Looking to Score That Summer Internship? Read This Before You Interview

• Author: Kelly Cooke
• Posted: 2024-07-23

While the summer internship season may seem far in the future, now is the time to start thinking about scoring that perfect gig. The competition is fierce for the best internships, necessitating that you get your foot in the door as early as possible. It is time to truly sell yourself once you walk into the interview room.

Here are a few tips to follow to have a successful interview for that summer internship.

Take Time to Prepare

The last thing that you want to do is to arrive at the interview unprepared. Just like any job interview, you need to show up at an internship interview having done your research. Start with researching the organization so that you are knowledgeable about what they do and how you would be able to contribute to this position.

If you know the name of the interviewer, it is a good idea to try to learn more about that person. Company pages and LinkedIn profiles are great places to start.

Be sure to understand the logistics of the interview well in advance. For example, will it be held in person or over Zoom? Will you need to submit materials or paperwork ahead of time or do you simply need to show up? Gathering this information with plenty of time to prepare will ease your potential anxiety heading into the interview.

When deciding what to wear for the interview, you will want to dress for the job that you want. When unsure about what to wear, it is always better to err on the side of being overdressed. It is important to dress for success even if the interview is being held virtually.

Be Ready for These Questions

Savvy internship candidates understand that they need to be ready for a variety of questions. The most likely question that you will be asked is to define your strengths and weaknesses. Do not be afraid to let your best traits shine when talking about your strengths. When addressing your weaknesses, be sure to acknowledge how you are working on these issues.

You also want to be ready to address what you expect to gain out of this internship. This is a great opportunity to work in more of your experience and skill set and how you will be able to lean on those traits to bring more to the organization. Having the top three things that you hope to gain out of this experience ready to discuss will show that you are prepared to make the most out of this opportunity.

It is also recommended to be ready to talk about why you want to gain experience in this industry. If this experience aligns with your educational goals, be sure to point this out to the interviewer.

There is a good chance that you will be asked to talk a bit about yourself personally. This is a good time to bring up hobbies and interests that complement your professional abilities.

Miscellaneous Tips

In addition to doing your research about the company, it is also recommended to understand more about the industry as a whole. Although you do not need to do a deep dive, some basic understanding will likely be noticed and appreciated by the interviewer.

Be sure to arrive a few minutes early for the interview. This will demonstrate that you can be counted for your punctuality while also alleviating a bit of your own stress. You should also bring extra copies of any materials you plan on sharing in case there is more than one person that needs to see them. A notebook to jot down information is also a good thing to bring along.

When the interview is wrapping up, take the time to ask about the next steps. It is important to understand if there is anything further that you need to do. Lastly, thank the interviewer for their time. This simple act demonstrates your professionalism and ensures that you leave on a high note.

You will put yourself ahead of the pack if you follow these tips ahead of your interview. These tips will help you to land the internship of your dreams, putting you in the position to succeed as you pursue your chosen career path.