Common Internship Interview Questions & How to Prepare 

According to the Job Outlook 2022 report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), hiring managers choosing between two similar candidates “deem having an internship with its organization or within its industry to be the most influential factor.” 

In other words, completing an internship program can give you a leg up, and a successful interview is the first step toward landing one. 

While the interview process varies between fields and roles, preparation is the key to success. This guide will help you prepare for five of the most common internship interview questions. 

1. The “Goals” Question 

Hiring managers will often begin internship interviews with a question like, “How does this internship position align with your career goals?” 

Preparing Your Answer 

When employers ask an internship candidate a common question like this, they’re looking to gauge three things: 

• Your interest in the industry 

• Your understanding of the company  

• How much thought you’ve put into your future 

Spend time ahead of the interview doing research and thinking about where you see yourself in the next two, five or even ten years. A well-thought-out answer might look something like this: 

“(Example Industries’) vision of a fossil fuel-free future aligns closely with mine. I see myself as a proponent of environmentalism, and within the decade, I hope to be leading the charge toward a greener future by developing revolutionary solar technology.” 

2. The “Experience” Question 

Understandably, interviewers want to know about any relevant training or education you’ve undergone. Expect an interview question like, “How will your past experience help you in this internship position?” 

Preparing Your Answer 

The purpose of an internship program is to gain work experience, so you might feel as though you’ve got nothing to offer pre-internship. But remember: Employers know potential interns have minimal “real-world” experience. They’re not looking for perfection, but they still want to understand what you bring to the table. 

Think back to any previous school or work experiences. Even soft skills from unrelated fields can be relevant. For instance, you might answer this common question by saying: 

“In my sophomore year, I worked at a call center over the summer. There, I learned about time management and improved my interpersonal skills. I’ll be able to leverage this experience to communicate with our clients promptly and professionally.” 

3. The “Leadership” Question 

To encourage you to expand on your experience, a hiring manager may say something like, “Tell me about a time when you entered a leadership role.” 

Preparing Your Answer 

Here, interviewers are looking to gauge your ambition and how you work under pressure. Think back to a time you took charge of a situation in: 

• School 

• Work 

• Extracurricular sports 

• Family affairs 

• Your friend group 

But, instead of simply describing a past situation, explain how you would do things differently now to show critical thinking and growth. For example: 

“During a group project in my third-year chemistry course, I took on the role of leader, as it was clear some of my partners were hesitant to step up. Because I wanted to succeed, I took on more than my fair share of the project. In hindsight, I wish I had been more assertive in assigning tasks to my partners. I’ve since learned that being a strong leader means delegating work to my teammates.” 

4. The “Scenario” Question 

Scenario questions vary from industry to industry, but they’re usually a problem-based situation and a variation of, “Suppose X happens; what would you do?” 

Preparing Your Answer 

Employers know you don’t understand their internal systems or policies. Instead of imagining constraints, answer how you would solve the problem in an ideal world. You may uncover a potential fix for one of their age-old issues and prove yourself as an excellent candidate. 

Suppose that a marketing firm asks you a question like, “How would you handle a client that is displeased with your work?” You might respond with: 

“First, I would schedule a meeting with them to understand why they’re unhappy. From there, I would work alongside their team to revise the campaign and solidify a new deadline. Finally, I would offer them a 10% discount on their next campaign. I’m not sure if that’s an option here at (Example Marketing Firm), but that’s what I would do if I were in charge!”