Most internship interviews lean on a familiar set of questions — which means you can walk in prepared. The point isn’t to memorize scripts; it’s to have real, specific stories ready so you can answer naturally. Here are the questions you’ll most likely hear and how to handle them.
“Tell Me About Yourself”
This opener isn’t an invitation to recite your resume. Give a tight, 60-second arc: who you are, what you’re studying or working on, and why this role interests you. End on why you’re excited about this company specifically — it shows you did your homework.
“Why Do You Want This Role?”
Connect three dots: something specific about the company, something you’re good at, and what you want to learn. “I want experience” is weak; “I’ve been building X and want to learn from a team doing it for real” is strong.
“Tell Me About a Time You…” (Behavioural Questions)
These are the heart of most interviews — a time you solved a hard problem, handled a disagreement, or missed a deadline. Structure every answer with STAR:
- Situation — set the scene briefly
- Task — what you were responsible for
- Action — what you specifically did (the most important part)
- Result — how it turned out, with a concrete outcome where you can
“What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?”
For strengths, pick one relevant to the role and back it with a quick example. For weaknesses, be honest and show growth — name a real one and what you’re doing about it. Skip the humble-brag (“I just work too hard”); interviewers see through it.
“Do You Have Any Questions for Us?”
Always say yes — thoughtful questions signal genuine interest. Good ones: what does success look like in the first few months, what does the team value, what would I actually be working on. Skip anything you could answer with a quick search.
Answering on Video
In a recorded or one-way video interview, you won’t get follow-up cues — so be complete but concise. Take a breath before you answer, look at the camera, and don’t be afraid to restart a sentence if you fumble. A calm, clear answer beats a rushed, perfect-sounding one.
A Few More You Should Expect
Beyond the classics, these come up often enough to prepare for:
- “Why this company specifically?” — name two real things you found out about them
- “Where do you see yourself in a few years?” — be honest, not corporate
- “Tell me about a time you disagreed with someone.” — describe the disagreement, what you did, and what you learned
- “What’s your biggest accomplishment so far?” — pick one you can describe in 90 seconds
- “How do you handle feedback?” — say something real with a brief example
Prepare each with a 60-second answer in mind. Tight, specific answers stand out far more than long, polished ones.
Where Inkaer Comes In
On Inkaer, your application is a video answer to the role’s question — so this kind of preparation pays off directly. Think through your story, structure it with STAR, and speak to the camera like you would to a person. Inkaer connects international students with paid internships at Canadian startups, and a clear, genuine video answer is exactly what gets you onto the shortlist.