Be Trendy. Hire Virtual.

There are many benefits to hiring virtual interns and other staff: access to top talent without geographic constraints, the ability to staff up and down as needed, and low incremental overhead. All important factors for growing companies to consider!

It turns out that the rise in virtual work arrangements is having a truly large scale impact and actually serves as a bright spot in the otherwise dismal employment indicators. A recent survey released by oDesk found a “significant shift” in how businesses are hiring and how workers are finding jobs. In leveraging an online workforce, 50 percent of the employers surveyed reported that they grew their business last year in terms of revenue, size, or scope of service. Plus, it appears that tapping a remote workforce is becoming a more prevalent concept, as oDesk reports that more than half (54 percent) of employers have no preference as to where their workers are based. They’re also becoming more confident in relying on contractors or remote staff for critical or core business functions; 55 percent of employers say they give such work to remote contractors.

So assuming you’re convinced that a virtual intern can benefit your business, here are some tips for getting started:

Build Structure and Accountability

When you hire a virtual intern, it's critical that everyone on your team can easily manage projects and know what to work on next. Use online productivity tools like Basecamp or Mavenlink to get everyone organized –or if you’re in uber-startup mode, use a free tool like Google Docs.

Teach Collaboratively

It can be difficult to train a new employee over the phone. Use the screen share feature on Skype to show your intern your computer desktop. This can be extremely helpful if your intern will be blogging or publishing. It's also helpful when giving a virtual tour of your website's backend. No more static screen shots necessary.

Give Real Time Feedback

While your intern works remotely, it can be difficult for him or her to move forward on a project if he or she doesn't have an answer to a pressing question. Use an IM program or even just text back and forth with your intern throughout the day.

Act Like a Team

One of the most difficult aspects of having a virtual team is a lack of camaraderie while you're working alone. Get everyone talking on Skype or even just a group conference call on a regular basis. Your virtual team will appreciate meeting each other, and they’ll be more productive if they understand your company’s overall goals.

The bottom line is that this is a tried and true method of hiring. You may be new to the concept, but it’s becoming more and more common. And tons of college students and young professionals might actually prefer a virtual internship. For those who grew up in the digital age, being forced to work in an office could be the “odd” arrangement. They love the flexibility and may be more efficient as a result!

What do you think? Do you plan on hiring virtual interns?