Communication Skills for Interns: Complete Guide

1. Email Etiquette

Professional Email Structure

• Subject: Clear, specific, action-oriented
• Greeting: "Hi [Name]," or "Hello [Name],"
• Body: Get to the point in the first 2 sentences
• Call to action: What do you need from them?
• Sign-off: "Best," "Thanks," or "Regards,"

Example

2. Meeting Communication

Before Meetings

• Review the agenda (or ask for one if none exists)
• Prepare questions or updates in advance
• Join 1-2 minutes early, especially for video calls

During Meetings

• Mute when not speaking (on video calls)
• Take notes—don't rely on memory
• Ask clarifying questions if confused
• Summarize action items at the end

After Meetings

Send a quick follow-up email summarizing action items and deadlines, especially for important discussions.

3. Slack/Chat Communication

Best Practices

• Thread replies: Keep conversations organized
• Don't just say "Hi": Put your message right away
• Use @mentions wisely: Only tag people who need to see it
• Be responsive: Aim to reply within a few hours

4. Giving Status Updates

Proactive updates build trust. Use this format:

5. Asking Questions

Asking questions is good—it shows engagement. But ask smart questions:

Before Asking

1. Google/search documentation first (10-15 mins)
2. Check if it's already answered in Slack/docs
3. Try to solve it yourself (show effort)

How to Ask

• Explain what you're trying to do
• Share what you've already tried
• Be specific about where you're stuck

6. Receiving Feedback

• Listen first: Don't get defensive
• Ask questions: Clarify what you should do differently
• Thank them: Feedback is a gift, even when hard to hear
• Act on it: Show you've incorporated the feedback