How to Ace Your Internship Interview

Going for your first interview? Make sure you know what to expect and what’s expected of you before walking through that door.

You’ve filled up the application form and sent your resume and cover letter to the organisation you want to intern at. Before long, your wish came true: you’ve received a call to schedule an interview with your potential employer.

Everything has been smooth sailing so far, and your interview’s the last hurdle that’ll make or break an employer’s decision to take you on as an intern. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating the interview process by thinking that recruiters expect less of you just because the position you’re applying for is only short-term!

On their part, some employers see interns as future investments that may move into full-time employment, as shown in a study conducted by CNBC. In that study, it was found that in the accounting sector, interns had a 31 per cent rate of conversion to full-time employees. As such, there are certain levels of expectations for interns brought in.

All in all, it’s important that you do your homework and figure out what to expect before you walk into the interview room.

What to expect from your internship interview

Depending on the internship position and line of work you’re applying for, you may have one or multiple interviewers ranging from HR team members, managers from the relevant department of the organisation, experts from the related area of work, or a mixture of all.

Most interviews are made up of structured questions that have been set in a particular order. However, your responses may give rise to new questions created on the fly as interviewers try to learn as much as they can about you.

Go along with the flow of the interview questions, and don’t be afraid to ask questions as long as they are relevant and appropriate. Typically, there’ll also be a chance for you to ask questions at the end of the interview.

How to shine in your interview

There’s no better way to impress employers than to demonstrate that you’ve done your research and show up at the interview prepared, so don’t hesitate to show your understanding of the company and its culture!

For instance, if your research has identified the organisation’s emphasis on communication and teamwork, you can use this knowledge to your advantage and demonstrate your personality, skills and experience to complement that facet of the organisation.

Another important thing to keep in mind when it comes to interviews is that you have to show how the internship will benefit you. Indicate that you have reflected on the advantages of completing an internship with that specific employer, and how that’ll affect your future career prospects – no employer wants their intern to regret their internship because they discovered too late that it won’t enhance their career!

Typical interview questions

It’s not uncommon for bigger employers to conduct two rounds of interviews when recruiting interns. In most cases, the first would be a HR interview with usual standard interview questions. The second interview tends to be more technical, conducted by a line manager. Questions generally revolve around: • Why you’re interested in the industry, field, employer and role you applied for • Your competencies • Technical questions related to the role • Previous relevant experiences • Hypothetical questions relating to the role, such as

“How would you react if this happened?” • Core skill questions, much like

“Tell me about the skills you can bring to this role?”

How to appear professional

One of the key considerations employers have is whether or not the person they’re going to hire can behave appropriately and professionally in the workplace. This is especially important if your role involves interacting with people outside the organisation, such as clients, partners, or suppliers.

You can prove that you’re perfectly capable of conducting yourself professionally simply by dressing appropriately for your interview. First impressions can really go a long way!

Also, greet your interviewer with a firm handshake, make eye contact and smile sensibly throughout the interview. Some polite small talk with your interviewers is a good idea too, as it’ll help create a more amiable and pleasant atmosphere.

However, do stick to safe topics such as the weather or your journey to the interview venue. Avoid personal stories, such as your wild night out – even if your interviewer appears to be friendly and acting casual. Do’s

• Find out as much as you can about the employer, role and industry prior to the interview. • Research typical interview questions and prepare responses with examples for each, using extracurricular activities and any work experience you have. • Plan your journey so you arrive on time. • Ensure your interview attire is clean and prepared in advance. • Be polite to everyone, including the cleaners! • Engage in a two-way conversation with your interviewers.

Don’ts

• Give monosyllabic answers. If you get an unexpected question, think quickly on your feet and use a relevant example. • Use offensive language. Even if you’re joking and your interviewers are friendly, stay professional at all times.

You’re here for professional reasons, after all. • Mention your interview on social media. A study by CareerBuilder showed 65 per cent of employers check candidates’ social media accounts to see if the jobseeker presented themselves professionally. Boasting about an interview online can be off-putting, and if a separate employer notices that you’ve been interviewed by another company, they may decide not to waste their time contacting you.