How to prepare for your interview like a pro

Congratulations, you managed to secure an interview for an internship. You are halfway there!

Next step - do your homework and show up to the interview well-prepared and ready to shine. Use this step-by-step guide to set yourself up for success

Research the company

Since you’ve already done your homework when identifying and targeting this company, it’s time to refresh and deepen that knowledge. Refresh your company research and dive into the specifics to be up-to-date with the most recent company news.

Prepare your answers to common questions

While you won’t know every question the interviewer will ask, there are a few common ones you can be sure to encounter. Practicing your answers to these will help you appear more confident and prepared.

Common interview questions

Here are a few questions to prep:

• Tell me about yourself Use an elevator pitch and incorporate elements that are specifically aligned with this company or this position.

• What are your strengths and weaknesses? Focus on skills related to the job, be honest and show how you are working to improve. Bonus points if you are able to highlight how this internship opportunity can help you quickly close any gaps and position you to contribute to the team better.

• Why do you want to intern with us? This is where your research will shine. Highlight how the company’s mission aligns with your personal values or career goals.

• What are your long-term career goals? Be honest here. Employers want to see how forward-thinking and intentional you are. Completing your internship is going to help you discover your next steps, don’t feel like you have to have everything 100% figured out.

• Why are you interested in an internship with our company? This is where you use all the research that you’ve done. From how the company aligns with your career goals, specific aspects of the company work or culture that are interesting to you, to positive reports on Glassdoor, showcase your knowledge and your intentional approach to the internship search.

Practice situational questions

Many employers will ask situational or behavioral questions to see how you’ve handled challenges in the past. Use the STAR method to structure your answers. Explain the situation, task, action you took and the result.

Common situational questions:

• Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team. Discuss a group project you completed during school, your role in the team, and how you contributed to the final result.

• Describe a time you faced a challenge. Think of a situation, like dealing with a difficult customer at a part-time job and explain how you resolved the issue calmly and professionally.

• Describe a challenging situation that you’ve overcome. Think about a time you faced a difficult problem, whether in a group project, part-time job, or during your studies. Outline the situation, explain what made it challenging and walk through how you resolved it.

• Tell us about a deadline or target that you worked towards. Here is a chance to highlight your time management and organisational skills. Choose a scenario where you had a strict deadline or a specific target, describe the steps you took to ensure success, and explain how you balanced your responsibilities.

Practice your delivery

Interviews can be nerve-wracking but practicing how you speak and present yourself can help ease anxiety. The more prepared you are the calmer and more confident you’ll feel.

Tips

• Speak slowly and clearly Rushing through your answers can make you appear nervous. Practice taking your time with responses.

• It’s okay to be nervous If you feel anxious take deep breaths. Acknowledge that it’s normal and use that energy to fuel a calm and collected performance.

• Be specific Prepare specific examples in advance and use them when answering questions to show employers that you have what they are looking for.

• Mock interviews Practice answering questions with a friend or family member or record yourself to evaluate your tone and clarity.

Prepare questions to ask the employer

At the end of the interview, you’ll likely be asked, “Do you have any questions for us?” This is your chance to show that you’re thinking seriously about the role. Avoid generic questions, and instead, ask questions that reflect your research or interest in the company’s culture and future direction.

Examples:

Can you tell me more about the team I’d be working with?

What does success look like for an intern in this role?

How does the company support professional development?

Plan your outfit and logistics

Even in a virtual interview first impressions count. Make sure you’ve thought about how to present yourself and arrive at the interview on time.

Dress appropriately Even for virtual interviews dress in professional attire that matches the company culture. If unsure, aim for business casual.

Test your tech (for virtual interviews): Make sure your camera, microphone and internet connection are working properly ahead of time.

Arrive early Aim to arrive at least 10-15 minutes before your scheduled interview to settle in and get composed.