Interview Tips & Tricks to Land a Summer Internship

By Grace McGowan

Summer is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start applying and interviewing for summer internships. Internships are a great way to gain real-world work experience, build your professional skills, and learn if the field you are interested in is the right fit for you. For many students, applying for summer internships can be a daunting process, especially when it comes to interviews. However, if you are well-prepared, there’s no need to be stressed. Doing work ahead of time will ensure that you make a good impression with the interviewer and establish yourself as an excellent candidate. While you might struggle to conduct the perfect interview at first, these experiences will make you all the more prepared to interview for graduate school or for jobs after graduating from Villanova. Here are some pieces of advice to prepare for an interview and secure that summer internship:

1. Prepare answers to common questions

If you go through enough interviews, you’ll notice that almost all interviewers will ask similar questions at the beginning of the interview before getting into the more specific questions. These standard questions include the vague “Tell me about yourself” and the tricky “What’s your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?” Preparing questions to these answers will help you seem confident and self-aware. Make sure to practice your answers out loud. You can find a list of common interview questions and answers here.

2. Start positive

Be sure that you are communicating your enthusiasm with the interviewer straightaway. You want to stand out from the other students applying for the internship, and demonstrating your interest is a good way to do so. After greeting the interviewer, say something like, “Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I’m looking forward to telling you more about my qualifications and to learning more about Company X. I think we’d be a great fit.”

3. Know specific reasons why you want to work for the company

The interviewer will almost certainly ask you why you applied for the internship or what drew you to that company in particular. Be sure that you have done research ahead of time and have a unique answer. Talking about the field is too general. If you are interviewing at a law firm and your answer to this question is about how interested you are in becoming a lawyer, the interviewer still does not know why you want to work at that specific company. Look at the company’s website or recent news about the company to find an answer that will be more tailored.

4. Bring a copy of your resume

This is simple, but shows the interviewer that you came prepared. It is likely that the interviewer will bring their own copy of your resume to the interview, but even so, having your resume in front of you can help remind you of your strengths when you are answering questions. If your interview is on Skype or over the phone, having your resume and other applications materials in front of you is helpful for the same reason.

5. Prepare 3 to 5 thoughtful questions

The interviewer will likely ask you if you have any questions. Saying “no” cuts the conversation short and might also signal to the interviewer that you aren’t very invested in the internship. Preparing a few questions about the internship experience or the company culture can help prompt conversation, demonstrate your interest, and of course provide you with more information to make your final decision. Don’t ask questions that are easily found on the website or that will make you look unprepared. You can find a list of sample questions to ask in an interview here.

6. Send a thank-you letter or email afterwards

This is a small gesture, but it’s another way to show your interest in the internship and to keep you in the forefront of the interviewer’s mind when they are considering applicants. Keep the letter or email brief. Thank the interviewer for his or her time, restate your interest, and say that you hope to hear a favorable response soon.

7. Be confident and don’t stress

Confidence is key in interviews. If your attitude conveys that you are a strong candidate, the interviewer will pick up on that. Acting nervous or unsure of yourself will overshadow your qualifications. Remember to relax and be your own best advocate! If nothing else, internship interviews are a good way to practice for future, more serious interviews.

Good luck - go get that summer internship!