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10 Tips to Ace Your Dietetic Internship Interview

Written By:

Jill Coscarelli, RDN, IBCLC

2020-2021 Cohort

Maricopa County Department of Public Health


You worked really hard to get to this point. Writing a personal statement isn’t easy. And DICAS isn’t that fun either. You’ve no doubt spent many hours working on your internship application, hoping you did well enough to gain an interview. When you receive word you have been selected for an opportunity to interview, you enter into an entirely new set of emotions. Dread, fear, excitement. A million questions swirling about the unknown - what are they going to ask, what do I wear, how do I prepare, what can I do to come out ahead? A strategic plan with lots of preparation will be the key to your success! Every internship is different, and no two interviews are alike. Keep your eye on the internship prize and check out the tips below.






1. Why are you applying to this internship program? Do your research on the program. You don’t want to walk into an interview setting and not be able to answer a basic question about the program. Reach out to current and/or former interns from that specific program. Gather as much information as you can about the interview they had. What questions were asked? What was the setting like? How were the directors? Talk with others that have had interviews elsewhere to get a feeling about the vibe and their tips for success. The goal is to collect as much information as you can about what to expect.

2. Practice and perfect you elevator pitch.

That dreaded first question can be the scariest and most unnerving. It’s your first face to face interaction with the director(s) and it may set the tone for the rest of the interview. Likely the first question will be an ice breaker that is open-ended and vague like “Tell me a little about yourself.” Comprise a short 30-45 second dialogue that highlights your personality, skill set, and what makes you uniquely you. It should be memorable, interesting, and succinct. The idea is to capture the listener’s attention and want to know more about you. Practice your pitch daily to help you sharpen your message, prevent you from fumbling your words and give a polished answer. Speaking the words out loud in front of the mirror will help eliminate awkwardness, build confidence, and help work out the ‘likes, ums, and uhs’ in order to perfect your pitch.

3. Recall a time when you made a mistake or were given feedback that was hard to hear.

We all like to think we are so great that every project or task we take on is executed with perfection. Being able to listen to and accept constructive criticism is a hallmark of a great leader. Think about a time or two that you received feedback that was hard to hear. What was the feedback, who gave it to you and what did you do about it? Be able to highlight how you used critical thinking and communication skills in that situation with specific examples. What did you learn from the situation? You should be able to apply the way you worked through this problem and connect it to other situations. 4. Think of situations that highlight your skills and personal/professional growth.


Similar to recalling a time you received constructive criticism, you will also want to think about times that highlight your best attributes. Write down 2-3 situations in which you resolved conflict, showed leadership, were given or took on a responsibility, successfully worked in a team, met a deadline, or successfully managed your time. You can highlight a weakness you are working on or a strength in which you are fantastic. Using the STAR method to outline the Situation, Task, Action, and Results will help you gather the relevant information and be more precise with your answer. It will help you feel more prepared to have a few practiced situations memorized instead of having to think off the top of your head. This is also a good time to think of your personal weaknesses. They don’t have to be bad! Try to turn the conversation into a learning situation that you can grow from and highlight the personal growth and work you are doing to get better. 5. Don’t be afraid of a pause.


I can’t stress this point enough. If you get asked a question that you don’t immediately have an answer for, take a breath and pause to gather your thoughts before you speak. This will avoid the ums, uhs and rushed answers. A long pause may feel awkward to you, but to the interviewer it isn’t odd at all. Take the time to collect your thoughts and speak clearly and slowly when you are ready. This is your chance to ace the interview. No need to rush it! 6. Practice, practice, practice.

It is imperative to practice your elevator pitch, your example scenarios and a basic set of sample interview questions that include both structured and unstructured questions. You can easily find sample interview questions online. Writing out your answers either typed or hand-written using bullet points will help you practice forming complete answers based on a few main points. Practice talking through them out loud in front of a mirror and/or in front of friends/family. This will help you hear yourself answer, get you more comfortable speaking in front of others, and keep the information fresh and current in your mind. Although you won’t know exactly what questions will be asked you will most likely have personal and situational type questions presented to you.

7. Wear something that is comfortable.

In order to look comfortable, you need to feel comfortable. Plan on wearing something that fits well and isn’t distracting. If you haven’t worn heels in forever, now is not the time to do so. The last thing you want to worry about on interview day is your ill-fitting shoes or tight waist band. Pick an outfit that is neutral and professional. You want to feel confident and relaxed so you can radiate those traits during your interview.

8. Know your game day plan. If you are having an in-person interview you will want to map out the location and determine how much time it will take you to get there plus an extra 15-20 minutes. This will give you a cushion of time in case there is unexpected traffic or construction as well as a buffer to sit and breathe before your big moment. You want to eliminate any possibility of being late. If you are having a phone interview, make sure you schedule that time for an empty house to ensure a quiet space. You will also want to make sure you have good phone reception. Even though the interviewer cannot see you, it may be helpful to dress professionally, so you feel professional. In this setting, it may also be beneficial to have your practiced material in front of you for reference and guidance. For video interviews, it is important to also have a quiet space free from pets, family, and roommates. The last thing you want to be worried about is a barking Fido or a housemate walking in on your call. Practicing setting up your Skype/Google Meets/Zoom ahead of time will cut down on the possibility of technical difficulties on the day of the interview. You may also want to practice recording yourself answering your practice questions or giving your elevator pitch to help you recognize any distracting habits or phrases and get you used to seeing yourself on camera. Don’t let your nerves get the best of you. You’ve done your research, practiced your questions and prepared for your interview. Be your authentic self. You got this!

9. Ask a few questions at the end of the interview.

Being prepared with questions for the interviewer will show your interest and enthusiasm for the program. Your questions should be thoughtful and relevant. Sample questions include: How will performance be evaluated? What are your expectations from an intern? What are some key qualities you see in successful interns? You should be interviewing the program just as much as they are interviewing you! Write out 2-4 questions and bring them with you to the interview. This is not only accepted, it is encouraged.

10. Send a thank you note after your interview.

With virtual interviews quickly becoming the norm, writing a handwritten thank you note isn't always an option. Sending a thank you email after your interview is over may help you include specific moments or details about the interview to make it feel more personal and less generic. You will want to include the director’s name, thank them for the opportunity to interview, mention something specific that was discussed and close with how you think their program is a perfect fit for you. You will want to make sure you send your thank you the same day of your interview. You’ve completed DICAS, written your personal statement, updated your resume and practiced for your interview. You earned this moment. You are capable of doing hard things. Now crush it!

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