What would your goals be as a computer scientist working for our company?
Hiring managers are looking for candidates who are both qualified for the job and willing to take initiative. When preparing for an interview, you should understand the company's business objectives and challenges. You should then formulate a plan to resolve these and be ready to discuss it during the interview. The interviewer will not fault you if your plan is not perfect or even something they are thinking about. The point is to have a plan and be able to communicate it effectively.
"Based on the research I've done, I noted that your company has been challenged with a shrinking customer base and lower demand for your products. One reason behind this is that you may not have a clear understanding of your customer preferences or the type of products they are planning to purchase. If hired as a computer scientist, I propose a revamping of your customer resource management system so that your salesforce can effectively interface with the customers. They could recommend new products that would align with the customer's needs, discover opportunities for product upgrades, and recommend products related to those they had already purchased. This would help you with customer retention as well as increase your revenues."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
My goals with this internship would be to learn from my mentors and peers, as well as use my experience and skills for a real-world application. Additionally, I aim to deepen my understanding and skills in computer science by challenging myself and accepting challenges from others.
Stephanie's Feedback
It's evident that you're really passionate about learning and committing to professional growth. To make this response from good to great, I suggest being more specific about the "experience and skills" that you're hoping to gain. Can you provide 1-2 specific examples?
