Questions to Ask Potential Interns
Questions to Ask Potential Interns
Strategic questions to evaluate intern candidates, assess their potential, and determine if they'll be a good fit for your organization and team culture.
1What interests you most about this internship opportunity?
What interests you most about this internship opportunity?
Reveals their motivation and whether they've researched your organization, showing genuine interest in the role and your company.
2What do you hope to learn and gain from this internship experience?
What do you hope to learn and gain from this internship experience?
Shows their learning goals and expectations, helping you understand what they want to achieve and whether you can provide those opportunities.
3How do you handle working on multiple projects or tasks simultaneously?
How do you handle working on multiple projects or tasks simultaneously?
Reveals their organizational skills and ability to manage workload, which is often important for intern roles that may involve various responsibilities.
4What is your approach to learning new skills or technologies?
What is your approach to learning new skills or technologies?
Shows their learning style and adaptability, which are crucial for interns who will need to quickly pick up new tools and processes.
5How do you handle feedback and constructive criticism?
How do you handle feedback and constructive criticism?
Reveals their openness to learning and growth, which is essential for interns who will receive regular feedback and guidance.
6What experience do you have working in a team environment?
What experience do you have working in a team environment?
Shows their collaboration skills and whether they can work effectively with others, which is important for most intern roles.
7How do you prioritize tasks when you have competing deadlines?
How do you prioritize tasks when you have competing deadlines?
Reveals their time management skills and decision-making process, which are important for handling the various responsibilities of an intern role.
8What is your communication style, and how do you prefer to receive information?
What is your communication style, and how do you prefer to receive information?
Helps you understand how to best work with them and whether their communication style fits with your team's approach.
9How do you handle situations where you don't know the answer or need help?
How do you handle situations where you don't know the answer or need help?
Shows their problem-solving approach and willingness to ask for help, which is important for interns who will encounter many new situations.
10What are your career goals, and how does this internship fit into your plans?
What are your career goals, and how does this internship fit into your plans?
Reveals their long-term thinking and whether the internship aligns with their career aspirations, helping you understand their commitment level.
11How do you handle working with people who have different working styles or personalities?
How do you handle working with people who have different working styles or personalities?
Shows their adaptability and interpersonal skills, which are important for working in diverse teams and with different supervisors.
12What is your approach to problem-solving when you encounter challenges?
What is your approach to problem-solving when you encounter challenges?
Reveals their analytical thinking and persistence, which are valuable skills for interns who will face various challenges and learning opportunities.
13How do you stay organized and manage your time effectively?
How do you stay organized and manage your time effectively?
Shows their self-management skills and whether they can handle the responsibilities and deadlines that come with an intern role.
14What experience do you have with the tools or technologies we use in our organization?
What experience do you have with the tools or technologies we use in our organization?
Reveals their technical background and whether they have relevant skills or experience that would be valuable for the internship.
15How do you handle working independently versus working with close supervision?
How do you handle working independently versus working with close supervision?
Shows their ability to work autonomously and whether they can handle the level of independence expected in the intern role.
16What is your approach to asking questions and seeking clarification?
What is your approach to asking questions and seeking clarification?
Reveals their communication skills and whether they're comfortable asking for help when needed, which is important for learning and growth.
17How do you handle making mistakes and learning from them?
How do you handle making mistakes and learning from them?
Shows their resilience and growth mindset, which are important for interns who will inevitably make mistakes as they learn.
18What are your expectations for this internship, and what would make it a successful experience for you?
What are your expectations for this internship, and what would make it a successful experience for you?
Reveals their expectations and helps you understand what they consider success, allowing you to align your goals and provide appropriate support.
19How do you handle working in a fast-paced or changing environment?
How do you handle working in a fast-paced or changing environment?
Shows their adaptability and whether they can handle the dynamic nature of many intern roles and organizational environments.
20What questions do you have about our organization, the internship role, or our team?
What questions do you have about our organization, the internship role, or our team?
Reveals their curiosity and engagement, showing whether they've thought about the role and are genuinely interested in learning more.
Want to learn more?
How to Interview Intern Candidates Effectively
Want to learn more?
How to Interview Intern Candidates Effectively
Best Practices
Focus on Potential and Attitude
Since interns often have limited experience, focus on their potential, learning ability, and attitude rather than just their current skills.
Ask About Their Learning Goals
Understand what they want to learn and achieve, as this helps you determine if you can provide the right opportunities and support.
Assess Cultural Fit
Consider whether their personality and working style will fit well with your team culture and the internship environment.
Question Sequences
The Learning and Growth Series
The Skills and Abilities Series
Common Pitfalls
Don't Focus Only on Academic Performance
While grades matter, also consider their attitude, motivation, and potential for growth. Some of the best interns may not have perfect academic records.
Don't Ignore Cultural Fit
Consider whether they'll work well with your team and whether their personality and working style align with your organization's culture.
Don't Overlook Their Questions
Pay attention to the questions they ask you, as this reveals their curiosity, engagement, and whether they've thought about the role.