Interview Questions to Ask Intern Candidates
Strategic questions to evaluate intern candidates' potential, motivation, and fit for your organization while assessing their learning goals and professional development needs.
1What interests you most about this internship opportunity?
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What interests you most about this internship opportunity?
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Why this works
Reveals their motivation and shows whether they've researched the role and understand what they'll be doing, indicating genuine interest.
2What are your career goals and how does this internship fit into your plans?
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What are your career goals and how does this internship fit into your plans?
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Why this works
Shows their long-term thinking and reveals whether they see this as a stepping stone or learning opportunity aligned with their goals.
3What relevant coursework or projects have you completed that relate to this role?
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What relevant coursework or projects have you completed that relate to this role?
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Why this works
Reveals their academic preparation and shows what knowledge and skills they bring from their studies that apply to the internship.
4Describe a time when you had to learn something new quickly. How did you approach it?
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Describe a time when you had to learn something new quickly. How did you approach it?
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Why this works
Shows their learning ability and reveals their approach to acquiring new skills, which is crucial for internship success.
5What do you hope to learn from this internship experience?
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What do you hope to learn from this internship experience?
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Why this works
Reveals their learning goals and shows what specific skills or knowledge they want to gain, helping assess if the internship can meet their needs.
6How do you handle feedback and what is your approach to learning from mistakes?
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How do you handle feedback and what is your approach to learning from mistakes?
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Why this works
Shows their growth mindset and reveals their ability to accept guidance and improve, which is essential for intern development.
7What is your experience working in teams and how do you contribute to group projects?
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What is your experience working in teams and how do you contribute to group projects?
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Why this works
Reveals their collaboration skills and shows how they work with others, which is important for most internship environments.
8How do you manage your time and prioritize tasks when you have multiple assignments?
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How do you manage your time and prioritize tasks when you have multiple assignments?
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Why this works
Shows their organizational skills and reveals their approach to managing workload, which is crucial for internship success.
9What questions do you have about our company and this internship program?
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What questions do you have about our company and this internship program?
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Why this works
Reveals their preparation and shows whether they've researched the company and thought about what they want to know.
10Describe a challenge you faced in a previous role or project. How did you overcome it?
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Describe a challenge you faced in a previous role or project. How did you overcome it?
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Why this works
Shows their problem-solving skills and reveals their resilience and approach to handling difficulties.
11What are your strengths and how do you think they would benefit our team?
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What are your strengths and how do you think they would benefit our team?
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Why this works
Reveals their self-awareness and shows what value they believe they can bring to the organization.
12How do you stay current with industry trends and what resources do you use?
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How do you stay current with industry trends and what resources do you use?
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Why this works
Shows their initiative and reveals their commitment to staying informed about their field of interest.
13What is your experience with the tools and technologies we use in this role?
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What is your experience with the tools and technologies we use in this role?
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Why this works
Reveals their technical preparation and shows what relevant skills they already have that apply to the internship.
14How do you handle working with people who have different communication styles?
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How do you handle working with people who have different communication styles?
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Why this works
Shows their interpersonal skills and reveals their ability to adapt to different working styles and personalities.
15What is your approach to asking for help when you don't understand something?
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What is your approach to asking for help when you don't understand something?
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Why this works
Reveals their communication skills and shows their willingness to seek guidance, which is important for intern success.
16Describe a time when you had to meet a tight deadline. How did you manage it?
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Describe a time when you had to meet a tight deadline. How did you manage it?
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Why this works
Shows their time management skills and reveals their approach to handling pressure and meeting commitments.
17What are your expectations for supervision and how do you prefer to receive guidance?
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What are your expectations for supervision and how do you prefer to receive guidance?
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Why this works
Reveals their learning style and shows what kind of support they need to be successful in the internship.
18How do you handle ambiguity and what is your approach to unclear instructions?
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How do you handle ambiguity and what is your approach to unclear instructions?
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Why this works
Shows their adaptability and reveals their ability to work independently when guidance isn't immediately available.
19What is your experience with professional networking and how do you build relationships?
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What is your experience with professional networking and how do you build relationships?
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Why this works
Reveals their networking skills and shows their approach to building professional relationships, which can benefit the organization.
20What would you like to accomplish by the end of this internship?
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What would you like to accomplish by the end of this internship?
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Why this works
Shows their goal-setting ability and reveals what they hope to achieve, helping assess if their expectations align with the internship program.
Best Practices for Intern Candidate Interviews
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Focus on Learning Potential
Look for candidates who show curiosity, willingness to learn, and growth mindset. These qualities are more important than existing skills for interns.
Assess Cultural Fit
Evaluate whether the candidate's values, work style, and personality align with your team culture and company values.
Set Clear Expectations
Be transparent about the internship structure, responsibilities, and what the candidate can expect to learn and accomplish.
Question Sequences
The Motivation and Goals Sequence
The Skills and Experience Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Focus Only on Technical Skills
While technical skills are important, prioritize learning potential, attitude, and cultural fit over existing technical knowledge.
Don't Overlook Soft Skills
Pay attention to communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. These are often more important than technical skills for interns.
Don't Set Unrealistic Expectations
Remember that interns are learning and may need more guidance and support than experienced employees.