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How to Prepare for an Internship Interview

Interviews feel high-stakes, but most are won on preparation, not raw talent. For an internship, the bar is simple: show that you're capable, curious, and easy to work with. Here's how to prepare.

Research the company and the role

Know what the company does, who its customers are, and roughly how it makes money. Read recent news. You don't need to be an expert — you need to show you cared enough to look.

Re-read the role description and map your skills and projects to what they're asking for, so you can bring concrete examples.

Prepare your stories with STAR

Most behavioural questions ("tell me about a time…") are best answered with STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Prepare three or four flexible stories you can adapt.

Pick stories that show problem-solving, teamwork, and initiative — and always land on a concrete outcome.

Have thoughtful questions ready

An interview is two-way. Asking good questions — about the team, the work, how success is measured — signals genuine interest and maturity.

Avoid questions you could have answered with a quick search; ask things that show you're already picturing yourself in the role.

Practise, then follow up

Rehearse out loud, ideally with a friend or mentor. On stryd you can ask people who've interviewed there what to expect.

Send a short, genuine thank-you message afterwards. It's a small thing that surprisingly often tips close decisions in your favour.

Put this into practice on stryd

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