20 Questions

Questions to Ask at End of Internship Interview

Strategic questions that demonstrate your enthusiasm for learning, show your professional maturity, and help you evaluate if the internship opportunity aligns with your career goals and development needs.

1

What would a typical day look like for me as an intern in this role?

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Why this works

Shows you're thinking practically about the role and helps you understand the day-to-day responsibilities and structure of the internship.

2

What specific skills or knowledge do you hope I'll gain from this internship?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your focus on learning and development while helping you understand what the company values and what you can expect to learn.

3

What projects or assignments would I be working on during my time here?

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Why this works

Shows your interest in meaningful work and helps you understand the scope and impact of the projects you'd be involved in.

4

How do you typically mentor and support interns in their professional development?

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Why this works

Reveals the company's approach to intern development and shows you value guidance and mentorship in your learning journey.

5

What opportunities are there for interns to network with other departments or teams?

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Why this works

Shows your understanding of the importance of networking and reveals opportunities for broader exposure within the organization.

6

What challenges do interns typically face in this role, and how can I best prepare for them?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your proactive thinking and shows you're prepared to handle challenges while learning from the experience.

7

How do you measure success for interns in this position?

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Why this works

Shows your goal-oriented mindset and helps you understand what expectations and metrics you'll be evaluated against.

8

What learning resources or training opportunities are available to interns?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and shows you value professional development opportunities.

9

How does this internship fit into the company's overall mission and goals?

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Why this works

Shows your interest in understanding the bigger picture and demonstrates that you want to contribute meaningfully to the organization.

10

What feedback and evaluation process do you have for interns?

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Why this works

Reveals how you'll receive guidance and shows you value constructive feedback for your professional growth.

11

Are there opportunities for interns to present their work or contribute to team meetings?

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Why this works

Shows your interest in visibility and contribution while revealing opportunities for professional exposure and skill development.

12

What technologies, tools, or software would I be working with in this role?

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Why this works

Helps you understand the technical requirements and shows you're thinking about the practical aspects of the role.

13

How do you handle the transition from intern to potential full-time employee?

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Why this works

Shows your long-term thinking and interest in potential future opportunities while understanding the company's career development approach.

14

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

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Why this works

Demonstrates your interest in cultural fit and helps you understand the work environment and social dynamics.

15

What advice would you give to someone starting their first day in this internship?

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Why this works

Shows your eagerness to learn and succeed while gaining valuable insights from someone who understands the role and company.

16

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

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Why this works

Demonstrates your focus on learning and shows you want to ensure the internship will be valuable for your professional development.

17

What opportunities are there for interns to work on real projects with actual impact?

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Why this works

Shows your interest in meaningful work and reveals whether you'll be doing substantial work or just busy work.

18

How do you handle scheduling and flexibility for interns who might have other commitments?

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Why this works

Shows your practical thinking about work-life balance and helps you understand the company's flexibility and expectations.

19

What's the most rewarding aspect of working with interns in this department?

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Why this works

Reveals what the team values about working with interns and shows you're interested in building positive working relationships.

20

Is there anything specific you'd like me to prepare or study before starting this internship?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your proactive approach and eagerness to succeed while showing you're willing to invest time in preparation.

Best Practices for Internship Interview Conversations

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

Best Practices

Show Enthusiasm for Learning and Growth

Internship interviews are about demonstrating your eagerness to learn and grow. Ask questions that show you're focused on development and gaining valuable experience.

Focus on Both Learning and Contribution

Balance questions about what you'll learn with questions about how you can contribute. This shows you understand internships are mutually beneficial relationships.

Ask About Practical Aspects of the Role

Show you're thinking practically about the internship by asking about daily responsibilities, projects, and what success looks like in the role.

Question Sequences

The Learning and Development Sequence

1
What specific skills or knowledge do you hope I'll gain from this internship?
2
How do you typically mentor and support interns in their professional development?
3
What learning resources or training opportunities are available to interns?

The Practical Role Understanding Flow

1
What would a typical day look like for me as an intern in this role?
2
What projects or assignments would I be working on during my time here?
3
How do you measure success for interns in this position?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Focus Only on What You'll Get

While learning is important, don't make it all about what you'll gain. Show interest in how you can contribute and add value to the team.

Avoid Overly Ambitious Questions

Don't ask questions that are too advanced for an intern role. Focus on questions appropriate for someone just starting their professional journey.

Don't Ignore the Company Culture

Ask about company culture and how interns fit in. This shows you understand the importance of cultural fit and want to be a good team member.

Conversation Templates

The Learning and Development Flow

1
Step 1: Start with: "What specific skills or knowledge do you hope I'll gain from this internship?"
2
Step 2: Continue with: "How do you typically mentor and support interns in their professional development?"
3
Step 3: Finish with: "What learning resources or training opportunities are available to interns?"

The Practical Role Understanding Sequence

1
Step 1: Begin with: "What would a typical day look like for me as an intern in this role?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What projects or assignments would I be working on during my time here?"
3
Step 3: End with: "How do you measure success for interns in this position?"

Further Reading

"The Internship Bible" by Mark Oldman
"Getting from College to Career" by Lindsey Pollak
"The Start-Up of You" by Reid Hoffman

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