The question “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” can come up during an internship interview as well as during a job interview, so you can almost guarantee that it will be asked during both. As a result, you should be ready to discuss what makes you a strong candidate. While that may encompass a wide range of things, regardless of the industry you work in, a few themes tend to emerge.
Since 1997, Nicole Vulcan has worked as a journalist for The Oregonian, CareerAddict, Black Hills Woman, and other publications. She has written about parenting, fitness, and careers. Vulcan graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and English. She’s been active all of her life and is working toward personal trainer certification.
The importance of developing intern strengths
Employers look for interns with the skills and qualities necessary to succeed in a position with their company. Even though the majority of interns anticipate picking up necessary knowledge and abilities on the job, developing these skills ahead of time can give you a competitive edge. Building a strong skill set can also improve your chances of becoming a full-time employee after the internship is over.
11 intern strengths
Depending on their industry and area of specialization, employers might look for interns with a variety of strengths. However, you can concentrate on developing these 11 typical strengths:
Communication
During your internship, you’ll probably communicate frequently with staff members, other interns, and supervisors, so being able to write and speak professionally is helpful. Presentation and listening skills can also be highly beneficial. While developing presentation skills enables you to deliver compelling and effective messages to a variety of audiences, learning to be an active listener enables you to comprehend and respond to coworkers with empathy.
You can practice your communication skills during your classes. Try to communicate with classmates frequently while working on group projects and take part in class discussions. To feel more at ease speaking and presenting in front of larger groups, you might also think about enrolling in a speech class.
Positivity
Being upbeat demonstrates that you’re eager to work hard and gain as much experience as you can as an intern. Your upbeat demeanor may also be a sign that you have the potential to work well with others in a team and promote harmony at work. By keeping a forward-thinking perspective, you can practice being more positive. If you come across a challenge, think about how you can get past it rather than dwelling on the issue. Try developing the habit of praising or giving compliments to those around you to keep both of your spirits up.
Adaptability
Being adaptable means being willing to learn new skills or try out new procedures. The ability to adapt can also mean being able to handle various difficulties in a dynamic or constantly changing environment. Being adaptable and flexible is beneficial because internships can involve a variety of tasks.
You can try practicing multitasking and setting daily priorities to see if that helps you become more adaptable. Keep track of the tasks you want or need to accomplish each day, then group them according to their similarity and urgency. Complete related tasks concurrently while concentrating on top priorities. When you finish the most important tasks first, you’ll be prepared for any changes in your schedule throughout the day.
Self-discipline
Employers frequently look for interns with self-discipline, which is the capacity to work hard without much supervision. You are more likely to have a strong work ethic and finish projects on time if you are self-disciplined. Establish specific objectives and expectations for your work and for yourself in order to develop self-discipline. Then, make a list of steps to help you reach those objectives. For instance, if you want to land an internship at a reputable marketing company, you might start by learning about the company’s mission and values and tailoring your resume to fit.
Time management
You can complete all of your tasks on time or ahead of deadlines by using time management techniques. Establishing trust with your supervisor as an intern can be done by demonstrating your ability to effectively manage your time. Time management is a skill that many jobs require, so you should work on developing it both before and during your internship. You can improve your time management abilities by making a daily schedule and setting aside specific times to complete each of your tasks.
Leadership
Although interns are typically not in charge of overseeing departments or other workers, it is still important to demonstrate leadership skills. Possessing leadership qualities can demonstrate your self-assurance and openness to taking on new responsibilities, which can help you transition from an internship to a full-time position. You can hone your leadership abilities by taking the helm of a group project or looking for volunteer positions that allow you to exercise leadership.
Inquisitiveness
By seeking clarification on a subject, you demonstrate your desire to learn and your desire to carry out a task accurately. Additionally, curiosity encourages you to learn a variety of things about various subjects, which is something that many employers value. During the interview, you can demonstrate your curiosity by asking a variety of questions about the internship and the company. Before the interview, do some research and make a list of any questions you may have about the company’s objectives, the internship position, and potential career paths.
Critical thinking
Thinking critically can assist you in completing tasks, overcoming obstacles, and resolving problems creatively. Your capacity for problem-solving can be enhanced by critical thinking, which is another skill that many employers value. By carefully analyzing various challenges, you can hone your critical-thinking abilities. Write down all the information you have regarding the issue and a few potential solutions, then assess the likelihood of each solution’s outcomes.
Interpersonal skills
Listening and understanding others, exhibiting respect and self-awareness, and responding with patience and empathy are all examples of interpersonal skills. It also entails being open to criticism and making an effort to enhance certain aspects of one’s work. You’re a strong candidate for an internship position because you have interpersonal skills and can effectively communicate and collaborate with others. You could concentrate on developing each skill individually since this strength involves many other ones.
Teamwork
The success of a workplace is greatly influenced by an employee’s capacity for cooperation and developing relationships with coworkers. As an intern, you can anticipate working with numerous professionals and other interns, so developing teamwork skills is a good skill to have. To practice teamwork, you might consider joining a study group, recreational sports team, or organization focused on one of your interests.
Integrity
Integrity, which includes honesty, loyalty, dependability, and trustworthiness, can help you succeed as an intern. Building stronger relationships with staff members through integrity can improve the atmosphere at work and promote collaboration. To demonstrate integrity, complete your work on time, assist others when they need it, and be truthful with everyone.
What Are Your Strengths? (10 GREAT STRENGTHS to use in a JOB INTERVIEW!)
FAQ
What is your strength for internship?
A good intern possesses excellent communication skills, a positive outlook, and adaptability. Having these abilities and traits will help you stand out to potential employers and may improve your chances of landing an internship.
What are the top 5 traits successful intern?
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to multi-task.
- Taking constructive criticism well.
- Strong writing skills.
- Punctuality.
- Effective communication.
What skills should intern have?
- Communication. There are many different forms of communication, but future employers are most concerned with your ability to write and speak professionally.
- Interpersonal. …
- Collaboration. …
- Time Management. …
- Adaptability. …
- Critical Thinking. …
- Research and Analysis. …
- Initiative.
What qualities do you look for in an intern?
- Competitive drive to work hard and perform on the job.
- Positive attitude and enthusiasm about the chance to grow.
- Willingness to keep an open mind to learn new things.
- Outgoing and able to connect with others to add to the culture of the business
