Top questions to ask in an internship interview

If you’ve ever been interested in gaining abundant professional experience with a company, an internship is a perfect way to get started. However, before we delve into why internships in Kenya are crucial for jump-starting any career, let’s first understand what an internship entails.

An internship refers to a short-term work experience that an employer or organization offers to a student or trainee. Its purpose is to provide entry-level exposure to valuable experience and pertinent industry knowledge. During an internship, individuals ideally spend their time working on relevant projects, learning about the field, building professional connections, and developing both hard and soft skills.

Whether you are applying for paid or unpaid internships in Kenya, the interview process provides a unique opportunity for you and the company to learn more about each other. It serves as a platform to understand your abilities and explore potential career prospects. Moreover, securing an internship can potentially open doors to a fulfilling full-time job.

In this article, we will cover significant topics that you can address during your internship interview to make a lasting impression.

Company Culture

Firstly, inquiring about the company culture builds on what it would be like working at the firm. Understanding the company values, goals, ethics, and working environment will give you a clear picture of how your personality, values, and goals fit into the culture for the best internship experience. Some typical questions include:

• What are the company’s core values?
• How would you describe what it’s like working at this company?
• Can you give me three words to describe the firm’s culture?
• If you had to choose the company’s motto, what would it be and why?

Main Responsibilities

To get the full scope of the internship, you’ll be curious about what an intern’s workday looks like. Having a detailed account of your regular tasks and responsibilities will help you make informed decisions about the position and how it relates to your skills and interests. Consider asking these questions:

• Can you please elaborate on the day-to-day responsibilities of the job?
• What are my main responsibilities with this internship?
• Are there other duties that might be expected of me?

Success Parameters

Everyone wants to be successful, and the same applies to internships in Kenya. Asking questions about success parameters demonstrates your positive and proactive attitude towards professional growth and your focus on meeting the company’s performance criteria. Consider the following questions:

• Are there regular feedback meetings with your supervisor? Are there specific criteria on which you will be evaluated? How is the feedback process structured?
• What are ways in which I can guarantee success in this role?
• To be successful in the position, are there specific goals I should consider?
• Are there regular team meetings to ensure feedback for success in the position?

Main Challenges

Every job comes with obstacles, and these questions show that you are realistic and prepared for problem-solving challenges. You will be able to have a well-rounded approach to executing your duties and managing common challenges in the position. Consider asking about:

• If you had to name one major challenge in the role, what would it be?
• What are the main difficulties past interns have faced within the position?
• Are there any particular matters I should pay extra attention to in this role?

Mentorship / Career Growth Potential

Inquiring about mentorship and career growth opportunities demonstrates your long-term interest in learning, improving, and contributing to the company beyond the internship period. While asking these questions, it is important to maintain a balanced and enthusiastic tone. Consider the following questions:

• Once I have established considerable capabilities within the role, what would you suggest as ways to obtain further knowledge?
• Working within the expectations of the internship, are there any special projects I could offer to help with?
• Does the company encourage team-building opportunities and mentorship programs to build a strong and diverse network?

Evaluation

As an intern, you naturally seek clarity on how the company will judge or assess your work. This ties back to the company culture and highlights the importance of timely feedback and improvement. Here are some questions to consider:

• Does the company assess performance in this role on a regular basis?
• What can one expect from performance evaluations?
• What does success look like in this position?
• Does the internship factor in multi-team member evaluations? Is it peer-reviewed or strictly done by the manager?

Career Advancement

These questions will help you get a peek into further growth and learning opportunities that the position might link to. Other ways to ask questions are:

• When considering ways to continue working within the organization, is full-time employment viable?
• Does the company offer resources for career advancement?
• How can I actively contribute value to the company once the internship is completed?

Next steps

These questions are indispensable for wrapping up an interview. The feedback offers you structure on what to expect after the interview and presents a great opportunity for your hiring manager to address any pending concerns. Consider these questions:

• Do you have additional questions or concerns regarding my background or qualifications?
• What are the next steps after this interview?
• What should I expect for the onboarding process if I am considered for the role?

Now that you have a solid idea of how to frame your questions when seeking internships in Kenya, you should be one step closer to getting your foot in the door. Finally, remember to stay focused, interested in what you bring to the organization, and confident, but not overly so.

Go for it!