Top 30 Most Common Interview Questions To Ask An Intern You Should Prepare For

What behavioral interview questions are asked of interns and how should I answer them?

Short answer: Intern behavioral questions ask about past actions to predict future behavior — use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) framework to give clear, memorable examples.

Behavioral questions dominate intern interviews because they reveal initiative, teamwork, and learning ability. Common prompts include “Tell me about a time you faced a challenge,” “Describe a conflict and how you resolved it,” and “Give an example when you managed competing priorities.” Structure answers with STAR: set the Situation, define the Task, describe the Action you took, and share the Result (quantified when possible). For entry-level candidates, emphasize learning, ownership, and collaboration.

• Q: “Tell me about a time you missed a deadline.”

• A (STAR): Situation — group project with tight timeline; Task — coordinate deliverables; Action — reorganized tasks, delegated sub-tasks, communicated new timeline; Result — submitted on revised deadline; received positive feedback and improved process for next project.

• Example:

• Keep answers under 90 seconds but rich in detail.

• Focus on your specific role (use “I,” not “we”).

• If you lacked experience, use class projects, volunteer work, or side projects.

Practical tips:

Takeaway: Practice STAR answers for 8–12 behavioral prompts so your examples are concise, specific, and performance-focused.

• See Yoodli’s behavioral question bank for interns

• See Indeed’s guide to behavioral interview questions

• See Career Launchpad’s definitive guide to behavioral interview questions

• See MIT CAPD’s STAR method guide

Sources: Yoodli’s behavioral question bank, Indeed’s behavioral interview guide, and Career Launchpad’s breakdown of behavioral questions provide templates and examples you can adapt.

Which technical and role-specific questions should I prepare for as an intern?

Short answer: Expect questions that target core skills for the role — coding and algorithms for software, portfolio and process for design, analytics and campaign examples for marketing, and domain-specific case prompts for business roles.

• Software engineering: coding problems (arrays, strings, recursion), data structures, system design basics, and take-home assignments. Practice whiteboard-style explanations and time-boxed coding platforms.

• Product/design: portfolio walkthroughs, design rationale, wireframes, prototype tools, and A/B testing reasoning.

• Marketing/business: campaign case studies, KPI definitions, Excel/analytics tasks, and hypothetical go-to-market ideas.

• Engineering/Hardware: schematics, lab process knowledge, and technical troubleshooting scenarios.

Technical screens vary by discipline:

• Mirror company tech stack and job description keywords.

• Time-box practice sessions with coding platforms or mock design critiques.

• Prepare 2–3 examples that show results and learning for role-specific skills.

Prep tips:

Takeaway: Map 10–15 role-specific questions to practice sessions and simulate the exact format (live coding, take-home, or portfolio review) you’ll likely face.

What is the typical internship interview process and format I should expect?

Short answer: Internship interview processes usually include an initial screen (phone or video), one technical or task-based assessment, and a final round (behavioral + team-fit), often completed in 1–3 stages over a few days to weeks.

• Phone screen (15–30 minutes): HR or recruiter checks fit, availability, and resume highlights.

• Video interview (30–60 minutes): Behavioral and basic role questions; may cover logistics and interest.

• Technical screen / take-home test (30–120+ minutes): Coding challenge, design exercise, case study, or skills assessment.

• Onsite or final virtual loop (2–4 interviews): Deeper behavioral, technical, and culture-fit conversations.

Common formats and timing:

Things to expect at top companies: more structure and role-specific tests; smaller companies may emphasize practical assignments and culture fit. The Muse and Indeed provide typical timelines and sample formats for internship interviews.

• Confirm the interview format and participants in advance.

• Test your technology for virtual interviews.

• Prepare a short “why this role” pitch and two smart questions to ask each interviewer.

Logistics advice:

Takeaway: Know each stage’s purpose and prepare distinct evidence (portfolio, code repo, project summaries) for each step.

• The Muse’s internship interview overview

• Indeed’s internship interview tips

Sources:

Which soft skills and competency questions will interviewers ask interns?

Short answer: Interviewers test for communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and initiative—use concise stories that show measurable outcomes and learning.

• “Describe a time you worked on a team.” (Teamwork)

• “How do you prioritize tasks under pressure?” (Time management)

• “Tell me about a time you adapted to a change.” (Adaptability)

• “How do you give or receive feedback?” (Communication)

• “When have you led without authority?” (Leadership potential)

Common soft-skill prompts:

• Use short stories with specific challenges and your role.

• Show how you engaged stakeholders, negotiated trade-offs, or iterated after feedback.

• For leadership without formal authority, highlight initiative: organized a study group, led a volunteer drive, or proposed process changes.

How to demonstrate these skills:

Practice prompts from The Muse and Yoodli to craft examples that show how you contribute to team outcomes and grow from feedback.

Takeaway: Prepare 6–8 concise competency stories that demonstrate soft skills with clear actions and results.

• The Muse’s guide to internship interview questions

• Yoodli’s behavioral questions for interns

Sources:

How should I prepare for intern interviews and use frameworks like STAR to reduce anxiety?

Short answer: Preparation combines research, structured practice (STAR/CAR), mock interviews, and simple anxiety-reduction tactics like breathing and brief notes.

1. Research the company and role: read the job description, recent news, and team pages.

2. Inventory experiences: list projects, challenges, results, and lessons learned.

3. Build STAR answers: write Situation, Task, Action, Result for each example.

4. Practice out loud: time your answers and refine language for clarity.

5. Simulate conditions: record yourself or do a mock with peers or coaches.

6. Technical rehearsal: solve 6–8 coding or domain questions under timed conditions if relevant.

7. Day-of tactics: bring a one-page cheat sheet, keep water handy, and practice two-minute breathing before the call.

8. Step-by-step prep plan:

Resources for frameworks: MIT CAPD’s STAR method is an excellent guide for structuring responses, and Indeed and WFU OPCD offer practice prompts and tips for behavioral interviews.

• Reframe nervousness as excitement.

• Practice “openers” like a 30-second introduction to start strong.

• Use short notes during virtual interviews to stay on track without reading.

Reducing anxiety:

Takeaway: Combine STAR-structured answers with timed practice and simple calming routines to be concise and confident.

• MIT CAPD’s STAR method

• Indeed’s interview prep tips

• WFU OPCD behavioral interview guidance

Sources:

What are the top 30 intern interview questions I should practice?

Short answer: Practice a balanced list of behavioral, technical, competency, and situational questions plus questions to ask the interviewer — aim for concise, structured answers.

Top 30 questions (grouped and ready for STAR-style preparation)

1. Tell me about yourself. (60–90s pitch)

2. Why are you interested in this internship?

3. Describe a time you faced a challenge and how you handled it.

4. Tell me about a conflict on a team and how you resolved it.

5. A time you failed — what happened and what did you learn?

6. Describe a project you led (or organized) from start to finish.

7. Give an example of when you received critical feedback — how did you respond?

8. Tell me about a time you had to meet a tight deadline.

9. Describe a situation where you had to learn something quickly.

10. A time you improved a process or proposed a better way.

11. Behavioral (1–10)

1. Walk me through your portfolio or project X. (Design/UX)

2. Solve this coding problem: reverse a linked list / find duplicates in an array. (Engineering)

3. How would you measure the success of a marketing campaign? (Marketing)

4. Describe the steps you take to debug a problem.

5. Explain a complex idea to someone non-technical.

6. Show how you analyzed data to make a recommendation.

7. What tools and technologies are you comfortable with?

8. How would you build a simple experiment (A/B test) for feature X?

9. Technical / Role-Specific (11–18)

1. How do you prioritize tasks when everything is urgent?

2. What would you do if you disagreed with your manager on direction?

3. How would you handle a teammate who isn’t pulling their weight?

4. If given incomplete requirements, how do you proceed?

5. Describe a creative solution you developed.

6. How do you stay organized and manage your time?

7. Competency & Situational (19–24)

1. What motivates you at work or in a team?

2. How do you handle constructive criticism?

3. Where do you see yourself in 1–2 years?

4. Culture & Fit (25–27)

1. What is your availability for the internship (start/end dates, hours)?

2. Are you willing to relocate or work hybrid/remote?

3. Logistics & Availability (28–29)

1. Can you describe the day-to-day responsibilities and success metrics for this role?

2. Questions to ask the interviewer (30)

• Pick 2–3 STAR-backed examples per behavioral question.

• For technical prompts, practice live problem-solving and explain your thought process.

• Tailor questions to the job description and industry.

How to use this list:

Takeaway: Practice this balanced list until answers feel natural and concise; rehearse with timed, role-specific mock interviews.

• The Muse’s list of internship interview questions

• Yoodli’s behavioral question bank

• Indeed’s sample behavioral answers

Sources:

How Verve AI Interview Copilot Can Help You With This

Verve AI acts as your quiet co‑pilot during live interviews — analyzing the conversation and suggesting succinct phrasing, cues, and frameworks like STAR or CAR. Verve AI listens to context, helps you structure answers on the fly, and offers gentle prompts that keep you calm and on-topic under pressure. Use Verve AI Interview Copilot to get real‑time clarity, pacing suggestions, and concise templates that help you convert experience into memorable interview answers.

What Are the Most Common Questions About This Topic

Q: Can Verve AI help with behavioral interviews?
A: Yes — it uses STAR and CAR frameworks to guide real-time answers.

Q: How many examples should I prepare?
A: Aim for 8–12 STAR examples covering teamwork, conflict, and results.

Q: Should I memorize answers?
A: No — memorize structures and bullet points, not scripts.

Q: How long should my answers be?
A: Keep answers 60–90 seconds for most behavioral prompts.

Q: What's the best way to practice technical questions?
A: Time-box practice on coding sites and explain your thought process aloud.

Conclusion

Recap: Intern interviews combine behavioral proof, role-specific skills, and cultural fit. Use a structured approach—STAR for behavioral answers, rehearsed tech practice for role screens, and clear stories that show impact. Prepare 8–12 behavioral examples, 10–15 role-specific prompts, and the 30-question list above to cover likely scenarios.

Preparation and structure build confidence: practice with timed mocks, refine STAR answers, and rehearse opening lines. For live support and on‑the‑fly structuring, Try Verve AI Interview Copilot to feel confident and prepared for every interview.