Once you have sent in all of your application materials the next step to your quest for an internship will likely be an interview. This experience will be unlike any interview you may have done before. In a job interview you are in the spotlight answering questions dealing with your past experiences and how they fit the new position. Although this is a part of the internship interview this particular interview has many other important parts that should be attended to.
First, the entire purpose of an internship is to give you the opportunity to learn and practice real life skills in an area of interest to you. Although you have read a job description for the internship, the interview is a chance to discuss with the coordinator exactly what it is you have learned and what you would want to take away from the internship. For example, when I did my interview a few months ago the coordinator discussed with me in depth what skills I felt I had that the internship would need and the skills I would most want to learn. I said that I had experience calling shows and dealing with light and sound equipment, but I was looking forward to learning more about scheduling events and workers.
Second, of course, is the traditional part of the interview. The key here is to be very professional and prove that you are well-spoken and are qualified to work with professionals in the business. Be ready with a copy of your resume and submitted materials in front of you. This way when the coordinator asks specific questions about jobs you have had or classes you have listed in your resume you are looking at what they are seeing and can be clear and concise with your answers. Be prepared to describe in detail each segment you listed, including skills, classes, past jobs, and even references.
The last portion of the interview is most likely going to be a chance for you to ask questions and be clear on what you are expecting and what is expected of you. Good questions to ask include: When does it begin and end? Would I have housing provided? Will there be a stipend of any kind? Do I need to have a car or will a bike or walking work? When can I expect to hear from you? These and other questions are essential because if you have to provide housing and no stipend is given you have to decide if the financial obligation is worth the time.
Here are some other tips:
1) Sit up straight in a chair if you are interviewing by phone. Slouching or laying down will translate in your voice and make you sound either tired or bored. Neither is good for your professional aura.
2) Be prepared with a small legal pad and pencil in case you need to write something down. Do not worry about bringing it into a live interview. It shows you are eager and on top of things. On that note, be sure to keep your attention on the coordinator and only take notes during the question portion.
3) Turn off all electronics, especially the cell phone, during interviews (unless the interview is on the phone of course). Any distraction looks bad and unprofessional.
4) Talk comfortably, but keep the stories relevant. Yes, interesting things that have happened to you on the job are fun for friends, but unless the story shows how professional you were in a time of crisis or malfunction it is best to keep the entertainment for parties.
5) Be curious about the program and any projects they have mentioned. Even if you think you know all the details ask questions. Even you just ask about who would be overseeing your specific internship or asking for a confirmation of the address looks better than not asking any questions at all. The more involved you want to be the more likely they are going to want to help you advance your career.
Even though it can seem nerve-wracking, interviewing is the best way for the coordinator and you to determine if you will be a good fit for the program. Listen to your instincts and know that you do not have to accept if the details are not working out for you. Just because a program sounds great on paper does not mean it is great in practice.
Written by TomorrowToday
You can read previous entries in this series: Preparation
