Questions to Ask Intern
Strategic questions to ask interns that help them grow, provide valuable feedback, and ensure a meaningful learning experience.
1What are your main learning goals for this internship, and how can we help you achieve them?
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What are your main learning goals for this internship, and how can we help you achieve them?
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Why this works
Establishes clear learning objectives and shows you're invested in their development while helping you understand how to best support their growth.
2What aspects of our work or industry are you most curious about?
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What aspects of our work or industry are you most curious about?
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Why this works
Identifies their interests and helps you tailor their experience to areas that will be most engaging and educational for them.
3How do you prefer to receive feedback, and what type of guidance is most helpful for you?
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How do you prefer to receive feedback, and what type of guidance is most helpful for you?
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Why this works
Helps you provide feedback in a way that's most effective for their learning style and ensures they can absorb and apply your guidance.
4What skills or knowledge areas would you like to develop during your time here?
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What skills or knowledge areas would you like to develop during your time here?
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Why this works
Identifies specific development areas and helps you create opportunities for them to practice and improve these skills.
5What has been your most challenging task so far, and what did you learn from it?
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What has been your most challenging task so far, and what did you learn from it?
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Why this works
Encourages reflection on their experiences and helps you understand their problem-solving approach and learning process.
6How do you like to approach new projects or tasks that you're unfamiliar with?
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How do you like to approach new projects or tasks that you're unfamiliar with?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their learning style and approach to unfamiliar situations, which can guide how you assign and explain new work.
7What questions do you have about our industry, company, or the work we do?
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What questions do you have about our industry, company, or the work we do?
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Why this works
Encourages curiosity and helps you identify areas where they need more context or explanation to better understand their role.
8How can we make this internship more valuable and educational for you?
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How can we make this internship more valuable and educational for you?
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Why this works
Shows you're committed to their success and helps you identify ways to improve their experience and learning opportunities.
9What type of projects or responsibilities would you like to take on?
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What type of projects or responsibilities would you like to take on?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their interests and capabilities while giving them input into their role and responsibilities.
10How do you handle situations where you're unsure about what to do?
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How do you handle situations where you're unsure about what to do?
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Why this works
Assesses their problem-solving approach and helps you understand how to best support them when they encounter challenges.
11What has surprised you most about working in this field or at this company?
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What has surprised you most about working in this field or at this company?
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Why this works
Reveals their expectations versus reality and helps you understand their perspective on the industry and workplace.
12How do you like to collaborate with team members, and what makes teamwork effective for you?
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How do you like to collaborate with team members, and what makes teamwork effective for you?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their collaboration style and ensures they can work effectively with your team.
13What career paths or roles are you considering for your future?
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What career paths or roles are you considering for your future?
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Why this works
Shows interest in their long-term goals and helps you provide relevant experiences and advice for their career development.
14How do you prefer to communicate and stay updated on projects and expectations?
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How do you prefer to communicate and stay updated on projects and expectations?
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Why this works
Ensures effective communication and helps you establish the best methods for keeping them informed and engaged.
15What resources or support do you need to be successful in your role?
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What resources or support do you need to be successful in your role?
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Why this works
Identifies any gaps in their knowledge or tools and helps you provide the necessary resources for their success.
16How do you approach learning new software, tools, or processes?
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How do you approach learning new software, tools, or processes?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their learning style and provides insight into how to best introduce them to new systems or procedures.
17What has been your most rewarding experience so far, and why was it meaningful?
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What has been your most rewarding experience so far, and why was it meaningful?
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Why this works
Identifies what motivates them and helps you understand what types of work or experiences they find most engaging.
18How do you handle feedback, both positive and constructive?
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How do you handle feedback, both positive and constructive?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their response to feedback and ensures you can provide guidance in a way that's most effective for them.
19What would you like to accomplish by the end of your internship?
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What would you like to accomplish by the end of your internship?
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Why this works
Establishes clear goals and helps you understand their expectations for their time with your organization.
20How can we help you build your professional network and connections?
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How can we help you build your professional network and connections?
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Why this works
Shows you're invested in their long-term career development and helps you identify opportunities for networking and relationship building.
Maximizing Intern Development
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Set Clear Expectations
Establish learning goals and expectations early. Make sure interns understand their role, responsibilities, and what they can expect to learn.
Provide Regular Feedback
Give consistent, constructive feedback that helps them improve. Balance positive reinforcement with areas for development.
Create Learning Opportunities
Design projects and tasks that challenge them appropriately and provide opportunities for skill development and growth.
Question Sequences
The Goal Setting Sequence
The Experience Reflection Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Assume They Know Everything
Interns are learning. Provide context, explanations, and guidance rather than assuming they understand industry practices or company procedures.
Avoid Giving Only Busy Work
Provide meaningful projects that contribute to the organization while offering learning opportunities. Avoid tasks that don't add value to their experience.
Don't Neglect Regular Check-ins
Schedule regular meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and goals. Don't wait for problems to arise before checking in.