You have some extra tasks on your plate, and your top performers could benefit from leadership training. Consider bringing in an intern to help out.
When approaching the hiring process, it’s important to consider the unique nature of interns. While they may lack extensive work experience, evaluating their application materials with a focus on personality traits and growth potential is key. Skills and experience take a back seat to qualities that indicate a willingness to learn and develop.
In interviews, the questions tailored for experienced professionals may not align with those suited for intern candidates. Tailor your questions to the candidate’s experience, focusing on evaluating the key qualities essential for the role.
Ask intern candidates these interview questions to find the perfect match:
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1. “What do you hope to gain/learn from this internship? What skills do you wish to develop?”
Most internships offer little to no pay, so an intern must gain something from the experience to appreciate it. Also, it’s unethical and illegal. You can’t just hire interns for free labor!
When possible, I can tailor the internship to the candidate’s strengths and talents, or know when it’s not a good fit because I cannot offer what they are looking for. Like a full-time, permanent position, it has to be a good fit for both the intern and the employer.
Kate Azar, PNC
2. “What do you know about us as a company?”
The reason this is such an important question is it separates the candidates who really want to work for us from those who simply want an internship.
A candidate who is serious about joining us will have done their research and will be able to provide a well-thought-out and comprehensive response to this question. These candidates are much more likely to put extra effort into helping the business achieve its goals.
The depth of their answer also demonstrates their ability to research a topic and pick out the most important bits of information.
3. “Do you draw happiness from this work?”
I’m always interested in whether interns cannot only answer yes but also give an engaging explanation as to why. I’ve found that interns who love their work and can draw happiness from it are more engaged, more productive, and more likely to push hard, stick with the job, and develop into impressive employees.
On the flip side, interns pursuing jobs primarily for money or simply to have a job don’t work out nearly as often.
4. “What strengths and weaknesses can you bring to the internship, and how do you think this internship will help you improve upon both?”
If the student gives you an honest answer to the weakness, like, “I have a tendency to procrastinate,” then it tells you that they are self-aware, honest, and ready to improve.
If they give you a prepared response, then you are likely to have someone who is a game player. While that works in some organizations, we are a tech startup, and we need people who are open and ready to improve themselves and the product daily.
The strength answer tells us a bit, but the answer is not as important as their weakness.
5. “What do you know about the industry? Can you explain it to someone else?”
I always ask interns to explain what pay-per-click advertising is. I’m not so much interested in the candidate’s coursework in school, but rather relevant experience.
Once I have their response, I confirm if it’s correct or educate if it isn’t. I then ask how they would explain what I said to someone like themselves who knows the industry or not.
If they can reiterate what I said in an easy-to-understand manner, they’ll understand the concepts I’m asking them to write about. This shows me that they cannot only grasp a new concept but can also teach others about it clearly.
6. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Interns, more than any other candidates, will be asked this perennial question. When people take internships, they’re still figuring out what they’d like to do in life.
A great many interns won’t have a good answer to this question. Some will still be figuring out their career path. What I listen for is if this job is a logical fit for them in their path of discovery.
The best strategic interview questions
Find the best interview questions to ask by industry, role, and more.
