How to Write an Exceptional Internship Resume

Here's how to put together a well-crafted internship resume that shows hiring managers you have the right professional capabilities.

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Resume Example

Internship Resume Example

An internship resume differs from other resumes in several key ways. Instead of work experience, an intern’s resume highlights skills, school activities and accomplishments. By following this writing guide and tips, you can create a strong resume for an internship in no time.

This article will cover:

  • - Skills to include on an internship resume
  • - Internship resume examples and tips
  • - The best resume formats to use as an intern
  • - Frequently asked questions for internship resumes
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What Is An Internship Resume?

An internship is a short-term work experience typically intended for students. Interns learn practical skills related to their career goals by assisting in various jobs at a company. You may choose to do a summer internship or a part-time internship during the school year.
 
An internship can help you make crucial connections at a company you want to work for. Interns who get hired following their internship are often given higher salaries and more advanced positions than outside hires.
 
To land a great internship position, you need a strong resume. Your resume may be brief, but by including several key elements, you can place yourself ahead of the competition. An internship resume will primarily focus on:

  • Relevant coursework
  • Soft skills or hard skills you’ve learned at school
  • School activities
  • Relevant extracurricular activities
  • Volunteer work
  • Academic achievements


What Are Some Skills to Highlight on an Internship Resume?

Interpersonal skills such as:

  • Communication skills
  • Teamwork/collaboration
  • Time management
  • Critical thinking
  • Adaptability

Technical skills such as:

  • Research
  • Analytical skills
  • Microsoft Office programs (e.g., Excel)
  • Industry-specific programs learned at school

Four Tips to Write a Resume for an Internship

1. Choose the right format.
 
The best format for your resume depends on your skills and experience. ResumeHelp’s resume builder can help you format a professional resume in just minutes. There are three strategies when it comes to formatting:
 
1. Reverse-chronological resume format: The most common format, as it focuses on work history.
2. Functional resume format:  Emphasizes skills and training, and can be helpful when you don’t have a lot of work history.
3. Combination resume format: A  good choice if you are applying to jobs in areas outside of your field of study or relevant experience, as it highlights pertinent skills and work experiences.
 
For an internship, you’ll likely use a functional format, but a combination format also works if you have some professional experience under your belt that showcases the skills and qualifications the internship needs.
 
2. Showcase key skills from the job posting.
 
A great resume will be tailored to each internship with keywords from the job description. You can pick out relevant skills, tasks and responsibilities to match up with your own experience. The skills section of your resume is a great place to show recruiters that even though you may be a student or recent graduate, you have what it takes to make it. Use bullet points to list your skills.
 
3. Have a clear resume objective.
 
An objective statement tells the recruiter what your goals are for the internship. Make sure you proofread your statement because it will be a focal point of your resume. An example of an objective statement for a college student is: 4.0 GPA Student at XYZ University seeking an internship in social media marketing with XYZ Company. PRSSA scholarship award winner with strong technical skills and work ethic. Experience managing marketing for social media accounts of local animal shelters on a volunteer basis. Looking to gain relevant experience with a reputable company.
 
4. Highlight your education and training.
 
The education section of your resume is especially important for an internship. Be as specific as possible. For an internship, you may want to include:

  • Relevant coursework
  • Degree or field of study, e.g., Computer Science
  • GPA
  • Certifications


FAQ: Internship Resume

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Q: What is the best format for an internship resume?

The best format for an internship resume depends on how much experience you have. Reverse-chronological resume format is the most popular format because hiring managers are accustomed to reading it, and it also features your work experience. But, if you don’t have a lot of relevant experience, a functional resume format can place the focus on your skills.

Q: Why is an internship resume important?

An internship resume allows the candidate to make a strong first impression. A professional-looking internship resume shows hiring managers that the candidate has the capabilities to excel in the internship. A great resume can even display your ability to take on a further role in the company. Hiring managers will often keep the resumes of interns when looking to fill entry-level positions. Your resume can help the hiring manager recall all the hard work you put in during your internship experience.

Q: What are some examples of internship resumes?

Resume examples can help you to get inspiration and see how to best display your information. Depending on the industry you want to work in, you may want to include different types of skills, experiences or achievements. Here are some examples of the 20+ Best Internship Resumes.

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