Hiring is perhaps the most important part of working with interns. Remember, you can teach new skills and specific techniques but you can’t teach character. Look for an intern who shares your core beliefs. Ask a variety of questions to get to know more about the applicant you are interviewing.
Basic Interview Questions:
- What attracted you to this company?
- What were the responsibilities of your last position?
- What separates you from other candidates?
- How would you describe your work style?
- What motivates you to do a good job?
Behavioral Interview Questions:
- Have you ever been on a team where someone was not pulling their own weight? How did you handle it?
- Tell me about a time when you had to give someone difficult feedback. How did you handle it?
- Describe how you would handle a situation if you were required to finish multiple tasks by the end of the day, and there was no conceivable way that you could finish them.
- Provide an example of a time in which you had to use your fact-finding skills to gain information for solving a problem.
- Describe the most creative work-related project which you have carried out.
- What process do you use to establish priorities? Be specific.
Career Development Questions:
- What are you looking for in terms of career development?
- What do you want to accomplish in this internship?
- Where would you like to be in your career five years from now?
- How do you plan to achieve those goals?
Nicki Sanders, The Packaged For Success Coach, is an Adjunct Professor with an extensive background in developing and managing internship programs. She is a skilled program manager, coach, trainer, and group facilitator who has packaged her Masters of Social Work degree and 20 years of work experience into Packaged For Success, a full service training and professional development company.
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