This post is part II of “How a Housing Strategy Can Make Your Intern Program Stand Out.” It explores how offering fully furnished corporate housing can address common intern recruitment challenges—such as relocation stress and high living costs—while enhancing your employer brand and attracting top talent.

Internship programs are a vital pipeline for future talent, particularly as the competition for skilled employees heats up. These opportunities offer companies a chance to evaluate potential hires in real-world scenarios while giving students and recent graduates valuable experience.

But getting top-tier intern talent in the door isn’t easy! Interns today are more discerning than ever. They’re not just looking for a resume boost—they want meaningful experiences, professional development, and a lifestyle that supports their ambitions. With remote work options, global internship platforms, and a growing emphasis on work-life balance, companies must go the extra mile to stand out.

Here are some common challenges companies face when recruiting interns:

  • Geographic limitations: Talented candidates may live far from your office and be unable to relocate temporarily.
  • Cost of living: High housing costs in urban centers can deter interns from accepting offers.
  • Short-term leases: Finding temporary housing for a few months is often impractical or expensive.
  • Uncertainty and stress: The logistics of moving to a new city can be overwhelming for young professionals.

These barriers can cause even the most promising candidates to decline offers.

As we discussed in Part 1 of this blog post series, a well-planned intern housing strategy can help your intern program stand out and bolster your recruitment efforts. But to take your strategy to the next level (and make your intern program irresistible), it might be time to consider a powerful, often overlooked solution: providing a fully furnished corporate apartment.

Enter the Fully Furnished Corporate Apartment

Offering a fully furnished corporate apartment as part of your intern package is a game-changer and a reflection of your investment in your talent pipeline. Here’s how it helps:

  1. Remove Geographic Barriers: When you provide housing, you open the door to candidates from across the country—or even internationally. Suddenly, your intern program isn’t limited to local applicants. This expands your talent pool dramatically and allows you to attract diverse, high-potential individuals who might otherwise be unable to participate.
  2. Eases Financial Burden: Interns are often students or recent graduates with limited financial resources. By offering a corporate apartment, you eliminate one of their biggest expenses: rent. This makes your offer more competitive and appealing, especially in cities where housing costs are prohibitive.
  3. Simplifies Logistics: Moving to a new city for a short-term internship can be stressful. Interns have to find a place to live, furnish it, set up utilities, and navigate unfamiliar neighborhoods. A fully furnished corporate apartment removes all that hassle. Interns can arrive, unpack, and focus on their work and development from day one.
  4. Enhances the Intern Experience: Comfortable, well-appointed housing contributes to a positive overall experience. Interns who feel supported and cared for are more likely to be engaged, productive, and enthusiastic about your company. This can lead to better performance and a higher likelihood of converting interns into full-time employees.
  5. Builds Your Employer Brand: Offering corporate housing sends a strong message: your company values its interns. It shows that you’re willing to invest in their success and well-being. This can significantly boost your reputation among students, universities, and job seekers. Word travels fast—especially on social media and review platforms like Glassdoor.

What Makes a Great Corporate Apartment for Interns?

Not all housing solutions are created equal. To truly make an impact, your corporate apartment should be:

  • Fully furnished: Includes essentials like a bed, desk, kitchenware, and Wi-Fi.
  • Centrally located: Close to the office, public transit, and amenities.
  • Safe and secure: Ensure the building has good security and is in a safe neighborhood.
  • Flexible lease terms: Accommodates the internship duration without long-term commitments.
  • Community-oriented: If possible, houses multiple interns together to foster camaraderie and collaboration.

Many companies have already seen the benefits of offering corporate housing to interns. Tech firms, consulting agencies, and financial institutions often provide furnished apartments as part of their intern packages. These companies report higher acceptance rates, improved intern satisfaction, and stronger conversion to full-time roles.

The Bottom Line

If your intern program is struggling to attract top talent, it’s time to think beyond salary and perks. A fully furnished corporate apartment can unlock a broader, more diverse, and more committed pool of candidates. It’s a tangible way to show that your company cares, which can make all the difference.

At Weichert Corporate Housing, we’ve worked with many leading companies to create mobility programs tailored specifically to their unique internship goals and requirements. We have the expertise and support teams to match interns with fully furnished corporate apartments that meet the convenience, comforts, and affordability they need to thrive in their early career opportunities.

Connect with Marian Sauers at msauers@weichertch.com to learn more about how we ensure all your employees – from interns to C-suite – feel at home, wherever work takes them!