I just posted a question regarding the restaurant PR firm that’s interviewing me this week (see original post here: http://bit.ly/KNHHB). I have another question. Here’s the thing: when they announced they were hiring for an intern, it was over Twitter. So, of course I have no idea what the job entails (it was just like, “We’re hiring! send resume + samples to blahblah@blah.com). BUT, more importantly, I don’t know if it’s paid or not.
When is it OK to ask that question? I’m assuming during the interview. I would really love to get this internship but like I said in my other post, I don’t know if I can do another semester of unpaid internship + full load of class while working night shifts at a kennel to make ends meet.
I realize it’s an internship, most internships are unpaid, and I’m still a lowly college student. On the other hand, if I get this, it will be my fourth internship. I’m not so experienced in PR but I’ve had three wonderful stints at different publications and a pretty well-rounded and robust writing portfolio. So is it OK to ask them for money? Maybe even just a little? I don’t really know how to work that into the conversation OR lobby for myself to get paid (guess I’m a wuss).
help would be appreciated!
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generally at the end of an interview, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions. if they haven’t mentioned it during the course of the interview, that would be the appropriate time (i think) to ask whether the internship is paid, unpaid, or for college credit (since you’re in school). my impression is that internships generally don’t pay if you’re still in school, but they might offer some kind of travel stipend or credit.
but before you go in for the interview, i would recommend checking the jobs section of their site and seeing if they have any intern positions open. this should provide at least some guidance for what their internships in general are like. if they’re all paid, that’s a pretty good sign that this one is for pay as well.