The experience when you intern remotely can be quite different from physically interning. The absence of your physical presence can deprive you of the feeling you may want to get being within the premises of the company.
Irrespective of the mode of interaction, you can make a good impression and leave a lasting impression where you are interning. You can still gain experience, network with people and start friendships regardless of the internship being remote.
How to Make A Good Impression During a Remote Internship
Professionalism. Irrespective of the fact that you’re working from home, or a café or a nearby coffee shop. Ensure you display the same level of professionalism you display when you’re physically. Don’t show up in front of your screen wearing a bathrobe.
- Be well dressed, don’t come to the virtual meetings shirtless. Be well dressed like you were going to the physical location.
- Display proper etiquette. Even in front a camera, display proper etiquette. Maintain the right sitting posture while you sit in front of your camera. If you need to take notes during the meeting, take note. Don’t let it look you are distracted doing something else in front of your screen.
- Timeliness. Virtually or physically, punctuality must be displayed. If you were in to sign in by 8, ensure you are signing in by 8 or few minutes past 8. Also, considering that there are no physical meetings, instructions, information will be passed across through emails, always try to respond to them on time. If you can’t respond at that time, let your manager and your team members know.
- Observe the company culture, even if its from over the camera, try to pick one or two lessons from the company culture and emulate it. It would help other workers warm up to you as one of them.
Attitude. Be nice. If you were physically meeting, you should be nice, if you were virtually meeting, be nice. Don’t be so caught up in your work that you are indifferent to the people you work with, you can pass a compliment across to a fellow worker, you should learn to greet when you just sign in for work.
Don’t rudely address others even when there’s a disagreement. Let your attitude be one that makes a good impression.
Make Connections. One of the aims of interning is making connections with people within your professional circle. If you were physically interning, you could easily make connections however, over the internet is not so easy. However, it could still be done.
Take out time to connect with a fellow worker maybe on social media, or you could virtually play a game together or go on a virtual date, etc.
Thoughtful Communication. Be mindful of the preferences of others. Some may prefer to communicate via email, text messages, video calls, or maybe even casual WhatsApp. Try to be mindful of the best means of communication for others. The best way to know about the means they’ll prefer is by asking.
When you communicate, you may try to liven up the conversation but still be professional. You can do that through use of emojis, GIFs or stickers.
Take Initiative.
Taking initiative is a way of making a good impression either physically or virtually. Learn to take initiative, be creative.
Be able to come up with innovative solutions to problems. Also learn to take on responsibilities without being asked to. Make suggestions, volunteer on company projects, etc.
Don’t be Passive, Be Active. Being an active member of the team is the first step in making a good impression.
Speak up during meetings, don’t be shy. Make contributions during meetings, don’t be an outlier because your input might be what makes the difference. If you have questions, ask them, don’t keep quiet about them.
Feedbacks. You Need It. When you request for feedbacks, it connotes eagerness and interest. Learn to ask for feedback. If you performed a task, ask for feedback from both your boss or a co-worker.
Show Gratitude. When you are done with the whole experience, send a thank you email to your manager or your supervisor for the opportunity to learn, and serve at the company.