The admissions interview at The Intern Group is the first hurdle between you and your dream internship. Typically you will have a 20 minute virtual interview to chat to a friendly member of your team about your skills, your interests, and career goals.
You might have a lot you want to chat through, so here are 5 interview tips and tricks that will help you perform to the best of your ability during the first interview:
Step 1: do your research.
Nothing comes across better in a first interview than good, in-depth knowledge of what you are applying for. All you need to do is read through the website and research the country you'd like to travel to and the sector in which you'd like to work! Doing this will immediately give your interviewer the impression that you're a passionate, serious, and committed candidate. Not sure what the best fit will be for you? Don't worry! Our team will be able to give you advice based on your needs and interests.
Step 2: come with answers to common interview questions.
Before your interview, you should prepare answers for common interview questions, such as: “What are your strengths?”, “What are your weaknesses?” and “Why would you like to participate in this internship?” Preparing and rehearsing answers for this type of question will allow you to speak confidently, and fluently, and, most importantly, you won’t be faced with the panic of having to come up with an intelligent answer on the spot. Furthermore, almost every candidate will regurgitate the same generic answer, so preparing beforehand will allow you to add some interesting details that will set you apart from the crowd. The program is highly competitive, so ensuring you stand-out is extra important!
Step 3: have a positive attitude and mindset.
Remember that all your interviewer is trying to do is to get the best out of you, so don’t be nervous and be yourself. Our admissions team is fantastic at putting people at ease and keeping things relaxed and friendly. If you're calm and collected you will be able to engage with your interviewer and let your personality shine through. Being polite and listening well are two simple aspects of conversation that nerves can sometimes get the best of, so spending a few minutes gathering yourself before the beginning of your interview will allow you to respond to your interviewer’s questions clearly and logically. Following the advice from the previous two steps will help you to achieve this goal.
Step 4: be on time.
The first impression you will make, even before uttering a single word, will be a result of whether you're on time or not. Make sure you book an interview time that is convenient for you, then note it down in your calendar, giving yourself at least half an hour to prepare before the exact start time. Your interviewer will expect you to be ready at the allotted time. Furthermore, this aspect is of particular importance because the interviewer will be able to trust you to be on time to work every day during your internship if you're successful. Being late or underprepared will expose a lack of professionalism before you even have the opportunity to tell your interviewer anything about you, so don’t make the unnecessary, damaging mistake of being late!
Step 5: ask intelligent questions.
At the end of the interview, your interviewer will most likely ask you whether you have any questions. This is the perfect opportunity for you to display your knowledge by asking intelligent questions that demonstrate your passionate interest in the industry and what you'll be doing. Asking these types of questions will set you apart from other candidates, and display your intellectual rigor and ability to think independently. The questions section is your last opportunity to impress, so don’t miss the opportunity! Browse our website and use this moment to raise any questions that arise.
