How to answer common summer internship interview questions

If you're still in college, a summer internship can help you gain valuable experience and skills before you graduate. Just like any other job, you'll probably need to interview with a hiring manager for an internship. Explore these common internship interview questions with answers to help you prepare for your upcoming interview.

Can you tell me about yourself?

Interviewers commonly start with this question to gauge what information you find valuable and relevant to the internship. Keep your answer brief and focused. Mention your educational and career goals, as well as one or two details about your extracurricular activities or hobbies.

Example: "I'm about to finish my sophomore year in college, and I recently declared sociology as my major. I chose this major because I'm interested in a career in social work. I want to make a difference in people's lives. Outside of class, I teach swimming lessons to young kids on the weekends, and I also enjoy reading fiction."

Why do you want this internship?

A hiring manager asks this question to know whether your career goals align with the internship they're offering. The interviewer also wants to gauge your interest in this specific opportunity. Discuss what initially drew you to the role, and provide specific examples to show you've researched the company. According to U.S. News and World Report, it's essential to research a company before an internship interview to show your professionalism.

Example: "I'm interested in this internship because I want to work in public relations after I graduate. I applied because I know this company works with several large businesses in the area. In fact, I recently saw a press release that named this company the top PR firm in the city. I'd love to witness how the team manages professional relationships and represents other businesses to get some firsthand perspective for my career."

What do you want to learn from this internship?

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn about your goals for the internship. Prepare an answer that describes the specific experiences and skills you hope to gain. Make sure your response aligns with the company and its internship opportunity. Express enthusiasm for the work you'd be doing as an intern.

Example: "I applied for this internship specifically because the description mentioned the ability to work with different teams. As a student studying human resources, I'm very interested in learning more about how teams function and collaborate within a company. I believe this experience would allow me to become more familiar with different business departments, which will be invaluable to my career."

What do you plan to do after you graduate?

The interviewer will likely ask a question about your goals after graduation. Some internships lead to jobs, so the interviewer might want to know whether you'd be a good employee after your internship ends. When you answer this question, be honest about your goals. Even if you aren't sure yet what you want to do, avoid showing doubt about the field.

Example: "As a finance major, my goal after graduation is to start working for a company as an in-house accountant. With one year left in school, I'm interested in interning with this company to gain some professional experience. I think it will allow me to hit the ground running once I get my first job."

"Some internships lead to jobs, so the interviewer might want to know whether you'd be a good employee after your internship ends."

How does your current coursework relate to this internship?

Your interviewer may have questions about your current courses and how your studies will help you as an intern. They also want to know that you can make connections between your education and the work you plan to do. This question allows you to demonstrate what you've learned and what you plan to learn in the future.

Example: "As a mathematics major, I'm studying subjects related to statistics, probability, and analysis. In this internship, I hope to put those classes to use and learn about their applications for data analysis in business. In addition, I believe the experience I gain here will only help me in my future coursework."

What's a project that you're proud of and why?

This question helps the interviewer understand your priorities and achievements. Discuss something you completed at a part-time job, or focus your answer on an academic project. In your response, discuss the assignment in detail and share why you're proud of it. Take advantage of the opportunity to showcase your strengths to the interviewer.

Example: "In my American history class, we were asked to work with three other people on a presentation about an important moment from the 20th century. My group chose the impact of Pearl Harbor on World War II. I'm very interested in this part of American history, and I took on a leadership role for my team. I organized all the study group dates, created the project outline, and delegated research responsibilities to the team. We aced the presentation, and I'm very proud of the leadership skills I displayed."

These are some typical summer internship interview questions. By reviewing questions like these in advance, you can ensure you're prepared for your internship interview. Still looking for the right internship? Sign up to get email alerts from CareerBuilder so you can learn about new internships in your field of study.