What do you do if your internship supervisor gives you unclear instructions?

I have always found that it is best to ask for clarity. You can show your understanding of the initial discussion by repeating back what you heard. Then ask how your supervisor would like you to proceed. Tell them "I just want to make sure this is what you want me to do. I want to make sure you get back what you are expecting."

This highlights the importance of clarity in communication and instruction. When instructions are unclear or ambiguous, it can lead to confusion, inefficiency, and mistakes. In contrast, when instructions are clear and well-defined, they provide guidance and direction, enabling individuals to understand what needs to be done and how to do it effectively. Imagine trying to assemble a piece of furniture without clear instructions or a map without clear directions. In both scenarios, you would likely encounter frustration and difficulty in achieving your desired outcome. Clear instructions serve as a roadmap, guiding individuals through tasks and processes, making them more manageable and less prone to errors.

Clear communication is always the basis of good communication. If a person is given an unclear instruction, they can ask for clearer instructions as a misunderstood statement or instruction might cause more problems or lead to unaccomplished tasks.

Seeking clarification from your supervisor not only helps you to understand the task at hand but might also demonstrate your willingness to learn, and that you are not afraid of seeking clarity and help when needed.

Buscar esclarecimentos quando nos s?o dadas informa??es vagas ou pouco específicas é crucial para evitar mal-entendidos e garantir que as tarefas sejam realizadas corretamente. Quando as instru??es ou atribui??es s?o fornecidas de forma ambígua, há um alto risco de interpreta??es erradas, o que pode levar a resultados insatisfatórios, retrabalho ou até mesmo problemas mais sérios no ambiente de trabalho. A proatividade em buscar esclarecimentos ajuda a garantir que todos estejam na mesma página e reduz a chance de erros. Perguntar com clareza e objetividade quando algo n?o está claro n?o é sinal de fraqueza, mas sim de comprometimento com a qualidade do trabalho e a busca por resultados precisos.

By confirming the Understanding after the discussion with Supervisor, the intern will actively improve their coherent listening skills and ability to negotiate. A key aspect would be to ensure that the Supervisor feels it is an impactful outcome. The intern should note down everything in bullet points, to be shared with the Supervisor.

A confirma??o do entendimento das atribui??es é essencial para evitar mal-entendidos, garantir a eficiência e minimizar o risco de erros que podem ser custosos em termos de tempo e recursos. Uma maneira eficaz de refor?ar o entendimento das tarefas é a prática de reformula??o ou "feedback de confirma??o". Após receber uma atribui??o ou instru??o, repetir em suas próprias palavras o que foi compreendido ajuda a validar se a mensagem foi transmitida corretamente. Isso n?o só garante que você está no caminho certo, mas também dá a quem passou a tarefa a oportunidade de corrigir ou esclarecer informa??es antes que seja tarde demais.

Repeat instructions given to you by a supervisor to confirm that you’ve understood what is expected of you. This will show that you have the potential to listen, understand and give your supervisor the opportunity to trust you with the assignment given to you.

I'd echo the instructions to my supervisor to solidify comprehension, emphasizing clarity and mutual understanding. This proactive approach ensures alignment, minimizing the risk of errors or confusion. By reiterating the task details, I demonstrate diligence and a commitment to accuracy. This clarifying step fosters an environment of open communication, where expectations are crystal clear. Ultimately, confirming understanding safeguards against misunderstandings and facilitates smooth task execution.

I would say, I’d rather take a few seconds to just reiterate what they are saying, then to be wrong. I think it also shows them you are listening and you also care about the work you do.

Many organisations value the Consistency of Work produced. Hence an intern can justify asking for examples by correlating it with an improvement in the quality of work delivered. The intern can also demonstrate willingness to learn from seniors and ability to incorporate feedback, a crucial skill in corporate.

A importancia de solicitar exemplos de como as tarefas devem ser realizadas está em obter uma vis?o concreta do que é esperado, o que ajuda a alinhar expectativas e reduz o risco de retrabalho. Muitas vezes já me deparei com o fato de entregar algo correto mas a aparência n?o estar de acordo com o que foi esperado pelo solicitante, e isso gerar retrabalho. Quando uma tarefa é apresentada de forma vaga ou ambígua, pedir exemplos é uma maneira prática de obter mais informa??es e entender a vis?o do solicitante. Um exemplo real ou uma amostra de um trabalho anterior serve como uma referência para criar algo novo e que já esteja dentro do esperado.

Ask to be given a record of how past assignments were done if tasks are still unclear. Going through previous ones will guide and direct you on what is required of you. You’ll also get to know more and better understand some aspects you might not have understood earlier.

Describing a task or problem can be challenging with words alone. Many individuals excel at visual or associative representations, which can provide a deeper understanding of the issue and offer new perspectives for solving problems.

To request these examples, I usually ask for a brief meeting with my supervisor where I am clear and specific about what I am looking for. I express my interest in learning and improving my work, and I am open to feedback upon receiving examples. I always thank my supervisor for the guidance and examples provided, showing my respect and appreciation for the time and effort they put into helping me.

Uma vantagem de falar com colegas experientes é que eles podem fornecer exemplos práticos e orienta??es detalhadas sobre como realizar a tarefa de maneira eficaz. Se alguém na sua equipe já passou pelo mesmo desafio, essa pessoa pode compartilhar li??es aprendidas, dicas sobre como otimizar o processo e erros comuns a serem evitados. Já solicitei ajuda e também já forneci ajuda diversas vezes. Saber com quem conversar e como conversar é uma ferramenta muito importante no ambiente de trabalho.

Learning from one another is such a great tool which seems to be underutilized. Oftentimes, we understand things better when explained by our colleagues as compared to our supervisors and managers. Reach out to colleagues to explain some aspects unclear to you.

Based on my professional experience, I can say that engaging with colleagues is a truly valuable asset when encountering unclear instructions. In many situations, my co-workers or internship colleagues have been instrumental in answering questions and offering insights into how to approach a task. Their past experiences often shed light on similar problems they've faced, and their different perspective can be incredibly helpful in finding creative solutions.

Utilizing peers, especially star employees, is invaluable strategy that is often overlooked. Star employees often possess practical insights gained from firsthand experience, which can clarify ambiguous instructions and offer guidance. Their expertise and perspective can illuminate effective approaches that align with company standards, reducing uncertainty. By collaborating with these high-performing colleagues, you're not only learning proven methods but also strengthening a culture of shared growth and support. Most of these star employees/ leaders like to mentor and coach. So I find them very helpful.

Sometimes despite all instructions, it still seems unclear to us. In these cases, take the initiative to try something. Think hard about the task and give it your best try. It might be your groundbreaking moment where your supervisor will see the light in you or perhaps, give you the needed directions for the work.

Sometimes, the answer lies within the question itself. However, when things aren't clear, it's important to go the extra mile and come up with multiple possible solution proposals. This shows not only the dedication but the ability to think independently and critically.

In my experience these points are good to follow not just as an intern but also as a new employee. I have recently seen a situation where the boss was very vague and unclear with expectations, and the employee suffered greatly for it. After the event, there was little accountability taken by the boss and their opinion of the employee was permanently damaged despite all efforts the employee took for clarification and guidance. While it was disappointing to watch as it happened, it was also a perfect teaching moment for those who witnessed the event. Lesson learned!