Answer Interview Questions with STAR

Here are a few ideas for preparing for an internship interview. Actually they work for any interview: job-hunting, applying for graduate school, and internships. The model is called S-T-A-R and it is a simple way to direct your attention to "getting ready" to achieve a goal. But first, orient yourself to the purpose of your interview.

* Learn about the organization by browsing their website or talking to someone you know there.
* Think about why you want the position and why you are qualified.
* Think about what you will bring to the program (e.g., lots of energy for working with young kids at an after school program).
* Practice interviewing with a friend.

When answering an interview question, try to hit these four points:
Situation
Task
Action
Results

Using STAR as your guide for answering questions has several benefits:
* Answers are focused.
* Answers are relatively short (no rambling!).
* It gets you started.

Not sure how to tell a story from you last job? Start by describing where you worked and what you did. Just tell a simple story and then respond to questions.

The content on this blog is not offered as legal advice or guidance. Consult your college, advisor, or internship supervisor for help with issues surrounding internships. © 2009 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. Dr. Bold is a co-author of the book Reflections: Preparing for your Practicum or Internship, geared to college interns in the child, education, and family fields. More about Dr. Bold can be learned at http://www.marybold.com/

Know Before You Go

Got an interview? Or a phone interview? Know the basics about the internship before you reach the interview.

#1 Strategy: Read deep, meaning explore the web site of the agency thoroughly. Follow all links to learn the full story of the agency.

#2 Strategy: Read about the agency on other web sites. Run a search.

#3 Strategy: Read wide, meaning explore the general field. If your site is FEMA, there's a whole lot of information on the web about emergency preparedness. Become an expert!

If the Internet doesn't produce enough information for you, talk to a reference librarian. Just because college internship credits may not involve a lot of library time doesn't mean you cannot turn to the library for help!

The content on this blog is not offered as legal advice or guidance. Consult your college, advisor, or internship supervisor for help with issues surrounding internships. © 2009 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. Dr. Bold is a co-author of the book Reflections: Preparing for your Practicum or Internship, geared to college interns in the child, education, and family fields. More about Dr. Bold can be learned at www.marybold.com