Interview Experience for Corporate Communications Intern at GitHub

I recently interviewed for the Corporate Communications Intern position at GitHub, and I’d like to share my experience in detail. This role is highly focused on internal and external communications, including supporting GitHub’s corporate messaging, public relations, and employee engagement strategies. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the interview process, the types of questions I faced, and tips for anyone preparing for this position.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process for the Corporate Communications Intern role at GitHub was well-structured and focused on assessing both my communication skills and cultural fit within the company. The process involved a recruiter screen, a set of interviews with team members, and a writing exercise to test my ability to craft clear, concise, and impactful communications.

1. Initial Screening with Recruiter

The first step was an introductory call with the recruiter. This conversation was focused on understanding my background, motivation for applying, and overall fit for the internship. The recruiter was very thorough in explaining GitHub’s corporate culture and what the corporate communications team does.

Key topics discussed:

• My interest in communications and why I wanted to intern at GitHub.
• My understanding of GitHub’s mission and products, particularly in terms of their corporate image and community outreach.
• Any relevant experience, especially related to writing, public relations, or corporate messaging.

Key questions from the recruiter:

• “Why are you interested in the Corporate Communications Intern role at GitHub, and how do you think this position aligns with your career goals?”
• “Can you tell me about a time when you helped develop or communicate a message to a group, and what approach you used to make it effective?”
• “What excites you about working in technology communications, and specifically for a company like GitHub?”

The recruiter also asked about my availability and whether I had any prior communications experience or familiarity with corporate communications strategies. This was also an opportunity to discuss the details of the internship, such as the scope of work, team structure, and key deliverables.

2. First Round: Behavioral Interview

The first formal interview was a behavioral interview with a team member from the corporate communications department. This interview focused on understanding how I approach communication tasks, how I work under pressure, and my ability to collaborate with others.

Key areas of discussion:

• Communication skills: The interviewer asked how I communicate effectively in different situations, including when working with different teams or communicating a new product update.
• Handling multiple priorities: Since this role required supporting various aspects of communication (internal, external, and social), I was asked how I manage multiple tasks and ensure each one gets the attention it requires.

Example Questions:

• “Tell me about a time when you had to handle several tasks at once. How did you prioritize, and how did you ensure that each task was completed successfully?”
• “Give me an example of how you’ve successfully worked with a team to achieve a communication goal. How did you collaborate with others, and what was the result?”

The interviewer also wanted to gauge my ability to adapt to fast-paced environments, especially in a technology company like GitHub, where priorities can change quickly.

3. Second Round: Writing Exercise and Presentation

The second round of the interview involved a writing exercise and a presentation to test my ability to craft effective communications and present ideas clearly. This is a key part of the role, as the intern would be tasked with drafting internal and external communications on a regular basis.

Writing Exercise:
I was given a scenario in which GitHub was preparing to launch a new feature for developers, and I was asked to create an internal memo to the company explaining the feature, its purpose, and how employees should discuss it with external audiences. The goal was to assess:

• How well I could convey complex ideas in a clear and concise manner.
• My ability to adapt tone and style to suit different audiences (internal teams vs. the public).
• How I could structure a message for clarity and impact.

Example Prompt:
“GitHub is launching a new feature aimed at helping developers automate their workflow. Write an internal memo that explains the feature, why it’s important, and how GitHub employees should talk about it with customers or media.”

The interviewers were particularly focused on my ability to break down complex technical concepts into simple, relatable language that could be easily understood by both technical and non-technical audiences.

Presentation:
I was also asked to present the key messages of the writing exercise and discuss how I would support the public relations strategy surrounding the feature launch. This tested my ability to clearly articulate the communication strategy, how I would measure success, and how I would approach potential questions from the media.

Example Questions:

• “How would you handle media inquiries regarding the new feature?”
• “What channels would you use to communicate about this launch internally and externally?”

The interviewer was looking for my strategic thinking, presentation skills, and ability to collaborate with different teams (like PR, product, and engineering) to craft a consistent and impactful message.

4. Final Round: Cultural Fit and Team Collaboration

The final round was focused on assessing my cultural fit within GitHub’s collaborative and innovative environment. I spoke with several senior members of the corporate communications team, who asked about my teamwork, problem-solving, and how I handle feedback.

Key topics discussed:

• GitHub’s mission and values: They wanted to ensure I understood GitHub’s values and that my approach to communications would align with the company’s open-source and developer-first philosophy.
• Feedback and learning: As an intern, I was asked how I handle constructive criticism and how I learn from feedback to improve my work.

Example Questions:

• “GitHub values collaboration and learning. How do you approach feedback, and how do you ensure you are continuously improving?”
• “GitHub has a very open and transparent culture. How do you think this affects how we communicate, both internally and externally?”

This round was designed to see how I would integrate into GitHub’s culture, how well I align with the team’s values, and how I would contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment.

5. Decision and Offer

After the final round, the team discussed feedback and extended an offer within a week. The offer included details on compensation, benefits, and expectations for the internship, such as the possibility of transitioning into a full-time role after the internship period.

Key Skills Tested

• Written Communication: The ability to write clear, concise, and engaging content for different audiences was one of the most important skills tested throughout the interview process.
• Strategic Thinking: I was assessed on how well I could craft a communication strategy that aligns with GitHub’s corporate goals, especially around product launches and employee engagement.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Since the role requires working with multiple teams (like PR, engineering, and product), my ability to collaborate and align messaging was a key focus.
• Adaptability: GitHub is a dynamic environment, and the team was interested in how I handle changing priorities, new challenges, and unexpected feedback.
• Cultural Fit: The final interviews assessed how well I would fit within GitHub’s innovative, transparent, and collaborative culture.

Preparation Tips

• Familiarize Yourself with GitHub: Ensure you have a solid understanding of GitHub’s mission, core products, and the way they interact with the developer community. Having a strong grasp of GitHub’s culture and values will help you align your answers to what they look for in team members.
• Develop Your Writing Skills: The ability to write clearly, concisely, and for different audiences is essential. Practice writing memos, blog posts, or press releases, particularly for technical topics.
• Think About Problem-Solving: Be ready to discuss examples of how you’ve handled difficult communication challenges in past roles, such as communicating difficult news or managing stakeholder expectations.
• Understand GitHub’s Communication Strategy: Read up on GitHub’s public communications, blog posts, and recent product launches to understand the messaging style and tone.
• Cultural Fit: Think about how you can contribute to GitHub’s open and collaborative culture. Be prepared to discuss how you can thrive in a transparent, creative, and rapidly evolving work environment.