21 Questions

Good Questions to Ask in Internship Interview

Stand out in your internship interview with these strategic questions that demonstrate your interest, professionalism, and commitment to learning and contributing to the organization.

1

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 helping you understand the day-to-day responsibilities and expectations.

2

What projects would I be working on during my internship?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your interest in contributing meaningfully while helping you understand the scope and impact of your work.

3

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 you need to achieve to be considered successful in the role.

4

What learning opportunities are available for interns?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your commitment to growth and development while helping you understand what you can gain from the experience.

5

Who would I be working with and reporting to?

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Why this works

Shows you're thinking about team dynamics and helps you understand the reporting structure and potential mentors.

6

What skills or qualities do you look for in successful interns?

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Why this works

Helps you understand what's valued in the role and gives you insight into how to excel if you're selected.

7

How do you support intern development and growth?

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Why this works

Shows your commitment to learning while helping you understand what support and resources are available.

8

What challenges might I face in this internship?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your realistic expectations while helping you prepare for potential obstacles and how to overcome them.

9

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 the intern experience.

10

How do you provide feedback to interns?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your commitment to improvement while helping you understand how you'll receive guidance and support.

11

What opportunities are there for networking and building relationships?

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Why this works

Shows you understand the value of professional relationships while helping you understand networking opportunities.

12

How do you ensure interns feel included and part of the team?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your interest in team integration while helping you understand the company culture and inclusion practices.

13

What's the company culture like, and how do interns fit into it?

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Why this works

Shows your interest in cultural fit while helping you understand the work environment and company values.

14

What resources or tools will be available to me?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your practical thinking while helping you understand what support and resources you'll have access to.

15

How do you handle intern workload and time management?

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Why this works

Shows your awareness of work-life balance while helping you understand expectations around workload and scheduling.

16

What's the most important thing I should know about this internship?

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Why this works

Gets their perspective on what's most crucial for success while showing you're serious about understanding the role.

17

How do you evaluate intern performance and provide recognition?

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Why this works

Shows your interest in accountability while helping you understand how your work will be assessed and recognized.

18

What opportunities are there for full-time employment after the internship?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your long-term thinking while helping you understand potential career paths within the organization.

19

How do you ensure interns have a meaningful and impactful experience?

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Why this works

Shows your desire for meaningful work while helping you understand how the organization values intern contributions.

20

What advice would you give to someone starting this internship?

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Why this works

Shows respect for their experience while providing valuable insights for success in the role.

21

What questions should I be asking that I haven't asked yet?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your thoroughness and commitment to understanding the role while potentially uncovering important information you haven't considered.

Best Practices for Internship Interview Questions

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Show Genuine Interest

Ask questions that demonstrate your genuine curiosity about the role, company, and industry. This shows you're serious about the opportunity.

Focus on Learning and Growth

Emphasize your desire to learn and contribute. Internships are about gaining experience, so show your commitment to both learning and adding value.

Be Professional and Respectful

Maintain a professional tone and show respect for their time. This demonstrates your maturity and readiness for the workplace.

Question Sequences

The Role Understanding Sequence

1
What would a typical day look like for me in this internship?
2
What projects would I be working on during my internship?
3
How do you measure success for interns in this program?

The Development Focus Sequence

1
What learning opportunities are available for interns?
2
How do you support intern development and growth?
3
How do you provide feedback to interns?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Ask About Salary or Benefits

Internships are primarily about learning and experience. Focus on the role, learning opportunities, and company culture rather than compensation.

Don't Ask Questions You Can Answer with Research

Avoid basic questions about the company that you can easily find on their website or through research. Show you've done your homework.

Don't Focus Only on What You'll Get

Balance questions about what you'll learn with questions about how you can contribute and add value to the organization.

Conversation Templates

The Comprehensive Understanding

1
Step 1: Start with: "What would a typical day look like for me in this internship?"
2
Step 2: Explore with: "What projects would I be working on during my internship?"
3
Step 3: Understand with: "How do you measure success for interns in this program?"
4
Step 4: Conclude with: "What's the most important thing I should know about this internship?"

The Growth and Development Focus

1
Step 1: Begin with: "What learning opportunities are available for interns?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "How do you support intern development and growth?"
3
Step 3: Deepen with: "What advice would you give to someone starting this internship?"

Further Reading

"The Internship Bible" by Mark Oldman
"Getting the Internship" by Andrew C. Belton
"The Internship Experience" by John D. Krumboltz

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