How to Nail Your Internship Interview

By Joe Issid
Monster Contributing Writer

The practice of hiring interns has come under increased scrutiny in recent years as many companies were, in fact, doing so illegally for many years. In order for a company to legally hire an intern, there are a number of very specific conditions that need to be met (depending on Province) so please be aware of your rights before choosing to apply. With that caveat in mind, there are tremendous benefits to applying for a legitimate internship as it is often a successful entry point into a competitive marketplace. Naturally, the overwhelming majority of internship applicants are recent graduates who have very little experience in the corporate world and who may have never even sat through an interview before. As such, it can be a daunting and nerve-racking proposition. Here are some factors to keep in mind on the big day:

All interviews are created equal
Truth be told, not everyone approaches an internship with the same mindset. It can often feel deflating having completed a tough post-graduate degree only to be confronted with the notion of having to take a non-paying job. However, there is one thing you need to understand: if you intend to accept an interview request, you should be prepared to give a full and complete effort. Whether you are interviewing for an internship or a permanent senior position, you should approach the interview with the same level of readiness and sincerity. If you enter the interview room feeling uninspired or disinterested, the interviewer will be able to feel it and your chances of landing the gig will be seriously compromised. Do yourself a favor and be sure that you are willing to work as an intern (and fully complete the program) before choosing to interview for one.

You are here to learn
According to the Employment Standards Act, an internship must ensure that “….training is similar to that which is given in a vocational school.” As such, you should approach your prospective internship as a continuation of your education. If it helps, you should look at it as a free continuation. To wit, the interviewer is looking for candidates who demonstrate a desire and capacity to learn and to further build their skill sets. Take the time to learn about the company and person with whom you are interviewing and use this knowledge to show your capacity for research.

Ask the right questions
Firstly, you should only be applying for internships that have clearly defined expectations and responsibilities. As such, you should not be spending any part of the interview asking about your working hours or what kind of non-financial compensation you can expect to receive. The interview is your opportunity to ask more about what the internship program has provided past graduates, what types of skills you will learn or how relevant your current skills are. This is a real opportunity for you to learn whether this is the right opportunity for you so it would be a shame to waste the meeting asking as to whether you are entitled to free coffee. This interview is a possible glimpse into your future so try ask questions that address the bigger picture.

Value your time
Unfortunately, my first internship involved carrying around a lawyer’s briefcase for several weeks before I finally came to my senses and quit. My issue was that I was so eager to get my foot in the door at a law firm that I was willing to accept any form of “work experience”. On the surface, it can appear extremely prestigious to be working at a reputable company in your chosen field but keep in mind that you are investing your time and effort. If it looks like your time is being wasted performing irrelevant tasks, you should start looking for something else.

Have a goal
A good interviewer will ask you why you want to work as an intern and what you expect to gain from the experience. A good interviewee will also have some original and legitimate answers to this seemingly generic question. Having a defined goal in mind is not only important to the interviewer but it should be at the fore of your thought process when entering the room. You need to be approaching the process with a clear idea of how this internship will help you along your career path. If you are having a hard time seeing the benefit of landing the job, it may not be the right fit for you at this time.

There is a great deal of value that a well-run internship program can offer and many successful people are products of such environments. The key to approaching an internship is to eliminate the monetary aspect and to view the process as a mutually-beneficial arrangement. As long as you approach the interview in an organized and professional fashion, you should be in a great place to make a well-informed decision.