How to Ask for a Remote Internship in a Company?

In the post COVID era, the concept of remote work has become a mainstay. In fact, there are plenty of companies that continue to offer remote internships as they offer a range of benefits to both the organisation and the interns. 

If you’re a fresher wondering how to get a remote internship, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll share some important tip to help you secure an online remote internship. 

But before we get down to the details, it is important to understand the meaning of a remote internship and what exactly it entails. 

So, what is a remote internship? Let’s find out. 

What is a Remote Internship? 

Like regular internships, remote internships are also short-term work opportunities given by companies to freshers, students and young professionals to gain valuable work experience at the early stages of their careers. But what sets a remote internship apart from a regular one is that instead of commuting to a physical office, you work virtually from any location in the world. 

An online remote internship offers tremendous flexibility, especially for interns who are simultaneously pursuing their studies or for students who cannot relocate to where the location of the office. Moreover, for candidates who are unable to bear the cost of relocating or traveling to the office, it offers an effective cost-saving option as they can work from home. 

If you find yourself in a remote internship program, you will be required to familiarise with online tools for video conferencing, project management, and instant messaging and collaboration. You’ll also need to stay disciplined and find a way to manage your time effectively. 

Other than these key features, remote internships offer similar value in terms of learning and gaining experience. Overall, remote internships offer a flexible way to gain experience without geographical limitations. 

Tips to Land a Remote Internship 

Now to the primary question – how to get a remote internship? Here are some important tips that you can follow: 

1. Identify Your Areas of Interest 

What field are you passionate about? What role and industry are you interested in pursuing? 

These are important question that you need to answer before you begin. Take time out thoroughly research keeping in mind your interests and long-term career goals. 

Additionally, research about companies or roles that actively offer remote paid internships. Make a target list, and ensure you keep backups for your backups. The reality is that you may not always end up succeeding with the first option on your list. 

2. Research and Start Connecting 

Now, once you’re ready with your list, start your homework by reading up about these companies and industries. Find out what their businesses are, how they function, what their roles are and so on. Check out their latest development on their social media pages. These will not just help take you to the next step, they’ll also come in handy for a remote internship interview. 

Next, reach out to these companies about remote internship opportunities – many companies will have remote internships on their websites through which you can apply directly. You can also take that extra effort to connect with hiring managers or HRs from those companies on LinkedIn to find out if they have any opportunities available. 

3. Work on Creating a Strong Resume and Cover Letter 

When you apply for these remote internships, you resume and cover letter will play an important role in determining your success. Don’t just create generic ones, customise your resume to match the requirements mentioned in the job description. And ensure you tailor it for each role you apply to. 

While writing your cover letter, mention qualities that are not mentioned in your resume. Avoid repeating the same things again. Talk about how excited you are for the role and joining the company. Your positivity and enthusiasm can help sway the recruiter in your favour. 

4. Take that Extra Step 

While writing your resume or cover letter or if you’re called for a remote internship interview, try to highlight skills that are important for a remote internship. These skills could include time management and communication. You can talk about your self-discipline and work ethic. 

You can also highlight how tech-savvy you are. Mention your proficiency in project management and collaboration tools, and video conferencing platforms which are commonly used for remote work. 

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How to Find Remote Paid Internships 

With the way several companies are switching to offline work, remote paid internships are much easier to find. If you wish to explore opportunities, you can find a number of remote paid internships on platforms like Zuno. 

While you can apply to remote internships that are available online, there are few companies that are open to offering internships but don’t really advertise it. Take that extra initiative to reach out to hiring managers and HRs on LinkedIn directly. You can do so by introducing yourself and asking about the possibility of remote paid internships. 

These steps can help you highlight your value as a remote intern and how comfortable you’d be if given an opportunity. Start your search early and don’t give up easily. Eventually you’ll find an opportunity that perfect for you. 

All the best! 

FAQs on Remote Internship 

Q1. What should I include in my remote internship application?

Ans: While applying for remote internships, focus on customising your resume and cover letter accordingly. Mention skills like communication and time management which are key in remote internships. Also include experience in collaboration or online project management tools, if you have any. 

Q2. What are the benefits of a remote internship? 

Ans: Remote internships offer numerous benefits like flexibility to work from anywhere, chance to save cost like commuting to work or relocating to your work base, and opportunity to balance your personal and professional life better. 

Q3. What are some key tips for effectively communicating my interest in a remote internship during an interview? 

Ans: Some key tips that effectively highlight my interest in a remote internship during an interview are: 

• Talk about the company’s remote work culture and how your skills can add value to it (e.g., communication and time management skills). 
• Show genuine excitement about the opportunity and the company’s remote work approach. 
• Assure them of your flexible schedule for virtual meetings. 
• Mention your comfort with tech and collaboration tools used for remote work. 

Q4. Are remote internships as valuable as in-person internships for gaining experience? 

Ans: Remote internships are definitely just as valuable as in-person ones for gaining experience. Regardless of the setup, all other aspects of the internship remain the same, like learning technical skills, getting exposure to the field, and developing important soft skills. 

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