6 Questions You Need to Ask to Hire the Best Intern
Last month, I interviewed an intern candidate who looked perfect on paper – great GPA, relevant coursework, impressive extracurriculars. But when I asked about a time they took initiative on a project, their response revealed something even more valuable: natural leadership ability and creative problem-solving skills. That’s when I realized how crucial the right interview questions are for identifying exceptional intern talent.
Why Intern Interviews Matter
The 6 Essential Questions
1. The Initiative Question
Q: “Tell me about a time you identified and solved a problem nobody asked you to fix.”
What to Look For:
- Problem recognition
- Self-motivation
- Creative thinking
- Follow-through
- Results focus
Red Flags:
- Waiting for direction
- Minimal effort
- Limited ownership
- Basic solutions
- No clear outcomes
2. The Learning Question
Q: “What’s something you taught yourself recently, and how did you go about learning it?”
Listen For:
- Learning approach
- Resource utilization
- Persistence
- Application
- Knowledge sharing
3. The Team Question
Q: “Describe a group project where things didn’t go as planned. How did you handle it?”
Evaluation Criteria:
- Collaboration skills
- Conflict resolution
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Results achievement
4. The Career Vision Question
Q: “How does this internship fit into your longer-term career goals?”
Assessment Areas:
- Career clarity
- Motivation
- Industry interest
- Growth mindset
- Professional focus
5. The Time Management Question
Q: “How do you prioritize when you have multiple competing deadlines?”
Key Indicators:
- Organization skills
- Decision-making
- Stress management
- Communication
- Reliability
6. The Culture Question
Q: “What type of work environment brings out your best?”
Look For:
- Self-awareness
- Cultural fit
- Work style
- Communication preferences
- Team compatibility
Evaluation Framework
| Dimension | Strong Indicators | Concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Initiative | Self-starter | Passive approach |
| Learning | Curious mindset | Fixed thinking |
| Teamwork | Collaborative | Lone wolf |
| Vision | Clear goals | Unclear direction |
| Organization | Structured approach | Chaotic style |
| Culture | Values alignment | Misalignment |
Follow-up Techniques
Deep Dive Questions
- Clarification:
- “Can you elaborate on…”
- “What specifically did you…”
- “How exactly did you…”
- “What was your role in…”
- “What were the results?”
Scenario-Based Questions
- Project Management:
- Handling deadlines
- Team dynamics
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Results delivery
Special Considerations
Academic Schedule
- Course load
- Exam periods
- Project deadlines
- Break schedules
- Academic requirements
Experience Level
- First-Time Interns:
- Focus on potential
- Assess soft skills
- Consider coursework
- Look for eagerness
- Value enthusiasm
- Experienced Interns:
- Previous internships
- Project outcomes
- Professional growth
- Leadership potential
- Industry knowledge
Making the Decision
Assessment Criteria
- Must-Haves:
- Basic skills
- Reliability
- Communication
- Learning ability
- Professional attitude
- Nice-to-Haves:
- Relevant experience
- Technical skills
- Industry knowledge
- Leadership potential
- Cultural add
Conclusion
Selecting the right intern requires looking beyond academic achievements to assess potential, attitude, and cultural fit. These six questions help uncover the qualities that matter most for internship success.
Ready to improve your intern interviews? Download our complete intern assessment toolkit.
