How to Prepare for an Internship Interview in the UK
Internship interviews are often the first formal job interviews most people experience. The expectations are calibrated accordingly — recruiters are not looking for ten years of professional experience. They are looking for potential, motivation, and the ability to grow.
That said, competition for the best internships — particularly in law, finance, consulting, and technology — is intense. Thorough preparation is what separates successful applicants.
What Internship Interviewers Are Looking For
Motivation and commercial awareness
Why do you want this internship? Why this company? What do you know about what they do and the sector they operate in? The ability to answer these questions specifically and confidently is the most basic requirement.
Communication and interpersonal skills
Can you hold a professional conversation, explain your ideas clearly, and listen actively?
Analytical and problem-solving ability
Even without professional experience, you can demonstrate logical thinking. How did you approach your dissertation? How did you solve a complex problem in a university project or part-time job?
Attitude and work ethic
Are you the kind of person who will engage fully, take initiative, and contribute to the team even in a junior role?
Basic competencies
Teamwork, organisation, dealing with challenges, working to deadlines — these can all be demonstrated through university experience.
Preparing for Common Internship Questions
"Why do you want to work in [sector]?"
Research the sector deeply. Show genuine understanding of what the work involves and why you find it interesting — not just that it pays well or is prestigious.
"Why do you want to work for us specifically?"
Reference something specific — a deal, a case, a project, a culture element, or a value that genuinely resonates. Generic enthusiasm is not convincing.
"Tell me about a time you worked under pressure."
Deadlines, exam periods, juggling a part-time job with studies, leading a society event — all valid contexts for this question. Use STAR structure.
"What is your biggest achievement?"
Choose something that demonstrates a relevant skill. Academic, extracurricular, sporting, and personal achievements are all appropriate at this stage.
"What are your weaknesses?"
Be honest and specific. Include what you are doing to address it.
Demonstrating Commercial Awareness
Commercial awareness is highly valued in internship candidates, particularly in finance and professional services. It means understanding:
- What the company does and how it makes money
- Key developments in their sector (recent deals, regulatory changes, market trends)
- The basic economics of the business (revenue drivers, cost drivers, competitive threats)
Prepare by reading the Financial Times or BBC Business, following the company's news, and understanding their business model before you walk in.
Sector-Specific Preparation
Law
Research recent cases or deals the firm has worked on. Know the practice areas they specialise in. Be ready to discuss a recent piece of legal news you found interesting.
Finance and Banking
Know basic financial concepts (P/E ratio, EBITDA, DCF valuation at a conceptual level). Read the markets page of the FT. Know recent notable transactions in your target area.
Consulting
Practice case interviews (see the case study interview article). Know the firm's methodology and key sectors.
Technology
Know the company's main products and recent releases. If you are applying for a technical internship, brush up on relevant technical skills and be ready for a coding challenge.
Asking Questions
At the end of any internship interview, you will be invited to ask questions. Prepare four or five. Good questions for internship interviews:
- "What does a typical week look like for an intern on this programme?"
- "What have previous interns gone on to do after this programme?"
- "What skills or attributes do the interns who perform best tend to have?"
- "What is the conversion rate from intern to graduate hire?" (If relevant — this signals ambition)
Use CVCircuit to build a CV that presents your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and part-time experience in professional language — giving you the strongest possible application to back up your interview performance.