Have you been invited for an internship phone interview and want to know the common internship phone interview questions and how to answer them? If so, worry not. We have got you covered?
There are many questions an interviewer can ask you during an internship phone interview. These questions help potential employers screen applicants and identify their qualifications, personality, and skills before choosing who to meet in person.
Knowing these questions will help you better prepare to answer them clearly and confidently. In this article, we have highlighted the common internship phone interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next phone interview.
Internship Phone Interview Questions and Answers
What are some of the most important internship phone interview questions? How do you answer them? And what are the most important things to keep in mind before engaging in an internship phone interview? Let’s find out.
There are several steps you can take before, during, and after an internship phone interview that will set you apart from the rest of the candidates.
In this article, we have provided practical suggestions on how to do so. We will show you how to prepare for an internship interview and the common internship phone interview questions and answers.
Make your interview process a winning one by preparing to answer the common internship phone interview questions provided below.
Frequently Internship Phone Interview Questions and Answers
The questions below will help your potential employer understand who you are, including some of your interests, goals, and traits:
- Why have you applied for this internship?
- Why have you applied for an internship at our company?
- Why do you want to work in this industry?
- What are your strengths?
- How do you prioritize your work?
- What do you know about our company?
- What features about this internship interested you?
- Are you in school and if so, what is your major and why?
- How would your friends, family, and colleagues describe you?
- What are your hobbies and interests?
- Do you prefer to work independently or with a team?
- Where are your life goals for the next five years?
Other questions you might be asked include:
1. Tell Me About Yourself.
This question gives the interviewer a chance to understand your background and interests.
How to Answer: Start with your education, highlight relevant experiences (like previous internships, projects, or skills), and mention your career goals. Keep it concise—around one to two minutes.
Example: “I am currently a junior studying Marketing at XYZ University. Last summer, I interned at ABC Company, where I assisted with social media campaigns and learned a lot about digital marketing strategies. I’m passionate about using data to drive marketing decisions and am excited about the opportunity to apply my skills in a practical setting.”
2. Why Are You Interested in This Internship?
The interviewer wants to see if you’ve researched the company and understand the role.
How to Answer: Mention specific aspects of the company or internship that appeal to you, such as their projects, values, or culture.
Example Response: “I admire your company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, which aligns with my personal values. This internship would allow me to work on meaningful projects while further developing my skills in a supportive environment.”
3. What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
This question assesses your self-awareness and honesty.
How to Answer: Choose strengths that relate to the internship and mention weaknesses you’re actively working to improve.
Example Response: “One of my strengths is my ability to adapt quickly to new environments, which I demonstrated during my last internship when I had to learn new software in a short time. On the other hand, I tend to be a perfectionist, which can slow me down. I’m learning to balance quality with efficiency by setting more realistic goals for myself.”
4. Describe a Challenge You Have Faced and How You Overcame It.
This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and resilience.
How to Answer: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response.
Example Response: “In a group project at school (Situation), we struggled to meet deadlines because of differing schedules (Task). I took the initiative to create a shared timeline and set regular check-ins (Action). As a result, we finished the project ahead of time and received positive feedback from our professor (Result).”
5. Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?
Interviewers want to assess your long-term goals and whether they align with the company’s mission.
How to Answer: Share your aspirations while linking them to the internship and company values.
Example Response: “In five years, I hope to have gained substantial experience in marketing and to be in a position where I can lead projects. I believe this internship will be a crucial step in my career path, providing me with the necessary skills and insights to grow within this field.”
6. How Do You Handle Feedback?
This question assesses your ability to accept and learn from constructive criticism.
How to Answer: Provide an example of how you’ve responded positively to feedback in the past.
Example Response: “I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. During my last internship, my supervisor pointed out areas for improvement in my writing. I took her suggestions seriously, revised my work, and even sought additional resources to enhance my skills, resulting in improved performance.”
7. What Skills Do You Hope to Develop During This Internship?
They want to see if you have a clear vision for your professional growth.
How to Answer: Mention specific skills or knowledge you wish to gain from the internship experience.
Example Response: “I hope to deepen my understanding of data analytics and improve my technical skills in software development. I believe this internship will provide me with adequate experience and mentorship to achieve that.”
8. How Would Your Peers Describe You?
This question assesses how you perceive yourself in a team environment.
How to Answer: Highlight your positive traits and provide examples.
Example Response: “My peers would describe me as reliable and supportive. I’m the person who often organizes study groups and ensures everyone’s voice is heard. I’m also good at creating a collaborative atmosphere that encourages teamwork.”
9. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
This question allows you to demonstrate your interest in the role and the company.
How to Answer: Prepare thoughtful questions that show your enthusiasm.
Example Questions:
- “What are the biggest challenges the team is currently facing?”
- “Can you describe the training process for interns?”
- “What qualities do successful interns typically possess at your company?”
Phone Interviewing Tips for Internships
Although telephone interview is not as formal as a face-to-face interview, it should still be treated as a
formal meeting. Taking time to prepare for the interview is essential for a successful experience.
See the interview from a different perspective by preparing just as you would if you were meeting your interviewer face to face.
Prepare answers to predictable questions such as the ones outlined above. Prepare to answer them by jotting down some bullet points and try reading them out aloud.
Have a practice section with a friend. Ask him to act as if he is the interview and ask you questions that your interviewer might ask. This will boost your self-confidence and make you more comfortable during the interview.
Then before engaging in the real interview:
- Turn off other distractions such as the stereo or television.
- Clear the room of distracting pets and people.
- Have a pen and paper close at hand for note-taking and
- Keep your resume/CV in clear view.
- Turn off call–waiting so your call is not interrupted.
The first twenty seconds of any phone interview are always crucial. So be enthusiastic. The level of interest in your voice is key.
It is good to take a moment to collect your thoughts and carefully consider an answer before responding. Speak slowly and enunciate clearly. Also, even if the interviewer is unable to see you, your smile can be heard.
Before closing the call, remember to reinforce your interest in the position and thank the interviewer for his/her time. Ask the interviewer what the next step is.
You made it through the initial interview process. But don’t stop there. Immediately after the interview, ask the interviewer for his/her name, email address, follow up with a thank you note showing your appreciation for his time and the opportunity to discuss the position, and how happy you were to be invited to participate in the interview.
A handwritten note is most desirable. But if that is not possible, an email message will be a good alternative.
If you still have any questions regarding internship phone interview questions and answers, feel free to use the comment box below.
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