Finding an internship is hard, especially during the pandemic. Many college students struggle to get their foot into the door before entering the workforce, and internships are a great way to do that. The only problem is, it is hard to get one. Many companies go through dozens of resumes and cover letters, only a few actually get picked for an interview and even fewer pass. So, to help you stand out, should you have the chance to make it to the interviewing process, we at Her Campus will provide a list of questions to ask . However, before looking through our list, make sure to do your own research about the company.
1. Where do you see your company in 5 years?
This question is great for start-up companies. Today, many small or start-up companies love to have interns. The interns can help them with repetitive and tedious tasks, while the interns themselves can get a first look at what they will be doing once they enter the industry. Also, seeing as many interviewers ask this question, receiving the same question back will let them know that you are interested in the company’s growth and what they hope to look like in five years.
2. What challenges do interns face in this role?
By asking this question, you will be able to do two things. You can use it as another way to market yourself, and figure out what was challenging for previous interns. Obviously, companies want employees who know how to problem-solve. By asking this question, you can assure the interviewer that you are up for the challenge and will navigate any future problems. This will also give you an idea of what problems come up within the role so that you won’t be clueless and surprised when it happens.
3. What do you love about the company?
While it doesn’t have to be said in the exact same way, asking a question about how the interviewer feels will say a lot about a company and your potential employer. What the interviewer loves about working with their company will give you a sense of the work culture and tell you about the interviewer’s attitude with their employer. Also, this will allow the interview to get personal as they share their experiences with working in the company, so you might get the chance to listen to stories about your future co-workers or past projects. Getting on a semi-personal level with the interviewer will be a sure way to stand out and make them remember how approachable you are, which benefits your ability to work in a team.
4. What are some of your upcoming projects?
This question relates to researching before you have an interview with the company. By learning about what projects the company is doing, you will be letting the interviewer know you have actually looked into their company and are seriously interested in the position. You could also ask the interviewer questions on previous projects they have done. Again, it will let the interviewer know you have a serious intrest in the position. Asking those questions will also give some insight into what projects you might be working on if you get the position.
5. what a typical day/week look like?
The last question you can ask is what your responsibilities will look like in a day or a week. The question will give you a chance to ask more about the details of any specific task you found interesting. You also want to know what you are doing. Even if the role responsibilities are listed before you apply, asking the interviewer what you will be doing daily or weekly is good to know. The interviewer may also inform you of any additional tasks you might have to handle that were not listed in the internship description.
The last and most important thing to remember when asking your interviewer questions is to be yourself and be unique. This is an aspect many people can forget, as applying for internships can be stressful. The stress can cause you to be stiff and unapproachable, so do not worry too much about the process and remember to keep it casual. Remember, interviewers want to know YOU, not us.