From Nervous to Hired: 7 Internship Interview Tips That Actually Work

Research Like a Detective

Anyone can spend five minutes on a company’s "About Us" page. To truly impress, you need to dig deeper. Your goal is to understand the company's current position, its challenges, and its culture.

• Read Recent News: What have they been up to lately? Check out their press releases or recent news articles. Mentioning a recent product launch or company milestone shows you’re paying attention.
• Scour Their Social Media: A company's LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram can reveal a lot about its culture and values. Is it formal and corporate, or casual and creative?
• Research Your Interviewer: Look them up on LinkedIn. Knowing their role, their career path, or even a shared interest can help you build rapport during the interview.

Rehearse, Don't Memorize

The key to answering interview questions confidently is to practice, but you don’t want to sound like a robot reciting a script. Instead of memorizing answers, prepare stories that showcase your skills.

The STAR Method is Your Best Friend

For behavioral questions like "Tell me about a time you worked on a team," use the STAR method to structure your answer:

• S - Situation: Briefly describe the context. (e.g., "In my marketing class, we had a group project with a tight deadline.")
• T - Task: Explain your specific role or goal. (e.g., "My role was to conduct market research and create the presentation slides.")
• A - Action: Detail the specific steps you took. (e.g., "I delegated research tasks, set up a shared document for collaboration, and designed the slides using Canva.")
• R - Result: Share the positive outcome. (e.g., "As a result, we finished ahead of schedule and received the highest grade in the class.")

Become the Interviewer (For a Moment)

At the end of the interview, you’ll almost always be asked, "Do you have any questions for us?" Your answer should always be "Yes!" This is your chance to demonstrate your curiosity and determine if the company is a good fit for you.

Avoid questions you could easily Google. Instead, ask thoughtful questions like:

• "What does a typical day look like for an intern in this role?"
• "What are the biggest challenges the team is currently facing?"
• "How do you measure success for your interns?"
• "What is your favorite part about the company culture here?"

Get Your "Go-Bag" Ready

Whether your interview is in-person or virtual, being organized shows professionalism. Don’t scramble for documents at the last minute.

Prepare a folder (physical or digital) with everything you might need:

• Multiple copies of your resume.
• A list of your prepared questions and key talking points.
• A portfolio or work samples, if applicable.
• A notepad and pen for taking notes.

Make sure your resume is polished and ready to share. Having a clean, professional document from a builder like Resumost can make a great first impression even before you speak a word.

Dress for the Role You Want

The age-old advice still holds true. How you present yourself matters. For virtual interviews, it's tempting to only dress professionally from the waist up, but dressing the part completely helps put you in a confident, professional mindset.

A good rule of thumb is to dress one level above the company's everyday attire. If it's a casual startup, aim for business casual. If it's a corporate office, a suit or formal business wear is appropriate. When in doubt, it's always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.

Your Body Language Speaks Volumes

You can communicate confidence and engagement without saying anything.

For Virtual Interviews:

• Position Your Camera Correctly: Make sure it's at eye level.
• Look at the Lens: It feels unnatural, but looking at the camera mimics making eye contact with the interviewer.
• Smile and Nod: Show you’re actively listening and engaged in the conversation.

For In-Person Interviews:

• Offer a Firm Handshake: It's a classic sign of confidence.
• Maintain Good Posture: Sit up straight and avoid slouching.
• Use Gestures: Natural hand gestures can show enthusiasm and help articulate your points.

The Final Handshake: A Killer Follow-Up

Your interview isn't over when you leave the room (or the Zoom call). Sending a thank-you note is a non-negotiable step that reinforces your interest in the role.

• Timing is Key: Send your thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview.
• Personalize It: Don't just send a generic template. Reference a specific topic you discussed with the interviewer. For example, "I particularly enjoyed learning about the team's upcoming project on X."
• Reiterate Your Interest: Briefly restate why you're excited about the internship and confident you'd be a great fit.

By following these tips, you’re not just preparing for an interview—you're preparing to make a connection and prove you’re the solution they’ve been looking for. Now take a deep breath, trust in your preparation, and go get that offer