In such a fast-paced and competitive hiring environment, creating a lasting impression is key. So how can you be a successful intern candidate when interviewing for CrowdStrike?
An industry leader in cloud-native technology, CrowdStrike offers internships in everything from Cloud Engineering to Sales and Marketing to Human Resources.
We spoke to a group of CrowdStrike interns about their interview experience and compiled these universal tips to prepare you for a smooth and stress-free interview with CrowdStrike.
Tip #1: Pitch Yourself
To be a successful intern candidate you will always need to have a strong resume and a story that can grab the attention of your recruiters. Recruiters and interviewers are filtering through hundreds of resumes each year and you want to make sure yours stands out! So how can you do that?
First, tailor your resume to the role you are applying for. Include industry specific keywords that fit both your experience and the role to make it clear what you bring to the table. When possible, quantify your accomplishments to help illustrate what you have done.
Once you get that interview, tell your story!
Show CrowdStrike who you are as a professional, as well as a person. If you can show your interviewers not only what you’ve done, but who you are, they’ll get a better sense of why you would be a great fit for CrowdStrike and your potential team.
Tip #2: Do Your Research
Whether it is CrowdStrike or another company, always do your research. Understand who CrowdStrike is, what we do, who we serve, and what our main message is as a company. Knowing these things will tell you ahead of your interview if CrowdStrike can fit your own career and personal development goals.
Prior to applying, learn more about CrowdStrike’s company culture and see if the values of autonomy, flexibility, innovation, and collaboration align with what you would like to get out of your career.
The CrowdStrike careers site has many resources and testimonials from current CrowdStrikers with info on their journeys. Be prepared to reflect on WHY you want to work here during your interviews.
Tip #3: Keep an Open Mind
At CrowdStrike, some intern roles are general while others are more specialized within a department. As a successful intern, you should always understand the scope of your skills and how they can complement your future team. Demonstrate your versatility and willingness to learn—this will open up different avenues you can explore at the company.
Stay open minded throughout your internship hunt and interview process. Recruiters and interviewers may recognize skills that you have that can be applied in multiple roles or departments. Your internship should be an opportunity for you to explore and hone your skills in whatever you’re most passionate about.
Tip #4: Share Specific Examples
Whether you’re applying for a technical or non-technical role, you’ll be expected to speak about a project that you have worked on, not only to showcase your work but also to show how you solve problems.
For a technical position, having a technical project to reference will help your interviewer recognize how you found the framework to solve real world problems, leading to a technical conversation. Even in a non-technical role it’s important to demonstrate how you would overcome challenges.
Your interviewers will probably ask you situational or behavioral questions to understand your thought process. For example, they might ask you about a time when you had to step up as a leader or handle a tough situation—be prepared to walk them through your approach, step-by-step.
Tip #5: Always Ask Questions
There’s no such thing as a silly question when it comes to determining if the role is a fit for you. This is your chance to learn about what it would be like to be a CrowdStriker!
Ask about the work you will be doing during and what the team dynamics are. Even asking your interviewer about their experience at CrowdStrike or how they have achieved success in their roles can help you navigate through your professional journey.
Whether it is a technical or non-technical question, always demonstrate what you do know and your willingness to learn more. It’s also okay to present an alternative perspective to show you think outside the box. Always ask for feedback during your interviews to allow yourself to learn and grow from the experience. Finally, if you are ever unclear about something, ask as many follow-up questions as you need.
How to be a Successful Intern Candidate at CrowdStrike
Ready to join a mission that matters and become a CrowdStriker? Check out their internship opportunities at crowdstrike.com/careers/university-interns/ and apply today!
Special thanks to Radha Sri-Tharan for contributing this article and Christina Liu, Govind Yadav, Elena Karver, and Cameron Cox for sharing insights.
