Questions to Ask an Intern Candidate
Strategic questions to help you evaluate intern candidates, understand their potential, and choose the right person for your internship program.
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
Understanding their interests helps you see if they're genuinely excited about the role and if it aligns with their goals.
2What are your career goals and how does this internship fit into them?
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What are your career goals and how does this internship fit into them?
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Why this works
Learning about their goals helps you see if the internship will be mutually beneficial and if they're thinking long-term.
3What relevant experience do you have that would help you succeed in this role?
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What relevant experience do you have that would help you succeed in this role?
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Why this works
Understanding their experience helps you assess their qualifications and what they can bring to the position.
4What skills are you hoping to develop through this internship?
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What skills are you hoping to develop through this internship?
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Why this works
Learning about their skill development goals helps you see if you can provide the learning opportunities they're seeking.
5How do you approach learning new things and what's your learning style?
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How do you approach learning new things and what's your learning style?
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Why this works
Understanding their learning approach helps you see how they'll adapt to new challenges and what support they'll need.
6What's your experience working in teams and how do you collaborate with others?
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What's your experience working in teams and how do you collaborate with others?
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Why this works
Learning about their teamwork experience helps you see how they'll fit into your team and work with others.
7How do you handle feedback and what's your approach to receiving guidance?
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How do you handle feedback and what's your approach to receiving guidance?
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Why this works
Understanding their feedback approach helps you see how they'll respond to supervision and what support they'll need.
8What challenges have you faced in previous roles and how did you overcome them?
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What challenges have you faced in previous roles and how did you overcome them?
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Why this works
Learning about their problem-solving helps you see how they handle difficulties and what resilience they have.
9What are your strengths and how do you plan to leverage them in this role?
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What are your strengths and how do you plan to leverage them in this role?
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Why this works
Understanding their strengths helps you see what they can contribute and how they'll add value to your team.
10What areas do you want to improve and how do you plan to develop them?
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What areas do you want to improve and how do you plan to develop them?
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Why this works
Learning about their development areas helps you see their self-awareness and what growth opportunities they're seeking.
11How do you manage your time and prioritize tasks when you have multiple responsibilities?
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How do you manage your time and prioritize tasks when you have multiple responsibilities?
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Why this works
Understanding their time management helps you see how they'll handle the workload and what organization skills they have.
12What's your experience with the tools and technology we use in this role?
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What's your experience with the tools and technology we use in this role?
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Why this works
Learning about their tech experience helps you see what training they'll need and what they can contribute immediately.
13How do you handle working independently and what support do you need?
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How do you handle working independently and what support do you need?
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Why this works
Understanding their independence helps you see how they'll work when not directly supervised and what guidance they'll need.
14What's your experience with the industry or field we work in?
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What's your experience with the industry or field we work in?
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Why this works
Learning about their industry experience helps you see what knowledge they have and what background they bring.
15How do you approach problem-solving and what's your process for tackling challenges?
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How do you approach problem-solving and what's your process for tackling challenges?
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Why this works
Understanding their problem-solving approach helps you see how they'll handle the types of challenges they'll face.
16What are your expectations for this internship and what do you hope to gain?
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What are your expectations for this internship and what do you hope to gain?
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Why this works
Learning about their expectations helps you see if you can meet their needs and if the internship will be fulfilling for them.
17How do you handle stress and what do you do to manage pressure?
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How do you handle stress and what do you do to manage pressure?
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Why this works
Understanding their stress management helps you see how they'll cope with the demands of the role and what support they'll need.
18What questions do you have about the role and our company?
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What questions do you have about the role and our company?
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Why this works
Learning about their questions helps you see their level of interest and what they want to understand about the opportunity.
19How do you see yourself contributing to our team and what value can you add?
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How do you see yourself contributing to our team and what value can you add?
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Why this works
Understanding their contribution helps you see what they can bring to the team and how they'll add value.
20What are your availability and schedule preferences for this internship?
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What are your availability and schedule preferences for this internship?
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Why this works
Learning about their availability helps you see if they can meet the time requirements and if the schedule works for both parties.
Evaluating Intern Candidates
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Effective Interview Strategies
Focus on Potential
Look for candidates who show potential for growth and learning rather than just current skills and experience.
Assess Cultural Fit
Consider how well the candidate will fit with your team culture and company values.
Evaluate Learning Attitude
Look for candidates who are eager to learn, ask good questions, and show genuine interest in the role.