It is important to ask questions during an interview, whether you are looking for a clinical fellowship, an externship, or your first job. It shows the hiring manager that you’re ready and interested, and it gives you a chance to see if a school, organization, or company is a good fit for you to use your skills, learn, and be happy.
As Director of School Services/Speech and Language at SPG Therapy, Jennifer Lopez, MS, CCC-SLP, talks to a lot of clinical fellows. “This is your time to interview them too, so take the time to ask the questions you need to make this big decision,” she says.
In this Blog Q&A, Lopez provides valuable insights and helpful tips on how to ask thoughtful questions. asking such questions, you get the answers and information you need to make big decisions with confidence.
Landing an externship is a pivotal step in the journey from student to professional These hands-on experiences provide invaluable insight into your chosen field while building your skills and expanding your network
However, first you need to ace the externship interview.
Understanding the types of questions you’ll face and how to craft strong responses is key to showcasing your fit for the role. In this article we’ll explore the top 15 externship interview questions and examples of impressive answers to help you present your best self and land the position.
Why Do You Want This Externship?
This common opening question aims to gauge your motivation. The interviewer wants to know what excites you about this particular externship and how it fits into your career aspirations.
When answering, speak passionately about what intrigues you about the role and company. Show that you’ve done your research and have specific reasons for wanting this experience. Link it to your academic studies, professional goals, and desire to gain hands-on skills.
For example: “I’m pursuing a degree in marketing, and ultimately aspire to work in brand management. When I learned about the summer externship at XYZ Agency, I was immediately drawn to the opportunity. Beyond gaining practical experience in areas like market research and campaign development, I’m excited by XYZ’s stellar reputation for innovation and creativity. This externship aligns perfectly with my career interests, and would provide invaluable insight into the fast-paced world of advertising. I’m eager to learn from your talented team and contribute my social media and content creation skills to real client projects.”
Why Are You Interested in This Field?
Here, highlight your genuine passion and fit for the industry. Share when your interest first sparked and key experiences that got you excited about this path. Demonstrate a deep understanding of the field and how the externship will advance your development.
Example: “I’ve been fascinated by biomedical engineering since high school, when I joined a robotics club and helped develop a prosthetic arm. That early exposure to using technology to improve lives solidified my career interests. Through my biomedical engineering studies, I’ve discovered that I’m most drawn to rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology. This externship at ABC Rehab Tech Labs would allow me to apply my academic knowledge while gaining practical skills in an area I’m truly passionate about. I’m committed to this field and am eager to contribute to innovations that can change patients’ lives.”
How Does This Externship Fit Into Your Career Goals?
This question aims to determine whether you have a long-term plan that this externship plays into. Show that you view it as a strategic step, not just a short detour. Explain how it builds your skills for your ideal career and helps you make informed decisions about your future path.
Example: “My goal is to become a social worker, improving outcomes for underserved youth. This externship at a non-profit community center aligns perfectly with that mission. Through hands-on client work and program development, I’ll gain invaluable experience providing social services. I’ll be able to apply academic theories around counseling, program evaluation, and social justice to make a real impact under the guidance of experienced mentors. This will solidify my commitment to this career path while preparing me for social work graduate programs and roles where I can affect change at a macro level.”
Why Should We Select You for This Externship?
Here’s your chance to sell yourself. Summarize your strongest qualifications and attributes. For example, highlight relevant coursework, activities, and skills like communication, time management, and leadership. What makes you stand out? Convey genuine enthusiasm and readiness to tackle the role.
Example: “Through my advertising coursework and role as vice president of the marketing club, I’ve developed strong competencies in areas like market segmentation, digital content creation, and campaign planning, I’m highly organized and creative, which enables me to manage multiple projects while bringing fresh ideas to campaigns. I’m intrinsically motivated and love both independent and collaborative work. I’m truly committed to applying my skills and would bring energy, unique perspectives, and a passion for learning to this externship.”
What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
This standard question allows you to demonstrate self-awareness while emphasizing your best attributes. Share 2-3 key strengths relevant to the externship like communication, analytical thinking, flexibility, attention to detail, etc. Then mention one area you’re working on improving that isn’t central to the role, balancing humility and competence.
Example: “My main strengths are relationship-building, creativity, and organizational skills. In my coursework and previous retail job, I’ve become adept at connecting with diverse clients and team members, bringing people together through inclusive communication. I also think outside the box when problem-solving, which leads to innovative solutions. At the same time, I’m highly attentive to deadlines and processes to ensure projects run smoothly. One area I’m improving on is public speaking. While I’m comfortable presenting in class and team settings, I lack experience with large-scale presentations. I’m actively seeking opportunities to improve my public speaking confidence.”
How Do You Handle Pressure or Fast-Paced Environments?
Externships involve new environments, demanding projects, and tight deadlines. This question aims to uncover your ability to thrive under pressure. Share an example of managing a heavy workload or prioritizing urgent assignments. Demonstrate your stress management, time optimization, and focus on results. Convey that you see pressure as an exciting challenge, not a hindrance.
Example: “High-pressure, rapid cycles energize and motivate me. As editor of my school paper, I often need to make quick decisions on article changes while meeting tight print deadlines. To stay focused under pressure, I employ time management strategies like creating task lists and schedules. When faced with multiple urgent assignments, I identify the highest priorities based on factors like deadlines and importance. By staying organized, thinking logically, and managing my energy, I complete projects efficiently without sacrificing quality, even in high-pressure situations. I enjoy that exhilarating pace and rise to meet challenges head-on.”
How Do You Prioritize Tasks When Everything Seems Important?
Like the previous question, this aims to probe your time management abilities – a vital skill in externships. Discuss systems for prioritizing effectively. Share how you incorporate factors like deadlines, level of effort, team needs, dependencies, and importance to determine urgency. Demonstrate critical thinking and focus on achieving key objectives.
Example: “When task prioritization isn’t clear cut, I utilize the Eisenhower Matrix as an effective framework. This involves categorizing actions into four quadrants: urgent/important, non-urgent/important, urgent/non-important, and non-urgent/non-important. I focus on urgent/important items first. For the remaining items, I consider factors like project timelines, my team’s needs, work dependencies, and the potential risks of delaying tasks. This enables me to focus on critical objectives and prioritize effectively rather than getting overwhelmed when everything seems crucial.”
How Do You Ensure Quality Under Tight Deadlines?
Employers want to know that you can deliver excellent work even when time is limited – a common challenge in externships. Outline your strategies for maintaining high standards despite deadlines. Emphasize diligent organization, planning, time management, and efficiency. Share an example of a rushed project that still met expectations thanks to your efforts.
Example: “When balancing quality work with tight turnarounds, I use Scheduling techniques like backwards planning to maximize productivity. I outline project milestones, identify dependencies, and estimate reasonable timeframes for each stage. Within this schedule, I build in time buffers for the unexpected. When the deadline arrives, I focus solely on completing the most critical components smoothly. This disciplined time management ensures I meet urgent deadlines while still producing polished, high-quality deliverables – like the 25-page research report I submitted successfully just 2 days after receiving the assignment.”
Tell Me About a Time You Made a Mistake. How Did You Handle It?
This behavioral question allows you to demonstrate maturity, accountability, and learning ability. Briefly explain a relevant blunder from a previous job, internship, or coursework. Most importantly, spotlight what you learned and changes you made to avoid repeating the mistake. Show that you own up to errors, reflect thoughtfully, and implement improvements.
Example: “While interning at a financial firm, I once prepared an invoice with an incorrect due date, which caused delays in receiving payment from the client. I immediately notified my manager when I realized the mistake. Together, we reached out to the client, apologized for the oversight, and sent a revised invoice. From this experience, I learned the importance of thoroughly verifying details, implementing QA checks before finalizing documents, and promptly communicating any errors. Moving forward, I applied strategies like leveraging calendar reminders and asking a peer to double-check my work. This enabled me to prevent future mistakes that could impact operations or relationships.”
Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?
With this common question, interviewers seek to understand your career aspirations and trajectory. Convey ambition and vision while remaining realistic. Share your short and long-term goals, painting a picture of how this externship builds relevant skills to progress towards your aims. Tie it back to why you’re passionate
When’s the best time to ask questions?
There are times when I like it when questions come up during the interview, but some people might want to wait until the end. Don’t be afraid to ask, at the beginning of the interview, what the interviewer prefers.
Finally, what’s the best way to broach topics like workplace culture and professional development opportunities?
This goes back to doing a little bit of homework prior to your interview. You can find out a lot about a company by looking at their website. Look at the school or company website to see if there are specific things you can ask about. Say a school district’s website has a mission statement. Is there a question you can ask that speaks to their core values? I love it when candidates ask me about our professional development opportunities or how we were recently named “Top Workplaces 2023” by the San Francisco Chronicle. It lets me show them that they’re interested in us and some of the work we do behind the scenes to make sure our employees are happy. Doing some personal reflection prior to interviewing will help you determine what questions to ask of each employer. Here’s some examples:
- Are growth opportunities on your list?
- What about stipends for specialty areas?
- How about reimbursement for professional dues?
- What DEI practices does the company have in place?
I know that interviewing can be overwhelming, but preparedness is key. Be sure to check out ASHA’s Career Portal. It has articles with solid advice and sample interview questions so you can enter an interview with comfort and confidence. Taking a proactive approach through research and self-reflection will benefit you in the end.
Check out more great advice from Lopez and other professionals on finding CFs and externships. Watch the recording of our January 2024 “Office Hours: Clinical Fellowships & Externships.”
REAL Interview Questions I got asked – Clinical Extern Position at a Children’s Hospital in Canada
FAQ
What questions should I ask an interviewer for externship?
What questions are asked in a medical externship interview?
What should you expect from an internship?
First, keep in mind that an internship is a two-way street. Yes, there are tasks, and probably a bigger project or two, that your employer wants you to complete over the course of your time working there. You’re expected to be an engaged, productive member of the team.
How do you answer internship interview questions?
– Being enthusiastic during the interview. Now, let’s dive into some common internship interview questions: 1.**Tell me about yourself.** – Keep it concise and relevant. Highlight your education,
What questions should an intern ask a hiring team?
The hiring team wants to hear that you’re an intern with drive. You can mention a time you led a class project or a problem that you identified and worked to improve. Be sure to include how you took the right actions to lead the group to success. Questions to ask your interviewer.
What should you talk about during an internship interview?
When reviewing the interview questions, try to understand what the employers want in an intern. Here are some of the preferred qualities you can talk about during your interview. Be a team player. Teamwork is a requirement in today’s workforce. During your internship interview, try to weave in examples that exemplify your collaboration skills.
