Questions to Ask an Intern in an Interview
Strategic questions that help you evaluate an intern's potential, understand their goals, and determine if they're a good fit for your team and company culture.
1What drew you to apply for this internship with our company specifically?
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What drew you to apply for this internship with our company specifically?
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Why this works
Reveals their research level, genuine interest in your company, and understanding of your industry or mission.
2What are your career goals, and how do you see this internship fitting into your long-term plans?
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What are your career goals, and how do you see this internship fitting into your long-term plans?
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Why this works
Shows they're thinking strategically about their career and helps you understand if the internship aligns with their aspirations.
3What skills or experiences are you hoping to develop during this internship?
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What skills or experiences are you hoping to develop during this internship?
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Why this works
Demonstrates their growth mindset and helps you understand what they want to learn so you can provide relevant opportunities.
4Tell me about a project or experience where you had to learn something completely new. How did you approach it?
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Tell me about a project or experience where you had to learn something completely new. How did you approach it?
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Why this works
Shows their learning ability, problem-solving approach, and adaptability - crucial skills for internship success.
5How do you handle feedback, especially when it's about areas where you need to improve?
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How do you handle feedback, especially when it's about areas where you need to improve?
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Why this works
Reveals their growth mindset and ability to accept constructive criticism, which is essential for internship development.
6What's your ideal work environment, and how do you stay motivated when working on tasks that might not be your favorite?
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What's your ideal work environment, and how do you stay motivated when working on tasks that might not be your favorite?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their work style and whether they can handle the less exciting but necessary parts of the job.
7Describe a time when you had to work with a team on a project. What role did you typically take?
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Describe a time when you had to work with a team on a project. What role did you typically take?
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Why this works
Shows their collaboration skills and helps you understand how they work with others, which is important for team integration.
8What questions do you have about our company culture and what it's like to work here?
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What questions do you have about our company culture and what it's like to work here?
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Why this works
Demonstrates their interest in fitting in and shows they're thinking about the broader work environment, not just the role.
9How do you prioritize tasks when you have multiple deadlines approaching?
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How do you prioritize tasks when you have multiple deadlines approaching?
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Why this works
Reveals their organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities, which is common in internship roles.
10What's something you're passionate about outside of your academic studies?
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What's something you're passionate about outside of your academic studies?
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Why this works
Shows their personality and interests, helping you understand what motivates them and how they might contribute to company culture.
11How do you approach problem-solving when you encounter something you don't know how to do?
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How do you approach problem-solving when you encounter something you don't know how to do?
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Why this works
Demonstrates their resourcefulness and learning approach, which is crucial for handling the variety of tasks in an internship.
12What's your availability for this internship, and are there any commitments that might affect your schedule?
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What's your availability for this internship, and are there any commitments that might affect your schedule?
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Why this works
Ensures practical alignment between their availability and your needs, preventing scheduling conflicts later.
13How do you prefer to communicate and receive information?
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How do you prefer to communicate and receive information?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their communication style so you can work together effectively and provide information in their preferred format.
14What's the most challenging academic project you've worked on, and what did you learn from it?
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What's the most challenging academic project you've worked on, and what did you learn from it?
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Why this works
Shows their ability to handle complex tasks and demonstrates their learning and growth from challenging experiences.
15How do you stay organized and manage your time effectively?
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How do you stay organized and manage your time effectively?
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Why this works
Reveals their organizational skills and time management abilities, which are essential for internship success.
16What's something you're curious about in our industry that you'd like to explore during this internship?
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What's something you're curious about in our industry that you'd like to explore during this internship?
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Why this works
Shows their intellectual curiosity and helps you understand what aspects of your work they find most interesting.
17How do you handle stress and pressure, especially when working on tight deadlines?
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How do you handle stress and pressure, especially when working on tight deadlines?
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Why this works
Reveals their resilience and coping strategies, which are important for handling the demands of internship work.
18What kind of mentorship or guidance are you looking for during this internship?
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What kind of mentorship or guidance are you looking for during this internship?
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Why this works
Shows they value learning and helps you understand how to best support their development and growth.
19Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to a new situation or environment. How did you handle it?
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Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to a new situation or environment. How did you handle it?
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Why this works
Demonstrates their adaptability and ability to handle change, which is important for adjusting to a new work environment.
20What would make this internship a valuable experience for you?
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What would make this internship a valuable experience for you?
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Why this works
Shows their expectations and helps you understand what they're hoping to gain, allowing you to tailor the experience accordingly.
Best Practices for Interviewing Interns
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Focus on Learning Potential
Look for candidates who demonstrate curiosity, adaptability, and a genuine desire to learn and grow in your industry.
Assess Cultural Fit
Evaluate how well they would integrate with your team and company culture, as interns often become future full-time employees.
Understand Their Goals
Learn about their career aspirations and how the internship fits into their long-term plans to ensure mutual benefit.
Question Sequences
The Motivation Explorer
The Learning Assessment
Common Pitfalls
Don't Focus Only on Academic Performance
While grades matter, also consider soft skills, motivation, and cultural fit. The best interns often have strong interpersonal skills and drive.
Don't Overlook Practical Considerations
Ensure their availability, communication style, and expectations align with your needs and company culture.
Don't Assume Experience Level
Ask about their relevant experiences and learning approach rather than assuming they know everything or nothing.