What are the most important sections to include in an internship resume?

The most important sections to include in an internship resume are: Contact information: This should include your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address. Education: This should include the name of the institution, your degree, and your graduation date. Relevant experience: This should include any internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities that are relevant to the internship you are applying for. Skills: This should include a list of your skills and abilities, both hard and soft. Summary: This is a brief overview of your skills and experience, and it's your chance to make a good first impression on potential employers.

How to Write a Resume for Your First Internship: Complete Guide

11 min read 2,405 views

Posted by Aarna Tiwari Sep 23, 2024

In today’s competitive job market, landing the right internship can be a game-changer for college students and freshers. Your resume for an internship is often the first impression you make on potential employers, making it a crucial tool in your career journey.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of creating a compelling resume for an internship, even if you have no experience. We’ll also explore why a well-crafted resume is essential and provide you with sample resumes to inspire your own.

Table of Contents

What is an Internship Resume?

difference between internship and training

Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of resume crafting, let’s begin by defining what a resume for an internship is. A resume is a concise document that serves as your professional introduction to potential employers.

When a resume is tailored for an internship, it showcases your educational background, skills, experiences, and accomplishments relevant to the internship role you’re applying for.

Why is a Resume for an Internship Important?

Before we delve into the how-to’s, let’s understand why a resume for an internship is so critical:

First Impression: Your resume is often the first point of contact between you and a potential employer. It’s your chance to make a lasting impression and showcase your potential.
Competitive Edge: In a sea of applicants, a well-crafted resume for an internship can set you apart from the crowd and increase your chances of landing an interview.
Skill Showcase: Even if you have no professional experience, your resume allows you to highlight relevant skills, academic achievements, and extracurricular activities that make you a strong candidate.
Career Goals: A resume for an internship helps you articulate your career objectives and demonstrate how the internship aligns with your future aspirations.
Professional Development: The process of creating a resume for an internship helps you reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, fostering personal growth.

How to Write an Internship Resume?

A well-crafted resume format for internship is essential for students and freshers looking to gain practical experience in their desired field. The right resume format for internship highlights your academic achievements, relevant skills, and any projects or extracurricular activities that showcase your potential.

Even without prior work experience, a strong internship resume can emphasize your enthusiasm, adaptability, and willingness to learn, making it easier for recruiters to see you as a valuable addition to their team.

Here are some tips on how to write a resume for an internship:

Choose the Right Resume Format for Internship

The first step in crafting an internship resume is selecting the appropriate resume format. While there are several types, the most common are chronological, functional, and combination (hybrid) formats. Consider your unique strengths and the specific internship requirements when making this choice.

Include a Strong Header

Your resume header should include your name, contact information, and a professional email address. Adding a LinkedIn profile or portfolio website can also give you an edge.

Internship Resume Objective or Summary

A concise resume summary or objective statement at the beginning of your resume helps to communicate your career goals and what you can bring to the internship role. Keep it brief and tailored to the specific position.

Highlight Your Education

Include details of your education, such as your degree, university, graduation date, and GPA. If you have relevant coursework or academic achievements, be sure to showcase them.

Showcase Your Relevant Experience

Describe any previous internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities that are relevant to the internship you’re applying for. Use action verbs and quantify your accomplishments whenever possible.

Detail Your Skills

Create a dedicated section to highlight your skills, both technical skills and soft skills. Tailor them to align with the internship role’s requirements, emphasizing your ability to contribute effectively.

Include Awards and Honors

If you’ve received any awards, scholarships, or honors during your academic journey, mention them in a separate section to reinforce your exceptional qualities.

Emphasize Extracurricular Activities

Participation in clubs, organizations, or volunteer work can demonstrate your leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. Include these activities to round out your profile.

Incorporate Keywords

Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter resumes. To pass this stage, include relevant keywords from the job description naturally throughout your resume.

Proofread and Format Carefully

Errors can be detrimental to your chances. Carefully proofread your resume, ensuring it is well-formatted, consistent, and free from any grammatical or spelling mistakes.

Components of an Internship Resume Format

A strong internship resume comprises several key components:

Header: Contact information and a professional email address.
Summary or Objective: A concise statement introducing your career goals.
Education: Details of your academic background.
Experience: Information about relevant internships, part-time jobs, and extracurricular activities.
Skills: Both technical and soft skills applicable to the internship.
Awards and Honors: Recognition received during your academic journey.

Internship Resume Template

An effective internship resume template is designed to showcase your academic achievements, skills, and relevant projects to make a strong impression on recruiters. Even if you lack professional experience, a well-structured internship resume template can emphasize your strengths, such as coursework, internships, or extracurricular activities, to demonstrate your readiness for the role.

It’s crucial to keep the format clean, highlight transferable skills, and tailor it to the specific internship you’re applying for.

[Your Full Name]
[Your Address] | [City, State, ZIP Code]
[Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [LinkedIn Profile/Portfolio (if any)]

Objective

Motivated and detail-oriented [Your Degree/Major] student seeking an internship in [Industry/Field] to apply my academic knowledge, develop professional skills, and contribute to [Company Name]’s success.

Education

Bachelor of [Your Degree, e.g., Science, Technology, Arts, Commerce]
[University/College Name], [City, State]
[Month, Year] – [Expected Graduation Month, Year]

CGPA/Percentage: [Your Score]

High School Diploma/Secondary Qualification
[School Name], [City, State]
[Month, Year]

Percentage: [Your Score]

Skills

Proficient in [list technical skills relevant to the internship, e.g., MS Office, programming languages, tools].
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
Familiar with [industry-specific tools or methodologies, e.g., research methods, CAD software, data analysis tools].

Projects

[Project Title]
[Brief Description of the Project, e.g., Developed a [specific solution] using [tools/technologies] to address [problem/goal].]

Key Achievements: [Highlight outcomes, e.g., increased efficiency by X%, received recognition, etc.]

[Another Project Title]
[Brief Description of the Project and its significance.]

Internships/Work Experience (if applicable)

Internship Role
[Company Name], [City, State]
[Month, Year] – [Month, Year]

Assisted in [specific task].
Learned and applied [skills/tools].
Contributed to [outcomes or achievements].

Certifications (if any)

[Relevant Certification, e.g., Google Analytics, Microsoft Excel, etc.]
[Professional Development Course Title and Provider]

Extra-Curricular Activities

Member of [clubs/organizations].
Volunteered at [organization] to [specific role/achievement].
Participated in [relevant competitions/events].

Sample Resume For Internship

Check out the sample internship resume template for the position of marketing intern.

Marketing Internship Resume Format

Sai Vijaykumaran

123 Main Street

Madurai, Tamil Nadu 12345

9876543210

sai.v@email.com

Summary

Motivated and results-oriented college student with a strong academic record and a passion for marketing. Seeking a summer internship in marketing to gain hands-on experience and learn from industry professionals.

Experience

Marketing Intern, XYZ Company (Summer 2023)

Assisted with social media marketing, email marketing, and event planning
Managed the company’s social media accounts and created engaging content
Developed and executed email marketing campaigns, and increased sales by 15%.
Planned and executed company events

Skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and Google Analytics
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Strong organizational and time management skills

Education

University of Delhi, Delhi

Bachelor of Mass Communication (Expected Graduation: May 2024)

Honors and Awards

Dean’s List, University of Delhi, Delhi
President’s List, University of Delhi, Delhi
Marketing Club of DU, Member

Internship CV Sample With No Experience

Refer to the sample portfolio management internship resume, if you are an MBA graduate. Modify it according to your needs.

Example of CV Format for Internship – MBA Fresher

Nitya Sharma

123 Main Street

NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh 201309

9876543210

nitya.sharma@email.com

Summary

MBA graduate with a passion for portfolio management and a strong academic record. Seeking an internship in portfolio management to gain hands-on experience and learn from industry professionals.

Skills

Proficient in financial modeling and analysis software, including Bloomberg, FactSet, and Excel
Strong analytical and quantitative skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Excellent communication skills

Education

Master of Business Administration, Finance (May 2024)

Indian Institute of Management, Indore

Bachelor of Arts, Economics (May 2022)

Delhi School of Economics

Relevant Coursework

Portfolio Management
Asset Pricing
Financial Markets
Quantitative Analysis
Corporate Finance

Experience

Investment Research Assistant, Stanford Investment Management Company (Summer 2023)
Assisted with investment research and analysis for a $10 billion portfolio
Created and presented investment recommendations to the investment team
Monitored and reported on market performance

Honors and Awards

Dean’s List, Indian Institute of Management, Indore
President’s List, Indian Institute of Management
Stanford Investment Management Company, Investment Research Assistant of the Year

Objective in Resume For Internship

An internship resume objective is a brief statement at the top of your resume that highlights your skills and experience and explains why you are interested in the internship. It is your chance to make a good first impression on potential employers and convince them to read the rest of your resume.

Here are some examples of strong internship resume objectives:

Recent marketing student with a passion for social media seeking an internship to develop my skills in content creation, community management, and data analysis.
Hardworking and motivated accounting student with a strong academic record seeking an internship to gain hands-on experience in financial reporting, auditing, and tax preparation.
Software engineering enthusiast with experience in Python and Java seeking an internship to develop my skills in web development and mobile app development.
Data science student with strong analytical and problem-solving skillset seeking an internship to apply my skills to real-world data challenges.
Creative and innovative marketing student with experience in graphic design and video editing seeking an internship to develop my skills in digital marketing and social media campaigns.

Resume Writing Tips for Internship

To further enhance your resume, here are some essential tips:

Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each internship you apply to by highlighting relevant experiences and skills.
Quantify Achievements: Use specific numbers or percentages to quantify your accomplishments, such as “increased sales by 20%.”
Use Action Verbs: Begin bullet points with strong action verbs to convey a sense of achievement and proactivity.
Be Concise: Keep your resume to one page, ensuring that every word serves a purpose.
Proofread Thoroughly: Check for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. Consider asking a friend or career advisor to review it as well.
Focus on Results: Emphasize how your actions and contributions had a positive impact on your previous roles.

Creating an effective resume for an internship is a crucial step in launching your career. Remember, your resume is a living document that should evolve as you gain more experience and skills. Regularly update it and tailor it for each application.

Remember to leverage tools like the Naukri Campus Free Online Resume Maker to ensure your resume is polished and professional. With a well-crafted resume, you’re one step closer to landing that dream internship and kickstarting your career journey.

FAQs on Resume for Internship?

What is the best format for an internship resume?

The best format for an internship resume is a reverse-chronological format, which lists your most recent experience first. This is the most common and preferred format by employers.

How do I tailor my resume to the specific internship I am applying for?

To tailor your resume to the specific internship you are applying for, take the time to read the job description carefully and highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position. You may also want to use some of the same keywords that are used in the job description in your resume.

How do I write a strong resume summary for an internship?

A strong resume summary for an internship should be clear, concise, and informative. It should highlight your most relevant skills and experience, and it should explain why you are interested in the internship.

How do I proofread my internship resume?

It is important to proofread your internship resume carefully before submitting it to potential employers. You may want to ask a friend or family member to review your resume for you as well.

How long should a resume for an internship be?

A resume for an internship should ideally be one page long. As a college student or fresher, focus on relevant skills, education, and experiences, keeping content concise and impactful.

What should I include in my objective for an internship resume?

Your internship resume objective should briefly state your career goals, relevant skills, and what you hope to gain from the internship. Tailor it to the specific position and company.

How do I write a resume for an internship with no experience?

Focus on your education, relevant coursework, skills, academic projects, and extracurricular activities. Highlight transferable skills and any volunteer work or leadership roles in student organizations.

Should I include my GPA in my internship resume?

Include your GPA if it’s 3.5 or higher. If it’s lower, focus on relevant coursework, academic achievements, or major-specific GPA if it’s stronger than your overall GPA.

How can I make my resume for the internship stand out?

Tailor your resume to the specific internship, use quantifiable achievements, include relevant projects or extracurricular activities, and ensure a clean, professional layout. Use the Naukri Campus Resume Maker for a polished look.

What skills should I include in my resume for the internship?

Include both hard skills (technical skills relevant to the internship) and soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, problem-solving). Ensure they align with the internship requirements.

How do I list my education in an internship resume?

List your current degree, university name, expected graduation date, and GPA (if above 3.5). Include relevant coursework, academic honors, and any study abroad experiences.

Should I include high school information in my internship resume?

Generally, exclude high school information unless you’re in your first year of college or the achievements are highly relevant to the internship. Focus on your current education and experiences.

How important is formatting in a resume for an internship?

Formatting is crucial. Use a clean, professional layout with consistent font sizes and styles. Ensure ample white space and use bullet points for readability. The Naukri Campus Resume Maker can help with professional formatting.

Can I use the same resume for different internship applications?

While you can use a base resume, it’s best to tailor your resume for each internship application. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the specific internship requirements.