Get Prepared! Common Internship Interview Questions to Expect

internship interview questions

Using intern interview experiences from some of Arizona’s top companies on Glassdoor, we’ve compiled a helpful list of common internship interview questions you may encounter. Check out some questions to expect at top-notch employers like GoDaddy, Charles Schwab, Farmers, and more below!

What Makes Internship Interviews Different Than Other Job Position Interviews?

Perhaps the most obvious thing that sets an internship apart from a permanent job is the employer’s expectations and your experience. As a result, internship interview questions will focus more on what you hope to achieve and your college experiences. Recruiters can assume that your professional development up until now has occurred in other internships or classroom settings. Of course, student organizations and outside projects will also give an extra edge.

With that in mind, here are a few examples as you dive into your next interview!

19 Internship Interview Questions to Help Slay Your Next Interview!

General Interview Questions

  • What are you hoping to get out of this internship?
  • What is something you’ve done that you’re most proud of?
  • Name a time when you’ve been forced to multi-task.
  • What kind of things do you look for in a career?
  • What do you know about *COMPANY*?
  • Why do you want to work for *COMPANY*?
  • What is your least favorite class?
  • Why do you like your major?
  • Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
  • Describe a time when you showed leadership.

Technical Interview Questions

  • What is your favorite programming language?
  • Describe a business solution you came up with using a SQL database?
  • How would you replace typing on a keyboard to interact with a mobile app?
  • Decode a password based on some hints.

Situational Interview Questions

  • Tell me about a time when you had an ethical dilemma.
  • Specify a situation where you led a group project, how you dealt with issues and how you resolved them.
  • Tell me about a time you had to think creatively to solve a problem.
  • Identify your most difficult experience in the past 6 months and how it helped you in the business world.
  • What is an example of something you have learned or gained experience with in college that best prepares you for success in this position?

Tips to Help You Succeed

While company culture and expectations vary across companies and industries, you can still equip yourself with a few general tips.

  1. Study the company’s values. Their values give insight into what the company is all about. Knowing these means you can more easily connect with an interviewer when asked about your own values.
  2. Have things to share off of the resume. If you’ve made it to an interview, it’s probably because someone has already reviewed your resume. Think of other things off the paper that also make you unique and add to your strengths. Maybe this is a life-long hobby or a side project you’re proud of.
  3. Come up with situations for specific scenarios. Being put on the spot, it’s difficult to come up with your best answers to situational questions. Therefore, it’s helpful to think up a few great examples from your past that best illustrate the question.

Find Award-Winning Companies to Intern at in Arizona

Career fairs and coaching services at universities provide tons of opportunities to gain professional experience. However, there are also great resources to use online. Land even more interviews for your next internship at one of Arizona’s best employers.

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