Your guide to intern dos and don'ts

Get the perfect intern style

Your intern look should be suited to the environment you'll be working in. Showing up with über-professional gear in a casual environment is just as bad as being under-dressed in a conservative setting. "Look at your boss for an idea of how you should dress for work," Claude suggests. Without being a carbon copy of your superiors, use their style of dressing as a guideline when you pick out your outfit. On your first day, don't take too much of a risk with your selection either. "If you have a quirky or flamboyant style, be careful. You want your competencies and your abilities to show, so tone it down at the beginning," Claude advises. You also have to keep in mind that your look isn't just about your sense of style. According to our fashion guru, being clean and proper is more important than the label of your designer handbag. "Well-groomed says that you're well put-together and well-organized."

Find out how to avoid a beauty blunder at work.

Adopt the right beauty routine
Though our fab ed-in-chief is a firm believer in individual style, he also suggests keeping your makeup in check during an internship. "In terms of hair, I know the messy look is trendy right now, but until you have established who you are, you can't afford to do that." Always keep your locks clean and proper and don't overdo it in the makeup department either. "Stay true to who you are but keep in mind that smoky eyes, red lips and two coats of gloss can give the wrong impression." Claude says you should think of your internship as a really long interview. It's your chance to show your employer the extent of your capabilities. Don't let too much makeup overshadow your work.

Find out what Claude dubs the biggest intern don'ts of the century.

Etiquette tips for intern newbies
work, not socialize with your pals. Make sure you're polite but not overly eager either. "If two people are talking, don't interrupt the conversation to try and make friends and fit in," Claude warns. In due time, you'll get to know everyone so don't rush to become your cubicle mate's instant BFF. As an intern, you may not be included in meetings and according to Claude, you should be understanding of that. As long as you don't overstep your boundaries, your interview/internship should be easy as pie.

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