Top Questions To Ask During An Internship Interview As A Candidate

An internship can be a crucial first step in your professional journey. The interview process is a great chance for you and the employer to get to know one another better.

Now that your internship interview is almost over and you’re feeling good about it, the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for me?”. Having no questions makes you look uninterested; however, the wrong questions could ruin your chances! Here’s how to handle this crucial moment:

In this post, we provide top questions to ask during an internship interview that increase your chances of getting that role.

How To Prepare For An Internship Interview

There are a number of things you may do in the days before your interview to boost your self-assurance and readiness:

#1. Examine and do your research about the business

Finding out about the mission, vision, and goals of the organization is a crucial step in preparing for an internship interview. This information will help you prepare intelligent questions, respond to the interviewer, and demonstrate your interest in the business.

Furthermore, you can visit the company’s website and become acquainted with the information to begin your study.

#2. Gather your samples of your work.

It’s crucial to include samples of your work when applying for an internship in a field like graphic design. Don’t worry if you have nothing to show. Interviewers won’t expect you to have a lot of real-world experience if you’re applying for an internship, and not all businesses demand work samples. Make sure to put out your best effort, though, if you have been given an assignment to finish before the interview.

#3. Practice interview questions.

You can research frequently-asked questions and think about your answers, even though you won’t be able to prepare for every question an interviewer might ask. Answers don’t have to be memorized; just prepare your key points in advance. This will enable you to respond clearly.

Additionally, you can work on your appearance as well. The ideal body language is one of openness and friendliness combined with a confident speaking voice.

#4. Consider asking questions.

Create a list of insightful inquiries on the business and job description. By asking these questions, you may determine whether the internship fits your needs and demonstrate your sincere interest in the role. For instance, you may inquire, “How is the office atmosphere?”

#5. Wear the appropriate clothing.

Choose your outfit following whatever direction the organization gives before the interview (such as business professional or business casual). It’s a good idea to assume that business casual clothes if they don’t tell you otherwise. Consider choosing your attire ahead of time to decrease stress before the interview.

#6. Be punctual and well-organized.

Make sure to get there at least fifteen minutes before the scheduled interview time. If more than one interviewer shows up, bring extra copies of your documents and résumé.

What You Should Expect During An Internship Interview

You might be a little anxious when you show up for your internship interview. You can feel more at ease in the room if you know what to anticipate.

Top Questions To Ask During An Internship Interview As A Candidate — What You Should Expect During An Internship Interview – Image Credit: Freepik

#1. Greet the Interviewer

First, you should shake hands and say hello to the interviewer when you first meet them before the discussion. The interviewer may inquire about your qualifications, interest in the position, and familiarity with the business. You should discuss any coursework or professional experience you may have that relates to the internship responsibilities.

During an internship interview, keep in mind that an excellent method to show your preparation and enthusiasm is to ask insightful questions.

#2. Manage Interview Nerves

You could feel pressured to do well in the interview. It’s normal to feel this way, and the interviewer will probably anticipate it. Note that you do not need to be an industry expert because internships are for those who are fresh to the field. Make preparation, professionalism, and a desire to learn your top priorities.

#3. Discuss Availability

The interviewer might want to talk about a potential start date or timetable after the interview, so think about what works best for you in advance. There will probably be a handshake and a farewell after the meeting.

#4. Express Gratitude

Don’t forget to thank the interviewer for the chance to meet and discuss the internship in more detail. Make sure to show your interest and say that you look forward to hearing from the organization and position if you think they are a good fit for you.

#5. Follow Up After the Interview

Don’t panic if you don’t hear back right away; it’s common for businesses to take their time before asking someone in for a follow-up interview or making an offer.

Best Questions To Ask In An Internship Interview

A fulfilling career might result from an internship. Even an unpaid internship can help you if you decide to stay with the company because it gives you significant life experience and career connections. You can determine whether the internship is a good fit for you by asking these questions.

#1. Can you explain the onboarding process to me?

Every business has a different process for hiring new staff members. You can better prepare for your internship onboarding if you are aware of what to anticipate in advance.

Therefore, knowing how much training an employer requires before you can start your internship’s primary tasks would be helpful because many firms determine the length of internships in advance. To make designs for their social media platform, for example, you may need to understand their brand colors.

Note that a longer training duration could prepare you more thoroughly, but shorter training might offer more time for hands-on professional development.

#2. Can you explain the culture of the company?

Culture refers to the ideals, ethics, objectives, and working environment of an organization. Every business has unique traits. For you to get a positive internship experience, you will need to have a deeper comprehension of the corporate culture and how it suits your personality. Other work benefits, such as work leaves and bonuses, may also be disclosed by your interviewer’s response.

#3. What are the daily responsibilities of this internship?

You may make an informed choice about accepting an internship if you get a thorough explanation of your daily responsibilities. While some companies may require you to just communicate with clients, others may give you a lot of responsibilities. Selecting the ideal job for your abilities and interests will make it easier to perform your tasks.

#4. What qualities are necessary for interns to succeed?

Asking this question demonstrates your desire to meet the interviewer’s expectations. The response you receive from the interviewer will also reveal their expectations for your conduct and performance. You can utilize the response to this question to get ready for future internship interviews, regardless of whether you get the job.

#6. What tools do you offer interns to ensure their success?

Making the most of your internship will be made easier if you are aware of the resources the organization offers. Additionally, it will demonstrate the employer’s commitment to their interns. An employer who provides you with success-oriented resources can help you get ready for the next phase of your career.

#7. How is performance assessed for this role?

Employers frequently inquire about their interns’ development and whether they are fulfilling expectations, much like they do with full-time staff. Asking this question demonstrates to your interviewer your desire for success in the role and your receptivity to criticism. You will have a better idea of what is required of you to succeed.

#8. Are there opportunities to advance to full-time employment?

Asking this question during your interview demonstrates your long-term perspective and your willingness to work for the organization for longer than what is required for your internship.

#9. Do you want to know more about my background or qualifications?

This will cause you and your interviewer to discuss more. In addition to communicating your confidence in your suitability for the position, asking this question enables interviewers to fill in any knowledge gaps they may have about you.

#10. What do you consider to be the most difficult part of the work?

This provides you with a sense of what to expect and demonstrates that you are fully aware that the role will not be without its obstacles.

#11. Have I answered all your questions?

Ask the interviewer if there is anything they would like you to review. They will be grateful for the offer, and you can gauge your progress based on their response.

How to Answer Internship Interview Questions

You may be wondering what questions you’ll be asked at your upcoming internship interview. Examine this collection of possible interview questions and response ideas to boost your confidence and get ready.

#1. Give us a brief introduction about yourself.

As a warm-up question, the interviewer will probably ask you to introduce yourself. You should discuss your current degree program, year in school, and the career you intend to follow, even if there are numerous possible answers to this general topic.

Additionally, your schooling and future goals should take up the majority of this response. At the end of your response, though, you could include a few comments about your interests and pastimes.

#2. Why do you want this internship?

Think about the objectives you hope to accomplish during the internship. Using those objectives, describe the skills you want to acquire and how this chance will advance your career while benefiting the industry or community.

Additionally, provide details about the organization here, such as how your values and personality will mesh well with the corporate culture.

You can examine the company’s website and social media accounts to obtain information unique to the brand.

#3. What are your career goals?

List a professional objective you hope to accomplish during the next five to ten years. Include actions that will eventually lead to your long-term objective. Explain why it is significant to you and how the internship is the first step in reaching it.

#4. What skills make you a strong candidate for this internship?

You’ll probably be asked to talk about your skills and how they relate to the internship during an interview. Go over the job description because it has a list of skills one needs for the role. Emphasize your abilities and back up your claims with examples from your life.

Make sure to highlight your professional abilities, such as teamwork, communication, and drive, as well as your technical capabilities, related to your coursework.

#5. Tell us about when you performed well in a team.

This is a question that recruiters ask to find out if you get along well with others. You may talk about how you cooperate when you volunteer or about a team project you worked on for a class or prior employment. Describe the initiatives or circumstances and their successful results.

#6. Tell us about a challenge and how you confronted it.

The purpose of this inquiry is to see how well you adapt to situations or challenges. No matter how big or small the obstacle is, you may tell how you overcame it and made things better. Instead of being a struggle you conquered alone, you should tell how you worked with others to overcome it.

#7. Tell us about a moment when you assumed a leadership position.

The hiring staff is interested in learning that you are a motivated intern. You could talk about a time you oversaw a class project or a challenge you recognized and tried to solve. Make sure to mention the appropriate steps you took to guide the team to success.

What To Do After An Internship Interview

Saying thank-you notes is a crucial last step in the internship interview process. You can send a thank-you message by email as quickly as possible.

A thank-you note expresses your interest in the internship and serves as a reminder of your interview. Additionally, it allows you to show off your active listening abilities or to highlight something you might have overlooked throughout the interview.

Your message should include the following details:

Thank your interviewer and mention the job for which you were interviewed.
Express your willingness to answer any more queries or provide more details.
Close by saying that you’re interested and that you hope to hear from them shortly.