how to make a good resume for an internship

How to write an internship resume (+ an example)

Your resume is an important part of securing your dream internship. See how to write an amazing internship resume with an example below.

How to write an internship resume (with an example)

Are you ready to bridge the gap between what you’ve learned in school and the real world? Do you want to learn new skills, build connections, and make your mark in your chosen industry? Internships serve as stepping stones during your professional journey and provide opportunities for personal and career growth.

Securing a great internship starts with a killer resume. Your professional resume is your ticket to the interview and your chance to impress potential employers from the get-go. That's why we've put together this helpful intern resume writing guide with six simple steps to help you create an internship resume that stands out.

From organizing your resume's structure to highlighting your most relevant skills and experiences, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we'll even provide an example resume to guide and inspire you along the way.

Whether you're a college student eager to land your first internship or a recent graduate ready to make your mark, an effective internship resume is a game-changer. Let's jump right in and start crafting a resume that opens doors to exciting internship experiences.

How to write an internship resume in 6 steps

When it comes to internships, recruiters know that you might not have years of experience under your belt. But don't worry! The key is to highlight your potential, eagerness to learn, and genuine enthusiasm for the internship. Use each resume section to show how your qualifications and skills make you a valuable asset to the organization.

Step 1: Resume heading

Kick things off with a clear and professional header at the top of your resume, including all the essential contact information (full name, phone number, and email address). Ensure your email address sounds professional — avoid any wacky or unprofessional aliases — and consider adding a link to relevant social media accounts (like your LinkedIn profile).

Step 2: Objective or summary statement (optional)

A resume objective or resume summary statement gives hiring managers a sneak peek into your career goals by highlighting specific skills that make you perfect for the internship. Tailor this section to the internship you're after. Show them how your objectives align with the organization's goals.

Step 3: Education

The education section is your chance to show off your college or university experience. Tell them your major or area of study and consider including your GPA. Don't forget to mention any cool coursework that's relevant to the internship. If you're still in the process of getting your degree, give them a heads up on when you'll be crossing that graduation finish line.

Step 4: Work experience

In the experience section, include any internships, volunteer work (a great resume builder!), or any other relevant work history. Describe the tasks you handled and any achievements you rocked in each role. Focus on those transferable skills that make you a superstar — things like teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and organization. Highlight how your previous professional experiences have set you up for success in this internship and contributed to your personal growth.

Step 5: Certifications/special projects/skills

This skills section showcases the professional certifications and specific soft skills (personal skills and abilities that can help in any job) or hard skills (technical or job-specific skills) that make you stand out from the crowd. Include any special projects or extracurricular activities that show your passion for the field, too. This is your chance to spotlight those unique skill sets and experiences that make you a true rockstar candidate.

Step 6: Awards & honors (optional)

If you've been lucky enough to receive any awards, honors, scholarships, or recognition for your academic or professional prowess, this is the perfect spot to showcase them. Highlighting your accomplishments shows your dedication and excellence and lets potential employers know you're a true go-getter.

Resume formatting tips

Let's talk about some other ways to make your internship resume shine. First off, keep it to a single page. Internships usually involve limited experience, so a concise resume works best. Be selective and focus on highlighting the most relevant information that showcases your qualifications.

When it comes to spacing, give your text some room to breathe. Leave enough white space between sections and paragraphs to make it visually appealing and easy to read. Break up the content using bullet points, headings, and subheadings to make it more organized and reader-friendly.

Stick to a legible font throughout your resume so it's easy on the eyes (aim for a font size of 10 or 11 points for the main content). You can make headings and section titles a bit larger (around 12 or 14 points) to create visual emphasis and hierarchy.

Margins matter, too! Ensure you have enough space on all sides of your resume. A margin size of 0.5 to 1 inch is standard and gives your resume a clean, professional look.

Lastly, don't forget to proofread for any grammar or spelling errors. A polished and error-free document shows your attention to detail and professionalism.

Following these tips to craft a well-organized, visually pleasing internship resume will make a memorable impression on potential employers and increase your chances of landing that dream internship.

You can also get help with formatting your resume by downloading our free internship resume template .

Internship resume example

Use this resume sample as a guide to create a resume that will dazzle hiring managers. Customize your resume based on the specific job description you are applying for.

[Your full name]

[City, state, ZIP code]

[Phone number]

[Email address]

[LinkedIn profile link]

Motivated and dedicated individual seeking an internship opportunity to gain practical experience and further develop skills in [specific field]. Committed to contributing to an organization’s success through a strong work ethic, adaptability, and a passion for learning.

Bachelor of [Degree], [Major]

[University Name], [City, State]

[Year of graduation]

Relevant coursework

• [Course 1]: [Course description]
• [Course 2]: [Course description]
• [Course 3]: [Course description]
• Technical skills: [List relevant technical skills (e.g., programming languages, software proficiency)]
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills demonstrated through [specific examples, such as presentations or publications]
• Problem-solving: Ability to analyze complex problems and develop innovative solutions
• Teamwork: Collaborative approach to working with diverse teams to achieve common goals
• Adaptability: Quick learner with the ability to thrive in fast-paced and changing environments
• Organization: Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines

Relevant work experience

[Company/Organization name], [Location]

[Position title], [Dates]

• [Responsibility 1]: [Describe your key responsibilities and achievements]
• [Responsibility 2]: [Describe your key responsibilities and achievements]

[Company/Organization Name], [Location]

[Position Title], [Dates]

[Project Name], [University/Company], [Dates]

• [Describe the project, your role, and the skills utilized or developed]
• [Highlight any notable achievements or outcomes]

Leadership and extracurricular activities

• [Describe your responsibilities and contributions]

Certifications

• [Certification 1]: [Certifying authority], [Year]
• [Certification 2]: [Certifying authority], [Year]

What about an internship cover letter?

When it comes to internship applications, a cover letter may not always be required (check the internship description for requirements) but it can make a world of difference. A carefully crafted cover letter has the power to make you shine amidst a sea of candidates and increase your chances of landing that coveted internship.

Read our tips for writing an internship cover letter , where we spill the secrets of how to write a killer cover letter that perfectly complements your resume and sets you up for success.

Which companies are hiring for internships on Handshake?

Land an amazing internship.

As you wrap up crafting your winning internship resume, remember that it's not just about the length or the formatting — it's also about showcasing your potential, passion, and unique qualities that make you a perfect fit for the internship. Tailor each section to align with the internship position and emphasize your relevant skills and experiences. With this resume as your tool, you're ready to make a lasting impression and land that dream internship.

Need help finding the perfect internship? Head over to Handshake , download our app, and create your profile. You’ll have access to the most opportunities of any job platform for students and new college grads, as well as tons of helpful advice and tips for launching your career.

Now go out there and get that internship!

Find the right jobs for you. Get hired.

Related stories, most recent stories.

How to Write an Internship Resume [w/ Examples]

Internship Resume Sample for 2024

Are you required to present your resume to secure an internship and have conflicted feelings about how your resume should look for such an internship?

Are you scared that you’d be over or under-qualified?

Do you fall into the above categories or more that hinder you from getting your resume to the appropriate places? Then this article is written especially for you.

Sample of Resume for an Internship Application

Writing resumes can be a very tricky affair because your resume is basically an introduction to your employer. So you can be rest assured that first impression matters. Prior to receiving your resume, the recruiter or employer has no knowledge of who you are or your previous achievements as grand as they might be, so always aim not to impress but to express.

The recruiter will probably be more interested in getting to know who you are as a person than the things you’ve achieved and there’s a very high probability that it is not a lot given that you’re applying for an internship anyway.

A recent study conducted shows that the average recruiter takes a look at a resume for no longer than six-seven seconds and will only look for any longer period of time if the six-second glance was worth it.

So kindly look inwards and try to come up with a way to establish a relationship between you and the recruiter in less than six seconds. You’re most probably wondering how on earth it’s possible to do that sort of thing. Well, it is and you’ll learn just how to do it right here. 

The first thing to do while writing that resume is to look at your previous experiences and check if you’ve done anything related in any way at all to the work you’re currently trying to apply for. 

If you’re applying for an internship at a digital marketing agency, then you should be looking out for any experience in a field such as social media management. Look for times where you have handled any social media account for any brand, even if it’s a personal one and turn it into a corporate experience.

While writing your resume for an internship, you can be rest assured that the recruiter or company does not expect you to have serious professional qualifications and your current qualifications are only expected to boost your academic or career goals, hence you can totally include all those skills you gained on your own and show willingness to gain more skills.

• It should perfectly highlight your strengths and be appropriately structured.
• There is absolutely no need for preambles so you should go straight to the point and make the position you’re applying for very obvious.
• Avoid errors and make your resume very easy to read.
• Above all, make sure that your resume isn’t more than one page .

Reiterating the above, the recruiter does not expect you to have tons of experience but that does not give you the permission to fill up your resume with generic information as it sends a very bad message to the recruiter about you.

Also, keep it in mind that your recruiters are looking for someone who has skills that are honed personally through practice and very willing to learn.

Skills such as; the ability to work under pressure and meet target deadlines, a very high level of creativity, impressive communication skills , hard work and exceptional leadership abilities.

It is very common while writing a resume for internships to see many students stressing or having a meltdown because of their GPA.

If you’re in that category, then you need to take a step back and desist from giving yourself a high blood pressure because, in actual fact, recruiters in most cases usually do not take the school GPA into cognizance or let it determine if you deserve to be recruited or not.

Although always make sure to include your academic qualifications as poor as they might be on your resume because for someone in your stage, you might not possess enough field experience and as I said before, even recruiters do not expect you to.

Recruiters are usually more interested in relevant work experiences so kindly focus more on that.

On your resume, there are basic things that should attack your recruiter first, and one of them is your ' Professional Summary ' which is where you tell your recruiter what you have got to offer in just a couple of sentences.

Always make sure that you do not turn in a resume without a professional summary as that’s the best way to let your employer know what you’re good for or at.

Your resume should be tailored to fit the position you’re applying for, as this gives the recruiter the idea that you’re already a nice fit for their company even long before you’re offered a position. 

You should also never forget to include all the awards and honors you’ve received as little as they might be, they go a long way in creating a lasting impression in the mind of your employer and give you an edge of credibility over other resumes.

 With all the above insights, you should be well on your way to securing that dream internship, without an atom of doubt that you can be absolutely sure of.

Related Resume Examples

• No Experience Resume
• Research Assistant Resume
• High School Resume
• College Resume
• Students and Graduates Resume
• Teacher Resume

Suggested Readings:

• +150 Best Skills to Put on Your Resume
• How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship
• Strengths & Weaknesses for Job Interviews

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How to write a resume for an internship [with examples]

If you're wondering how to write a resume for an internship with no experience, you've come to the right place.

An internship is a great way to gain valuable work experience. Even if an internship pays poorly (or not at all!), it can help you gain the contacts, knowledge, and references you need to land your dream job.

Good internships are highly competitive, so you need an excellent internship resume to stand out from the crowd.

This guide will discuss:

• How to write a resume for an internship
• Which resume sections you need on an internship resume
• How to use a resume template to format your resume
• Helpful tips for writing a great internship resume
• What is an internship resume?

An internship resume is a resume that focuses on education and skills and is highly customized for an internship context. It is an important part of applying for an internship.

Because most people do internships early in their career, they often don’t have work experience to list in their resume. You might be a student or recent graduate, and this internship might be your first step into the workforce. As you write your internship resume, it’s important to showcase your most important skills and academic accomplishments.

To do this, you might include sections for education, volunteering experience, extracurricular activities, skills, and academic awards. Anything that makes you look like an impressive candidate will look good on an internship resume.

• Internship resume sections

An impactful internship resume should have the sections:

• Contact information : The first section that contains your name and contact details
• Summary : A short introductory paragraph that summarizes your qualifications as an internship candidate
• Education : A list of your degrees and academic achievements
• Skills : A list of the skills and competencies you possess
• Work experience : A list of your work history and related accomplishments

For many internship applicants, those sections will be enough. If you have more accomplishments you would like to showcase, however, you can also include sections such as:

• Volunteering experience
• Awards and honours
• Research experience
• Publications
• How to write a resume for an internship: a step-by-step guide

Hiring managers know that most internship candidates don’t have much work experience, but they’ll still be looking for a great resume. To get past the initial resume screen, make sure your resume is well-formatted and easy to read. To write a great internship resume:

#1. Pick the right resume format

Most job-seekers use a reverse-chronological resume format. In this format, the Work History section is written in reverse-chronological order, beginning with the most recent position and working backwards.

As you may not have many previous positions to list, you may want to use the combination resume format instead. With this format, you still list your previous jobs in order, but make your skills or academic achievements the focus of the resume, rather than your work experience. This way, you can be sure to emphasize the right qualifications.

Consider your experience and your skills when you pick which format will work for you.

#2. Choose an excellent internship resume template

The right resume template will give you an important head start on a great-looking resume.

The specific template you choose will depend on the company and industry of your internship. If you are applying at a law firm, for example, you may want to use a traditional template, such as VisualCV’s ATS . If you are interning in a more creative field, like art or design, you may want to try a more modern template, like VisualCV’s Rainier .

In any case, it’s important that your template is clearly organized and easy to read.

If you decide to design your own resume instead of using a template, be sure to follow these rules of thumb:

• Choose a font between 10pt and 12pt
• Keep line spacing between 1.0 and 1.15
• Choose a neutral, professional font
• Make section headings between 14pt and 16pt
• Use bullet points when writing job descriptions

#3. Provide your contact information

Begin your resume with your contact information. This information has to be easy to find, so anyone reading your resume knows exactly how to contact you. For your internship resume, your contact information must include:

• Phone number
• Email address

If you have a professional social media account, an online student profile, or an online portfolio, you may want to include a link in your contact information as well

Social media like LinkedIn, GitHub, or even Twitter and Instagram can all be included, as long as all of your online behaviour is appropriate and professional.

#4. Write a brief summary

On a resume, a summary is a short paragraph or bulleted list summarizing your key qualifications for a position. It is your elevator pitch to an employer, and it may list core skills, academic achievements, or previous positions that make you a great candidate. The Summary section should appear near the top of your resume.

Before writing your summary for an internship resume, you should read the job posting carefully. Pick out key requirements from the job description, such as technical skills, education, and experience, and see how you can include them into your summary. For example, if the job posting calls for experience with JavaScript, and you have worked with JavaScript in your college classes, you can include this in your summary.

A good objective be no more than a few sentences or bullets, use action verbs to describe skills and achievements, and demonstrate why you are a great candidate for the internship. This should encourage the hiring manager to read the rest of your resume.

Driven and motivated graduate seeking internship at BellWether media. Keen to utilize my knowledge of marketing tools and develop my passion for digital marketing. GPA of 3.7 with a strong understanding of consumer psychology. My aim is to prove my value and gain industry experience.

#5. Showcase your education

If you are seeking an internship, you may be a recent graduate or current student. This likely means that most of your skills and experience were gained in your education. If this is the case, your education section is very important to your internship resume.

In your Education section, list your degrees in reverse-chronological order, beginning with the most recent and working backwards. Each item in the Education section should include:

• Major and minor
• Institution
• Dates attended

If you want to emphasize your academic experience, you can also include a description of each degree. If relevant, you may want to list:

• Dean’s list
• Research areas
• Impressive projects
• Academic awards or honours
• Exchange programs

When you don’t have much experience in the workforce, details like this van help show that you still have the skills to succeed at your internship.

If you have a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or any other post-secondary certifications, you don’t need to include your high school. Only include your high school education if it is the only education you have.

MSc in Marketing University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH. 2019 - 2021

Relevant coursework:

• Consumer psychology
• Business management
• Quantitative methods

BSc in Marketing University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA. 2016 - 2019

• Communications
• Digital marketing
• Consumer behaviour
• Public relations

#6. List your skills

While in many ways the purpose of an internship is to develop your skills, you still have to list your skills on your resume. Make sure you have a clearly labelled Skills section in your internship resume.

Most job-seekers list their skills in a simple bulleted list. This is a readable and efficient way to display your skills.

If you want to give your skills more emphasis, you can also make each individual skill a heading and offer an explanation or example for each one. With VisualCV’s templates, you can even add strength ratings to each skill to show where your strengths are. This is a great way to draw attention to your Skills section in a stylish way.

• Data analytics
• Marketing automation
• Punctuality
• Copywriting
• SEMRush, Moz, Screaming Frog SEO
• Slack, Trello, Microsoft Office
• Spanish (intermediate)

#7. Work experience

Write your work experience section in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your latest role and working backwards. For each job, make sure to include:

• Company name
• Dates of employment
• A bulleted list of your achievements and responsibilities in the role

Your work experience may include full-time roles you have held. If you are a student or recent graduate, you can also list part-time jobs, summer jobs, other internships, or even volunteering experience.

The important thing is to be sure that you can demonstrate that you are a good worker and a dedicated employee.

Work Experience

Work experience placement ABC Marketing June - Sept 2021

• Completed three months work experience for a digital marketing firm
• Automated social media posts for four clients
• Collaborated with content department to help launch new SaaS service
• Compilled market research by analyzing data from market surveys
• Used HubSpot, Maple, and Google Analytics

Cashier/server Gino’s Pizza Oct 2019 - June 2021

• Worked at a popular pizza restaurant at weekends during my studies
• Handled cash and payments, balancing the till at the end of the night
• Provided friendly and attentive service for restaurants patrons
• Monitored and maintained clean working surfaces at all times
• Responsible and punctual member of staff
• Employee of the month January 2021

#8. Add other relevant qualifications

If you have other qualifications you’d like to highlight, be sure to include them in your resume. Other sections might include volunteering experience, extracurricular activities, projects, awards and honours, and more.

Consider what other qualifications you have, and if they suit the internship you’re applying for, add them to your resume.

Freelance Marketing projects 2018 - 2021

• Helped several local brick-and-mortar businesses migrate online during COVID-19
• Managed social media accounts for a small clothing brand
• Contributed SEO-focused copy and blog posts for companies in the CBD space
• Wrote landing pages for insurance and accountancy services
• Tips for writing an internship resume

Once your resume sections are in place, you can begin making sure the section content is perfect. As you write and edit your resume, keep these tips in mind:

Clarity is key

Your resume must be clear and easy to read. Ensure that every section has a clear heading, that the resume is structured well, and that the fonts are easy to read both in print and on a screen.

An internship resume doesn’t need to be longer than a page. As you likely don’t have much experience, you should be able to fit everything you need on one page. If absolutely necessary, you can use a second page, but never more.

Customize your resume

It’s essential to customize your resume for each position you apply to. A generic, catch-all resume is not likely to grab a hiring manager's attention. Make sure your resume is tailored to the specific internship you are applying for.

To customize your internship resume, read the job posting carefully and take note of the key words and phrases it uses when describing the job requirements. These are the phrases that you should include in your resume (as long as it’s true). This might include skills, education, tools, software, experience, and more.

Beat the applicant tracking system (ATS)

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a type of software that reads resumes and selects the best ones to pass on to a hiring manager. Many companies use ATSs to streamline the hiring process.

To make sure your resume beats the ATS, make sure you use the exact keywords from the job description to describe your experience. These are the phrases the ATS will be looking for. Further, make sure to use a straightforward template without many tables or images. This will be easier for the ATS to parse.

• Internship resume example

Highly motivated, organized, resourceful, detail oriented and a committed individual with a strong academic background and diverse work experience. Outstanding design and problem-solving skills with the ability to meet rigorous performance standards and demanding schedules. A hands-on team member and a critical thinker who can quickly learn new systems, develop useful expertise, and produce significant contributions. Strong knowledge of computers (PC and Mac), proficiency in Auto-CAD, Auto-desk Viz, Vector-works, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch-up with VRay plug-ins, Microsoft Project, Deltek Vision, DASH, Microsoft Office, and have a working knowledge of Rhino and Revit Architecture.

• Google Sketch up
• Auto-desk Auto-CAD
• Adobe Photoshop
• MS Office Suite

Work experience

Intern architect.

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

• Build design detail on AutoCAD and Archicad 18(BIM).
• Create plans (with respect to DM Regulations) using AutoCAD.
• Incorporate details given by Senior Architects and Engineers.
• Prepare detailed construction drawings.
• Feasibility studies.
• Research code (OBC) and materials.
• Coordinate work and drawings with structural engineers.
• Attend site meetings and construction site walk-throughs.

PowerTrain Industries

• Assisted Senior Architects on Design Detailing using Auto-CAD.
• Assisted in checking shop drawings, producing marketing materials, creating deficiency lists, and site instructions.
• Created building views using Google Sketch-up.
• Architectural drawings, drafting & detailing, involvement in project discussions.
• Client discussion regarding designing modifications.
• Designed presentations.

Student Intern

INC Architecture & Design

• Produced CAD drawings of residential buildings from Architect’s sketches and marked up drawings.
• Completed sets of plans, sections, and elevations.
• Prepared presentation boards.
• Participated in negotiations with the client.

Bachelor in Architecture

Academy Of Art University

Community Success Manager & CV Writing Expert

Ben is a writer, customer success manager and CV writing expert with over 5 years of experience helping job-seekers create their best careers. He believes in the importance of a great resume summary and the power of coffee.

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5 Internship Resume Examples to Jumpstart Your Career 

Internship Resume

• Internship Resumes A-N
• Internship Resumes M-Z
• Write Your Internship Resume

You’re a motivated professional who is eager to get into your ideal profession. You’re organized, timely, and know how to exceed exact specifications to wow employers.

Is your resume template capable of getting your career off to an excellent start?

Many internship candidates apply to roles without a ton of experience in their desired field. We’ve done the research to help you stand out with our internship resume examples that’ll help you showcase your skills successfully in today’s job market.

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• Highlighting interests in reading, blogging, and video production on this resume all work together to create an impression of a budding journalist that’s earned a competitive internship.

Accounting Internship Resume

• As Teddy does, show how you applied lessons learned at the workshop and how that has been a life-changing moment in your personal and career journey. Take a moment to tell the details of these stories when writing a cover letter .

College Internship Resume

• Weaving in examples of laboratory software you’ve used is more likely to land you a research assistant internship than simply listing relevant coursework.

Engineering Internship Resume

• Holding a leadership position in a technology club is a great accomplishment to highlight as an aspiring engineering intern.

Software Engineer Internship Resume

• Your career objective is an opportunity to demonstrate your passion for the field and your admiration for the company you’re applying to. While here, state your mission and how it aligns with the employer’s long-term plans.

Related resume examples

• Engineering
• Grad Student
• College Student

Use the Job Description to Your Advantage for Your Internship Resume

Every internship you apply for will come with a unique set of skills the company is looking for in applicants. Therefore, using a mix of skills you possess from education and previous work experience, like team collaboration and problem-solving, and what is emphasized in the job description will be ideal.

Many internship candidates wonder about what mix of hard and soft skills they can list. Ultimately, it comes down to the position you’re applying to. Jobs in technical roles like finance will want to see as many of your technical abilities as possible, such as budgeting. However, something more customer service-oriented would benefit from soft skills like communication.

Need some ideas?

15 best internship skills

• Customer Service
• Data Analysis
• Microsoft Office
• Workflow Documents
• Inventory Monitoring
• Inbox Sorting
• Problem-Solving
• Team Collaboration
• Efficiency Improvement
• Independent Research
• Office Administration
• Writing & Proofreading
• Task Prioritization

Your internship work experience bullet points

Many internship applicants won’t have a ton of work experience. However, this section is still important since hiring managers will want to know how you’ll apply your top skills to their workplace.

Try to pull as many relevant examples as possible from your previous work experiences or education in this section. For instance, jobs that involve customer service or data entry are usually very applicable. You can also include relevant projects you completed in school to provide more depth and career-specific examples.

Hiring managers will be really impressed if you use metrics within your examples to showcase what you’ve achieved. Let’s take a look at some popular metrics internship hiring staff love to see.

• Efficiency: As an internship candidate, you bring a fresh perspective. Showing how you can perform tasks more efficiently can be a great way to stand out.
• Satisfaction scores: Internships often involve working with customers or improving their experience, so this is always a good metric to include.
• Accuracy: Many internships involve data entry or organization tasks, so emphasizing how you perform accurately is a great idea.
• Sales revenue: Every business revolves around sales, so applying any experiences where you increased sales will make you stand out as an internship candidate.

See what we mean?

• Managed social media for a school publication, creating engaging posts in Canva to increase follower counts by 39%.
• Created learning opportunities for technology-focused workshops within the school as an EngageTech leader, resulting in a 53% increase in STEM class engagement.
• Collaborated with a student team on an innovation challenge to develop a sustainable solution that reduced energy costs for a community center by 21%
• Maintained accurate lab records, including experimental procedures, data logs, and quality control documentation, that adhered to regulatory standards with 98% compliance.
• Facilitated training workshops on database navigation and research strategies that grew attendance by 34%

9 active verbs to start your internship work experience bullet points

3 tips for creating an internship resume without much work experience.

• Any higher education or certificates you’ve completed are meant to prepare you for your field of choice. Therefore, you should use it to your advantage in internship resumes. For instance, what you learned about general ledgers in an accounting class would be great to include in a financial internship resume.
• A resume objective can help you display additional relevant skills you possess that aren’t accurately represented in other experiences. For instance, a few sentences about how you’ve maintained a 3.91 GPA in your marketing classes and have two years of customer service experience would be great for a sales internship.
• Any relevant hobbies & interests can also contribute to your skills and passion for a desired field. For instance, if you’re applying for a culinary internship, your time as a member of your school’s cooking club would be great to list.

3 Internship Resume Tips for Applicants with Some Experience

• Focus on jobs that are the most recent and most relevant to the position. For example, a previous job working at a nursing home would be much more relevant than your prior position as a shoe sales clerk if you’re applying to a nursing internship.
• Experienced internship applicants should list their most recent experiences first. It’ll be the most relevant to using current business technology or having applied skills you’ve gained from your education.
• Even if you have a lot of experience, hiring managers simply want a brief overview of your skills to make an easy decision. For instance, if you’re applying to a supply chain internship, keeping a focus on your key logistics planning skills to narrow the information down is a good idea.

Some internships may list the cover letter as optional. However, you should still include one. Try to use your internship cover letter to show how you connect to the company or how you’ll apply your key skills in the position. For example, a company focused on sustainability will enjoy hearing about how you were the head of your school’s waste management program.

You can make your resume stand out by using measurable examples and relating as much of your prior experience as possible to the position. For instance, using metrics in process improvement and efficiency would be great to include when applying for a project management internship.

A resume objective is a great idea if you don’t have much experience in your desired field. It’ll help you stand out by listing a few sentences about your most relevant experiences right away, like achieving high customer satisfaction scores or maintaining a great GPA in your core classes.

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How to Write a Resume for Internship with Examples

Writing a resume for internships is high-key stressful. We mean, let’s face it. There is a lot at stake with that one little piece of paper. The right internship can serve as the launchpad of your career, allowing you to learn industry-relevant skills while expanding your professional network.

And then there’s the stress of figuring out how to fill out a resume for an internship when you don’t have much, if any, experience. Like, does knowing basic Excel functions count as a skill? Is your babysitting gig considered work experience? What about all the TikTok dance challenges you have been absolutely crushing lately? Those are pretty impressive, right? 

We know that writing a resume for internships can be super challenging. That’s why we’ve put together a simple guide where we break down the internship resume writing process. 

Ready to score the internship of your dreams? Read on to learn how to put together an impressive resume for internships that highlights your skills and achievements. 

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Applying for Internships: Do You Need to Have Prior Experience?

OK, let’s address the elephant in the room: your limited experience. How do you write a resume when your greatest accomplishment to date has been sinking a three-pointer at the final buzzer when you were in the sixth grade? (NGL, still one of the greatest moments of my life.)

The good news is that you don’t need tons of experience to apply for internships. Sure, there will always be some employers who want to take advantage of cheap labor that they don’t have to train. But many employers (read: the best employers) recruit interns because they want to grow their company’s talent pipeline. These employers aren’t necessarily looking for experiences , but rather, a demonstrated interest and passion in the work they do. 

Bottom line? You are qualified!  

@jasonrodelo YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS @bigwillsimmons @rexkline #affirmations #vibewithus ♬ original sound – Jason Rodelo

Want to work at Google? Apply for Google internships . Dreaming about a career in fashion journalism? Go for that Vogue Magazine internship. As long as your extracurricular activities show a demonstrated interest and passion in the field, you have as good a chance as any to getting the internship of your dreams.

Related: How to Get an Internship

What to Include on a Resume for Internships

OK, so what all do you need to include in a resume for an internship? We’re going to take it section by section and break it all down.

1. Contact Information

Always include your contact information (name, email address, location) at the top of your resume. You don’t need to list your full address — your city and state are enough. 

Also, this is a good time to retire that embarrassing email address you’ve been using forever. Asking recruiters to get in touch with you at [email protected] doesn’t exactly scream professionalism.

2. Summary Statement (Optional) 

Next comes your summary statement, which is simply a brief summary (two or three lines, max) of your qualifications and experience. Some students choose to skip the summary statement so they can make room for more important things on their resume. The choice is up to you. 

In general, you should stay away from objective statements. Summary statements are preferable because they focus on the needs of the employer. Check out the sample below:

Objective Statement: I am seeking an internship that will allow me to build experience in the field of programming.

Summary Statement: Detail-oriented software engineering student with an outstanding academic record. Achieved Dean’s list and maintained a GPA of 3.5. Seeking a programming internship at [company name] to utilize my comprehensive understanding of Java 8.

The summary statement sounds much better, right? Here’s one more useful tip: Look at the job description and use similar vocabulary in your summary statement. That way, employers will quickly see that you’re qualified for the job.

3. Education 

Since you’re still in school, your education should go above your career-related experiences. This is because students tend to have limited experience, so it makes more sense to draw the employer’s attention to their education. 

In this section, you should include the following:

• Name of institution + location
• Degree and intended major
• Expected graduation date
• Study abroad, GPA, honors, relevant coursework — anything that allows you to flex your hard work ethic.

It should look similar to this:

University of South Carolina, Columbia               Expected June 2021

Bachelor of Arts in Economics, GPA 3.6/4.0

Relevant Coursework: Advanced Microeconomic Theory, Industrial Organization and Public Policy, Public Economics

Italy Study Abroad Program: University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health September 2018-December 2018

4. Experiences

Now, it’s time to list your career-related experiences. This section will likely make up the bulk of your resume and should include extracurriculars like volunteer work, part-time jobs, student organizations, sports, etc. 

When listing your experiences, make sure that you put them in reverse chronological order. This is the most popular resume format and, in general, the one that will make your internship resume the most impactful. 

A reverse chronological resume includes your career-related experience history beginning with the most recent and working its way backward. Here’s what it looks like:

Molecular Biology Internship

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine July 2019-Present

• Core responsibilities #1
• Core responsibilities #2
• Core responsibilities #3

Assistant Dog Groomer

Wagging Tails Grooming Salon                April 2016-August 2018

Animal Shelter Volunteer

Southwest Humane Society               October 2012-April 2016

The skills section is nothing fancy. This section typically goes at the bottom of your resume and includes any skills that may be relevant to the position you’re applying for. 

For example, if you’re applying for a programming internship, you might list Java and HTML as relevant skills. This section can also include interpersonal skills (aka, soft skills) such as leadership, multi-tasking, etc.

If you’re cutting it close on space, consider leaving out “proficient in Microsoft Word” and similarly basic skills. Not trying to call you basic or anything! But as a Gen Zer, many employers kinda expect you to know your way around a computer.

How to Write a Resume for Internships: General Tips and Advice

So, how do you build an internship resume that a) demonstrates your interest in the company/industry you’re applying for and b) tells a unique story? Here is our best advice for creating a resume that will help you stand out in a sea of internship applications.

1. Keep It Simple 

Unless you’re applying for a graphic design internship or something similarly creative, it’s best to keep your resume layout simple. Stick with an easy-to-read font like Times New Roman or Arial (10-12 point) and use clearly marked sections and headers. 

Be sure to leave plenty of white space. Do not cram every experience you’ve ever had onto your resume. Remember: You’re trying to tell a story with carefully-chosen experiences. 

2. Use Strong Action Verbs

When filling out your information for each work experience, use easy-to-skim bullet point statements to help explain your responsibilities and accomplishments. Start each bullet point with a compelling action verb.

For instance, let’s say that you want to highlight a capstone project that you completed for your class. Here is an example of how you might use action verbs (bolded below) to kick off each bullet point:

Marketing Projects

Marketing Campaign for Smith’s Family Insurance – Cincinnati, OH October 2019 

• Surveyed 150 families in Cincinnati to collect detailed data on client’s target audience. 
• Developed and implemented a cost-effective marketing plan for local insurance company that leveraged social media and offline marketing techniques.
• Created a campaign budget of $1,200 which we estimated to be the minimum cost that would yield the highest return on investment (ROI).

Need some ideas for your resume? Here is a list of action verbs to get you started.  

3. Get to the Point

Your internship resume should be no more than one page . Seriously, keep it short and sweet. This forces you to be concise and make every word count.

Besides, most hiring managers spend all of 7.4 seconds looking at your resume. They’re probably not going to bother looking at the second page unless the first is extremely compelling. And TBH, most entry-level candidates don’t have enough experience to warrant a second page anyway. 

4. Be Specific 

Too often, resumes for internships have vague descriptions like “utilized advanced computer skills to improve company’s website.” Like, what does “advanced computer skills” even mean? Is it programming? Managing servers? Try to be more precise. 

On a similar note, you should describe the task and its impact. How did your work on a specific project impact the organization and/or its customers? 

When writing your bullet statements, try to follow this formula: Action verb + task + result statement. For example:

Marketing Capstone Project

• Increased voting participation by 25% in a student election by advertising the election on Facebook and Twitter.

Here’s another: 

Senior Camp Counselor

• Implemented a three-step conflict resolution program for 15+ unruly children that resulted in a 20% decrease in unwanted behavior.

5. Use Keywords (But Avoid Keyword Stuffing!)

When writing a resume for internships, you need to write it for both human readers and computerized resume scanners. Companies that receive a lot of internship/job applications often use application tracking software (ATS) systems to simplify the process.

Long story short, these computerized resume scanners are looking for keywords in your resume that indicate whether or not you’re a qualified candidate. So, what does that mean for you? It means that you need to pull up the job description and carefully pepper in the most likely keywords to make it past the robots.

Obviously, you shouldn’t lie on your resume. If you can’t code your way out of a paper bag, don’t try to insert words like “proficient in C++” or whatever. When tailoring your resume to fit the position, stick to the truth.

You also shouldn’t stuff your resume with keywords. Remember that if you make it past the robot, a human will be reading your resume next. Make sure that it’s both human and robot-friendly.

6. Proofread Carefully

Here’s a fun thing to do this Halloween: Read resume horror stories in which the applicant didn’t proofread his or her resume before submitting their application. Seriously, typos can kill your chances of getting a callback. Don’t let your resume get tossed in the “no” pile just because you spelled “manager” as “manger.”

Proofread your stuff not once, not twice, but THREE times. Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask someone to look over your resume. Resume advice can vary depending on your industry and circumstances, so try to get someone who is familiar with both. If nothing else, pop down to your college’s career center and get a professional to look at it for you.

Final Tips 

You’ve finally finished up your resume. Nice one! Before you send it off, make sure that your bases are covered with these final tips:

• Don’t forget your cover letter. Yes, cover letters matter! We wrote a detailed guide on how to write a cover letter for internships , so check it out and flex that awesome personality of yours on your CV.
• Leave out references. You don’t need these unless the employer specifically asks for them. If references are requested, be sure to create a separate document for your reference list.
• Submit as a PDF. When you’re ready to submit your resume, opt for a PDF version instead of a Word document. A PDF is more likely to preserve the formatting of your resume when your employer opens it.

And that’s it! Whether you’re applying for a remote internship or a traditional internship, a strong resume can be your ticket to an amazing career opportunity. Now, go forth, and make your resume shine!

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How to Boost Your Resume Without a Summer Internship

Summer internships are one of the most common ways to gain relevant experience, but they certainly aren’t the only. Many students don’t realize that there are still several ways to build your engineering qualifications and strengthen your resume. If you won’t be participating in an internship this summer, it is advantageous to complete at least one alternative experience that you can add to your resume. 

On campus research opportunities are available to undergraduate students both during the semester and over the summer. Even if you don’t think the grad school or research paths align with your long-term career goals, undergraduate research experiences provide you with technical knowledge and hands-on skills. You can also use research lab experience to highlight your problem solving, quick learning, and collaborating abilities.

Micro-Internships and Projects

Companies post micro-internship opportunities when they are looking for help on one specific project. The project’s scope, deadline, and pay may vary. Micro-Internships give students the flexibility of setting their own work schedule/hours. Similar to traditional internships, micro-internships require you to apply technical and soft skills in a professional environment to meet expectations and complete the project on time. You can also learn new skills by engaging in personal projects. Whether it involves software, hardware, or a combination of the two, you can tailor personal projects to meet your specific needs. This type of project highlights your ability to take initiative, use your resources, and work independently.

Online Courses and Certifications

If you’re looking to learn something completely new (like circuits, a coding language, or CAD software) there are a ton of free resources – especially for students! These include Coursera , edX , SolidProfessor , Tinkercad , LinkedIn Learning , and more. There are even complete computer science courses from sources like Harvard University available on YouTube. If you receive certifications, these can be included under the “Qualifications” section of your resume.

Other Work Experience

Non-engineering work experiences bring more value to your resume than you may expect. Working as a restaurant server, grocery store cashier, or summer camp counselor speaks to your interpersonal skills and responsibility. Every company has customers, so who wouldn’t want to hire someone with customer service experience? You may also want to mention working in a fast-paced environment, applying attention to detail, or implementing time management.

Volunteering

Whether or not it is for a STEM-related organization, volunteering showcases causes that are of personal significance to you. This shows some of your personality and can even serve as great conversation starters in an interview. In addition to your transferrable skills, volunteer experiences show that you are a committed leader in your community.

“Don’t follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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