6 Things to Watch out for at Internship Interviews

A twelve, six or even three month internship can feel like a long time if it's somewhere that you don't enjoy working at. Below are some tips of things you should watch out for in your internship interview.

1. The Car Park

Reserved spaces for senior staff can point to quite a hierarchical organisation, on the other hand hybrid cars and bike facilities can indicate a company that cares about the environment. You can learn a surprising amount before you even walk in the door.

2. The Welcome

In my experiences one of the best indicators of a company's culture can be the receptionist.

Was their welcome warm and friendly? Did they offer you a coffee or water?

If they remember your name then you're onto a winner.

3. General Vibes

As you're waiting in the reception how would you describe the vibes of the staff walking by?

Do they seem happy and enthusiastic? Are they friendly to the receptionist and do they seem genuinely happy to be there?

Body language can be a dead giveaway - watch out for staff who feel comfortable in their environment and who walk with purpose.

4. Are they organised?

If your interview starts late and your potential employer doesn't apologize or give a reason then that could be a reason for concern.

If your interviewer is distracted by their phone, laptop or other things going on then it could be an indicator that you'll have not get much attention from them once you're hired.

5. Do they Dress to Impress?

Maybe you like a formal setting with shirts and suits or maybe you'd be more comfortable in shorts and sandals. Whatever the dress code is in the workplace you have to ask yourself if you could picture yourself wearing it.

No matter how short or long internships matter, so make sure that you pick an employer that you think you'll have fun working with.