounts.

“Make sure you’re using JaneRJones@gmail.com rather than something like sororitygirl@gmail.com,” he says. “Respect yourself and remember that your digital footprint can be a heavy one.”

Students graduating this year will find there’s more of an emphasis on social media than ever before, and most hiring managers not only seek to hire the most qualified applicant; they strive to recruit applicants who can attract new clientele, says Beth Throne, associate vice president of student and post-graduate development at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa.

“With social media becoming a primary tool of customer recruitment and relations, it is critical that job-seeking graduates have a robust social media presence,” she says. “This not only means having a Facebook page, LinkedIn account and Twitter feed, it means regularly using those outlets to accumulate a volume of quality friends, connections and followers. Top that off with a well-written profile for those accounts, and a recent grad will boost his or her appeal to that target employer.”

3. Make it known your internships were real experience, not just coffee runs

Because internships are often the only source of work experience for recent grads, it’s critical that they articulate how the tasks performed at an internship contributed to the bottom line and operations of the organization, whether that involved drafting, proofing or merely stapling critical reports, Throne says.

One way to really make your internship experience pop is to blog about it, says Zach Killian, a recruiter at The Marketing Arm, an employee promotion agency that’s part of Omnicom Group.

“Check with your supervisor about what can be made public, but it’s a great idea to highlight big projects and successes at your internship on a blog,” Killian says. “The posts will show that you were involved in real work. Add in recommendations from those you worked with to build your reputation. Just launching the blog in the first place will show initiative — and if done well, your creativity and communications ability, as well.”

Depending on the particular internship and with the permission of the business where they served the internship, recent graduates may also want to create websites with an online portfolio showing samples of the work they completed, says Roger Pao, dean of undergraduate studies at the New England College of Business and Finance. There, they can explain in more detail than would be found on a resume or cover letter their accomplishments during their internship.

4. Use your best judgment when it comes to touting GPA

“GPA isn’t a big factor when it comes to getting hired in most career fields,” Parcells says. “But if you have a great GPA and still managed to hold a job, take on internships and participate in a variety of other extracurriculars, be sure to make this known to potential employers.”

Fields where GPAs may be the most important include law and medicine, Pappalardo says. But most employers just want to know you have the degree, then what you can do.

“Almost no one will ask you for your GPA, although if you have an impressive one, by all means highlight it,” Pappalardo says.

If you do choose to include academic accomplishments, make sure to list them towards the end of your resume, Killian says.

“If you graduated cum laude or at the top of your class, that’s impressive and should absolutely be shared on a resume. Simply list those academic achievements in the education section, just like you would list professional accomplishments,” he says.

5. Remember, you’re never too old to highlight your extracurricular activities

Extracurricular activities really do matter when it comes to getting hired, says Parcells, adding that it’s usually best to save hiring managers time by listing only the activities most relevant to the position for which you’re applying.

Listing some obscure interest or activity could spark a conversation, though, says Killian.

“Companies want well-rounded candidates. Extracurricular activities can lend insight into a candidate’s personality, drive, interests and passions. We love seeing candidates who were college athletes or leaders within campus organizations,” he says.

Keep in mind that although your extracurricular activities will not get you hired on their own, they can be beneficial in two ways, Pappalardo says.

“An interviewer may share a similar interest, creating a point of commonality; this can push an opportunity in your favor if all other factors are equal. Also, if you’ve done something that demonstrates extraordinary commitment, such as qualifying for the Olympics in rowing, an employer will recognize that you can bring that same level of dedication to your work.”

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Be respectful.

Marry the formality of traditional communication with the immediacy of social media. 

Social media is such an immediate, casual form of contact that users sometimes forget–or forgo–the principles of proper communication. The most important thing to remember when approaching a potential employer via social media is to be respectful. This means paying attention to grammar, spelling, tone and language. Our tools of communication may be evolving, however, treating people with respect and being considerate and tasteful with regard to written or verbal communication never changes.

Be assertive.

Don’t hide behind email; creating personal connections is still key.

You need to be assertive to reach your goals. It isn’t enough to drop an email to a prospective employer and expect a job interview or job offer to materialize. Creating personal connections is absolutely critical and this requires assertiveness. Tap into all of your networks–and those of your colleagues and relatives. Make phone calls and request brief, in-person meetings. People will be more comfortable and confident in offering opportunities if they’ve had a “live” conversation with or met you in person.

Be mindful.

Make certain dress and demeanor are all professional.

It is important to be mindful of all details—no matter how small—to ensure a professional impression. Style points count, including eye contact, body language, and dress. Finally, connect, connect, connect with your interviewer by looking directly into his/her eyes and being personable.

“Friend” a search executive.

Everyone looking for a job needs someone to help them.

If you have an established relationship, any search professional worth their salt will be available to provide honest career advice and direction. It’s in their DNA and it’s not totally selfless—all good recruiters focus on building a long-term network of qualified, employable individuals.

Samsung has been on a winning streak, thanks in large part to the leadership in its top ranks. Now the company has decided to elevate two of its best performers to the top rung. Boo-keun Yoon and J.K. Shin will be joining current chief Oh-Hyun Kwon as co-CEOs. Shin, who is credited with propelling the company to the top of the smartphone heap, just presided over the high-energy launch of its Galaxy S4 in New York.

Samsung Electronics has named two new chief executive officers, bringing the number of company heads to three: Joining the current CEO Oh-Hyun Kwon as coCEOs will be Boo-keun Yoon and J.K. Shin. They are the head of Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile divisions, respectively.

Both men have scored notable achievements in their roles. Under Yoon, Samsung’s TV business strengthened its grip on the global market, after becoming the top provider in the world in 2006. Shin helped drive Samsung’s mobile business to significant levels of growth. Indeed, Shin just oversaw the successful product launch of the Samsung Galaxy S4, not 24 hours before the announcement of his new title.

Both executives will maintain their current responsibilities as they move up the corporate ladder: that is, Yoon will continue overseeing the consumer electronics division, which includes TV and appliance products, while Shin will remain in charge of the IT & Mobile Communications Division.

Big-Picture Implications

The executive reshuffling is intriguing because it suggests, among other things, an even greater emphasis on mobile for Samsung going forward.

“The announcement of J.K Shin as a coCEO show how strategic the mobile business has become for Samsung — a company that sells a variety of consumer products,” Andreas Scherer, managing partner of Salto Partners, told the E-Commerce Times.

“Without any doubt, Samsung grabbed in a very short period significant market share in the mobile industry,” he continued. “It’s almost scary to hear that J.K. Shin is by far not content with Samsung’s results.”

Samsung’s Mobile Ambitions

So, where else — or how much higher — can Shin, et al., drive Samsung’s mobile business? One clue might be found in Samsung’s move last month to fold its Bada OS into the open source mobile OS Tizen, suggesting that Samsung is opening yet another front in the mobile wars. Samsung is expected to come out with a Tizen-based phone later this year.

Google, in the meantime, recently folded Android into its Chrome unit. It may be premature to conclude that the love affair between Samsung and Android is cooling, but there are definitely some changes afoot.

Windows 8-based phones may also draw Shin’s interest, Scherer said.

“Shin expressed some disappointment over the market share of Windows 8-based phones,” he said, “so we can expect some interesting discussions between Samsung and Microsoft in the future.”

Too Many Heads?

Shin is the one to watch for leadership in the volatile mobile industry, but it may turn out to be problematic for Samsung to have three equally powerful company chiefs.

“While it is understandable that Samsung may want to hedge its bets at this critical point in time — what is actually the inflection point in the history of the smartphone evolution — it is impossible to be successful with three CEOs,” Chuck Pappalardo, managing director of exec recruitment firm Trilogy Search, told the E-Commerce Times.

“What the company needs is a strong leader who can bring all aspect of the business together into a single vision,” he said.

Although its Thursday launch of the Galaxy S4 appears to have been highly successful, Samsung is in a serious struggle for long-term viability, Pappalardo pointed out.

“While many believe the company produces the best product from a technical standpoint,” he said, “its competitors have clear advantages.”

View the original article on Ecommercetimes.com