Good Questions to Ask for Internship Interview
Stand out in internship interviews with strategic questions that demonstrate your interest, professionalism, and understanding of the role while gathering valuable information about the opportunity.
1What would a typical day look like for me in this internship?
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What would a typical day look like for me in this internship?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking practically about the role while revealing the actual work structure and daily responsibilities you'd have.
2What projects or assignments would I be working on?
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What projects or assignments would I be working on?
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Why this works
Demonstrates genuine interest in the work while helping you understand the scope and type of projects you'd be involved in.
3How do you measure success for interns in this program?
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How do you measure success for interns in this program?
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Why this works
Shows you're goal-oriented and helps you understand what expectations and metrics you'd need to meet to excel.
4What learning opportunities are available beyond the core internship duties?
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What learning opportunities are available beyond the core internship duties?
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Why this works
Demonstrates your commitment to growth and reveals additional training, mentorship, or development opportunities available.
5Who would I be working most closely with, and how is the team structured?
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Who would I be working most closely with, and how is the team structured?
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Why this works
Shows interest in team dynamics while helping you understand reporting relationships and collaboration opportunities.
6What skills or knowledge should I focus on developing before starting?
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What skills or knowledge should I focus on developing before starting?
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Why this works
Demonstrates proactive thinking and gives you actionable steps to prepare for success in the role.
7How do you support intern professional development and career growth?
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How do you support intern professional development and career growth?
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Why this works
Shows long-term thinking about your career while revealing the company's investment in intern development and potential advancement opportunities.
8What's the most challenging aspect of this internship?
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What's the most challenging aspect of this internship?
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Why this works
Demonstrates you're realistic about the role while helping you prepare for potential difficulties and showing you can handle challenges.
9How do interns typically contribute to team projects and goals?
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How do interns typically contribute to team projects and goals?
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Why this works
Shows you want to make meaningful contributions while revealing how interns are integrated into larger team objectives.
10What feedback and evaluation processes are in place for interns?
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What feedback and evaluation processes are in place for interns?
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Why this works
Demonstrates you value growth and improvement while understanding how you'll receive guidance and assessment during the internship.
11Are there opportunities for interns to present their work or findings?
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Are there opportunities for interns to present their work or findings?
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Why this works
Shows confidence in your abilities while revealing opportunities to showcase your work and gain presentation experience.
12How does this internship connect to full-time opportunities at the company?
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How does this internship connect to full-time opportunities at the company?
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Why this works
Demonstrates long-term interest in the company while understanding potential career paths and advancement opportunities.
13What's the company culture like, especially for interns and new employees?
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What's the company culture like, especially for interns and new employees?
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Why this works
Shows interest in fitting into the organization while understanding the work environment and company values.
14What technologies, tools, or software would I be working with?
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What technologies, tools, or software would I be working with?
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Why this works
Demonstrates technical awareness while helping you understand the tools and systems you'd need to learn.
15How do you handle intern onboarding and initial training?
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How do you handle intern onboarding and initial training?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about the transition while understanding how the company supports new interns in getting up to speed.
16What's the most rewarding aspect of working with interns?
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What's the most rewarding aspect of working with interns?
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Why this works
Shows interest in the supervisor's perspective while revealing what they value most about mentoring and working with interns.
17Are there networking opportunities with other departments or teams?
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Are there networking opportunities with other departments or teams?
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Why this works
Demonstrates understanding of career development while revealing opportunities to expand your professional network within the company.
18How do you balance intern learning with contributing to actual work?
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How do you balance intern learning with contributing to actual work?
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Why this works
Shows you understand the dual nature of internships while revealing how the company balances development with productivity.
19What advice would you give to someone starting this internship?
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What advice would you give to someone starting this internship?
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Why this works
Demonstrates humility and eagerness to learn while gaining valuable insights from someone who knows the role well.
20What's the next step in the interview process?
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What's the next step in the interview process?
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Why this works
Shows continued interest while understanding the timeline and next steps in the selection process.
Mastering Internship Interviews
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Show Genuine Interest
Ask questions that demonstrate you've researched the company and role. This shows you're serious about the opportunity and not just looking for any internship.
Focus on Learning and Growth
Emphasize your desire to learn and contribute. Internship interviews are about potential, so show your eagerness to develop new skills and take on challenges.
Ask About the Experience
Focus on understanding what the internship experience would be like for you. This shows practical thinking and helps you evaluate if it's the right fit.
Question Sequences
The Role Understanding Sequence
The Development Focus
Common Pitfalls
Don't Ask About Compensation Too Early
While pay is important, focus first on the role, learning opportunities, and company culture. Save compensation discussions for later in the process.
Avoid Generic Questions
Don't ask questions you could easily find on the company website. Show you've done your homework by asking specific, thoughtful questions.
Don't Sound Desperate
Show enthusiasm without appearing desperate. Ask questions that demonstrate your value and interest, not just your need for any opportunity.