Students, instructors , and employers all agree that an internship can be an extremely 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 have to compete against a lot of other candidates . Most colleges employ a career counselor who will critique your resume. Unfortunately, not many colleges will offer you a lot of assistance readying yourself for interviews. But, don’t worry. Simply take advantage of the tips below and you’ll be fine.
1. Before 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 possible 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. Practice. Draft ten 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 sure to do all of the “small things” properly. Dress appropriately. If in doubt, err on the safe side; dressing well and conservatively. Show up for the interview at least five 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. Allow your interviewer to lead the conversation and be certain you understand his/her questions. If you do not, politely ask for clarification before offering a response . Don’t be concerned if you require a brief pause to consider an answer, but avoid “filler” words like, “you know”, “well”, etc. .
5. Be ready to discuss the skills and characteristics that make you a good candidate for the internship in question . As you are a student , 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 past accomplishments. Questions may be open ended, like “How did you choose your major?” 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 abilities. 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 better job candidate in the future, and/or be of benefit to the organization.
Be sure you get 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, that all though you can’t win them all, you just need one win, so do not let yourself get discouraged .
