The Tough Questions: Do You Know Yourself?

The interview is a major turning point in the internship search. Since it is so important, preparation and confidence are the key to success. With an interview, nothing is predictable or guaranteed. Although almost anything job-related is fair game for an interview question, we have compiled a list of some of the more frequently asked and challenging interview questions.

When preparing for your interview, remember that it’s all about making a great, lasting impression. Don’t stress too much about specific answers or if an interviewer is going to ask you a specific question – work on becoming comfortable in this type of environment and with answering this style of questions.

Becoming a programmed robot who regurgitates answers won’t impress a potential employer. Remember to be yourself, show personality, and really use the interview let the employer get to know who you really are, what you’ve accomplished, and why you want the internship. Use examples during the interview to highlight your resume and show employers who you really are.

Take time before your interview, think about each of the following questions, and plot out a few reasonable responses. By organizing and familiarizing yourself with relevant ideas and past experiences, you will be ready to ace your interview.

Tell me about yourself.

What are your strengths?

What are your weaknesses?

What do your friends say about you?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? How do you plan on making your goals a reality?

How did you choose your college/university?

Do you consider yourself to be a team player?

Do you have any examples of past leadership experiences?

What do you know about this organization?

Why do you want to intern for this organization? 

Why are you interested in this particular field/industry?