How to Get an Internship in a Remote Company

As the demand for remote work continues to grow, more and more companies are looking for ambitious interns to join their businesses. But with so much competition (over 250 resumes for each posting), how can you set yourself apart and secure your remote internship?

Here, we'll explore six ways to increase your chances of getting an internship with a remote-first company. From optimizing your online profile to networking effectively, these tips will help you showcase your skills and experience and land the remote internship of your dreams. 

Why Should You Get an Internship in a Remote Company?

Internships have surged in significance within the job market, particularly as remote companies seek candidates equipped with future-proof skill sets and relevant practical experience. In fact, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Job Outlook for 2022 underscores this shift, revealing that employers increasingly value competencies and skills-based hiring over GPA and degrees. Therefore, if you plan to intern for a remote company, now would be the perfect time to do so.

Plus, there are numerous benefits you can look forward to when interning for a remote company:

• Increased exposure: Being remote, you’re more likely to gain exposure to the inner workings of a business (it’s much easier to sit in on a Zoom call than a meeting in person). 
• You get to experience working for an exciting, growing company without the limitation of geographical location.
• Remote work is the future, and working with a remote company puts you in an optimal environment to learn remote working best practices. 
• Work-life balance: Interning from home will give you ample space to fit in your work, studies, and social life without hassle.
• An internship in a remote company means decreased distraction and increased productivity and performance.

What’s more, companies are enthusiastic about molding fresh interns into valuable team members. Remote organizations, in particular, actively seek motivated interns, with a significant 85% of them ultimately receiving a full-time employment offer letter (yes, an offer letter even before you graduate!)

Six Steps to Securing Your Remote Internship

Upskill with Industry-or Field-Relevant Skills

Without any relevant work experience, the skills section of your resume will be the key determining factor of whether or not you'll get the internship. Potential employers will evaluate your application primarily based on these skills. So before applying for any intern position:

• Identify the skills that are in demand in your field. This may involve researching job postings and speaking with professionals in the industry.
• Take online courses or earn certifications in relevant technologies or software.
• Build a portfolio of your work to demonstrate your skills and experience (projects, volunteer, etc.)
• Participate in hackathons or work-focussed events to showcase your skills and network with industry professionals.

Remember to highlight your relevant skills and experience in your resume and cover letter when applying for remote internships.

Learn More: Top 7 Job-Ready Skills Employers Look for in Graduates

Expand Your Professional Network

Participating in virtual career fairs and networking events can be an effective way to connect with potential recruiters and explore internship opportunities. 

Numerous colleges and institutions host career fairs tailored to specific majors, so be sure to check with your school for upcoming events. To make the most of these networking opportunities:

• Find the list of participating employers
• Amongst the participants, identify and research employers that interest you.
• Once in the career fair, strike up a conversation with the employers about internship opportunities.

Leveraging your personal brand on LinkedIn is another effective strategy. Create a stellar LinkedIn profile optimized for your desired companies, employers, and industries.

Seek Career Guidance

Career counselors can help you identify a broad spectrum of career choices aligning with your skills, interests, and educational background and helps you find internship opportunities.

For instance, at Virtual Internships, our coaches provide comprehensive career guidance, aiding you at every stage - from selecting the right remote company to pursuing full-time roles and networking opportunities.

Read More: Why Choose a Virtual Internship Over a Traditional One [12 Reasons]

Tailor Your Resume

A generic resume rarely passes through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), a tool used by 99% of Fortune 500 companies. That's why tailoring your resume for each internship position is important. 

At Virtual Internships, we recommend you prepare a master resume with all your skills, educational qualifications, and work experience. When applying for an internship, keenly go through the entire job description, and tailor your master resume as per the description.  

Don't Wait for an Internship Position to Open Up

If you have a specific remote company in mind, don't wait for an internship post to become available.

Connect with the employer through email or LinkedIn. Send over your resume, cover letter, and a compelling pitch explaining why you want to intern for the company. 

While the company might not be actively recruiting interns, your proactive approach can make a lasting impression, potentially leading to future opportunities.

Explore Online Internship Programs

Many remote companies work directly with online internship programs to find ambitious interns due to the added support they receive through these programs. Therefore, when searching for the ideal remote internships, it’s worth explore reputable online programs.

Along with matching you with the industry's top companies, these programs will also help you upskill. The best remote internship programs dive into your course, experience, and interests to ensure you get internships that add value to your professional profile. 

For example, at Virtual Internships, our programs provide you with a guaranteed project-based online work placement with a dedicated internship coach and employability webinars. Plus, with over 13,000+ approved host companies in 80+ countries, we help every intern find work experience in their ideal industry.

Start Your Career Journey With Virtual Internships

Save yourself time and hassle by opting for a seamless route with guaranteed placements in emerging remote companies worldwide. Our innovative platform matches you with internship projects tailored to your interests, cultivating the experience necessary to thrive in your career.

With 1,2,3, or 4-month internship placements (10-30 hours a week), 8,500+ students have already ascended the career ladder and now thrive in prominent companies like Stripe, Grammarly, Reddit, and Airtable.

So if you are ready, head over to our signup portal and begin matching with remote companies today.