20 Questions

Questions to Ask at the End of an Internship Interview

Strategic questions to ask at the end of an internship interview that demonstrate your interest, gather valuable information, and help you make an informed decision about the opportunity.

1

What would a typical day look like for me in this internship role?

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Why this works

Helps you understand the day-to-day responsibilities and expectations, allowing you to assess if the role matches your interests and learning goals.

2

What projects or assignments would I be working on, and how do they contribute to the company's goals?

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Why this works

Shows you want to understand the meaningful work you'll be doing and demonstrates your interest in contributing to the organization's success.

3

Who would I be reporting to, and what kind of mentorship or supervision can I expect?

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Why this works

Understanding the reporting structure and mentorship opportunities helps you assess the learning environment and support you'll receive.

4

What skills or knowledge do you hope an intern will gain from this experience?

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Why this works

Reveals the learning objectives and helps you understand what the company values in terms of intern development and growth.

5

How do you measure success for interns, and what would make someone stand out in this role?

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Why this works

Shows you're goal-oriented and helps you understand expectations so you can excel and potentially secure future opportunities.

6

What opportunities are there for networking with other departments or team members?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your interest in building relationships and learning about different aspects of the business beyond your specific role.

7

Are there any specific challenges or areas where the team could use additional support?

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Why this works

Shows you want to be helpful and valuable while revealing potential areas where you could make a meaningful impact.

8

What has been the most rewarding aspect of working with previous interns?

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Why this works

Reveals what the company values in interns and gives you insight into what makes someone successful in this environment.

9

How does this internship fit into the company's overall internship program or career development initiatives?

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Why this works

Shows you're thinking long-term and helps you understand how this role connects to broader career development opportunities.

10

What resources or tools will be available to me to help me succeed in this role?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your practical thinking and helps you understand what support you'll have to perform your duties effectively.

11

Are there opportunities for interns to present their work or contribute to larger projects?

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Why this works

Shows you want to make meaningful contributions and reveals opportunities for visibility and professional development.

12

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

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Why this works

Helps you assess if the work environment aligns with your values and working style preferences.

13

How flexible is the schedule, and are there any specific hours or commitments I should be aware of?

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Why this works

Ensures you can meet the practical requirements while balancing other commitments like school or other responsibilities.

14

What feedback or evaluation process is in place for interns?

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Why this works

Shows you want to grow and improve while helping you understand how your performance will be assessed and supported.

15

Are there any specific skills or software I should familiarize myself with before starting?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your proactive approach and helps you prepare effectively for the role if you're selected.

16

What has been the biggest learning opportunity for previous interns in this role?

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Why this works

Reveals the most valuable aspects of the experience and helps you understand what you might gain from the internship.

17

How does this internship align with the company's mission and values?

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Why this works

Shows you want to understand the company's purpose and helps you assess if their values align with your own.

18

What advice would you give to someone starting this internship to help them succeed?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your desire to excel and provides valuable insights from someone who knows what it takes to succeed in the role.

19

Are there any opportunities for this internship to lead to a full-time position or extended engagement?

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Why this works

Shows you're thinking about long-term career prospects while being realistic about potential future opportunities.

20

What's the next step in the selection process, and when can I expect to hear back?

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Why this works

Demonstrates your continued interest while helping you manage expectations and plan your next steps.

Maximizing Your Internship Interview Success

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

Best Practices for Internship Interviews

Show Genuine Interest

Ask questions that demonstrate you've researched the company and are genuinely interested in the role and organization.

Focus on Learning and Growth

Emphasize your desire to learn and contribute. Internships are about gaining experience and developing skills.

Be Professional but Enthusiastic

Balance professionalism with enthusiasm. Show you're serious about the opportunity while being excited about the potential.

Question Sequences

The Role Understanding Sequence

1
What would a typical day look like for me?
2
What projects would I be working on?
3
How do these projects contribute to company goals?
4
What skills will I develop?

The Success Planning Sequence

1
How do you measure success for interns?
2
What would make someone stand out?
3
What feedback process is in place?
4
What advice would you give for success?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Ask About Salary Too Early

Focus on learning and experience first. Salary discussions are more appropriate after you've been offered the position.

Don't Sound Desperate

Show enthusiasm without appearing desperate. Maintain confidence in your abilities and value.

Don't Ask Questions You Could Answer with Research

Avoid basic questions about the company that you could easily find on their website or through other research.

Conversation Templates

The Learning-Focused Inquirer

1
Step 1: Start with: 'I'm really excited about the learning opportunities here. What would a typical day look like?'
2
Step 2: Ask: 'What skills do you hope interns develop?'
3
Step 3: Follow with: 'How can I best prepare to contribute?'

The Success-Oriented Candidate

1
Step 1: Begin with: 'I want to make sure I can excel in this role. How do you measure success?'
2
Step 2: Ask: 'What would make someone stand out?'
3
Step 3: Request: 'What advice would you give for success?'

Further Reading

"The Internship Bible" by Mark Oldman
"Getting the Internship" by Mark Oldman
LinkedIn Learning courses on internship success

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