Unique Interview Questions to Ask Employers for an Internship

When interviewing for an internship, it’s not just the company evaluating you—you’re also evaluating them. Asking the right questions during an interview can give you valuable insights into the company's culture, the role you’re applying for, and your potential growth within the organization. Unique and thoughtful questions can also help you stand out as a candidate who is genuinely interested in the role and committed to finding the right fit. Below are some strategically unique questions you can ask to help you gain deeper insights and make a more informed decision.

1. How Does the Company Support Professional Development?

This question is crucial, especially for interns who are at the beginning of their careers. By asking this, you demonstrate your eagerness to learn and grow. It also provides insight into whether the company invests in its employees' growth.

Why It’s Important:

Understanding how the company supports professional development—whether through workshops, mentorship programs, or continued education—can help you gauge if this internship will help you achieve your long-term career goals.

Follow-Up Question: Can you provide examples of how previous interns or junior employees have developed within the company?

2. What Are the Most Exciting Projects That Interns Have Worked On?

This question not only shows your enthusiasm for getting involved in significant work but also helps you understand the potential scope of your responsibilities. If interns are trusted with exciting projects, it may indicate that the company values contributions from all levels.

Why It’s Important:

Knowing what kind of work interns are typically involved in gives you a sense of the hands-on experience you might gain. It’s also an opportunity to assess whether these projects align with your interests and skills.

Follow-Up Question: How did those projects impact the company or the intern's future career?

3. How Do Teams Collaborate Within the Company?

Collaboration is key to a successful internship, especially if you’re expected to work across different departments. Asking about team collaboration shows you’re thinking about how you will integrate and work with others.

Why It’s Important:

This question helps you determine if the company has a collaborative culture or if it’s more siloed. A collaborative environment can be crucial for your learning and professional growth, as it allows you to gain insights from different areas of the business.

Follow-Up Question: How often do cross-departmental projects occur?

4. Can You Describe the Company Culture in Three Words?

A company's culture is one of the most critical factors in job satisfaction. By asking for a concise description, you force the interviewer to think critically about the environment, which can lead to more candid and insightful answers.

Why It’s Important:

Culture fit is crucial for your happiness and success. This question allows you to assess whether the company’s values align with yours and if you’ll be comfortable in that environment.

Follow-Up Question: Can you provide examples of how this culture manifests in day-to-day operations?

5. What Are the Company's Current Challenges?

Understanding the challenges a company is facing can offer you a realistic view of what you might be walking into. It also positions you as someone who is not only interested in the role but also in the company's overall success.

Why It’s Important:

This question shows that you’re thinking about the big picture. It can also reveal opportunities for you to make a meaningful impact as an intern, which could lead to a full-time offer down the line.

Follow-Up Question: How can someone in my role help address these challenges?

6. How Is Success Measured for Interns in This Role?

Understanding the metrics of success will help you know what to focus on and how to prioritize your tasks. It also shows that you are goal-oriented and interested in exceeding expectations.

Why It’s Important:

Clear success metrics help you understand what is expected of you and how you can make the most of your internship. This can also give you a clearer path to securing a future role within the company.

Follow-Up Question: Can you share examples of interns who have exceeded these expectations?

7. What Is the Typical Career Path for Interns Who Stay On?

If you’re hoping for a full-time role post-internship, this question is a must. It shows that you’re already thinking about long-term possibilities and are serious about your future with the company.

Why It’s Important:

This question helps you understand if the company tends to hire from within, especially from its intern pool. It also gives you insight into the growth opportunities available within the organization.

Follow-Up Question: What percentage of interns transition into full-time roles?

8. How Does the Company Foster Innovation?

If you’re someone who thrives in innovative environments, understanding how a company encourages new ideas is crucial. This question can help you determine if the company values creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.

Why It’s Important:

An innovative environment can be incredibly stimulating, especially for someone early in their career. This question can reveal whether the company is open to new ideas and how much freedom you’ll have to experiment.

Follow-Up Question: Can you provide examples of innovative projects that interns have been a part of?

9. How Does the Company Approach Work-Life Balance?

Internships can be intense, and it’s essential to understand how the company views work-life balance. This question shows that you value your well-being and are looking for a healthy work environment.

Why It’s Important:

A company’s approach to work-life balance can significantly impact your internship experience. Knowing this beforehand can help you manage your time better and avoid burnout.

Follow-Up Question: Are there specific policies or practices in place to support work-life balance?

10. What Is the Company’s Approach to Diversity and Inclusion?

Diversity and inclusion are critical issues in today’s workplace. This question shows that you are socially conscious and interested in being part of an inclusive environment.

Why It’s Important:

Understanding the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion can help you decide if it’s a place where you will feel valued and supported. It also gives you a sense of the company's ethics and values.

Follow-Up Question: How does the company ensure that diversity and inclusion are part of its everyday practices?

11. How Does the Company Handle Feedback and Performance Reviews for Interns?

Feedback is crucial for your growth during an internship. Asking about the company’s approach to feedback shows that you are committed to improving and making the most out of your experience.

Why It’s Important:

Knowing how feedback is delivered can help you prepare for it and use it constructively. It also gives you insight into the company’s management style and whether it aligns with your learning preferences.

Follow-Up Question: Can you provide examples of how feedback has helped previous interns succeed?

12. What Are the Company’s Long-Term Goals, and How Does This Role Contribute?

Understanding the company’s long-term vision can help you see where you might fit in the future. It also shows that you’re thinking beyond the internship and considering how you can contribute to the company’s success.

Why It’s Important:

This question helps you understand the strategic direction of the company and how your role might evolve. It’s also an opportunity to assess if the company’s goals align with your career aspirations.

Follow-Up Question: How has this role evolved in the past, and what are the future possibilities?

13. Can You Describe a Typical Day or Week in This Internship?

Sometimes, the day-to-day reality of a role can be very different from what’s on paper. This question helps you understand what your routine might look like and whether it aligns with your expectations.

Why It’s Important:

Getting a realistic view of what a typical day entails can help you determine if this internship is the right fit for you. It’s also an opportunity to ask more specific questions based on the tasks you’ll be handling.

Follow-Up Question: How does this role interact with other departments daily?

14. What Makes This Internship Different from Others in the Industry?

This question shows that you’re informed about industry standards and are looking for something that stands out. It also allows the employer to highlight the unique aspects of their program, which can help you make a more informed decision.

Why It’s Important:

Understanding what sets this internship apart can help you choose between multiple offers. It also gives you a sense of the company’s priorities and what they consider unique about their internship program.

Follow-Up Question: How has this uniqueness impacted past interns' careers?

15. What Are the Next Steps in the Hiring Process?

Finally, it’s always good to close with a question about the next steps. This shows that you’re interested in moving forward and helps you understand the timeline.

Why It’s Important:

This question demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role and helps you plan your follow-up strategy. It also gives you insight into the company’s hiring process and how quickly you can expect to hear back.

Follow-Up Question: Is there anything else I can provide to help with the decision-making process?

Conclusion

Asking the right questions in an internship interview can help you gather critical information, make an informed decision, and demonstrate that you’re a proactive and thoughtful candidate. By tailoring these questions to your specific interests and the role you’re applying for, you can ensure that you and the employer are a good match.