Last updated: September 21, 2026
What is an Internship?
Internship Definition
An internship is a short-term, structured work experience offered by a company, non-profit, or government organization to students or early-career professionals. It gives the intern the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience in a specific field, apply academic knowledge to real projects, build professional skills, and network with industry professionals — in exchange for their time and effort. Internships may be paid, unpaid, or completed for academic credit, and typically last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Because an internship is often a candidate's first real interview experience, the internship interview process tends to focus more on potential, attitude, and willingness to learn than on years of prior work experience — which is good news if you're preparing for your very first professional interview.
Figure 1: A typical internship interview process, from application to offer.
How to Prepare for an Internship Interview
Knowing how to prepare for an internship interview is often the biggest differentiator between candidates with similar academic backgrounds. Follow this step-by-step preparation checklist:
6-Step Internship Interview Preparation Checklist
- Research the company — understand its mission, products/services, recent news, competitors, and culture.
- Review the internship description — match your coursework, projects, and skills directly to the listed responsibilities.
- Practice using the STAR method — structure behavioral answers as Situation, Task, Action, Result.
- Prepare 3-5 questions to ask the interviewer (see the dedicated section below).
- Plan your outfit the night before based on the company's dress code.
- Do a mock interview with a friend, career counselor, or in front of a mirror to build confidence.
The STAR Method for Behavioral Questions
What is the STAR Method?
The STAR method is a structured way to answer behavioral interview questions ("Tell me about a time when...") by covering four parts:
- Situation — briefly set the context
- Task — explain your specific responsibility
- Action — describe the steps you personally took
- Result — share the measurable outcome and what you learned
Additional Preparation Tips
- Print or save digital copies of your resume, cover letter, and any portfolio/work samples.
- Test your tech setup in advance if it's a video interview (camera, microphone, internet, background).
- Plan your route or login link and aim to arrive/join 10 minutes early.
- Prepare a concise 60-90 second "Tell me about yourself" pitch.
- Get a good night's sleep and eat something before the interview.
What to Wear to an Internship Interview
Choosing what to wear to an internship interview depends on the company's industry and culture, but when in doubt, it's always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.
| Industry / Company Type | Recommended Attire | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Finance, Banking, Law, Consulting | Business formal | Suit and tie / formal pantsuit or skirt suit |
| Corporate, Accounting, Government | Business professional | Blazer with dress pants/skirt, collared shirt |
| General Business, Marketing, Retail Corporate | Business casual | Collared shirt/blouse, dress pants or skirt, closed-toe shoes |
| Tech Startups, Creative Agencies | Smart casual | Neat button-down or blouse with chinos; avoid jeans/sneakers unless confirmed acceptable |
Quick Rule of Thumb
If you're unsure of a company's dress code, research their employees on LinkedIn or ask the recruiter directly — it's a completely normal and appreciated question. Whatever you choose, make sure your outfit is clean, well-fitted, and wrinkle-free.
Common Internship Interview Questions & Sample Answers
Below are the most frequently asked internship interview questions, along with guidance on how to structure a strong answer.
Tell me about yourself.
Give a 60-90 second pitch: your field of study, 1-2 relevant experiences or projects, and why you're excited about this specific internship. Keep it professional and forward-looking rather than a full life story.
Why do you want this internship?
Connect your career goals and academic interests to what this specific role/company offers. Mention something specific you learned from your research (a product, project, or value) to show genuine interest.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Pick a strength directly relevant to the internship and back it with a brief example. For weaknesses, choose something genuine but not disqualifying, and show what you're actively doing to improve it.
Why should we choose you over other candidates?
Highlight 2-3 unique qualifications (skills, coursework, projects, or personal qualities) that align closely with the internship's requirements, and express genuine enthusiasm for contributing to the team.
Describe a time you worked in a team.
Use the STAR method: briefly set the situation, explain your specific role/task, describe the actions you took to collaborate effectively, and share the result (what the team achieved).
How do you handle deadlines and pressure?
Share a concrete example of prioritizing tasks, breaking a big project into smaller steps, and staying organized (e.g., using to-do lists or calendars) to meet a real deadline under pressure.
What do you know about our company?
Reference the company's mission, a recent product launch or news item, and explain specifically why that excites you or aligns with your career interests. This question tests how well you researched beforehand.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Show ambition balanced with realism — connect your answer to growing skills relevant to this industry/company, without over-promising a specific job title you can't guarantee.
Tell me about a challenge you overcame.
Choose a genuine academic, extracurricular, or part-time work challenge. Use STAR to explain the obstacle, the steps you took, and what you learned — employers value self-awareness and growth.
Do you have any questions for us?
Always say yes — see the "Questions to Ask the Interviewer" section below for strong examples. Never say "No, I think you covered everything."
Internship Interview Questions to Ask the Interviewer
Asking thoughtful questions to ask in an internship interview shows genuine interest and helps you evaluate whether the internship is the right fit for you.
Smart Questions to Ask
- What does a typical day or week look like for an intern in this role?
- What kind of projects would I be working on during the internship?
- How is intern performance evaluated, and how often do I get feedback?
- Is there a possibility of a full-time offer after the internship?
- Who will I be working with or reporting to on a daily basis?
- What opportunities are there for mentorship, training, or professional development?
- What skills or qualities make an intern most successful on this team?
- What do you personally enjoy most about working here?
Avoid Asking
Skip questions about salary, benefits, or vacation days in the first interview (save these for an offer discussion), and avoid anything easily answered by a quick look at the company's website.
Industry-Specific Internship Interview Questions
Different industries and companies test for different skills. Here's what to expect for some of the most commonly searched internship types.
Finance Internship Interview Questions
- Walk me through the three financial statements.
- How would you value a company?
- What happens to Enterprise Value if debt increases?
- Why finance, and why this firm specifically?
- Are you comfortable working with Excel and financial models?
Marketing Internship Interview Questions
- Describe a marketing campaign you admire and why.
- How would you promote our product to a new audience?
- What social media platforms are you most familiar with?
- How do you measure the success of a campaign?
- Tell me about a time you used data to make a decision.
Accounting Internship Interview Questions
- Explain the accounting equation (Assets = Liabilities + Equity).
- What accounting software have you used?
- How do you ensure accuracy when working with numbers?
- Walk me through how a transaction flows through the financial statements.
- Why are you interested in pursuing accounting/CPA licensure?
Amazon Internship Interview
- Questions are based on Amazon's 16 Leadership Principles (e.g., Customer Obsession, Ownership, Bias for Action).
- Tell me about a time you disagreed with a decision (Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit).
- Describe a time you went above and beyond for a customer (Customer Obsession).
- Technical/coding rounds are common for SDE internships (data structures & algorithms).
- Prepare STAR-format stories mapped to each Leadership Principle in advance.
KPMG Internship Interview Questions
- Why KPMG specifically, out of the Big Four firms?
- Tell me about a time you worked under a tight deadline.
- How do you handle working with a difficult team member?
- Describe your understanding of KPMG's core values.
- Case-study or numerical reasoning tests are common in early rounds.
Internship Exit Interview Questions
At the end of your internship, many companies conduct an internship exit interview to gather feedback and evaluate your fit for a possible full-time offer.
Common Exit Interview Questions
- What did you learn during this internship?
- What was the most valuable or memorable part of your experience?
- What could we improve about our internship program?
- Would you recommend this internship to a friend or classmate?
- Are you interested in a full-time role with us after graduation?
- What are your key takeaways and next career steps?
Treat the exit interview as seriously as your original interview — be honest but constructive, highlight specific achievements from your internship, and clearly express your interest in a full-time role if you want one.
Top Internship Interview Tips
| Tip | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Research the company thoroughly | Shows genuine interest and helps you tailor answers |
| Use the STAR method | Gives structured, memorable, and specific answers |
| Arrive/join 10 minutes early | Demonstrates punctuality and reduces last-minute stress |
| Bring extra resume copies | Useful for multi-interviewer panels |
| Prepare thoughtful questions | Signals engagement and helps you evaluate the role |
| Send a thank-you email within 24 hours | Reinforces interest and professionalism |
| Maintain positive body language | Eye contact and a firm handshake build rapport |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not researching the company — generic answers signal low interest.
- Speaking negatively about a previous employer, professor, or teammate.
- Having no questions to ask the interviewer.
- Rambling answers without a clear structure (use STAR).
- Dressing too casually without confirming the company's dress code.
- Forgetting to follow up with a thank-you email after the interview.
Quick Revision Summary
- Internship = short-term, structured work experience for students/early-career professionals
- Preparation = research company + review job description + practice STAR answers + prepare questions + plan attire + mock interview
- Attire = business casual is safest; business formal for finance/consulting/law
- Always ask questions about the role, team, growth, and evaluation criteria
- Follow up with a thank-you email within 24 hours
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
An internship is a short-term, structured work experience offered by a company or organization to students or early-career professionals, giving them practical hands-on experience, professional skills, and industry connections — sometimes paid, sometimes unpaid or for academic credit.
Common questions include: Tell me about yourself, Why do you want this internship, What are your strengths and weaknesses, Why should we choose you, Where do you see yourself in five years, Describe a time you worked in a team, How do you handle deadlines and pressure, What do you know about our company, and Do you have any questions for us.
Research the company, review the internship description, practice answers using the STAR method, prepare 3-5 questions to ask, plan professional attire, do a mock interview, and bring copies of your resume.
Business casual is the safest choice for most internships. Choose business formal for finance, consulting, or law; smart casual may be appropriate for tech startups or creative agencies. When unsure, research the company's dress code or ask the recruiter.
Ask about a typical day for an intern, projects you'd work on, how performance is evaluated, the possibility of a full-time offer, who you'd report to, mentorship/training opportunities, and what makes interns successful on the team.
An internship exit interview is a conversation at the end of the internship to gather feedback. Common questions cover what you learned, your most valuable experience, program improvement suggestions, and your interest in a full-time role.
Amazon internship interviews are built around its 16 Leadership Principles (e.g., Customer Obsession, Ownership, Bias for Action) and use behavioral STAR-format questions. Technical/SDE internships also include coding and data structures & algorithms rounds.
STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result — a structured way to answer behavioral interview questions by briefly setting context, explaining your responsibility, describing your actions, and sharing the measurable outcome.