Obtaining an internship position during college can significantly benefit a student’s career prospects by providing hands-on experience and skills, as well as access to future employment opportunities. But preparing for an internship interview when you have little or no previous work experience can be a daunting task.
I sat down with executive coach and founder of Olive Branch Consulting, Dr Crystal Clay, to get some simple tips to help students demystify and prepare for the internship interview process.
If you have never interviewed for a position before, where do you start?
“The first thing you have to do is ‘reframe’ your own thinking regarding what your qualifications are,” began Dr Clay. “Think about your own life experiences and how you have been spending your time – have you been involved in team sports, or worked on a group project, or done any volunteer work?
“In each instance, think about what your role was in the activity and what technical skills or life skills you acquired as a result of your involvement. Then think about how you would tailor your answers to interview questions to highlight how your background fits the requirements of the internship you are applying for.”
How do you research a company offering an internship?
These days you can glean a lot of useful information by visiting the “About Us” section of a company’s corporate website and social media pages, “but don’t stop there,” said Dr. Clay. “Keep in mind that this internship might ultimately lead to a job offer, so try to talk to someone who works at the company and find out what the company’s track record is for training talent and what their corporate culture is like.
“It’s important to understand the company’s mission, vision and values, and ask yourself how these align with your own personal values and whether this is a company you would want to work for long-term.”
How do you demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for a position during an interview?
“The best thing you can do is display a high level of engagement from the moment you walk through the front door,” said Dr Clay. “Smile and make eye contact with everyone you meet, particularly when you are sitting in the reception area waiting for your appointment to start.
“Always shake hands firmly and be ready to ask questions that demonstrate you understand what the company does, the role being offered, and opportunities for learning while you are taking part in the internship programme.”
What should you wear to the interview?
“To some extent this depends on the industry, company culture, and the type of job that you are applying for,” she said. “If you are applying to a law firm, for example, they will most likely expect you to dress in conservative business attire, while a creative firm, such as an advertising agency, might be ok with a business casual outfit.
“If in doubt, it is always better to overdress rather than underdress,” she cautioned.
What should you bring to the interview?
You should always bring copies of your resume, copies of your references, a copy of the job description including the exact date, time, and street address of the interview, a notepad and pen for taking notes (another great way to subtly convey your sincere interest in the position) and a portfolio with samples of work, if this is a requirement of the position that you are applying for.
What should you never bring to an interview?
“Never bring extra people – especially your parents,” said Dr Clay. “It is perfectly fine for someone to give you a lift to the meeting, but that person should never come inside the building.”
“Also – and I cannot stress this enough – you need to take a good hard look at all of your social media profiles and ask yourself whether your profiles are consistent and professional. If in doubt, clean up your profiles before you start going for interviews. Employers absolutely do look at the social media presence of everyone they are considering hiring these days.”
Learning to prepare properly for interviews is essential for your future career – take these early opportunities seriously.
