Internship Interviewing Guide

The following information is designed to guide you through the internship interviewing process. Please review this information very carefully in full before beginning the interview process. After you interview, complete the Interview Feedback Form with updates on your internship interviewing process.

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Based upon your application materials, your internship interests, and the criteria of the internship sites, we will refer you to internship sites for interviews.  The Puentes team will share your resume and statement of interest with possible internship sites, and in the case that an internship site confirms initial interest in your profile, we will introduce you to the potential internship supervisor by email so that you can arrange an interview.

Upon being introduced by email to the internship site, please reply promptly (within 24 hours) to coordinate a phone or video interview with the internship site contact.  In your reply, offer the internship site contact several days and times as options during which you are available to speak.  Keep in mind the time difference between Argentina or Uruguay and your current city, and kindly make yourself available during the workday hours in Argentina and Uruguay (10am to 6pm).  We ask that the interview be completed within five business days of the Puentes introduction email to the supervisor. If you are having trouble arranging the interview, let Puentes know right away so that we can help.

The duration of the interview will vary, but it will typically last about 30 minutes.

In advance of the interview, do your homework and prepare.  Review the internship site’s website in detail, consider how your interests and experiences align with the internship opportunity, and make a list of questions you want to be sure to ask.  Your questions should show that you are well-prepared and genuinely interested in the internship. 

Some themes and sample questions to consider:

• About the company: What are the biggest opportunities facing the company right now?  What are the company’s main priorities or objectives for this year? What sort of project work would be available to an intern?

• Intern success: What do you think are the most important qualities for someone to excel in this internship?  How can I make the most positive impact during my internship?

• Office culture: Could you describe the culture of the company? How many people are on the team? What do you like best about working for this company?

Interviews will be conducted mainly in English if the role requires less than intermediate Spanish. If the role requires intermediate or higher Spanish, the interview may be conducted partially or fully in Spanish.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

Each interview is to help you learn more about the organization or business with which you would work, about the possible internship project areas, and about the anticipated product or outcome for your internship. The conversation will allow you to consider if you would like to work with the internship site.

The purpose of the interview for the internship site is to find out what your interests are, what you want to learn, and whether they think you and your skills would be a good match for their opportunity.  

Be sure you discuss your university’s required hours per week and modality. If you will be participating in an in-person program, ask the internship site how often their team goes into the office to make sure that your expectations are aligned.

After the interview

Remember to send a thank you email to the person whom interviewed you.  This is very important and should be done the same day of the interview.

Complete the Puentes Interview Feedback Form below to share your impressions with us immediately after each interview that you have. If your first interview does not result in a match, we will explore another opportunity for you.

The person conducting the interview with you will not offer you an internship on the spot.  The interviewer will send Puentes their feedback after the interview and will let us know if they can offer you a suitable internship experience based on your interests and skills.  Puentes will confirm a match once we have received positive feedback from you and the internship site.

Suerte and enjoy these conversations!