I have been on an internship for 8 months, as it winds down I was thinking of getting the 3 principals each a gift (office of 15 people). I have seen other posts on here that refer to this gesture as "brown nosing". I do hope to be hired after my 5th year of school is over, but the gift is more a gesture of appreciation for the opportunity and a thank you for everything that I have learned.
Is this appropriate?
If not, what is a good gift other than a sweet pen?
It is not appropriate business etiquette for you to give gifts to them upon your departure. A hand-written note of thank you to each would be a nice gesture.
Gifts to employers or supervisors aren't appropriate in most situations. An exception is if there is a tradition of holiday gift exchange in the firm. Another is that it's always appropriate to bring a gift if you're invited to their home for a meal. Otherwise it's best to stick with written expressions and skip the gifts.
For complex - or maybe simple - ethical and etiquette reasons you're not supposed to buy gifts for your boss(es). They pay you; spending that money on something that goes back to them is weird. A card with a thank you note saying you've had a valuable experience will be far better than any gift. Even booze.
Yes, exactly, geezer - as 5839 said above my post. When it's a group gift/gift exchange/hostess gift it's appropriate.
A former boss of mine had treatment for cancer. The employees pooled money and bought this boss a special relaxation gift as a celebration of the treatment being done and successful. That's appropriate. If ONE of us had done that, it wouldn't be; even though it would be heartfelt, it would be awkward for the boss.
Internship Gift?
I have been on an internship for 8 months, as it winds down I was thinking of getting the 3 principals each a gift (office of 15 people). I have seen other posts on here that refer to this gesture as "brown nosing". I do hope to be hired after my 5th year of school is over, but the gift is more a gesture of appreciation for the opportunity and a thank you for everything that I have learned.
Is this appropriate?
If not, what is a good gift other than a sweet pen?
Thanks.
I think a well written non-generic 'thank you' email or letter would be more appropriate.
interning for 8 months? bloody hell, most I've seen were 6 months.
They should be getting you a gift...A nice lunch, gift card, etc. Second on the thank you note, that's all you should do.
stick to pen
http://www.lamy.com/content/index_eng.html
Nice scotch.
It is not appropriate business etiquette for you to give gifts to them upon your departure. A hand-written note of thank you to each would be a nice gesture.
Gifts to employers or supervisors aren't appropriate in most situations. An exception is if there is a tradition of holiday gift exchange in the firm. Another is that it's always appropriate to bring a gift if you're invited to their home for a meal. Otherwise it's best to stick with written expressions and skip the gifts.
A nice hand written letter would go a long way and be appreciated more than any gift item you can afford.
Alcohol is usually always welcome though. I'd love it if an intern got me gin.
For complex - or maybe simple - ethical and etiquette reasons you're not supposed to buy gifts for your boss(es).
Unless maybe it's a holiday or something gift from the office as a whole, and not tied to a particular individual?
Yes, exactly, geezer - as 5839 said above my post. When it's a group gift/gift exchange/hostess gift it's appropriate.
A former boss of mine had treatment for cancer. The employees pooled money and bought this boss a special relaxation gift as a celebration of the treatment being done and successful. That's appropriate. If ONE of us had done that, it wouldn't be; even though it would be heartfelt, it would be awkward for the boss.
Sometimes we get gifts as well. Food usually, or once a set of plastic wine glasses that we have used quite a bit since.
I wouldn't overthink it. If the office is small and informal then why not? Cake for everyone is always a good one.
A nice, hand written note, and a good microbrew.
Thank you everyone! Much appreciated.
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