Internships are a win-win scenario for the employer and the intern. For the intern, they’re receiving real world experience to put on their resume. The employer acquires another set of hands to help handle the workload or unfinished projects. However, getting to the part where one is helping the other takes a very thorough process of finding the right candidates and scheduling interviews. The interview is the most crucial part of the internship process. Asking the right questions will help connect you to the right fit for the job. Whether you’re interviewing for your open accounting internships or technology internships, these questions can help.
Coursework When looking for full time employees to fill managerial or director positions, coursework may not be your most important question. However, when hiring for interns, there is a relevancy that needs to be addressed. The coursework that a potential intern is taking can determine their level of interest in the position. It also gives you an insight as to how well they can fit into the role and complete their duties. Keep in mind that some courses can directly parlay into the position whereas others may be a little more indirect.
Community Service
An intern that is involved in community service shows a well-rounded individual. This is someone that knows how to balance their personal life interests with their professional life. An intern that volunteers has interests and passions. Additionally, community service involvement can be a nice complement to their professional history. Depending on the capacity of their volunteer work (organizing events, raising animals, etc.) this demonstrates that they have a broader spectrum of skills.
Expectations Depending on your internship posting, some people could be applying just to say they work for a cool company. That’s not entirely bad to have the reputation of a cool company, but it can also attract the wrong candidates. In the interview, ask candidates what their expectations from the position are. This can help you gauge their interest in the position and their knowledge of the company.
Finding the right intern can be a daunting task. After you post intern information for the position, you’ll be met with a number of qualified candidates looking for the opportunity to fill the role. Simply asking the right questions can help sort through the noise.