How to Interview for an Internship

Interviews can be intimidating. Rather than a nerve-wracking event, think of it as a simple discussion with the interviewer, where your goal is to see if the internship position is right for you and if you're right for the internship. Prepare yourself beforehand in order to nail the interview.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Research the organization or business before your interview. Review its website and any available company literature. Also, ask if you could talk with a former intern to learn about her experience. Background knowledge on the organization is impressive to an interviewer.

2. Dress well for the interview. Overdressing is better than dressing too casually. A male should wear a suit if possible, or nice slacks, a collared shirt, tie and sports jacket. A female should wear either a pantsuit or a skirt, blouse and blazer. Choose darker colors rather than light ones to look professional and conservative.

3. Rehearse answers to typical interview questions. You can find sample lists online. While you should practice your answers, don't memorize them because you should be genuine rather than robotic.

4. Prepare questions to ask. Interviewers often look down upon a potential intern who has no questions about the position. Ask about the type of work you'll be doing for the internship and what you'll learn.

5. Bring samples of your work. Design or writing samples, presentations, group projects and research papers are all examples of work that an employer might like to see, depending on the position.

6. Be yourself during the interview. If you're nervous and feel it's showing, simply mention that you're a bit nervous. Interviewers are usually sympathetic to that. Your goal is to show them who you are and what you can offer.

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