The internship is a mandatory step for the majority of students. This first experience is often an opportunity for them to set foot in the professional world for the first time. However, preparing for an interview can be a source of stress for students. Here are some tips so that you can put all the chances on your side during your internship interview.
The interview is the final stage of the recruitment process. To succeed, it is necessary to anticipate the questions that recruiters may ask you. Successful preparation will allow you to put all the chances on your side in order to land the internship of your dreams.
How to prepare for an internship interview?
Preparation before the interview
To succeed in an interview, you obviously have to prepare it correctly in advance. Very often candidates have not properly informed themselves about the company with which they wish to work. Once you have submitted your application, find out more about the organization via their website and social media. You must be aware of recent news from the latter. Additionally, if you know the identity of your recruiter in advance, find out about them by going to their LinkedIn profile.
Although it is not possible to predict how the interview will go, it is nevertheless necessary to prepare your speech in advance. To do this, get help from those around you to simulate an internship interview. The introduction and conclusion of your interview are key. In addition, it is necessary to prepare questions to demonstrate your interest in the position and the company in question.
Facing the recruiter
This stage is certainly the most stressful for students, but also the most decisive for recruiters. Try to be relaxed and friendly, while maintaining a professional demeanor and posture. Your attitude will be scrutinized throughout the interview, so it’s all about making a good impression. Obviously, wearing clothing appropriate to the environment in which you are applying is essential. Finally, don’t forget to bring your CV.
What should I do after the interview?
The interview is now over, it is at this precise moment that you must stand out from the other candidates. Don’t hesitate to write to your recruiter at the end of the interview to thank them. This approach allows you to show your motivation and your real desire to join the company, while highlighting your profile in the list of all the other candidates with whom the recruiter has also spoken.
What questions are asked during an internship interview?
Questions about the candidate
Typically, the interview begins with questions about the candidate. These questions are intended to learn more about you and your background. You must use these questions to show the recruiter the relevance of hiring you within their company. It is important to try to link your answers to the different functions that might interest you in the company. Don’t hesitate to make the connection with your background and the position for which you are interviewing.
Questions about experience
During the interview the recruiter will ask you about your experiences. It is important to highlight the experiences acquired during your academic career as well as during your extracurricular activities. If you have experience in a job even unrelated to the company to which you are applying, it may be relevant to mention it as well, always trying to find a link with the company. Through these different questions, the recruiter seeks to analyze your way of thinking and thinking.
Here, it is very important to demonstrate that you have obtained interesting results during your previous professional experiences. Indeed, don’t just mention your position and your previous company, your recruiter can already see it. On the contrary, highlight what you were able to accomplish.
If you don’t have professional experience, don’t hesitate to highlight your associative experiences, for example. If you have taken charge of a Junior Company, you can showcase your management, project and team management skills.
Questions about work style
The recruiter may ask you questions about your work preferences, in a group or independently, face-to-face or teleworking. These questions allow you to identify your character traits in order to know if you meet the company’s expectations.
Questions about the company
Finally, the recruiter will try to find out if you have a real interest in the company. It is necessary to have carried out prior research in order to respond in a relevant manner. You need to know the latest news about the company, its products, its performance, the competition as well as the latest trends in the sector.
How to present yourself during an internship interview?
As a general rule, during an interview, the recruiter will very quickly ask you to briefly introduce yourself. It is therefore necessary to prepare well for this aspect which can be decisive. To do this, prepare a short presentation of your background, your skills, and your motivations before your interview.
Generally this presentation lasts between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. You must then demonstrate to the recruiter why you are better than your other competitors. Knowing how to present yourself is essential and it’s even an art! To do this, don’t hesitate to practice several times at home, alone, with friends or your family.
Should you ask a question at the end of an internship interview?
In order to stand out from the competition, it is important to ask a question at the end of your interview. Put the odds on your side by preparing a list of potential questions in advance that you can ask at the end of the interview. If the recruiter asks you if you have any questions, you will have understood, the answer is yes. This will close the interview, leaving the image of a motivated, interested and curious person.
List of recruiters’ questions during an internship interview
In order to best prepare yourself for the different questions that a recruiter might ask you during your internship interview, here is a non-exhaustive list of questions that are frequently asked.
- In a few words, who are you?
- Why did you choose our company over another?
- What did you understand about the proposed internship missions?
- What would those around you say about you?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- What was your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome it?
- What motivated your choice of training?
- Do you prefer to work alone or in a team?
- What do you know about our company? And our competitors?
- Why you and not another candidate?
- What would be your ideal internship?
- What do you think you can bring to our company?
- What are your qualities and your faults?
- Do you have any other leads?
- What are you passionate about?
- Can you tell us about a project or achievement that you are proud of?
List of questions to ask in an internship interview
Here is a list of questions you absolutely must ask during an internship interview:
- What do you expect from a junior profile? (Outside view, skills that are not present…)
- What is the biggest challenge facing the team currently?
- Can you tell me a little more about the team?
- What qualities do you believe are necessary to best carry out this mission?
- Who will be my contacts during this internship?
- Your values are defined on your site. How does this translate into practice on a daily basis in the company?
Here, the idea is not to challenge the recruiter who is looking for an intern and not an employee. Questions related to values and quality of life at work are important, but care must be taken to formulate these questions well so as not to give the impression of imposing your own pace.
