<p>I REALLY really want to work at a particular organization as an intern. It’s a really competitive place to work and I just got an interview. However, I applied a super long time ago and since then have already made summer plans. I want to take the interview and if I get offered the job, ask to defer it til next summer. Am I totally being an idealist right now, or does this seem possible? It’s the type of internship that definitely occurs every summer.</p>
<p>Anyone who works in HR or has experience with this sort of thing please give me an opinion. Also, would it be rude to ask in the interview or before the interview - or best brought up if I get offered the job?</p>
<p>Edit: I also may have an extremely legit (i.e., government mandated) reason why I wouldn’t be able to work for part of the summer this summer (not that I personally broke the law if that’s what you’re thinking, hehe). Should I try to use this as an excuse?</p>
<p>I would think that you would need to withdraw your candidacy and reapply next year so you can be vetted against next year’s applicant pool. That said, it can’t hurt to ask whether they would allow you to do the internship next year while doing the application process this year. Just don’t expect them to let you actually do that.</p>
<p>If I were you, I would ask this question before interviewing - if the answer is no, you won’t be able to take the job, so interviewing would waste your time and your interviewers’ collective time.</p>
<p>Thank you for your response, that does make the most sense.</p>
<p>Another question: If I were to interview for the internship, get it, and turn it down, would that increase or decrease my chance of getting it next year?</p>
<p>It would not affect your “chance” of getting it again next year in the way you are thinking. Every year and every internship class is different, for most companies, and it’s all about who is most qualified and best suited for the company. If you are offered the internship this year, it probably means that you’re qualified for the job, which indicates that you are more likely to get it if you apply next year. But if you lie and go through the process in bad faith (i.e. knowing that you will only decline at the end), you may garner some ill will toward you. If I were you, I would do exactly what I hinted at originally: if you ask and they say you can defer, then go for it; if they say you can’t, then withdraw your application.</p>