If you are thinking of hiring an assistant or a part-time staff member you may want to consider an unpaid or low-cost intern instead.  More and more interns are entering the job market as competition for paid jobs has increased.

Today’s intern is a far cry from the clueless 18 year old college student looking to waste time over summer vacation.  Never before have there been so many qualified people looking to build their resume as a way to improve their chances of landing a paid job.

Many people who have a college degree, or are in the midst of completing one, already have some valuable work experience, and are eager to build their resumes.   They will hit the ground running and can be a tremendous asset to your business.

Several sites exist that match businesses and interns.  USAIntern.com, Internships.com and CareerRookie.com are just a few of the rapidly growing companies that assist with placing interns.  You can also contact your local college or university’s career placement office for help with finding an intern.

Here are top tips to consider:

• Set clear start and end dates

• Schedule work hours

• Clarify expectations and challenge them

• Meet regularly to communicate about challenges and progress

• Consider hiring them long-term at the end of their internship or write them a letter recommendation

If you follow these tips, an intern may just be the boost you need.