Tips For An Internship Interview

Are you eager to land that coveted internship? Or perhaps you’re on the other side of the table, looking to hire the best intern for your team? Either way, understanding what makes a great intern and how to effectively navigate the interview process is crucial.

Interns are not simply unqualified individuals picked at random; they are potential assets to your organization. This comprehensive guide will cover vital interview questions for interns, including the types you should ask and how candidates can effectively respond.

Key Takeaways:

• Many qualities that make for a strong intern mirror those sought in full-time employees, such as relevant skills and qualifications and educational background.

• Prior to your internship interview, it’s essential to research the company, gather supporting materials, and prepare for common interview questions.

• Prepare insightful questions to ask the interviewer to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the company and to gain deeper insights into the role.

What Makes a Good Intern?

Interns are often seen as valuable assets, and the rationale is clear. Internships can serve as effective trial periods for future employment.

Training an intern requires significant investment, and organizations want to ensure that this training leads to a potential future hire. While full-time employees usually bring some level of experience or education, interns may still be in the process of completing their academic programs.

So, what qualities should employers look for in a good intern, and how can prospective interns position themselves as ideal candidates?

• Strong soft skills are essential for an intern. They should be adaptable, able to prioritize tasks, and eager to learn on the job.

• An effective intern can integrate seamlessly into the company’s existing structure, a trait that is crucial for any new hire.

Internship Interview Tips

1. Research the Company. Investigate the company thoroughly before your interview. Key details to note include the company’s founding date, mission statement, and core values. Familiarizing yourself with the team you wish to join and their objectives will help you make a strong impression.

   Demonstrating your knowledge of the company will position you as a candidate who can contribute value from day one. Utilize news articles, company publications, and LinkedIn to gather insights.

2. Dress Appropriately. While hiring managers understand that this may be your first official job interview, presenting yourself as a polished candidate is essential. Research the company’s culture to determine the appropriate dress code. Opt for business casual if the environment is laid-back, but err on the side of formality if you’re uncertain.

3. Be Prepared for Common Interview Questions. Familiarize yourself with common interview questions, such as “Tell me about yourself” and “What is your biggest accomplishment?” Having a general framework for your answers will allow you to respond naturally without sounding scripted.

   Practice your responses beforehand to ensure you convey your key points effectively.

4. Bring Supporting Materials. Arrive at your internship interview prepared with a padfolio, pens, copies of your resume, and a list of questions for the interviewer. Including professional references and examples of your work in a portfolio can further demonstrate your preparedness.

   Having these materials on hand will signal to interviewers that you are organized and responsible.

5. Prepare Your Success Stories. Expect to encounter behavioral interview questions. Utilize the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to articulate your experiences effectively. Prepare multiple anecdotes relevant to common themes like teamwork and conflict resolution to ensure you can provide structured answers.

6. Ask Insightful Questions. Stand out as a strong candidate by preparing thoughtful questions for your interviewer. Check out our list of questions to ask at the end of an interview for inspiration.

   Engage in a natural dialogue by asking questions as they arise during the interview, and save any additional queries for the end to foster a conversational atmosphere.

7. Follow Up After the Interview. Don’t forget the final step: sending a follow-up email. In your message, express gratitude, share a brief personal anecdote to remind them of your conversation, and reiterate your enthusiasm for the position. This small gesture can leave a lasting impression.

Common Internship Interview Questions

Keep in mind that interviewers may have a range of questions beyond those listed here, including some unexpected curveballs.

However, the following questions represent key areas of focus in an internship interview:

1. What are some accomplishments you’re particularly proud of?

   Why they ask this: Interviewers want to understand what you value and your relevant experiences. Consider your academic and any extracurricular activities that may relate to the role.

2. What do you know about the company?

   Why they ask this: This question assesses your research efforts. A little preparation can go a long way in demonstrating your interest in the company.

3. Do you have any experience working with a team?

   Why they ask this: While they may not expect extensive experience, they want to gauge your ability to collaborate effectively. Share relevant experiences, even from school projects.

4. What are your goals?

   Why they ask this: Interviewers want to understand your commitment to the field associated with the internship. This question requires you to reflect on your career aspirations and how the internship aligns with them.

5. Why do you want to work in this industry/company?

   Why they ask this: This question assesses your fit for the company. Mention specific reasons related to the company’s reputation, achievements, and values that resonate with you and align with your professional goals.

6. Do you have any questions for us?

   Why they ask this: This question gauges your interest level and research. Use this opportunity to ask insightful questions about the company culture, expectations, or success metrics for the internship.

   Possible questions to ask include:

   • What’s been your most memorable experience here and why?

   • How do you measure success for this internship?

   • What’s one thing you’re hoping to gain from an intern?

   • What do you love most about this company?

Other Common Internship Interview Questions To Look Out For:

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?

• Tell us a bit about yourself.

• What makes you a good candidate for this internship?

• How does this internship relate to your career goals?

• What tasks do you think this position performs on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis?

• Tell me about a time you took initiative or led a project.

• Describe a project you managed from start to finish. What went well, and what would you change?

• Share an experience where you had to learn something entirely new.

Questions to Ask at an Internship Interview

When asking questions during a job interview, your objective is to gain insights about the candidate’s soft skills and experiences. If you’re interviewing multiple applicants, consider using a standardized rubric to evaluate their responses consistently.

Here are some insightful questions to ask when interviewing potential interns:

1. What are some accomplishments that you’re particularly proud of?

   Why ask this: This question helps you understand the interviewee’s priorities and gives insight into their relevant experiences.

2. What do you know about the company?

   Why ask this: This question gauges their research efforts and allows you to explore their opinions about the company, which can indicate fit.

3. Do you have any experience working with a team?

   Why ask this: This question assesses their teamwork skills. Consider how their experiences might translate to your team, even if they’re not fully aware of the dynamics.

4. What are your goals?

   Why ask this: Understanding their motivations for seeking experience with your organization can provide insights into their dedication to the field.

Final Thoughts

Regardless of how well candidates answer questions, it’s essential to remember that they are often inexperienced in a professional setting. If you’re an employer frustrated with intern performance, consider whether the mistakes are reasonable for someone at that level.

If you’re a new intern facing challenges, don’t be disheartened. Strive for improvement while recognizing that employers typically provide some leeway for learning experiences. Remember, a minor mistake, like adding salt to coffee, is unlikely to jeopardize your internship.

Author

Ryan Morris

Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University.