Kick-starting your career with an internship? Your student internship resume is the key to unlocking that door. But in a sea of skilled candidates, how can your resume bubble to the top?
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This guide is your lifesaver. Packed with useful tips, concrete examples, and handy samples, we'll help you line up your talents and skills in a resume that's hard to ignore. Keep reading to learn the answers to the following questions:
- Which resume format is best for interns?
- Why write a resume summary as an intern?
- What skills should an intern include on a resume?
- How do you describe work experience as an intern?
- How can an intern accurately include education on a resume?
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1. What is the best format for your intern resume
Whether you are currently working as an intern or are applying for an internship position, the first decision you must make for your resume is which format to use.
Internships are often seen as a transitional role to help you build professional experience either while you are still a student or after you have graduated. As such, employers may not be looking for a plethora of work experience, but rather educational credentials and academic skills that qualify you for the job.
Below is a breakdown of the 3 main types of resumes and when to use them:
- Reverse-Chronological: The reverse-chronological resume focuses mainly on work experience, listing your most recent job first and working backward from there. This format is best for applicants who have relevant experience in the field of the internship they are applying for.
- Functional: The functional resume removes the focus from work experience, placing it instead on education, skills, and unpaid experience. This format is often the best-suited for interns, as it provides the best opportunity to highlight academic experience and achievements.
- Hybrid: The hybrid resume spreads the focus of the document out evenly between all sections. This makes this format a good option for interns who have a mix of both professional and academic experience.
2. How to write an appealing intern resume summary
A resume summary is a short statement at the beginning of your resume that helps introduce an applicant to the employer reading the document.
As an intern, writing an effective resume summary is a great way to help your resume stand out from the competition. When written well, this summary can make your resume far more memorable and eye-catching, boosting your chances of landing the position.
To help illustrate how to write a good resume summary, here is a weak example followed by a correction and explanation:
Incorrect intern resume summary example
Recent College Graduate seeking an internship position within the FinTech space. Highly knowledgeable of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Skilled at working with large teams of developers and designers, helping to create a new smart product that won a major competition.
Why is this incorrect?
In this example, the applicant is too vague when discussing their experience and accomplishments. Rather than skirting around specific details, they should strive to include more exact information, such as what competition they won or specific examples that show they are knowledgeable in machine learning and AI.
Corrected intern resume summary
Recent Graduate with a B.S. in Information Systems and Computer Science. Passionate about artificial intelligence, with 3+ years of experience working in collaboration with other students on faculty-led technology projects. Served as a professor’s assistant in creating a new Smart Watch that won first place in the 2021 Innovation in STEM competition.
Why is this correct?
In this example, the applicant offers exact details about their academic credentials and experience working with AI. Additionally, they include key insights into their interpersonal abilities by describing their collaborations with students and professors. The summary wraps up with a bang by detailing the award-winning product they helped a professor create.
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3. What are the best skills to put on an intern resume
No matter what internship position you are applying for, it is important to include both hard and soft skills on your resume.
Hard skills refer to your learned abilities, like software development or bookkeeping. These are the skills that should be as specific as possible for the internship you are applying for, as they will often be a qualifying factor in the eyes of employers.
Soft skills refer to your ability to understand the people and world around you. Without soft skills present on a resume, it can be difficult for employers to get a true sense of your personality and working style.
With this in mind, here are 10 examples of both hard and soft skills for Interns:
The best hard skills for your intern CV
- Bookkeeping and accounting software
- Computer skills (typing, presentations, etc.)
- Office software (Microsoft Office 365, Google Suite, etc.)
- Graphic design
- Telecommunication
- Data analytics
- Foreign languages
- Office management
- Technology skills
Effective soft skills to put on your intern resume
- Willingness to learn
- Initiative
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Self-confidence
- Collaboration
- Organization
- Verbal and written communication
- Critical thinking
- Active listening
4. How to best describe your work experience
Typically, an applicant who is applying for internship positions will lack an extensive work history – hence why they wish to work in the role of an intern.
However, even if you have work experience that is not directly related to the position you are applying for, you can still use this experience to showcase your transferrable skills and work ethic. Additionally, you can help yourself stand out more by including specific accomplishments from previous roles.
Here is an example of a work experience entry from an intern resume
Sears, Salt Lake City, UT
Customer Support Agent
August 2019 to June 2021
- Provided accurate and in-depth information and assistance to customers calling about making returns and receiving refunds.
- Improved overall customer satisfaction rating from 75% to 96% by helping to implement a new incoming call script and conflict management process.
- Received the Employee of the Month award for 4 consecutive months, from March 2021 to June 2021.
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5. How to accurately include education in your intern resume
As an aspiring intern, you are likely looking for a position within your field of study. This makes it highly important to list your education correctly. In some cases, it may even be beneficial to include relevant coursework if it is relevant to the internship position.
If you are still in the process of completing your diploma or degree, then it is also essential to indicate within your education section when your expected date of graduation is.
Here is an example of a well-crafted education section on an intern resume
Boston University, Boston, MA
B.S. in Communications
- Ongoing, Expected Graduation: May 2024
- Relevant Coursework:
- Introduction to Broadcast Journalism, Completed Spring 2021
- Diversity in Communications, Completed Fall 2021
- Advanced Topics in Human Virtual Representation, Currently Enrolled
6. How to include customized extra sections in your intern resume
When creating an intern resume, it's essential to include relevant sections that highlight your qualifications, experiences, and skills. Adding extra sections can provide additional value and make your resume stand out.
One effective extra section to consider is "Projects and Internships." In this section, you can showcase notable projects you have worked on or internships you have completed, highlighting your practical experience and demonstrating your ability to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Here's an example of how to list an extra section in your intern resume
Projects and Internships
- Digital Marketing Intern, XYZ Company (Summer 2022): Assisted the marketing team in developing and implementing social media campaigns, resulting in a 20% increase in online engagement and a 15% growth in website traffic.
- Web Development Project: Created a responsive website for a local non-profit organization, incorporating modern design principles and optimizing user experience through intuitive navigation and mobile compatibility.
- Research Project on Renewable Energy: Conducted independent research on renewable energy sources, analyzing their environmental impact and presenting findings to a panel of faculty members.
7. Top job resources for aspiring interns
As an intern on the hunt for the perfect opportunity, it helps to have a few handy resources tucked up your sleeve. Here are some platforms widely acknowledged as top-notch spots to find internships:
- LinkedIn: Networking is everything, and LinkedIn stands tall as the go-to platform. Not only can you easily search internships, but with robust tools for connecting, creating a profile, and showcasing achievements, you enhance your visibility to potential employers.
- InternMatch: With a user-friendly interface and vast categories, InternMatch helps aspiring interns like you find tailored opportunities across industries.
- Glassdoor: Known for its company reviews, Glassdoor also hosts a robust job and internship search engine. The added insight about company culture and review is a valuable bonus.
- WayUp: Designed specifically for students and recent grads, WayUp offers a thoughtful blend of internships, part-time jobs, and entry-level positions.
Remember, while these resources can significantly aid your internship quest, nothing beats a well-written resume and a proactive approach. So, get searching and start applying!
Student Internship Resume FAQ
As an intern, you're not expected to have as much work experience as a seasoned professional, so it's perfectly fine if your resume is shorter. One page is typically sufficient for a student internship resume.
Absolutely! If you’re newer to the workforce, your extracurricular activities can demonstrate transferable skills, leadership qualities, and commitment to your field.
If you have notable gaps, focus on the skills and experiences you've gained during those times. Included any relevant activities or self-improvement endeavors you engaged in.
Usually, it's not necessary to include references on your resume. Employers would generally ask for them separately during the application process.
An objective statement can be beneficial on an intern resume. It can succinctly express your career goals and why you’re a good fit for the internship.
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