Internship Interview Guide: Questions, Tips, and Preparation
Published July 7, 2026 · 15 min read
An internship interview is your opportunity to show the employer that you are eager, capable, and worth investing in — even if your resume is light on experience. This guide prepares you for every aspect of the internship interview, from common questions to handling the unexpected.
What Internship Interviewers Look For
Internship interviewers know you are a student. They are not expecting years of professional experience. What they are looking for is: enthusiasm for the role and the company, willingness to learn and grow, basic competence in relevant skills, good communication, and cultural fit with the team.
Common Internship Interview Questions
- Tell me about yourself. Give a 2-minute overview: your background, what you are studying, and why you are interested in this internship.
- Why do you want to intern here? Show you have researched the company. Mention specific projects, values, or opportunities that attract you.
- What are your strengths? Choose 2-3 strengths relevant to the role and provide evidence for each.
- What is your greatest weakness? Be honest but strategic. Choose a real weakness and explain how you are working to improve it.
- Tell me about a time you worked in a team. Use the STAR method. Focus on your specific contribution.
- Describe a challenge you faced and how you handled it. Show problem-solving and resilience.
- Where do you see yourself in five years? Connect your goals to the industry and the skills you would gain from this internship.
- What can you contribute to our team? Focus on fresh perspectives, academic knowledge, and enthusiasm.
- Do you have any questions for us? Always have 2-3 questions prepared. Ask about the team, the projects, or what success looks like for the intern.
How to Prepare
- Research the company thoroughly — read their website, recent news, and social media
- Review the job description and identify the key skills they are looking for
- Prepare 5-7 STAR stories from your academic, extracurricular, and volunteer experience
- Practise answering questions out loud — not just in your head
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer
- Plan your outfit and logistics (arrive 10 minutes early or test technology for virtual interviews)
Mistakes to Avoid
- Not researching the company
- Having no questions for the interviewer
- Speaking negatively about previous experiences or professors
- Giving one-word answers without elaboration
- Being unable to provide specific examples
- Dressing too casually
Internship Interview Checklist
- Have I researched the company and the role?
- Have I prepared STAR stories for common behavioural questions?
- Have I practised answering questions out loud?
- Do I have 2-3 questions to ask the interviewer?
- Have I planned my outfit and logistics?
- Have I done a mock interview with a friend or career adviser?