Remote internships are the most in-demand phenomena in the post-covid job market. Students everywhere look for opportunities to gain experience and explore the professional world through part-time & full-time onlone internships.
But, getting an online WFH internship today is as challenging as finding a job, maybe even more. Job hunting for freshers can be quite testing in the current scenario as new graduates face a lot more competition and far fewer opportunities.
In times like these having relevant skills and education can be your only saving grace. But is it enough to stand out and land an internship of your liking?
We understand that can be quite a task, which is why we've curated a guide that covers everything you need to know about landing an online internship.
In this blog, we will discuss some unique tips that will help you navigate through your search for a remote internship and help you get one in no time. Let’s get started!
What is the meaning of remote internships?
Remote internships are the need of the hour in today’s scenario. After having dealt with a pandemic, working from home sounds like music to ears and is preferred by many aspiring professionals. It also helps that remote internships are the best way to gain work experience along with studies.
With increasing competition, qualifications and skills alone aren’t enough and students realize this fact. The shift from hard work to smart work is evident and with opportunities like remote internships, they get a chance to gauge their strengths and interests before stepping into the real world.
Remote internships allow students to work from their homes without making them compromise on their studies, co-curricular, or other responsibilities.
Online internships offer direct exposure, a chance to acquire on-the-job skills, and apply bookish knowledge in a work environment. Not to mention, the experience earned can be a key factor in the job search process in the future.
How to get a remote internship?
We bring to you a step-by-step guide to help you get your dream internship without much hassle. Here’s all you have to do.
1. Scout internship websites for relevant opportunities
Finding a remote internship is now just a click away. All you need to know is where to look. Various internship websites are focused on listing opportunities of all scales and categories for college students.
Be it a summer internship, remote internship, paid or unpaid internships- you can find it all on these websites.
We bring for you a list of the top 10 internship websites in India to get your job hunt started:
- Naukri
- Internshala
- LetsIntern for summer and winter internships
- HelloIntern for remote summer internships
- OysterConnect
- Indian Internship
- Make Intern
- Chegg Internships
- StuMagz
With these websites, you can build your profile and find opportunities that interest you, and directly send your resume and other necessary applications, all in one place. With this, we can segue to our next step.
2. Tailor your resume for every internship application
One of the most common mistakes people make while applying for remote internships is to apply with the same resume to all companies.
Since each job description is different, the same resume cannot match them all and directly reduces your chances of getting hired.
So, make sure that you draft your resume to match the job description and add skills and experience relevant to the same.
Highlight the experiences that match the job profile and list skills in order of most appropriate to least. You can check out our blog Best CV Format for Freshers to get started on the right note.
3. Build a portfolio
Being a college student, you may not have a lot of work experience, but you can let your work speak for itself. That is where a portfolio can help. It is one of the best ways to get it as it compiles all your samples, documents, and achievements.
Especially useful for those pursuing artistic fields like photography, design, content writing, painting, illustrations, etc., a portfolio can showcase your talent and range while adding a professional touch to your application.
You can make a physical collection of your work or collate all your samples virtually and make an online portfolio using websites like Portfoliobox, Dribbble , Behance , etc.
4. Upskill with relevant and trending skills
The one thing that differentiates smart workers from hard workers is their ability to identify market trends. While everyone knows upskilling is the key to growth, very few people can learn relevant skills in their field.
So, first things first, research your prospective field and find out the skills that are in demand. You can do this by following pioneers in your sector, following their career trajectory, or simply by reading up more about the new developments in your field.
And you do not have to worry about the mode of learning. Thanks to the Internet, you can now learn more about your field on your laptop or even your phone. Here are some online education portals that can help you in this journey.
There are several other field-specific online education portals. A little deep diving will lead you to the right sources.
5. Apply to the top companies offering remote internships
Internships are crucial for students as they can form the foundation of their work experience.
The exposure and work experience that comes with these opportunities can get any fresher excited. But should you take up any internship that comes your way?
Don’t get us wrong! We are not suggesting that you turn down any opportunity. But interning in a company that is closely related to your field is always better.
For instance, interning as an accountant in an accounting firm will teach you a lot more than being an intern accountant in a digital marketing firm.
So, to get an internship that can add value to your resume,
- Make a list of top companies in your domain
- Let them know you are looking for a learning opportunity through an email
- Draft your fresher cover letter and resume to match the company and job description
- Follow up
6. Reach out to your network to find the right opportunity
One of the easiest ways to find a remote internship is by reaching out to your network. Networking can help you find a lucrative internship with familiar people and a great workspace.
All you have to do is list all your personal and professional contacts and reach out to them one by one. It could be a cousin working in an MNC or your Uncle in a high position. Just let people around you know that you are looking for opportunities, and it may lead you to the right job opening.
You can also take help from your professors and look for an internship in your field.
Another way to go about it is to join online networking communities to grow your circle and find pioneers who can help you grow better.
Networking can make your internship hunt simpler and quicker, so don’t think much and start reaching out to people now.
Conclusion
In the end, all that matters is that you start your career on the right foot.
Remote internships are the way to go for those looking for lucrative career opportunities as they will give them the right experience and a much-needed career boost for all young graduates.
We hope that these simple steps will help you find the right internship for yourself real quick without much hassle.
All the best!
