Questions to Ask Intern Interview
Strategic questions to ask during intern interviews to assess potential, understand their goals, and ensure a successful internship experience.
1What motivated you to apply for this internship?
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What motivated you to apply for this internship?
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Why this works
Reveals their interest in the role and helps you understand their career goals and motivation.
2What do you hope to learn from this internship?
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What do you hope to learn from this internship?
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Why this works
Shows their learning objectives and helps you understand how to provide valuable experiences.
3What relevant experience do you have in this field?
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What relevant experience do you have in this field?
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Why this works
Assesses their background and helps you understand their current skill level and experience.
4How do you handle working on multiple projects simultaneously?
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How do you handle working on multiple projects simultaneously?
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Why this works
Tests their organizational skills and ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
5What are your career goals and how does this internship fit?
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What are your career goals and how does this internship fit?
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Why this works
Reveals their long-term aspirations and helps you understand how to support their career development.
6How do you prefer to receive feedback and guidance?
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How do you prefer to receive feedback and guidance?
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Why this works
Shows their learning style and helps you understand how to provide effective mentorship.
7What challenges have you faced in your academic or professional work?
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What challenges have you faced in your academic or professional work?
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Why this works
Reveals their problem-solving abilities and how they handle difficult situations.
8How 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
Tests their time management skills and ability to meet deadlines and expectations.
9What are your expectations for this internship experience?
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What are your expectations for this internship experience?
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Why this works
Clarifies their expectations and helps you understand how to meet their needs and goals.
10How do you handle working with a team versus working independently?
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How do you handle working with a team versus working independently?
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Why this works
Shows their collaboration skills and ability to work effectively in different environments.
11What skills are you most excited to develop during this internship?
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What skills are you most excited to develop during this internship?
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Why this works
Reveals their learning interests and helps you identify areas for skill development.
12How do you handle constructive criticism and feedback?
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How do you handle constructive criticism and feedback?
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Why this works
Tests their ability to receive feedback and use it for growth and improvement.
13What are your availability and scheduling preferences?
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What are your availability and scheduling preferences?
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Why this works
Clarifies their availability and helps you understand their scheduling constraints and preferences.
14How do you approach learning new technologies or skills?
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How do you approach learning new technologies or skills?
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Why this works
Shows their learning approach and ability to adapt to new tools and technologies.
15What are your expectations for mentorship and supervision?
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What are your expectations for mentorship and supervision?
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Why this works
Clarifies their needs for guidance and helps you understand how to provide effective support.
16How do you handle deadlines and pressure?
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How do you handle deadlines and pressure?
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Why this works
Tests their ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines effectively.
17What are your communication preferences and style?
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What are your communication preferences and style?
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Why this works
Shows their communication style and helps you understand how to interact with them effectively.
18How do you handle mistakes and what do you do to learn from them?
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How do you handle mistakes and what do you do to learn from them?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to learning from mistakes and their ability to grow from experiences.
19What are your expectations for the work environment and culture?
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What are your expectations for the work environment and culture?
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Why this works
Clarifies their preferences and helps you understand how to create a supportive environment.
20How do you see yourself contributing to our team and organization?
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How do you see yourself contributing to our team and organization?
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Why this works
Shows their understanding of the role and their ability to contribute meaningfully to the team.
Best Practices for Intern Interviews
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Interview Preparation
Review Their Application
Familiarize yourself with their background, experience, and interests to ask informed questions.
Prepare Role-Specific Questions
Develop questions that relate to the specific internship role and responsibilities.
Create a Welcoming Environment
Make the interview comfortable and welcoming to help them feel at ease and perform their best.
Assessment Strategies
The Learning Potential Assessment
Warning Signs to Watch For
Lack of Preparation
Be cautious if they haven't researched the company or role, or can't articulate why they're interested.
Unrealistic Expectations
Avoid candidates who have unrealistic expectations about the internship or seem to misunderstand the role.
Poor Communication Skills
Be concerned if they struggle to communicate clearly or seem unable to express their thoughts effectively.