Smart Questions to Ask at the End of Your Internship Interview

Landing an internship interview is a significant achievement. When preparing for an interview, it’s easy to focus all your energy on how you will respond to the interview questions. But it’s not all about your answers. The questions you bring to the hiring process can carry a lot of weight, so it’s important to know what questions to ask at the end of an interview. Employers like to know that their potential employees are interested in the job, the company goals, and how they would fit into the workplace. This article provides you with insightful questions to ask during your internship interview, helping you make a positive impression and determine if the internship aligns with your aspirations.

Why Asking Questions Matters

At the end of an interview, you're often asked if you have any questions for them. If you don't ask any questions, you might seem like you're not really interested. Asking questions about the organization and the industry helps leave a good impression.

Preparing Your Questions

Before the interview, research the company thoroughly. Based on your research, ask about the things that spark your curiosity.

Your company values [specific value] greatly, which resonates with me.
I read that the company is planning to expand its operations in [region/country].
Your company has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability.
I noticed that the company recently announced a partnership with [specific organization].
I saw in the news that [industry event/trend] is happening.
I noticed that several competitors in the industry have been investing heavily in [specific area].
I read about the increasing importance of data analytics in driving business decisions across the industry.
I read an industry report that highlighted the growing demand for [specific product/service].

Worried you'll forget your questions? Jot them down on a piece of paper and ask to refer to them at the end of the interview. Learn everything you can about your interviewers beforehand. Memorise their path to IB, school, internships etc, bear in mind you're basically tryna be these guys in a couple of years' time.

if they did a summer internship at that firm, what was their experience like?
are senior bankers approachable for coffee chats?
Do they have a mentor at the firm they can turn to?
is there a particular industry / product they're focused on?
What's the social scene like?

General Tips for Asking Questions

Keep it simple: You don't have to dive into super complex questions. The interviewer might not have all the answers.
Be genuine: Ask about stuff that really sparks your interest. Conversations flow better when you're genuinely curious.

Essential Questions to Ask

Here are some questions to ask during an internship interview that will help you build a rapport with your hiring manager, create a positive impression, and learn if the internship is the right fit for you.

Read also: Comprehensive Interview Guide

1. Understanding the Role and Expectations

What does a typical day/week look like for an intern in this role? This question will help you better understand what exactly your employer expects, particularly when you’re starting. You’ll get a sense of what you'll need to do in your first few months. Asking questions about the job role you applied for will give you an idea of the ins and outs of the responsibilities. The interviewer will give you a detailed overview of your daily job responsibilities. He/she will also state what other general duties you will be carrying out.
How will my success be measured in this role? Understanding the metrics of how your success will be measured can help you gauge what’s expected of you. Your interviewer will also see that you’ve got a keen interest in being a successful employee and delivering. Ask this question to display your goal-oriented attitude. The answer to this question can help you learn if the performance evaluation process of the company is in place. Are there weekly or bi-weekly feedback meetings with the mentor? Are there specific criteria on which you will be evaluated?
What skills are most important for success in this internship? Most job posts describe a general list of skills required for the position. Asking this question will display that you care about displaying or learning the specific skill set needed for successful job performance. The answer to this question will give you a crisp outline of what the employer is seeking in a candidate. It will help set goals and expectations accordingly. If the job entails using certain tools, you may ask the interviewer about the tools they use for specific tasks. This way, there will be no surprises, and you will have time to try out the tool.

2. Company Culture and Environment

What do you love most about working in this company? Understanding what attracted your employer to the position will help you to decide if it’s a place that you would also enjoy working.
How would you describe the company culture? Company culture is one of the most important factors that determine employee satisfaction and job security.
What are some of the challenges the company is currently facing, and how is it addressing them? Before you agree to work somewhere, it’s good to have an accurate sense of where the company stands and how they’re trying to improve. Understanding the struggles facing the organization will also help you sell your own experience.
How does the company support remote team members in feeling connected and engaged? Working remotely can often lead to feeling distant from the team. Some examples of connecting with the team remotely are remote team-building activities such as team recognition events, virtual games, friendly challenges, fun workshops, etc.

3. Career Development and Growth

What opportunities are there for professional development and learning within the company? You will get to know if there are any learning resources and opportunities that the company offers for professional and personal development. The best workplaces are organizations and companies that invest in their employees. Knowing how a potential employer treats their employees will help you decide if it’s a place you want to work.
What are the company's plans for the future? Just like the firm wants to know about your plans for the future, it’s vital to know where the company will be then too. Nobody wants to get on board a sinking ship.
How does this role fit into the broader organization? A company is a well-oiled machine. It’s crucial to understand how that machine works and how your position fits into that machine. Getting the best sense of the potential role will improve your ability to convince an employer of your worth.
How has this role evolved over time? Job positions evolve - for better or for worse. That’s why it’s important to understand what you’re signing up for before even looking at a contract.
Does your company have 1:1s? At all my interships, I've had weekly 1:1s with someone who is in charge of making sure I'm having a good time and learning and stuff. I've learned so much from these conversations and they've been the highlight of my week at some internships.
How much choice does an intern get in what they work on? What are the similarities and differences in how they're treated vs. full-time employees? I've had a really great time at companies where I'm treated more like a full time engineer. I like being trusted with real work and working on things that are important.

4. Addressing Concerns and Clarifications

Do you have any concerns about my qualifications or experience that I can address? This question is a great way to understand where you stand in the eyes of the employer and then address any hesitations they may have. You can take advantage of this opportunity to explain how you can overcome weaknesses in your resume or prior experience.
What are the potential roadblocks I might face in this role? It’s useful to know what you’re signing up for when taking on a new professional challenge. It’s especially pertinent to understand the potential roadblocks that you might end up facing. Every job role entails some challenges and roadblocks. Through this question, you will learn some further insights into the job role that you applied for.

5. Logistics and Next Steps

What are the next steps in the interview process? This question is good for establishing when you can expect to hear back about the interview and how you should prepare yourself in the case of more interviews or another hiring stage. You will learn how long the evaluation process could take. Generally, it can range from a few days to a few weeks. Are there any more interview rounds? Will you hear from them even if you do not get accepted?

6. Personal Well-being and Company Values

How are stress levels / working hours? My mental health is important to me. According to a study by Deloitte, burnout is the top reason why Gen Zs left their employers over the last two years. While some students thrive on tackling specific tasks daily, others crave variety.
Is your product accessible?
How do you decide what the company is working on (e.g. what's built next, or what technology is being used)? It's really fun when I get to help make big decisions or have influence on people who make the decisions.
What are you excited about that's going on at your company right now?

7. For International Students

If they're a US company, since I'm Canadian I'd need them to sponsor a J1 visa for me. Is that something your company can do?

8. Understanding the Interviewer's Perspective

Sometimes you don't have a question. Maybe you didn't have the time to prepare questions. Maybe you forgot. Fear not! People love talking about themselves, you might not need to do any work at all! This question tends to elicit longer answer, which gives you time to find a more targeted question.

If they did a summer internship at that firm, what was their experience like?
Are senior bankers approachable for coffee chats? Do they have a mentor at the firm they can turn to?
Is there a particular industry / product they're focused on?
What's the social scene like?
How did they develop those sales skills?

Questions to Avoid

Avoid generic questions: Do not ask questions like ‘Are there any other internship openings’. This will show that you are not fully aware of which job role you want to work in.
Vacation before joining: Do not ask about vacation leaves before joining the company.
Salary and promotions too early: Questions regarding promotions and/or salary raises are better left for the last round of salary negotiations. Money matters. However, we don't recommend asking questions about salary during your first interview. So start by looking online for salary data.
- Acceptable (with reason): If you must bring up salary during your first interview, it may help to provide a reason. Could you provide insights into the compensation structure and any additional benefits?

Turning the Interview into a Discussion

The main tactic is to turn the interview into a discussion - because that's what it should be.

Read also: Ace Your Interview

Additional Tips for Interview Preparation

Research the company and interviewer: to get a sense of the person you will be meeting with.
Review common interview questions: Go through commonly asked interview questions in your role and position. You can read role-based interview questions on sites like Glassdoor. For instance, if you are applying for the social media manager position, type the role name (social media manager) in the search box and read the interview questions.
Prepare for behavioral questions: Do not skip preparing for most common interview questions such as ‘Describe yourself ‘ and ‘Tell me about a time you made a mistake‘.*Outside the interview, reading reviews on Prosple can help you identify red flags too.

Read also: Interview Tips for Internships

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