Decide what the intern will do, pick the three or four skills that matter most, and judge every applicant against those skills in the same way. A clear, simple process finds better interns than gut feel.
What should you decide before you advertise?
Write down the work the intern will actually do, who will manage them and what a good result looks like at the end. This shapes your listing and makes it easier to spot the right applicant.
What should you look for?
- Evidence of the skills you need. Look at what applicants have done in their course, part-time jobs, societies and projects.
- Interest in your work. A short, specific reason for applying usually says more than a long one.
- Willingness to learn. Interns aren’t the finished article, so look for people who ask questions and take feedback.
Try not to judge on grades or university name alone. Talented students come from every university and background.
How should you run the interview?
Keep it short and ask every applicant the same questions. Ask for real examples, such as a time they solved a problem or worked in a team. Score each answer against your list of skills, so you compare applicants fairly.
Where do you find more applicants?
Advertise openly. Roles filled through personal contacts come from a small pool. Posting on jobsforinterns is free and reaches students across the UK.