I don't know if I'll get hired or not (employee, applying, interview)

[Life7]

I'm really stressed out right now and don't know what to do or think about this situation. I started an unpaid internship yesterday at a print shop in the screen printing department. There's this one manager (I don't really know his job title or all of his duties) who's in charge of the screen printing department. Along with him, there's a guy who just started a paid job the day before me in the same department. I've been doing most of the preparation and cleaning work that has to do with the screen printing.

I found a job posting for this company advertising this screen printing job. I asked for it as an unpaid internship because that's what the owner thought I wanted when he got the message that I just finished school and was looking for a screen printing job. That gave me an idea that I could start off with that which could lead to them hiring me at the end of the internship. I told him I didn't mind starting with the internship and he called me back a few days later to come to the interview and test. I then got a call with an offer for the unpaid internship and I started it yesterday (Tuesday).

So this new employee that started the day before me has been doing all the printing work while I do the preparing and cleaning. I don't know if they really need me in the long run or are just being kind and giving me the unpaid internship. The manager told me today that I don't need to come in tomorrow and Friday because he won't be in those days. I guess he wants me to be supervised by him, even though there were a lot of screens that needed to be cleaned. The new paid employee is going in the next 2 days and he doesn't need as much supervision as me.

What do you guys think? Do you think they're just using me for some temporary extra help or do you think they could hire me at the end? I was really disappointed that they hired a new employee along with an unpaid intern. I feel like I'm wasting my time. Do you guys know how I can find out if they plan on hiring me at the end without directly asking them that, because I know it will make me look desperate and/or get in trouble. What questions should I ask without sounding suspicious?

[nikitakolata]

So do you have previous screen printing experience? Do you want to get a paid job in screen printing?

It has been ONE DAY!! I think you are putting the cart way before the horse. If you want to learn about screen printing then you stay with this unpaid internship for at least a month (ideally 3 months, IMO). Then start applying for other jobs and include on your resume/cover letter that you have experience.

I think it is too early to ask about you being hired as a paid employee. The employer has not had a chance to get to know you, you haven't had a chance to learn the business/process. These things take time.

[Life7]

Originally Posted by nikitakolata

So do you have previous screen printing experience? Do you want to get a paid job in screen printing?

It has been ONE DAY!! I think you are putting the cart way before the horse. If you want to learn about screen printing then you stay with this unpaid internship for at least a month (ideally 3 months, IMO). Then start applying for other jobs and include on your resume/cover letter that you have experience.

I think it is too early to ask about you being hired as a paid employee. The employer has not had a chance to get to know you, you haven't had a chance to learn the business/process. These things take time.

Seriously, what's with people constantly misunderstanding/misreading my posts?? It's been two days, and now they're cutting 2 from this week....

[nikitakolata]

Originally Posted by Life7

Seriously, what's with people constantly misunderstanding/misreading my posts?? It's been two days, and now they're cutting 2 from this week....

Well, if you aren't happy with the situation, then quit. Ultimately, they are giving you a chance to learn a business/process that you don't know anything about. They don't know you and it doesn't sound like you have experience in the business so it makes sense that the manager would want to be there to supervise you.

It would be another story if you had years of experience and a proven employment record. You don't. It takes time to build trust, even in an employment relationship.