Common Interview Questions
Victoria Anderson
If you have an interview coming up and are nervous about any questions they might ask you that you are unprepared for, don’t worry. As a student who has interviewed for many internships over the past three years, I have started noticing a pattern in the similarity of commonly asked questions.
A recruiter might ask you about a challenge or a challenging experience you may have faced, and how you overcame this challenge.
When answering this question, make sure the challenge is not too complicated, but more so a challenge you may have faced in the academic or career arena. For example, a difficult co-worker or a peer who did not help on a final project. Your answer should show that you can solve problems and work effectively with others.
Another common question is a goal you achieved and how you came to achieve it.
It is important to answer this in your own words and make sure this goal is something you want your potential future employer to know.
Next, they will ask you about yourself and your academic and professional experiences.
It is crucial that you have your resumé in front of you for reference, or open on your laptop, if the interview is virtual.
In addition, they might ask you why you are a good fit for the position.
It is important to mention your skills in your answer, your previous work background, and any extracurricular activities that might be relevant to the position you are applying for.
Lastly, a common question I have been asked during an interview is what I know about the company and why I am interested in working there.
Be prepared for this question, and conduct a basic research overview on said company. Who are they? What products/services do they provide? Where are they located? Use this information to form your answer. It could even be beneficial to have an interesting fact about the company.
For all of these questions, don’t think you have to dive into extensive detail and long answers. These questions are simple, behavioral-based questions and are meant to have quick answers. If the interviewer asks you a follow-up question, then that signals you to go into more detail. My last piece of advice would be to have a few questions in mind, either about the company or the internship. The interviewer usually will end the discussion by asking if you have any questions, and it will look better for you if you have at least one or two in mind.
Good luck, and you got this!