#intern advice

#NPRInterns advice of the week: Be a sponge. 📚✏️📊 

What is it like to be an NPR journalist? What are the challenges we grapple with? We heard all this and more from Rachel Martin, Weekend Edition Sunday host, Eyder Peralta,Two-Way blog reporter and Sam Sanders, Elections reporter.

(some of) Their advice: Shut up and listen; Read a lot; Study other people’s work; 

Last week, I came out with a list of common questions that employers typically ask during the interview. Since the interview is a two-way conversation, this means that you have the chance to ask the employer questions that interest you about the position. Take a look at some common questions below, but feel free to digress and come up with your own questions as well.

Usually, good interviewers save a little time at the end of the interview and ask, "Do you have any questions for me?"-- which is the perfect time to jump in and ask about what interests you. If your interviewer doesn't say this, don't worry! Just casually mention the phrase, "May I ask you a few quick questions?" and go from there. --------

About the position

How do you see me as a candidate for the internship in comparison with the "ideal candidate"? Are there any gaps, or anything that I'm missing? 

What does a typical day look like at [the company]?

What kind of projects will i take on as an intern?

Is there formal training or a mentor program for newly-hired interns?

(Alternatively) Who will be my supervisor?

What are some necessary skills or abilities that are needed for this internship?

What are the biggest challenges of being an intern here?

What advice would you give me so that I can be a successful intern?

How can I best contribute to the department/team?

How will my performance be judged, and by whom?

What goals do you have for the person who will serve in this internship?

About the company

How would you describe the company's culture/style?

Is there room for growth, such as an internship turning into a part- or full-time job?

Who was the most successful intern that you hired, and what characteristics did he/she possess?

What does the company need most right now? How can I help?

How long has [the company] been running the internship program?

*TIP! Always ask about the interviewer's "next steps" (if she/he didn't already state them) Ask when they plan to send out a final response of who gets the internship, and establish a means of communication-- through e-mail, telephone, or other medium. Of course you'll be excited about the internship and will want to know the results as soon as possible, so make sure to follow this crucial step so you know what to expect. :)

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QUESTIONS TO AVOID Although many interviewers are open to all sorts of questions, there are some categories that are best avoided during the first interview (or altogether!). Below I've listed a few, plus the rationale behind them:

Compensation-- I'll start off with perhaps the most obvious: How much am I going to get paid? This question will 99% of the time be answered in the ad where you first applied. In terms of internships, there is always the possibility of getting an unpaid internship, so make sure to do your research beforehand. If it isn't answered anywhere in the ad, I would wait until after the interview to ask this question, and approach it carefully.

Obvious questions-- If you can find the answer to your question in a quick Google search, don't ask it. Interviewers want to see complex and interesting questions that show that you did your research!

Benefits and etc.-- How many paid vacation days do I get? Is there catered lunch? Do you check my internet usage? etc. Don't ask these types of questions, for two reasons: First, you're applying for an internship, which may or may not be temporary. Asking for vacation days and other perks is usually reserved for employees who have been with the company for some time. Second, you want to show you interest and enthusiasm-- not how much you expect to benefit (other than experience) from the position.

(No questions!)-- Yes, this counts as a category. No questions is also something you should avoid, because you're bound to have at least something that interests you! Think long and hard about the position, what tasks you might be required to do, about the company and its future-- at least something that you want to know more about. Employers are looking for the most interested and attentive interns, so by having questions, you stand out even more from the rest.

You've heard it over and over again (even on this blog!) -- Always prepare for your interview by asking yourself possible questions. But where do you start? Check out the list below, and feel free to Like or Reblog to keep it on hand for your next interview. :)

-- Next week, check back to see which questions you can ask the interviewer to gain a better sense of the internship and its requirements. Good luck!

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About Yourself

Tell us a little about yourself...

What is your greatest strength?

What is your greatest weakness?

Describe your work style

Do you work well with other people?

Alternative- (Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?)

What motivates you?

How well do you handle pressure?

What are your hobbies?

Why did you choose your major?

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Where do you see yourself in 1/2/5/10 years?

What's your dream job?

What irritates you about other people, and how do you deal with it?

What is your preferred way to communicate?

How do you evaluate success?

What is your greatest fear?

What philosophy guides your work?

About the Position

Why are you interested in this position?

What will you bring to the table?

What salary are you seeking? (Not applicable in unpaid internships, of course)

Why should we hire you over the other candidate(s)?

What can we expect from you in the first 30/60/90 days on the job?

About your Previous Experience

Did you have any previous internship experience?

Have you worked from home/telecommuted?

Describe a difficult work situation and how you worked through it.

What is your greatest professional achievement?

Have you ever had problems working with a manager?

What were your responsibilities at Company X?

What did you most like/dislike at Company X?

What would your co-workers at Company X say about you?

What have you learned from your mistakes at Company X?

Who was your best boss and who was the worst?

About the Company

What have you heard about our company?

What do you know about the industry?

Alternatively- (What are the most significant trends in your field?)

Why do you want to work for us?

Alternatively- (Why shouldn't we hire you?)

How long do you expect to remain employed with this company?

What is your ideal company?

When could you start work?

What are you looking for in your next job/company? What is important to you?

??? and etc. (Also known as The Completely Random Questions)

If you were a pizza delivery man, how would you benefit from scissors?

What would be the theme song to your life?

How would you rate your life on a scale of 1 to 10?

How many cocktail umbrellas are there in a given time in the United States?

You are hosting a dinner party and have to invite 3 famous people. Who would you choose and why?

 If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

Who would win in a fight-- a pirate or a ninja?

How many times a day do a clock’s hands overlap?