Congratulations on hiring new interns! Even though they’ll be joining the team remotely, there’s still a lot you can do to ensure they have a great experience and feel like valuable members of the team. By following these steps, you’ll be able to successfully onboard your new interns virtually and set them up for success.
1. Schedule regular check-ins.
Set up biweekly or monthly check-ins with your interns so they always have an opportunity to ask questions, give feedback, and receive guidance. These regular check-ins will also help you get to know them better and understand how they’re adjusting to the work. If possible, make these meetings one-on-one so your interns feel comfortable being candid. You can also use these meetings as an opportunity to give them specific feedback about their work or ideas for improvement.
2. Assign a Mentor
Mentorship is an important part of the onboarding process for any new employee, but it’s especially important for interns who are just starting out in their careers. Assigning each intern a mentor ensures that they have someone to go to with questions or concerns and helps them feel more connected to the team. Whenever possible, try to match interns with mentors who have similar interests or backgrounds so they can bond more easily.
3. Help them get to know the team
One of the best ways to help new interns feel welcome is by helping them get to know the rest of the team. Set up virtual happy hours or coffee chats so they can meet everyone in a more informal setting. If possible, arrange for them to work on group projects with other members of the team so they can get started building relationships right away. You could also organise virtual lunch groups where everyone signs up for a different day and then brings their own lunch to eat while they chat over video conference.
4. Give them meaningful work
It’s important that you give your interns assignments that are both challenging and interesting so they’re getting the most out of their internship experience. Avoid busy work or tasks that could be easily completed by someone with no prior knowledge of your company; instead, focus on giving them assignments that will help them develop new skills and grow as professionals. Not only will this help keep them engaged, but it also sets them up for success after their internship is complete.
5. Share your company’s culture
Part of what makes internships such a valuable experience is that interns get to learn about an organisation’s culture and values firsthand. Since your interns are remote, it’s even more important that you make an effort to share your company’s culture with them. Sending care packages is a great way to do this—include items like company swag, local snacks, or even a handwritten note welcoming them to the team. You could also put together a virtual tour of your office or organised group outings (bowling, anyone?) once it’s safe to do so again. Whatever you do, make sure your interns feel like they’re part of the team and are getting an authentic taste of your company culture.
Conclusion: By following these steps, you’ll be able to successfully onboard your new interns virtually and set them up for success. Whether it’s scheduling regular check-ins, assigning each intern a mentor from the team, or giving them meaningful work assignments, there are lots of things you can do virtually to help if your new employees feel welcome and valued members of the team from afar.
Common fears that interns may have when starting their work experience in a company:
- Fear of not fitting in with the company culture or team dynamics.
- Fear of not being able to meet the expectations or perform well in their role.
- Fear of not having the necessary skills or knowledge for the position.
- Fear of being overwhelmed by the workload or responsibilities.
- Fear of not receiving enough guidance or support from their supervisor.
Common fears that companies may have when hosting interns:
- Fear of the intern not being a good fit for the company culture or team dynamics.
- Fear of not being able to provide enough guidance or support for the intern.
- Fear of the intern not having the necessary skills or knowledge for the position.
- Fear of the intern not being able to meet expectations or perform well in their role.
- Fear of the intern not being able to contribute to the company’s goals or objectives.
Can you name 5 common fears that interns may have when starting their work experience in a company?
Can you name 5 common fears that companies may have when they have a new intern starting their work experience at their company?