When interviewing interns, you typically want to get to know them, understand why they're interested in your internship, what type of experience they have so far (including professional, educational, and/or volunteer opportunities), and how they handle different types of situations.
Remember to create a comfortable environment during the interview to allow candidates to express themselves. Additionally, tailor your questions to suit the specific requirements of the internship position and consider including behavioral questions to gauge their past experiences and problem-solving abilities.
Below are tips to help you conduct effective interviews
Clarify internship expectations
Begin by explaining the role, responsibilities, and goals of the internship.
Discuss the duration, work schedule, and any specific requirements or qualifications.
Ask about their background and experience
Start with an open-ended question like, "Tell me about yourself and your educational background."
Explore their previous experiences, relevant coursework, or projects related to the internship.
Inquire about any specific skills or knowledge they have acquired.
Assess their motivation and career goals
Ask questions like, "Why are you interested in this internship?" or "What do you hope to gain from this experience?"
Understand their long-term career aspirations and how the internship aligns with their goals.
Evaluate their enthusiasm, commitment, and willingness to learn and contribute.
Evaluate their technical skills and abilities
Depending on the nature of the internship, ask technical questions or give scenarios to assess their proficiency.
Request examples of projects they have worked on or challenges they have overcome using their skills.
Assess their problem-solving and critical thinking abilities
Present them with a hypothetical scenario or a real-world problem related to the internship and ask how they would approach it.
Evaluate their ability to analyze the situation, think creatively, and propose solutions.
Gauge their teamwork and communication skills
Inquire about their experience working in teams or on collaborative projects.
Ask how they handle conflicts or challenges within a team setting.
Assess their communication skills through their responses and how effectively they articulate their thoughts.
Discuss their time management and organizational skills
Interns need to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines. Ask about their approach to managing time and prioritizing tasks.
Inquire about their experience with handling a heavy workload or balancing responsibilities.
Assess their adaptability and willingness to learn
Ask about their experience in adapting to new environments or learning new technologies or concepts.
Inquire about any instances where they had to quickly learn something new and how they handled it.
Franchise Reminder
Franchise Reminder
Franchisees - The content on this document is for education and informational purposes only. Should a franchisee decide to act upon any information on this document, they do so at their own risk. Fleet Feet recommends all franchisees consult with an employment attorney when creating/modifying policies, pay practices or other items related to employment.
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