19 tips to have a internship interview (physical or skype interview)

1. For a physical interview, ensure that you know how to go to the company office or the meeting place and calculate how long you take to get there.
   Thus, you will avoid any bad surprises on the day.
2. For both interviews, be well-presented, dress properly, but be careful to be at ease in  your clothes to be able to show cofindence. Do not wear too much perfume. Your hands must be clean. Girls, do not wear too much make up.
3. For both types of interviews, arrive, or be connected to skype a few minutes early, you will be less stressed, and will give a good impression of yourself. Moreover, you never know if you have the exact same time than the interviewer, who can think that you are late looking at his clock even if you are on time according to your watch.
4. Remember the names of your interviewer(s) and people with who you have been in contact with in the company.
5. When you arrive, introduce yourself and ask for this person politely, precising the reason of your presence here.
6. When you see the interviewer coming to you or calling for you to enter their office, present yourself briefly, shake their hand if they present you their hand, and thank them for receiving you. Keep in mind that the first words exchanged are the most important.
7. During the interview, speak politely and clearly.
8. Smile, look the interviewer in the eyes, stay confident, and sit straight.
   Do not stand to close from the interviewer, neither too far.
9. If you do not understand a question, do not hesitate to ask for clarification.
   You will not appear stupid to ask to repeat, but will if you do not answer the right question.
10. If you want to take some notes of what the interviewer will tell you about the internship, ask first if it is possible.
11. Reply to the questions you’re asked as best you can, and ask whether you answered sufficiently if you’re unsure. To be prepared, read the article of CareerDC: ‘The Most Common Questions asked by interviewers’.
12. Keep in mind that the interviewer may not remember your resume and cover letter. You have to speak about your degree and past experience, and relate it to the internship vacancy you are now applying for.
13. Explain how you would use your qualities, skills, knowledge to achieve the internship’s tasks. You have to prove the interviewer that you are able to do a great job, do not beg for the internship. For this read the article in CareerDC: ‘How to use your qualities and transform your defaults in qualities during an internship interview ?’
14. Take your time answer questions and pause when you need to think. Do not talk incessantly.
15. Explain why you fulfill to the job requirements (with your degrees and experience…). In order to do this, read ‘How to present yourself in a few minutes’ in our website.
16. Express why you would love to have the internship. It is important to show your motivation
17. Ask questions about the company and the internship to ensure that it fits you and to show your interest to the interviewer.
18. Do not leave without a clear conclusion of the interview: will the interviewer call you back or should you follow up with them?
    If yes, when ?
19. At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer, and if possible, send a thank-you email as soon as possible.

Article by Alizee Bonnet, ‪Nouméa‬ Business School, New Caledonia