Build Your Resume With Remote Internships

Employers often favor job candidates with a relevant work history because it adds credibility to their qualifications. If you’re looking to improve your odds of landing a job but lack experience, internships can provide the opportunity to gain professional skills for your resume and test-drive a career before fully committing to a job.

And thanks to the rise of working from home, finding a remote internship that fits your scheduling needs and career goals has never been more accessible. With the chance to build up your qualifications in many different industries from places far and wide, you now have more opportunities to cultivate the career you want.

In this guide, we’ll define remote internships, walk you through how to find one, and provide tips and strategies on writing your resume for online internships and making the most of these valuable learning opportunities.

What Is a Remote Internship?

A remote internship is a temporary role you can perform entirely online to gain professional experience. Interns can find part-time or full-time, paid or unpaid internships in various industries. They use digital tools, like project management software and workplace messaging apps, to stay connected and complete their tasks.

Although mostly targeted at college students and recent graduates, virtual internships are a great way for any professional to build confidence and get a foot in the door, including career changers and those returning to work after an extended break. These opportunities are commonly referred to as “adult internships.”

Pros and Cons of Remote Internships

Like any work arrangement, online internships have both advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the benefits and challenges can help you decide if interning virtually fits your needs, goals, and learning style.

Pros of Remote Internships

Online internships can help you grow into the kind of professional you want to be, with advantages including:

Accessibility: You’re not limited by geography and can skip the cost of commuting or relocating.
Career exploration: Test out different industries or job types before jumping into a full-time role.
Flexibility: Find a schedule that fits your life, whether you’re juggling classes or working part-time.
Networking: Work-from-home internships enable you to expand your network across the globe.
Valuable work skills: Learn how to manage your time, communicate clearly, and collaborate from a distance.

Cons of Remote Internships

While virtual internships can be rewarding, they have some disadvantages, such as:

Limited exposure to workplace norms: Without in-person interaction, it’s harder to observe professional expectations, such as dress codes, meeting etiquette, or day-to-day team operations.
More personal accountability: With no direct oversight, you need self-discipline and motivation to stay focused and complete your tasks, which can be challenging if you’re new to remote work.
Isolation and frustration: It can be difficult to connect casually with coworkers and easy to fall off people’s radar when your role is temporary and virtual, which can make you feel disconnected from your team.
Delayed feedback or mentorship: When working virtually, communication can be delayed, and a lack of real-time feedback may make learning more challenging.

How to Find Remote Internships

Finding the right remote internship for you means knowing where to look. There are many options, but these are some of the best ways to be strategic in your search for virtual internships and increase your chances of landing one:

1. Use Relevant Job Boards

Start by exploring websites and job boards that specialize in remote opportunities, including internships. At Remote.co, for instance, we post remote jobs in 50+ career categories, including entry-level and internship opportunities for those looking to gain experience. We also offer search filters that can help you narrow your options and the choice to sign up for notifications, so you’ll be alerted when new internships are posted.

You can also continue your job search with traditional job boards to maximize your available resources. Just keep in mind that, wherever you search, you should confirm that the site vets its listings. Unfortunately, online scams are common, so you need to stay vigilant. If an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

2. Check Your College or University

If you’re currently in school or recently graduated, your college or university can be an excellent resource for finding online internships. Many schools have career centers that manage exclusive job boards and work directly with employers to place students and alumni in internships. These opportunities often align with academic programs and may even count toward course credit or degree requirements.

Career advisors and faculty members can also offer referrals, write recommendations, or connect you with past students who have interned remotely. Furthermore, alumni networking events and mentorship programs could potentially lead to internship opportunities. Even if you’re not on campus or you’ve already obtained your degree, don’t hesitate to reach out and make virtual connections with people who could help you get your foot in the door.

3. Network Through People You Know

Speaking of connections, you probably have a network of friends, family, and former coworkers who can help. If you’re part of any clubs, student organizations, or professional groups, those can also be great resources. Reaching out might feel awkward at first, but it’s often one of the fastest ways to discover opportunities, and it doesn’t have to be formal. You can simply let people in your life know you’re looking for a remote internship.

A quick message asking for advice or insights can naturally lead to a conversation about internship possibilities. Even if they don’t currently have an opportunity for you, they might know someone who does. That’s the whole point of networking: building new opportunities through existing connections and expanding your horizon of possibility.

4. Contact Companies Directly

Not seeing many remote internships that interest you? Consider asking for one! Reach out to companies directly and express your interest. You can look for contact information on the company’s website or check LinkedIn to find someone on the team who might be able to point you in the right direction.

A short, polite message or email that demonstrates your enthusiasm and initiative can go a long way. Here’s what to include when pitching an internship opportunity:

A brief introduction about who you are and what you’re studying or pursuing
Why you’re interested in the company (be specific—mention a recent project, value, or mission)
What kind of work you’re looking to do and how it aligns with the team
A copy of your resume and, if applicable, a link to your portfolio

If they don’t have anything available, they might keep your resume on file for future opportunities. And even if you don’t hear back, don’t get discouraged. Not every email will lead to an internship, but sometimes one well-written message can open a door you didn’t even know was there.

5. Follow Social Media and Participate in Online Communities

Informal channels, like social media, online forums, and professional communities, are great places to look for remote internships. Hiring managers and team leads often share job or internship announcements directly from their personal or company accounts. Following companies you’re interested in can help you spot these early.

You can also use hashtags to search for remote internships, such as:

#RemoteInternship
#OnlineInternship
#VirtualInternship
#InternshipAlert
#HiringInterns
#WorkFromHomeInternship

When used wisely, these online communities can be powerful tools for finding internships, learning from others, asking questions, and building long-term connections in your field. Just like with any online job search, however, you need to be cautious. If an internship is posted on social media, verify the company’s legitimacy before applying. Look for a reputable website, employee profiles, or public reviews to ensure it’s a real organization and opportunity.

How to Write a Resume for Remote Internships

When applying to remote internships, your resume should demonstrate a willingness to learn and show that you’re prepared to work independently and communicate effectively in a remote environment.

Start with the basics. Make sure your resume is clear, easy to read, and concise—aim for one page. Then, tailor your resume to the internship you’re applying for. Focus on your most relevant skills and accomplishments, vs listing every job you’ve ever had or every class you’ve ever taken, and align them with keywords from the internship posting.

Include any remote work experience you have, even if it was a class project or volunteer role and not paid experience. If you’re short on experience, emphasize academic projects, extracurricular activities, hobbies, or self-initiated work that demonstrates skills relevant to the internship. Highlight any digital tools you’ve used that are common in virtual workspaces, like Slack, Zoom, and Google Drive, to convince employers of your remote work skills.

How to List a Remote Internship on Your Resume

Once your internship is complete, update your resume so you can begin leveraging your experience when applying for jobs. Create a “Work Experience” section, starting with your most recent position—in this case, your internship.

Start by listing your:

Job title
Employer name
Location (“Remote”)
Dates employed

Then, outline your responsibilities and achievements in bullet points. Start each bullet with an action verb, and quantify your wins with data, where possible, to provide context for what you did and demonstrate your value.

Remote Internship Resume Sample

When done well, adding a remote internship to your resume demonstrates that you’re motivated, resourceful, and ready to contribute. Use this example to visualize and add your own remote intern experience to your resume:

Marketing Intern
GreenTech Solutions — Remote | January 2024 – May 2024

Developed and managed a weekly content calendar for Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter, leading to a 25% increase in overall engagement and a 10% growth in follower count
Planned and executed three virtual product launch events using Zoom and Trello, attracting over 70 attendees
Researched SEO trends and drafted weekly blog articles, contributing to a 15% increase in organic website traffic over 12 weeks
Collaborated with the design team on digital ad creatives, providing copy suggestions and campaign insights that improved click-through rates by 18%
Presented a final internship report to the marketing director, highlighting key outcomes, performance metrics, and recommendations for future content strategy

Tips for Remote Interns

Making the most of your remote internship can set you up for future career success. These best practices can help you stay focused, grow your skills, and make a lasting impression in your work-from-home internship:

Establish a routine. Set a consistent schedule that works for you, and stick to it. Having regular work hours helps build discipline and separates your internship from the rest of your day.
Create a dedicated workspace. Find a quiet spot where you can work without distractions. Even a small space with good lighting and a comfortable chair can make a big difference.
Learn the tools. Familiarize yourself with any collaboration, productivity, and videoconferencing tools the team uses. Platforms like Trello and Google Workspace, for example, are common in remote settings.
Stay organized. Use to-do lists, calendars, or apps to keep track of your tasks and deadlines. Organization is key when you’re not in a shared office environment.
Communicate regularly. Don’t wait for your supervisor to check in. Be proactive about sharing updates, asking questions, and clarifying expectations, as needed.
Be visible. Participate in meetings, respond to messages, and contribute to group discussions when possible. It’s easy to fade into the background when working remotely, so make an effort to get noticed.
Take initiative. Look for ways to add value beyond your assigned tasks. Whether it’s offering to help with a new project or suggesting a small improvement, show that you’re invested.
Ask for feedback. Don’t be afraid to check in about how you’re doing. Feedback is part of the learning process and can help you grow throughout the internship.
Track your accomplishments. Keep a record of what you work on, including any tools or skills you use. This will make it easier to update your resume later or talk about your work in future interviews.
Treat it like a real job. Even if it’s short-term or unpaid, your internship is part of your professional journey. Showing up with professionalism and enthusiasm can lead to strong references and maybe even a job offer.

Use Remote.co to Work Remotely

Remote internships are more than a temporary gig. They’re a powerful way to build your resume for remote jobs (or any job!), learn practical skills, and set your career on the path to success.

If you’re looking to gain experience for your resume while working from anywhere, Remote.co is here to help. We offer a curated selection of remote job listings across industries and career levels, including online internships, to make it easier to find opportunities that align with your goals. You’ll also find helpful articles, remote work tips, and insights from companies. Find a remote internship today and take the next step toward your future!