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I have a few questions about my job search/internship. I've been at my current internship since I graduated in May.

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They told me that they wanted to extend my internship until the end of the year. Now my question is: If I do take their offer, would I be able to take it with the condition that if I get a full-time job opportunity I'm free to leave?

I have already begun my job search and have a second interview for a job. Is it OK if I continue my job search during the extension? If I do accept the extension, could I leave if I were offered a full-time job elsewhere?

Seeking Guidance

That would be completely reasonable. You shouldn't have to stop a job search in its tracks for an internship extension. The job is the goal here and this extension is a nice turn of events that should help you out, not slow you down.

Joe Grimm

But be clear with your editors. "I have had a great time and would love to have my internship extended. I have already begun my job search, though, and if I get a permanent job, I will have to submit a two-week notice if an offer comes during the extension."

State it matter-of-factly, not as a question. Any permanent member of the staff can leave at any time with a two-week notice, and you should have that freedom, too, especially with the temporary nature of an extension.

If these people like you — and it sounds like they do — they will be sad to lose you but happy if you land a job.

I would not, incidentally, be in favor of a person leaving in the middle of the internship, which is a budgeted, fixed-length commitment. I would not be happy with a company that asked an intern to break that commitment, either.

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Coming Tuesday: This college student worries that taking more than four years to finish college will look lousy to potential employers.

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