No specific job details even though internship starts in 3 weeks

Hey everyone, I'm a bit concerned about my upcoming summer internship, and I was hoping to get some insight from those with more experience.

My internship is supposed to start in 3 weeks, but I still haven't received the specific details from HR aside from the job responsibilities and start/end dates. I accepted the job offer back in late April, and I passed the background check two days ago.

I emailed my HR contact for next steps when I got the notice that my background check was complete, but I haven't received a response. This felt weird because she typically responds within hours.

Since this is my first internship, I'm not quite sure what to expect in terms of the onboarding process. Is it normal in banking to have limited communication at this stage, or should I be concerned? Would it be too pushy to follow up with a phone call in a week or should I just stick with emailing? Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated!

P.S. This is a small bank in California with a little more than 1,000 employees

2 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, it's not uncommon in the banking industry to experience some delays or limited communication as your start date approaches, especially with smaller banks where resources might be more stretched. However, maintaining open lines of communication is crucial. Here are a few steps you can take:

  1. Follow-Up Timing: Waiting a week to follow up is reasonable. It shows patience yet also conveys your eagerness to start preparing for the role.

  2. Method of Communication: Since your HR contact typically responds quickly to emails, sending another follow-up email is appropriate. If there's no response within a few days after your second email, consider making a phone call. This can sometimes prompt a quicker reply.

  3. Prepare Specific Questions: When you do follow up, whether by email or phone, have specific questions ready. This could be about onboarding processes, any preliminary paperwork you might need to complete, or what exactly to expect on your first day.

  4. Network Internally: If possible, try to connect with other employees or interns who might be starting with you or have started recently. They can provide insights and may have gone through the same process.

  5. Stay Proactive: Keep preparing for your internship by reviewing the job responsibilities and familiarizing yourself with the bank’s recent news, its culture, and any relevant financial trends.

This approach should help you navigate the situation without coming off as too pushy, while also demonstrating your initiative and commitment to the role.

Sources: Recruitment Set Back To "Normal", Q&A - Commercial Banking Credit Risk SVP in Southeast USA, Why Do Bankers Always Say "Happy to Chat", Anyone else fed up with the banking/finance industy?, Everything I wish I knew in Banking

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

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