So, you landed an interview for an internship—congrats! 🎉 But now comes the tricky part: preparing for the questions. Internship interviews can be challenging, especially if it’s your first time.
To help you impress your interviewer, we’ve put together the top 20 internship interview questions (commonly asked in South Africa and globally), along with tips on how to answer them confidently.
đź’ˇ General Tips Before the Interview
- Research the company beforehand
- Practice answering questions aloud
- Dress neatly and professionally
- Be honest and enthusiastic
- Prepare a few questions to ask them too!
âś… Top 20 Internship Interview Questions and Sample Answers
1. Tell us about yourself.
🧠Why they ask: To learn about you beyond your CV.
How to answer: Briefly describe your studies, interests, and career goals.
“I’m a second-year accounting student at UCT. I’m passionate about numbers, problem-solving, and gaining practical experience in finance. I’m currently seeking an internship to apply my academic knowledge in a real-world setting.”
2. Why are you interested in this internship?
🧠They want to see your motivation.
“I’m excited about this internship because it aligns with my interest in digital marketing, and I admire your company’s work in youth development. I’m eager to learn and contribute to meaningful projects.”
3. What do you know about our company?
🧠Tests your preparation.
Tip: Mention something from their website, mission, or recent news.
4. What are your strengths?
“I’m a fast learner, detail-oriented, and I work well under pressure. During group projects, I often take the lead in organizing tasks and meeting deadlines.”
5. What are your weaknesses?
“I used to struggle with public speaking, but I’ve joined a student debate club to improve my confidence.”
6. Tell us about a time you worked in a team.
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result):
“In a group project, we had to present a business idea. I helped coordinate tasks and created the slides. We ended up getting top marks for our teamwork.”
7. How do you handle pressure or tight deadlines?
“I stay calm, create a to-do list, and prioritize urgent tasks. During exams, I managed to submit all assignments on time by planning ahead.”
8. Why should we hire you for this internship?
“I may not have formal experience, but I’m eager to learn, I’m reliable, and I bring fresh ideas and strong work ethic.”
9. What are your career goals?
“I hope to become a qualified HR professional and work in employee development. This internship is a great starting point for that path.”
10. What skills do you bring to this role?
Mention soft + technical skills:
“Communication, teamwork, Excel, Canva, and research skills.”
11. Describe a challenge you’ve faced and how you handled it.
“During a group assignment, one member wasn’t participating. I scheduled a team meeting and encouraged open communication, which helped us get back on track.”
12. How do you manage your time?
“I use a planner and calendar to manage my studies, part-time job, and responsibilities. I like setting deadlines for myself to stay ahead.”
13. Have you done any volunteer work or projects?
Even unpaid experience counts!
“I volunteered as a tutor at my high school and helped Grade 10 learners with maths every Saturday.”
14. Do you have any leadership experience?
“I was class rep last year and helped communicate between students and faculty, which taught me how to lead with responsibility.”
15. What do you expect to learn from this internship?
“I want to gain hands-on experience in admin and client support, understand workplace culture, and build professional skills.”
16. Describe your ideal work environment.
“A supportive environment where I can ask questions, take initiative, and grow through feedback.”
17. How do you handle criticism?
“I appreciate constructive feedback—it helps me improve. I always take notes and apply what I’ve learned.”
18. How would your lecturers or classmates describe you?
“Dependable, hardworking, and easy to work with.”
19. What do you like to do outside of school?
“I enjoy reading, creating content for social media, and running. I believe in balancing academics with hobbies.”
20. Do you have any questions for us?
âś… Always say yes and ask at least one question like:
- “What does a typical day look like for an intern here?”
- “How do you support intern development?”
- “What qualities do your best interns usually have?”
🧠Final Tips for Internship Interview Success
- Practice your answers, but don’t memorize them
- Be confident, polite, and smile
- Arrive early or log in early for virtual interviews
- Say “thank you” after the interview
🚀 Want More Help?
Check out these useful resources:
- How to Write a CV for Internships in South Africa
- How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship
- How to Get an Internship Without Experience
Need personal help? Email us at 📧 info@gointern.co.za
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