The 10+ Best Interview Questions to Ask Interns

If your company doesn’t currently have an internship program, you may want to consider starting one. Companies hire interns to support their business and employees, develop future talent, and gain new perspectives. Interns help with tasks, offer new ideas, lead to future talent roles, and build a positive reputation with the community.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers consistently rank internships as the most important differentiating factor between top candidates, with candidates interning at the employer’s company at the very top of their list.

But before you hire your next group of interns, it’s important to ask the right questions when interviewing potential candidates.

If you don't ask the right questions during intern interviews, you risk hiring someone who isn't a good fit, leading to wasted time and resources. Unlike regular roles, interns don’t usually have tons of work experience and may be juggling academic responsibilities in addition to their job. For this reason, it's essential to tailor your interview questions to assess their potential, adaptability, and eagerness to learn.

By asking the right interview questions, you can identify candidates who will bring valuable skills and fresh perspectives to your company. To create better first days for your interns, consider using BambooHR. Try a free demo today!

How One-Way Interviews Speed Up Applicant Screening

After reviewing resumes, written or recorded interviews—also known as one-way or asynchronous interviews—are a convenient initial interview choice for potential interns, who are often tech-savvy applicants. In these interviews, candidates respond to predetermined questions via text or video at their convenience.

Here’s how one-way interviews can benefit you and your potential interns:

• Save time. This method saves time by narrowing down candidates before moving on to more detailed, in-person interviews.
• More thoughtful responses. Candidates answer questions on their own time, which can improve the quality of their responses.
• Greater equity. The hiring process is more fair, as all candidates get the same questions.
• Convenience and efficiency. It's easier and quicker for the hiring team to review these responses when it’s most convenient for them.

The 10 Best Questions for One-Way Interviews

Introduction and Motivation

What made you interested in our company?

Green Flags:

• Genuine interest in the company's mission, values, and culture
• Specific reasons that show the candidate has researched the company
• Alignment of the candidate’s personal or career goals with the company’s objectives

Red Flags:

• Vague or generic answers that could apply to any company
• Lack of knowledge about the company, indicating poor preparation
• Answers focused solely on benefits like salary or location

Example Answer: "I am interested in BambooHR because of your commitment to improving work through HR tools. Your focus on employee satisfaction and company culture aligns with my belief that happy employees lead to successful companies. Also, I admire BambooHR’s company values, good reputation for customer service, and commitment to product improvement."

Why are you making a career move to our company, and how does this role fit into your long-term career plan?

Green Flags:

• Clear career goals and connection between the candidate’s current path and the company
• Understanding the role and how it aligns with their skills and aspirations
• Enthusiasm for growth opportunities within the company

Red Flags:

• Unclear career goals or lack of direction
• Disconnect between the candidate’s skills and the job requirements
• Focus on short-term benefits rather than long-term growth

Example Answer: "I’m looking to transition from academic studies in business management to a place where I can apply my knowledge. BambooHR’s approach to creating innovative HR technology is exactly the kind of environment I want to be part of. This role fits perfectly with my long-term goal of becoming a leader in HR technology, helping companies optimize their HR processes and improve employee satisfaction."

What are you hoping to learn or take away from this internship?

Green Flags:

• Specific skills or experiences the candidate wants to gain
• Understanding of how the internship can help their career development
• Enthusiasm for learning opportunities

Red Flags:

• Generic or vague goals
• Lack of knowledge about what the internship offers
• Unrealistic expectations about the internship

Example Answer: “I'm really excited to dive into project management and improve my skills in communication and teamwork. Working on actual construction projects and learning from experienced professionals is something I'm looking forward to. I can't wait to get started and bring what I've learned in theory to the real world!”

Experience and Skills

Can you describe a challenging project or task you completed successfully? What made it difficult, and what strategies did you use to achieve success?

Green Flags:

• Clear identification of the challenges faced
• Excellent strategies and problem-solving skills
• Good reflection on what was learned from the experience

Red Flags:

• Vague descriptions of the project or task
• Can’t identify specific challenges or strategies
• Lack of personal contribution

Example Answer: “At my previous job, I was on a team where one member consistently missed deadlines and produced unsatisfactory work. I approached this person directly, expressed my concerns, and asked for their perspective. It turned out this team member had recently experienced a loss in their family and was struggling with overwhelming emotions. Understanding their situation, I empathized with them and suggested ways we could redistribute tasks to accommodate their needs while meeting project deadlines. By assuming the best and seeking open communication, we were able to support each other and successfully complete the project.”

Tell me about a time when you had too many tasks to complete. What was your process of tackling the tasks?

Green Flags:

• Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively
• Good strategies for dealing with stress and high workloads
• Examples of good delegation or seeking help when needed
• Remains flexible in unexpected circumstances

Red Flags:

• Signs of poor time management or inability to handle stress.
• Failure to show a good approach to tackling tasks.
• Avoiding responsibility or blaming others.

Example Answer: "A few months ago, I was balancing full-time school, a part-time job, and I was president of a student organization. I started each week by listing all my tasks and prioritizing them based on deadlines and importance. I used a planner to schedule specific time blocks for each task and stayed disciplined in sticking to this schedule. I also delegated some responsibilities in the student organization to trusted team members. This experience taught me the importance of remaining flexible. When unexpected challenges came up, such as last-minute project changes, I adjusted my plans to make sure tasks were completed on time."

Tell us about an accomplishment you’re most proud of.

Green Flags:

• Specific details about the accomplishment
• Clear explanation of the candidate's role and contribution
• Impact of the accomplishment (quantitative or qualitative)

Red Flags:

• Vague descriptions or lack of specific details
• Taking sole credit for team accomplishments without acknowledging collaboration
• Inability to communicate the impact of the achievement

Example Answer: "I organized a fundraiser for our local community center last summer. I was part of the planning team and was responsible for getting sponsors and organizing volunteers. Our goal was to raise $10,000 to fix up the playground. At first, it was hard to find sponsors in such a short time, but we ended up raising $12,000. This not only let us finish the playground early but also got more people in our community involved. Personally, leading this project taught me a lot about planning events, working with teams, and getting people excited about community projects. It made me even more passionate about helping communities, and it confirmed my goal to work in project management."

Personal Attributes

What sets you apart from other students?

Green Flags:

• Unique skills, experiences, or perspectives
• Confidence without arrogance

Red Flags:

• Generic or clichéd answers that don’t differentiate the candidate
• Arrogance or insulting other’s abilities
• Lack of self-awareness

Example Answer: "I have strong technical skills and a passion for making workplaces better. For example, I created a student feedback app that collected data and gave useful suggestions to improve campus life. My project management experience and commitment to improving processes make me a great fit for this internship."

What areas of your academic journey have been most enjoyable so far?

Green Flags:

• Genuine excitement for certain subjects or experiences
• Clear reasons for why they enjoyed these areas
• Connection between their interests and the role they’re applying for

Red Flags:

• Lack of enthusiasm or vague answers
• Focus on areas unrelated to the role or industry
• Signs that they enjoyed only the social aspects of college

Example Answer: "I really liked studying human resource management and organizational behavior. I find it fascinating how people and businesses work together. Solving real HR issues in case studies was rewarding because it let me use what I learned in real life. These courses made me even more interested in pursuing a career in HR technology."

Compensation and Closing

We want to make sure that this role is a good fit for you, and part of that depends on compensation. What’s your desired compensation? Please be specific.

Green Flags:

• Realistic and well-researched compensation expectations
• Flexibility and openness to discussion

Red Flags:

• Unrealistic or unresearched compensation demands
• Hesitation or inability to discuss compensation

Example Answer: "Based on my research and understanding of industry standards, I’m looking for compensation in the range of $20 to $25 per hour. However, I’m open to discussing this further and understanding more about your company’s compensation structure and any additional benefits."

Bonus Question: Is there anything else that you'd like us to know?

Green Flags:

• Additional relevant information or achievements not covered earlier
• Enthusiasm and a positive final impression
• More insight into the candidate’s personality or values

Red Flags:

• Irrelevant information or oversharing
• Lack of preparation or inability to provide additional information
• Negative comments or complaints

Example Answer: "I’d like to add that I’ve recently completed a certification in project management, which I believe will be beneficial for this role. Additionally, I’m very passionate about volunteering and have been actively involved in community clean-up projects. I’m excited about the possibility of bringing my skills and love for project management to your team."

Why You Should Do Two Rounds of Interviews

We understand you might be thinking, "Woah! This is a lot of work for a temporary internship!" However, keep in mind that successfully operated internships reap many rewards for companies. Plus, the more energy you put into your interns, the more energy they’ll give you in return.

Conducting two rounds of interviews for each intern brings key benefits, including:

• A chance for reflection. A second interview allows the candidate to reflect on their first experience, become more at ease, and reveal more of their unique traits.
• Room to explore. With limited time in a single interview, a follow-up interview allows you to dive deeper and learn more about the applicant’s abilities and fit.
• Additional team connections. It provides an opportunity for the intern to connect with more members of your team, growing their network.

First Round of Interviews

When working with others on a project, what characteristics or tactics do you feel are important for being a good team player?

Green Flags:

• Emphasis on clear and open communication
• Active listening and respect for diverse perspectives
• Examples of collaboration, reliability, and willingness to support team members

Red Flags:

• Overemphasis on individual contributions without acknowledging team efforts
• Inability to articulate the importance of communication and collaboration
• Mention of negative experiences without emphasizing lessons learned or improvements

Example Answer: "Being a good team player means clear communication, active listening, and mutual respect. In a recent group project, I planned regular check-ins, encouraged idea sharing, and guided conflict resolution. These tactics helped our team stay focused and productive, leading to a successful project. I would apply these same principles at BambooHR to contribute positively to the team."

How do you prioritize your work? How do you prioritize your time? What organizational tools do you use?

Green Flags:

• Clear and structured strategies for prioritizing tasks
• Examples of successfully managing multiple tasks or deadlines
• Emphasizes the importance of time management and productivity

Red Flags:

• Lack of specific tools or strategies for staying organized
• Can’t provide examples of effective time management
• Mention of frequent missed deadlines or disorganized work processes

Example Answer: "I prioritize my work by first listing all tasks and sorting them based on urgency and importance. I use tools like Trello for project management and Google Calendar for scheduling. This method helps me stay organized and ensures that I meet all my commitments on time. At BambooHR, I would use similar strategies to manage my workload and contribute effectively to the team."

Can you tell me about a time you had to collaborate with others on a project, either at work or at school? What was the project, and how did you approach it to get to a successful outcome?

Green Flags:

• Clear description of the project and the candidate’s role
• Emphasis on teamwork, communication, and collaboration
• Specific examples of how the candidate contributed to the project's success
• Mentions challenges faced and how they were overcome

Red Flags:

• No emphasis on teamwork and collaboration
• Can’t describe specific contributions or outcomes
• Mention of unresolved conflicts or negative experiences without lessons learned

Example Answer: "In a computer science class, we worked on building a mobile app for campus navigation. My role was to design the user interface. We divided tasks based on our strengths and met weekly to discuss progress. Communication was essential, especially when we faced technical issues. By collaborating and sharing knowledge, we resolved these issues and completed the app on time. This project taught me the importance of teamwork and effective communication."

Tell us about a time you were working in a group and two members weren't seeing eye to eye. How did you handle that situation? What did you learn?

Green Flags:

• Demonstration of conflict resolution skills
• Emphasis on communication, empathy, and problem-solving
• Reflection on lessons learned and how the experience improved teamwork skills

Red Flags:

• Vague description or lack of details
• Blaming or speaking negatively about team members
• Inability to express what was learned from the experience

Example Answer: "During a group project I was in, two members disagreed on the research method. I organized a meeting for them to explain their views. We combined their ideas into a mixed-method approach, which satisfied both of them and improved our project. This taught me the value of open communication and compromise."

Can you tell us about a time you worked on a project that required creativity or out of the box thinking?

Green Flags:

• Demonstration of creative ideas or solutions
• Demonstrates thinking outside the box
• Reflection on the impact of the creative approach

Red Flags:

• Vague description of the project
• Failure to demonstrate creative or innovative thinking
• Inability to explain the reasoning behind creative decisions

Example Answer: "In a marketing class I took, we needed to promote a local event on a tight budget. Instead of regular ads, I suggested a social media campaign where users could share their stories about the event. This got more people to come and created excitement online. It taught me how thinking outside of the box and involving the community can make a big impact. I'm excited to use this creative approach at BambooHR to help with marketing ideas."

Second Round of Interviews

Based on what the team has shared with you so far, what do you understand about this role and its purpose? How do you see that aligning with what you’re looking for?

Green Flags:

• Shows consistency between candidate's skills, goals, and the role's objectives
• Has enthusiasm and genuine interest in the role and company
• Shares how the role aligns with the candidate's career aspirations

Red Flags:

• Can’t articulate how the role fits with the candidate's career goals
• Overemphasis on personal benefits without considering company needs
• Generic or rehearsed response lacking specific details

Example Answer: "From my research and discussions with team members, I know this internship involves working on data engineering tasks to support BambooHR's analytics. I'm eager to apply my skills in data modeling, ETL processes, and database management to help improve decision-making with data. This lines up perfectly with my computer science background and my goal to specialize in data engineering. I'm excited to gain hands-on experience and contribute to BambooHR's success in HR solutions."

What have professors, managers, or other leaders in your life (not family) said about you?

Green Flags:

• Positive feedback on specific skills, achievements, or character traits
• Recognition for reliability, teamwork, leadership, or innovation
• Comments that recognize adaptability, problem-solving, or initiative
• Consistent praise for professionalism, communication, or work ethic

Red Flags:

• Lack of specific feedback or vague/general comments
• Negative remarks or criticism related to behavior or performance
• Inconsistent feedback that suggests unreliability or inconsistency

Example Answer: "My previous boss praised me for paying close attention to details and always finishing projects on time. She said my way of solving problems analytically and communicating was helpful for our team. My professors have also noticed how hard I work to understand difficult topics and help classmates with their studies. They like how I work well with others and give useful feedback during group work."

Tell me about a time when you had to learn how to do a completely new task.

Green Flags:

• Shows excitement for learning
• Demonstrates adaptability and quick learning abilities
• Reflects on the experience and its impact on personal growth

Red Flags:

• Lack of effort in learning the new task
• Inability to handle challenges
• Failure to explain how the experience contributed to personal development

Example Answer: "At my last internship, I had to make a database system using SQL, something I hadn't done before. It seemed hard at first, so I looked up tutorials online and took a quick course to learn the basics. After that, I practiced by making a prototype system, fixing problems, and making the queries work better. This helped me get better at technical stuff and taught me how important it is to keep trying when you're dealing with new things."

How do you plan on making an impact during your internship?

Green Flags:

• Specific goals or projects they want to contribute to
• Demonstrates excitement and willingness to learn
• Shows alignment between their skills and the internship objectives
• Mentions working with the team and willingness to take initiative

Red Flags:

• Vague or unclear plans without specifics
• Lack of enthusiasm or interest in the internship
• Goals that don't align with the internship's focus or objectives
• Overconfidence without consideration for adapting to the role

Example Answer: "I plan to make a positive impact during my internship by bringing my skills in data analysis and programming to contribute to improving efficiency in HR processes. I'm excited to learn from the team at BambooHR and to apply my knowledge to real-world challenges. I also look forward to collaborating with coworkers to brainstorm new solutions and contribute to the company's goals of enhancing employee experience through data-driven insights."

Based on what you’ve learned about the role so far, what questions do you have for me?

Green Flags:

• Asks thoughtful questions that show genuine interest in the role and company
• Questions that demonstrate research and understanding of the company's challenges
• Inquires about the company culture, values, or future goals

Red Flags:

• No questions or generic questions that could be answered with basic research
• Questions that focus only on salary, benefits, or perks
• Lack of engagement or curiosity about the role or company
• Questions that reveal a misunderstanding of the role or company's mission

Example Answer: "Thank you for sharing about the role. I'm curious about the team dynamics within the brand marketing team at BambooHR. Could you also tell me more about the types of projects interns typically get involved in? Lastly, I'm interested in understanding how this role contributes to the company's bigger goals."