Congratulations, you have landed an internship interview! The hard part still needs to be done … you have to answer the recruiter’s questions during the interview. Preparing for an internship interview is a crucial step.
We provide you with a list of frequently asked questions during an internship interview and we give you all the best tips to improve your answers.
List of questions and answers for an internship interview:
1. Introduce yourself
This is the most common question during an internship interview . This is often the first question you are asked and therefore the starting point for the exchange: you must therefore prepare your answer in advance.
There are a thousand ways to answer this question , but remember that the recruiter wants to get to the point: don’t flaunt your CV and only provide information that will be useful to them. To do this, you will need to structure your answer well . For example, organize your answer into three points. In order to give a complete overview of your personality and your background, give an academic element, an associative element and a professional element for example.
2. Why do you want to work with us?
This question is to assess your motivation: The recruiter wants you to show a particular desire to work with him. He wants to understand what prompts you to be present at this interview.
✗ Do not answer that we have come across the ‘announcement by chance because we were looking for an internship. The recruiter wants to hire an intern who chooses his company for his activity or his values.
✓ Give a personal answer. You have to show that you have a special connection with your company to stand out.
In general, as a future intern, you don’t do not yet have a lot of professional experience, which is why you must draw on your personal, academic or associative experiences to prove your interest in the position, company or sector for which you are applying.
3. Why should we pick you?
This question is very common during an internship interview. Indeed, the recruiter deals with many candidates: he must therefore know what sets you apart! When you are preparing for your internship interview, you absolutely must prepare the answer to this question.
This question is a double-edged sword. Here’s how to answer it:
✗ Do not formulate a trivial answer giving a generic quality.
✓ Give real concrete proof that you will make a difference with the help of your past experiences.
Explain the results you have obtained in the past. The recruiter can project himself and see how you can participate in improving his results.
4. What is your greatest quality?.
This question is a classic internship interview question . The recruiter may also ask you to list 3 qualities. In this case, you must have several in your pocket. Among your qualities, put forward those that are useful and sought after in a professional context in your answer.
Examples of qualities for an internship interview:
- Methodical
- Confident
- Curious
- Energetic
- Patient
- Modest
- Positive
- Eloquent
- Motivated
- Sociable
- Audacious
- Organized
- Enthusiastic
- Creative
5. What is your biggest flaw?
Watch out for this trick question during an internship interview . Indeed, who wants to talk about their flaws during an internship interview? However, the question is inevitable … and it is best to prepare it particularly well so as not to fall into any trap!
✗ Do not choose a fault that you you can’t change anything in the short term.
For example, don’t say you’re a very stressed person. This condition can improve, of course, but it takes long-term work. It is therefore very possible that this answer discourages the recruiter from taking you on an internship.
6. Tell us about one of your failures and one of your successes
This question allows you to highlight your successes and to show that you are not afraid of failure! There is no question of not having prepared it before your internship interview.
When it comes to success, you must above all know how to speak in concrete terms . To do this, explain a situation in a few words. Note that it is recommended to set an associative or professional context rather than a personal one. Next, explain how your personality and / or your professionalism made a difference in this context.
7. Do you like working in a team?
Quite often, an internship requires qualities of teamwork. Of course, this is a trick question that you cannot answer no. In general, this is a way for the recruiter to verify that you already have experiences of working in groups that have led to success. It can also be a way of seeing how you place yourself in a group to know whether or not you would succeed in integrating into its team.
Alternatives to this question
- Are you more of a leader or follower?
- What do your colleagues say about you?
- How do you fit into a group?
How to answer this question
A good way to answer is again to stay positive and concrete . Talk about a colleague with whom you had a great experience and tell how you carried out a particular project together. You can tell what position you held within this duo or group.
8. What did you understand about internship assignments?
This is a classic interview question that allows the recruiter to check your motivation once again. A well-prepared candidate will know the job description inside out and will be able to carry out the main assignments that he will have to accomplish in the event of hiring. Once again, it is important to structure your answer well so as not to lose the recruiter.
✗ Do not recite the form recruiter internship: he already knows her!
✓ Transcribe the missions in your own words. This shows that you have taken ownership of the job description and that you know what is expected of you!
9. What do you know about our company?
For this internship interview question, it is important to learn as much as possible! Missing out on hot corporate news could cost you your internship. Showing that you know the company is showing that you have a particular interest in it and proving that we are not there by chance.
It is recommended to inquire about:
- The name of the director of the company
- The organizational structure (the different poles if there are any)
- Sector news
- Company news
10. Do you have any questions?
What questions to ask during an internship interview? You will not miss this classic internship interview question that often comes up at the very end.
A curious mind will inevitably have questions on the practical aspects of the internship, on the culture or on the history of the company . This question is an opportunity to initiate a discussion with the recruiter. Here are a few examples that you can use if you lack inspiration:
Examples of questions to ask:
Practical questions to help you get started:
What would my hours be if I worked with you?
What is the typical day for an intern in your company?
Are there any other trainees? Would I work in an open space or a separate office?
Questions that show the recruiter that you care about them and the company:
How did you come up with the idea of developing this product / launching this start-up?
How long have you worked for this company?
How would you define the corporate culture?
And there you have it, you know the main questions asked during an internship interview. With all our advice, you can prepare your answers as well as possible and succeed in this interview!
