The Internal Auditors perform a very important function by letting management know how well their Quality Management System is working. This is important for the company, but what's in it for you?

As an Internal Auditor, there are some advantages you may not otherwise have.

• You have the opportunity to see other areas of the company and what goes on there, since you do not audit your own area.
• You get to meet other people in the company.
• Other people get to know who you are. This can be important as you are looking for advancement.
• It is a break from your normal routine.

If you have been auditing for a while, and you are finding it repetitive and kind of reoutine, there are things that you can do to make it more challenging.

• Peel the onion back and dig deeper into things.
• Don't always accept what people say they do, say "show me".
• Auditing is a sampling, so try to investigate new areas.
• Review procedures and work instructions and check items you haven't checked previously.
• Don't forget, when you convert to the new revision of the standard (ISO 9001:2000) there will be new challenging requirements to audit.