Students, professors, and employers all agree that a good internship can be a very valuable part of a college education. Even adults in online college degree programs often spend time as an intern.
The only difficulty with internships is that it’s not easy to get a good one. The better the internship, the greater the odds that you will be required to compete against a lot of other candidates . Most colleges have a career center with someone who will critique your resume. Unfortunately, not many colleges will offer you a lot of assistance preparing for interviews. But, don’t worry. Simply take advantage of the following tips and you’ll be fine.
1. Prior to your interview, research the organization to which you are applying. Learn what challenges the organization faces and what its most significant achievements have been. Then, learn as much as you can about the key personnel in the organization and the person who will be interviewing you. The more information you have , the more relaxed you will be and the more able you will be to “score points” in the interview.
2. Draft a dozen interview questions and role play with a friend or family member. Construct and answer the most difficult questions you can think of so that you are prepared for the most challenging interview possible.
3. Be certain to do all of the “small things” properly. Dress appropriately. If in doubt, err on the safe side; dressing well and conservatively. Arrive for the interview ten minutes early. Power off your cell phone prior to entering the building. Offer everyone you meet a smile, a cheerful verbal greeting, and a handshake.
4. Be an active listener. Let the interviewer take the lead and be certain that you fully understand his/her questions. If you do not, request clarification before offering a response . Don’t be concerned if you need a short pause to consider an answer, but avoid “filler” words like, “you know”, “well”, etc. .
5. Be prepared to talk about your characteristics and skill set. Because you are an applicant for an internship, as opposed to an experienced professional applying for a job, your interviewer may be trying harder to evaluate your potential and fit more than to discover evidence of impressive accomplishments. Questions may be open ended, like “How did you choose your major field of study ?” and “What have you learned about yourself so far on your way to a college degree?”
6. If you have one available, offer your interviewer a copy of a completed paper or academic project which demonstrates your writing, organizational, and analytical skills . And, be sure you talk about what you learned while doing the paper or the project.
7. Clearly indicate your willingness to take on any project(s) that will add to your knowledge, teach you new skills , make you a stronger candidate for employment in the future, and/or be of benefit to the organization.
Don’t leave without getting a business card from your interviewer. Shake hands with and thank your interviewer before leaving. And, follow up with a thank you note or email within 24 hours.
With good preparation and a little luck , you’ll get the internship. If not, the practice will almost certainly serve you well in future interviews . Remember, you just need one good offer, so don’t get discouraged.
