If you’re one of those ambitious people who just can’t stand down time, chances are you’re looking into an internship for this summer. Internships are a great way to get experience in your field of study while making connections in your business. Admittedly, internship interviews can sometimes seem daunting. Here are a seven useful tips to help you get the internship!
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Research
It’s important to know the exact situation you are walking into. You should know specifically who you are interviewing for and try to find out a little about them. Know where the interview is happening. When you create your resume, write your objective in a way that you know will catch the eye of the interviewers. There is nothing more off-putting than being generic. In general, be familiar with the situation so you aren’t caught off guard.
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Answers
Think of questions that may be asked of you. There are a number of useful websites that list basic internship interview questions. Know your answers to these questions so you don’t need to think on the spot when you are asked them. Come up with some long-term and short-term goals for yourself, chances are interviews may ask for a 1-year or 5-year plan. Someone who knows what they want and has a plan to achieve it comes off as confident and impressive. It is better to be over-prepared with your answers then to get caught like a deer in headlights.
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Questions
Think of any questions you might have for the interviewer. This is, after all, your interview, so it is a good time to clear up any uncertainties you have about the internship. Bring up possible conflicts; it looks better to be forward about your availability then to reject an offer because of something that could have been discussed. Be honest! Don’t think that by asking questions you might turn the interviewer against you. The more you know, the more YOU can decide if the internship is a good fit for you.
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Dress
One of the most obvious yet most frequently ignored tips – don’t be a slob! You want to make a great first impression, and clothing is one of the first things an interviewer will notice about you. Look confident and show that you care about the interview. Even for more casual internships, it is important to dress professionally for the interview. It is always better to be over-dressed.
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Arrive Early
Give yourself time to relax before your interview. Don’t come rushing through the door and expect to walk into the interview looking confident. You will look lost and will not be ready to answer questions and have a productive conversation. Instead, show up at least 15 minutes early and go over your questions and answers in your head. Have time to become familiar with the environment and give yourself a little pep talk before heading in!
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Sell Yourself
The interview is your chance to show off why you are fit for the internship. Make the interviewer want you in their place of work! Show them what you have to offer and how your presence is beneficial to the workplace as a whole.
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Thank You
Even if you have the worst interview ever, always thank the interviewer.