Application Guide

How to Apply for Intern - People Operations

at Workiva

🏢 About Workiva

Workiva is a leader in integrated ESG reporting, helping organizations streamline climate impact and compliance. Their remote-first culture and focus on innovation make them an attractive employer for those passionate about sustainability and HR technology.

About This Role

As an Intern in People Operations, you'll support cross-functional HR teams, from onboarding to benefits administration, gaining hands-on experience in employee lifecycle management. This role directly impacts employee experience and organizational effectiveness, offering a unique chance to contribute to a fast-growing tech company.

💡 A Day in the Life

Start your day by checking HRIS for new employee data updates and responding to employee inquiries via email or Slack. Mid-morning, you might assist with scheduling interviews or preparing onboarding materials. After lunch, you could join a project meeting to brainstorm ways to improve the new hire experience, then spend the afternoon updating training records or drafting communications for a company-wide initiative.

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🎯 Who Workiva Is Looking For

  • A proactive self-starter who thrives in a remote environment and takes initiative on projects without constant supervision.
  • Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills, able to handle sensitive employee inquiries with empathy and professionalism.
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented, capable of juggling multiple tasks like HRIS data entry, recruitment support, and event coordination under pressure.
  • Currently pursuing a degree in HR, Business, Psychology, or a related field, with a genuine interest in people operations and ESG.

📝 Tips for Applying to Workiva

1

Tailor your resume to highlight any HR-related coursework, internships, or projects, especially if they involved data management or employee programs.

2

In your cover letter, mention your interest in ESG and how Workiva's mission aligns with your career goals.

3

Demonstrate remote work readiness by citing examples of self-motivation and virtual collaboration (e.g., leading a remote team project).

4

Use specific metrics or outcomes in your resume (e.g., 'coordinated onboarding for 20+ interns' or 'improved HRIS data accuracy by 15%').

5

Research Workiva's products and recent news about ESG reporting to show genuine interest during the application process.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Express passion for employee experience and how you can contribute to Workiva's people-first culture.", 'Highlight your organizational skills and ability to manage multiple HR processes simultaneously.', 'Connect your academic background (HR, Business, Psychology) to practical contributions in onboarding, benefits, or data management.', "Mention your enthusiasm for ESG and how Workiva's mission inspires you to support their team."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore Workiva's latest ESG reports and press releases to understand their market position.
  • → Read about their remote work culture and employee testimonials on Glassdoor or LinkedIn.
  • → Familiarize yourself with common HRIS tools like Workday or BambooHR, as they may be used in the role.
  • → Understand the basics of integrated ESG reporting and why it's important for companies.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you handle a confidential employee inquiry about benefits?
2 Describe a time you managed multiple projects with competing deadlines.
3 What do you know about Workiva's ESG platform and its impact on sustainability reporting?
4 How do you stay organized and self-motivated in a remote work setting?
5 Give an example of how you contributed to improving a process or experience in a previous role.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic resume without tailoring it to HR or people operations.
  • Ignoring the remote nature of the role—failing to highlight self-discipline or virtual collaboration skills.
  • Not researching Workiva's ESG focus, which is core to their identity and likely valued in the interview.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Workiva!

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