What To Expect In Your Internship Exit Interview

So, you’ve completed your internship — what’s next? As your internship wraps up, you’ll likely be asked for feedback, often through an exit interview. You might also have a job offer on the table.

Based on NACE research, Forbes shared that, on average, companies offer employment to 72% of their interns. If your goal is to stay with the company you’ve interned with and you haven’t yet received an offer, the exit interview could be your opportunity to shine.

Vault, known for their rankings and reviews of top employers and internships, recently highlighted some common exit interview questions interns can expect to be asked. While remaining honest, Vault notes it’s important to remain positive in your responses, especially if you want to land a position.

QUESTION 1: “HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE COMPANY CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT?”

Example Answer: “The company culture was inclusive and supportive, and I noticed there’s an emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. The work environment was fast-paced yet welcoming, and I felt encouraged to voice my ideas and contribute to discussions.”

QUESTION 2: “CAN YOU PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AND ITS STRUCTURE?”

Example Answer: “Overall, I found the internship program to be well-structured and organized. The orientation process provided a clear overview of the company’s goals and expectations, and my tasks were easy to understand. If I could improve one thing, I would offer more opportunities for formal training sessions or workshops to help interns develop their skills.”

QUESTION 3: “WHAT SKILLS OR KNOWLEDGE DID YOU GAIN DURING YOUR INTERNSHIP?”

Example Answer: “Throughout the experience, I developed strong [mention skills you’ve learned] by working on [mention tasks you worked on]. I also honed my communication skills through regular interactions with my team members, manager, and clients.”

QUESTION 4: “DO YOU FEEL YOU RECEIVED ENOUGH SUPPORT FROM MANAGEMENT DURING YOUR INTERNSHIP?”

Example Answer: “I feel that management provided me with sufficient support throughout my internship. I received emails from management on a regular basis checking in with me and asking if I needed any help with my tasks. If I could improve one thing about the management style at [Company Name], I would say that there should be weekly in-person meetings to catch up in addition to the emails.”

The interview may be formal or informal, and some companies don’t have one at all. To prepare, it’s best to practice with someone in your network – a teacher, mentor, friend or family member, using the questions above.

For the full list of questions – and the strategies behind the answers – click here.

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