The path to bagging the hot seat of Adecco Group India’s CEO internship involved a number of arduous rounds of screening, evaluation and competing with more than 6,500 applicants from India. During my action-oriented internship, I worked under the mentorship and tutelage of Priyanshu Singh, Country Manager and MD, Adecco India. The month was packed with an in-depth understanding of the HR industry, the operations of a Fortune 500 company like Adecco, and being a proactive member of the executive committee, the board meetings, weekly business reviews and monthly ops reviews.
Amazing experience
The internship was well-structured and gave me first-hand experience of how company leadership works. I had the opportunity of interacting with every department from financial control, marketing and communications and sales to human resources. I learnt how they function, the challenges they face and the strategic plans and innovations they come up with. It was an amazing experience to interact with the business heads of various verticals, attend client meetings, and go for corporate events.
The one-month stint was full of insights and knowledge from CXOs having experience in the industry. I learnt that keeping the ‘right team’ is extremely crucial — so, ensure that you hire the best talent in your team. We must not create structures to fit in people, but make structures that work and then fit people in them. Also, make sure that your subordinates understand their key responsibility areas correctly. Interact with them regularly regarding their interpretation and understanding of roles and responsibilities they are required to perform.
To make the most out of any internship, observe and learn from every person you get an opportunity to interact with. Try to ask thoughtful and intellectual questions and soak in and interpret all the information. Stay energetic throughout and leverage your internship to build life-long relationships with people at all levels. Every so often, ask your reporting manager how you are performing and how things can be done better. Once you obtain feedback, try to improve in the areas pointed out by your manager. Always ensure that you act professionally and responsibly and stay focused on your deliverables.
At the end, remember, all that matters is what you got and what you left. Make sure that you leave the organisation with a positive mark and with colleagues and friends that you can look up to in your professional career ahead.
Mohit Mahajan interned at Adecco Group India, under the mentorship of Priyanshu Singh, Country Manager and MD.