Should I Mention That My Internship Was Online?

Deciding whether to highlight an online internship on your resume can be a tricky decision. The decision can impact how you are perceived by potential employers and whether your experience aligns with their needs. Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether to mention this aspect of your experience.

Relevance to Remote Work Skills

Mentioning that your internship was conducted online can be beneficial, especially if the role required specific skills or adaptability to remote work. Emphasizing your comfort with digital communication tools, virtual collaboration, and self-motivation can give employers the assurance that you are well-equipped to handle the demands of a remote workplace.

Context for Experience

Highlighting an online internship can provide valuable context, particularly if the internship was with a well-known company or involved significant projects. This additional context can help potential employers understand the significance of your experience and how it aligns with your career goals.

Clarifying Format

Note that online internships have a different format than in-person roles. By mentioning the online nature of your internship, you can clarify the format and nature of your work to potential employers. This transparency can help prevent any misunderstandings and provide a more complete picture of your experience.

Benefits of Mentioning an Online Internship

By mentioning that your internship was online, you can highlight your adaptability, digital communication skills, and ability to work independently. These traits are highly valued, especially in today's increasingly remote work environment. Employers want to know that you can effectively manage tasks and collaborate in a virtual setting, and providing this information can make you a more attractive candidate.

Real-life Example

Consider the following scenario:

Do: The potential employer says, "Gee, that's really interesting. Did you get anything done? Yes, it was a [specific project]. Can I talk to a reference? Of course, [contact information]. How did it work? [Details]."

Don't: The potential employer says, "Why didn't you mention that this internship was remote? Hem, hem."

The first scenario shows a positive response where the employer is genuinely interested in your experience. Not mentioning the internship as online could result in a negative response, where the employer may question your credibility or effort during the internship.

Ethical Considerations

The short answer is that it's not a good idea to withhold pertinent information. The comprehensiveness of your resume and application documents reflects on your honesty and reliability as a candidate. Here are some key points to consider:

Material Facts: If you think there is a material fact that could work against you because of how it could be perceived, you should disclose it long before anyone assumes something contradictory or even questions it. This principle will keep you on the ethical 'high ground' in any such situation.

Getting Ahead of the Issue: In the world of movies and TV shows, this is often called 'getting out in front of something.' While it is not the only path, it should be your default. Deviate from this only when you have a clear and better option, which is very rare.

Conclusion

By mentioning that your internship was online, you can provide valuable context and demonstrate your adaptability, digital communication skills, and ability to work independently. This can make you a more attractive candidate in today's remote work environment.

Join our Qollabb Internship program to gain these valuable skills and confidently showcase your online internship experience to future employers! Your experience can be a significant advantage in your job search, so don't hesitate to highlight it.

Remember, honesty is key in the job search process, and mentioning your online internship can help you stand out as a well-prepared and adaptable candidate.