Module 4 · Get Your First Internship
Ace the Interview
Prepare for common internship interview questions, answer with the STAR method, handle online interviews, and follow up afterwards.
About 25 minutes
Before the interview
- Research the organisation: what it does, its products or services, and any recent news. Read its website and LinkedIn page.
- Re-read the advert and your application.
- Prepare three stories from school, projects, volunteering or work that show your skills.
- Plan logistics: the address and travel time, or for online interviews the link, a charged laptop, data and a quiet room.
Common questions
| Question | What they want to know |
|---|---|
| "Tell me about yourself." | A 60-second summary: studies, skills, why this role |
| "Why do you want this internship?" | You've researched them and have a real reason |
| "Tell me about a time you worked in a team." | How you collaborate |
| "What's your biggest weakness?" | Self-awareness, and what you're doing about it |
| "Do you have any questions for us?" | Interest. Always have two ready |
Answer with STAR
For "tell me about a time…" questions, use STAR:
- Situation: the background, in one sentence.
- Task: what you needed to do.
- Action: what you did (say "I", not "we").
- Result: what happened, with a number if you can.
Example: "In my second year, our departmental dinner had 40% fewer sign-ups than planned two weeks before the date (S). As publicity lead, I had to fill the tickets (T). I designed Canva posters, set up a Google Form and asked each class rep to share it in their WhatsApp groups (A). We sold out three days before the event (R)."
Online interviews
- Test the link, camera and microphone the day before.
- Sit facing a window or light, with a plain background.
- Look at the camera when you speak, not your own face.
- Keep your phone on silent and close other tabs.
- Have your CV and notes nearby, but don't read from them.
Good questions to ask them
- "What would a typical day look like for an intern?"
- "What would success look like at the end of the internship?"
- "Who would I be working with most closely?"
After the interview
Send a short thank-you email the same day:
Output
Subject: Thank you – Data Analyst Intern interview
Dear Mr Okafor,
Thank you for speaking with me today about the Data Analyst Intern role.
I enjoyed hearing about how your team uses Power BI for weekly sales
reviews, and I'm even more keen to join.
Kind regards,
Efosa IgbinedionTry it
Task
10 minWrite your "Tell me about yourself" answer: about 60 seconds spoken (roughly 110 to 170 words). Cover what you study, one or two skills with evidence, and why you want this kind of internship. Then practise it out loud.
Your work is checked for
- Says what you study and where
- Names a skill or tool
- Gives evidence (a project, role or result with a number)
- Says why you want this internship
- About 60 seconds spoken (110 to 170 words)
Task
10 minWrite one STAR story about solving a problem or working in a team, one part per line: Situation:, Task:, Action: (what you did, using "I") and Result: (with a number if you can).
Your work is checked for
- Situation:
- Task:
- Action: in the first person (I…)
- Result: with a number or clear outcome
Task
3 minWrite two questions you'd ask an interviewer at the end, one per line. They should show you're thinking about doing the job well, not about time off.
Your work is checked for
- Two questions
- About the work, the team or success in the role
- Not about leave, pay or finishing early
Then do a practice video call with a friend using your answers, and ask for honest feedback on one thing to improve.
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