Internship interviews
Internship interviews are important, as internships may lead you to a permanent position or can be a very significant step in the process. So prepare yourself the best as you can before an internship interview. Treat internship interviews as seriously as job interviews. Here are some guidelines:
Know yourself
- Are you really interested in the work you are applying for?
- How will your knowledge, skills, work experience help you fit in?
- What are your values? Are they compatible with this job situation?
Thinking about and answering these questions helps you to develop your general readiness for an interview. Remember that your employer or sponsor is not only looking for a set of work skills. Very often, they are looking for a whole person whose values and interests fit in well with the company's.
Know the organization
- How much do you know about the company you apply to work for?
- Is it just a famous name for you?
- What do you know about its products and services?
- What do you know about its organization structure and its needs?
- How will you fit into the company?
- In what ways can you benefit the company?
Finding out more about the company make you more confident and prepared for the interview. Think about how you may fit into some work scenes in the company. If you feel comfortable, it will help to show your sincerity.
Know the internship position
- Find out as much as you can about the requirements of the position.
- Check to see what kind of competencies or skills is relevant.
- Think of stories and examples to illustrate your competencies.
- Rehearse these stories and learn to present them in an interesting way.
Be specific when you research about an internship. Make sure you know what they want from you. Sometimes talking to someone with experience working in related work positions can provide some of the information you need. Then, imagine what are required in these positions and think of how your competencies can help solve problems and satisfy needs in specific work situations.
Practice for the interview
- Interviewing skills improve with experience.
- Practice with a friend or an instructor.
- You may tape interview sessions to get feedback for yourself.
- Do not rote memorize answers or let your responses sound rehearse
- Be natural and as you are in interviews.
Practice and feedback are important in preparing youeself for interviews. Remember the point of practice is not to show that you have the right. The point of practice is to familiarize yourself with interview settings so that you can exchange more spontaneously with the interviewers.
Presentation
- Dress in a way that matches the professional requirements of the position
- Be on the conservative side in the use of make up, perfumes, and jewelries
- Be clean and neat in your overall outlook
- Check yourself on the mirror shortly before an interview.
Physical appearance is very important when people meet the first time. It will influence subsequent judgments about you and will affect how well someone remembers you. Find out more about this ‘art’.
The interview
- Be very punctual.
- Always carry extra copies of your resume.
- Speak clearly and spontaneously.
- Answer questions directly.
- Elaborate on points related to work and learning experience.
During the interview, prospective employers will go beyond your physical appearance. They are interested in your personality, your work experience, how it will suit the job position, and whether you will fit into the company environment. As you answer questions, stay focused, be honest and spontaneous.
Sample questions
- About yourself
- About why you and the job you apply for
- About your work experience
- About your common knowledge
- About your problem solving skills
Most questions asked in internship interviews fall under the above 5 categories. They are not really different from real job interviews. Sometimes the focus is more on your professional learning and how you think you may advance it in the future through the internship position. Please click here to view some common interview questions.
Ending the interview
- Pay attention to end of interview signals.
- Be aware that some other interviewees may be waiting.
- You may inquire about the next step in the job selection process.
- Thank interviewers for the interview.
- Pay attention to ‘hand shake’ signals.
Follow up
- Makes notes after the interview what has been discussed.
- Responding to any requests from the employer.
- Consider writing a letter to thank interviewers.
- Consider calling in to find out about the interview results after 2 weeks.
