Nowadays many young professionals are looking for internships in top companies to get a little exposure and to make their resume look more impressive. Primarily internships are of two kinds, paid and unpaid.
As long as the company you are interning at is reputed and good, you need not worry about the money factor too much. If you work hard and steadily in the initial stages of your career you bound to achieve great things in time to come. Here are some of the most common internship interview questions and answers.
Internship Interview Questions and Answers:
Here are a few job interview questions to ask in an internship interview:
1. From where did you hear about this internship?
When you appear for an internship interview, chances that this is the first question that you are likely to ask. What you must remember is that how you answer the first three questions which ask you will set the tone for the rest of your interview.
If you fail to show promise and potential in the first few questions you will surely fail to cut. In response to this question, you should say that you either found out about the internship from the company’s website or you read about it in the newspaper. There is no wrong answer to such a question.
2. Why would you like to be a part of this internship?
On appearing for an internship interview, you must bring your ‘A’ game. Interning in good companies is very important, especially if you wish to become successful in life. No big company is going to hire you in time to come if you have no proper job experience and have only worked in small companies.
When you ask this question, you should say that you would like to be a part of these internships because it could help you learn new things about the business world. Mention how all this time you have been learning things about the business world and now you can do things in practice.
3. Tell me something about yourself as a person?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. When the interviewer asks you a question about the kind of individual you are, you should mention things which you like doing in your spare time.
Rather than mentioning things that have no relevance to the job, you should say things like, “I am a person who loves to learn new things and I spend a lot of my time reading”.
Things like this are bound to impress the interviewer. Never say things like “I love playing video games and I am a person who loves to sing”. Things like this sound rather obscure and immature.
4. Where do you see yourself in a few years?
This is one of the common job interview questions which is always asked during any kind of interview. Rather than having to think of an answer on the stop, it would be advisable that you prepare an answer beforehand.
The kind of answer which you give to this question will show you to be someone ambitious or not. Companies are always looking to hire individuals who know what they are doing and always proceed with a plan in mind.
So in response to this question do give a realistic answer which is attainable, yet at the same time which shows that you do have big plans for yourself.
5. Have you interned in any other company?
Generally in any interview having some work experience will always help you along the way. However, when it comes to an internship interview, it isn’t so necessary to have work experience.
In response to this question, you need not think too much. If the answer is ‘no’ then simply say ‘no’, however, if you have interned in other companies before this one, all you have to do is simply mention the companies in chronological order.
Chances are when appearing for the interview your thoughts may not be very clear, so try your level best to remain as collected as possible.
6. Do you have flexible work hours?
When doing an internship, there are often many people who are unable to work through the day. This is because they are either doing another internship simultaneously or because they have to attend college.
Based on what other activity you are involved in, you should give your answer accordingly. Ensure that you have given in your work hours only after careful consideration.
It would be very bad if you say that you can work through the day and then are unable to fulfill the obligation and the responsibility which has been given to you. Remember that if you intern well, the company is very likely to hire you in time to come.
7. What do you know about our company?
This most common internship interview question from the employer. To answer this question properly, you must do a little homework before appearing for this internship interview. If you come across as someone who is uninformed and lacking in the knowledge you will not be hired.
Being a part of a prestigious interview is an honor in itself and has multiple benefits for you. So do read up as much as you can before the interview. Even if you are unable to retain all that you have learned, you will retain at least somethings, which will help you answer basic questions like this one. In-depth knowledge of the company does not expect from you at this stage.
8. Do you consider yourself a people’s person?
Almost all employees who work in top companies expect to interact with clients. Clients cannot treat in any way because they are the backbone of the company. Without their funds, it is impossible that the company will survive.
Being a people’s person is very important in the economic world. If you are unable to interact with others and have convincing power, you will prove to be no asset to the company. So if you are a peoples person make sure that you get this point across when asking this question as it will help you to bag the internship.
9. Do you crumble under pressure?
Whether you are an intern or not, no company wants to hire individuals who easily crumble under pressure and are unable to come up with quick solutions to any problems. When you are asked this question it is advisable to say that you are someone who never buckles under pressure and that you believe that being in a stressful situation brings out the best in you.
Try and put forth the point that you are someone who can deal with stress and pressure effectively. Various stressful situations present themselves daily in the workplace so you must learn to deal with it properly.
10. What would you say is your dream job?
Every one of us has a dream job. When you have a dream job in mind, it is advisable that you constantly work towards it and never stray away from your path. If you are well aware of the fact that your dream job involves being a chef, then there is simply no need to do an internship in any company.
So first and foremost ensure that you are interning in a place that will lead you to attain your dream job. How you talk about your dream job will show your passion or lack of it. In addition to that, the answer to a question like this will reveal your ability to speak.
11. Are you alright with the fact that this is an unpaid internship?
Chances are that if this is an unpaid internship the interviewer is going to ask you right at the onset if you are okay with the fact that it is an unpaid internship. At such a time you have to make sure that you are giving a truthful answer. If you are okay with the fact that it is unpaid then there is no harm in saying so.
However, if you looking forward to some stipend, then you should say that you would like to pay a little money, but it is the experience which is most important to you. Saying this will be both honest as well as direct. However, ensure that you do not come across as being rude or demanding at any point in time.
12. Why should we hire a fresher like you? (If you are a fresher)
Whereas some companies dislike hiring interns and freshers, others believe that hiring these freshers is a very good idea. If you are someone who is a fresher, seeking an internship, then you should ensure that you answer this question to the best of your ability.
Say that though you are a fresher who does have a lot to learn, yet you are someone who comes with no baggage and is bursting with new ideas. Hiring freshers does have some downsides but mention that it has many more advantages because freshers are always willing to learn new things and have no ego issues.
13. Would you consider yourself a leader?
One skill which all companies are looking for in their employees is the skill to lead from the front. No matter how young or inexperienced you might be, companies do want you to have this skill. In response to this question, you should say that you do have leadership skills, and you never shy away from putting forward your point of view.
Even if you think you do not have what it takes to be a good leader, you must try your best to face your fears and bring out the leader in you. If you are unable to stand up to others and take charge when it is necessary, you will never be able to hold your own in the business world.
14. What according to you are the benefits of interning at companies?
Everyone is aware of the fact that internships are a must if you want to have a promising future in the economic world.
This is a very important question that asks in the course of an interview for an internship so you can answer by saying that you too know the benefits of interning and it will help to increase your horizon and see if you cut out to part of the business world or not. Say that to start in your journey you can think of no better company to intern at than this one.
15. Do you have any questions for us?
When the interview is almost done, chances are that you will be asked this question. In response to it, you can ask any question which comes to mind.
Rather than asking a foolish question for the sake of it, try and think of a smart question that can show you as someone analytical and bright. Along with this, you might also be asked, when can you join and in response mention a date as soon as possible.
Most Common Internship Interview Questions:
An internship is a win-win solution for both the employer and the employee so the right match here is mandatory. As an employee looks to get into the best organization for his better future, the employer, on the other hand, tries to hire the best candidate for them.
Here are a few of the topmost common questions asked in an internship interview.
Interview Questions About Your Work Style:
- Which type of decisions are more difficult in making
- What is your ideal work environment
- Completing a job or performing it right, Which holds more importance
- What are you looking in an ideal job role
- How would you organize your priorities and manage your time for an ideal day
Interview Questions About Others:
- Working in a team or working individually, which one do you prefer the most
- Share a situation where you had resolved a conflict at workplace
- Tell us about the toughest person you have ever worked with.
Interview Questions About the Company:
- Why should we hire you?
- What is the reason you applied for this position
- What do you know about the organization
Interview Questions About Previous Work Experience:
- How do you handle stressful situations
- What are your most proud accomplishments
- How much relevant work experience do you hold
Interview Questions About Yourself:
- Tell me about yourself
- What are your interests or hobbies?
- What are your strengths
- What are your weaknesses
- Where do you see yourself in next 5 years
- How would your other co-workers describe you
Bonus interview questions:
- Do you have any children at home?
- What number of jelly beans can come in a 7-inch x 9-inch x 11-inch container?
- Have you any questions for me?
Conclusion:
Going for any kind of interview is a very scary experience. Even the most experienced individuals have a hard time thinking clearly during an interview. If you are a young professional who is looking to make it big in the business world, chances are that you experience different emotions like nervous before your interview.
These are some of the most common questions asked in the course of the internship interview, so try and think about answers to internship interview questions. If you have thought of your internship interview answers beforehand, then you will be much less nervous and you can concentrate on delivering your answers in a better manner.
