How To Write an Intern Resume (With Examples)

Whether you’re dipping your toes into the professional world for the first time or looking to gain more experience, a well-crafted intern resume and intern cover letter is your passport to exciting internship opportunities. Your resume is more than just a piece of paper; it’s your first impression on potential employers. In this blog post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of creating a resume that stands out and opens doors to valuable learning experiences.

This blog post will serve as your guide to writing a resume. We’ll break down the process into manageable steps, covering everything from understanding the unique aspects of intern resumes to showcasing your skills, experiences, and enthusiasm effectively.

Explore more resume examples by profession

Also read: A 5-step guide to finding an internship during college

How to showcase skills, relevant experiences, and enthusiasm

By strategically showcasing your skills, relevant experiences, and enthusiasm, you’ll create a resume that not only meets the needs of the internship but also sets you apart as a motivated and capable candidate. Let’s explore each of these aspects to ensure your intern resume resonates with potential employers.

Showcasing your skills

• Identify your skills: Begin by making a list of the skills you’ve acquired through school, projects, or other experiences. These can be technical skills like coding or using specific software, as well as soft skills like communication and teamwork.
• Prioritize relevant skills: Tailor your list to include skills that align with the internship requirements. This step ensures that you’re highlighting what’s most important for the specific position you’re applying for.
• Include action words: Use strong action verbs when describing your skills. Instead of just listing them, show how you’ve applied these skills in different situations. For example, instead of saying “good communication skills,” you might say “effectively communicated project updates to a team of peers.”

Highlighting relevant experiences

• Look beyond formal jobs: Don’t limit yourself to traditional work experiences. Consider projects, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your skills in action.
• Focus on achievements: When describing your experiences, emphasize your achievements and contributions. Use specific examples to illustrate how you made a positive impact, whether it’s through a successful project, event, or collaboration.
• Connect experiences to internship requirements: Tailor your descriptions to match the skills and experiences sought by the internship. This connection helps the employer see how your background aligns with what they’re looking for.

Conveying enthusiasm in intern resume

To make your intern resume stand out, it’s crucial to infuse it with an engaging tone that reflects your genuine enthusiasm and commitment. Kick off your resume by crafting an objective or summary that authentically expresses your excitement for the internship. Be specific about why you are eager to contribute to the company, demonstrating a personalized interest in the role. As you dig in into the descriptions of your experiences, consistently inject passion into your language. Instead of using generic terms, opt for expressions that convey your passion and dedication.

For instance, rather than stating you “completed a project,” consider phrasing it as “passionately executed a project that resulted in…” This subtle adjustment adds a dynamic and personal touch to your accomplishments. Moreover, throughout the resume, emphasize your eagerness to learn and grow within the organization. Communicate that you aren’t just seeking any internship but are genuinely intrigued by what the specific company has to offer. By incorporating these elements, your resume will not only showcase your qualifications but also portray you as an enthusiastic and dedicated candidate, leaving a lasting impression on potential employers.

Crafting a compelling objective or summary

Your resume’s introduction sets the stage for the entire document. When crafting your objective or summary, keep it short, sweet, and impactful. Clearly state your career goals and what you bring to the table. Aim for a sentence or two that grabs attention and leaves a positive first impression.

Make your objective or summary shine by tailoring it to the internship and company you’re applying for. Research the company’s values, mission, and the specific internship role. Incorporate key elements from your findings into your statement. This customization shows employers that you’re genuinely interested and aligns with what they’re looking for.

Showcasing education and relevant coursework

Show off your academic prowess by highlighting your achievements. List your degrees, academic honors, and any relevant coursework that directly ties to the internship. This gives employers insight into your educational background and demonstrates your qualifications for the role.

Don’t forget to showcase any honors, awards, or extracurricular activities. These details provide a broader view of your skills and dedication. Mention any academic honors or awards you’ve received, and highlight extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership or teamwork.

Highlighting relevant skills

Identifying the right skills is key. List both hard skills (like specific software or technical abilities) and soft skills (like communication or teamwork). Choose skills relevant to the internship and use clear language.

Back up your skill list with specific examples or achievements. Instead of just saying you have a skill, show how you’ve applied it. For instance, if you list teamwork, provide an example like collaborating effectively on a group project. This adds depth and credibility to your skills.

Detailing internship and work experience

When detailing your internship and work experiences, structure is key. Use a format that’s easy to follow, starting with your most recent experience. Include your position, company, dates, and a brief description. Focus on the impact you made in each role.

Highlight achievements and contributions in your previous roles. Instead of just listing duties, explain how you made a difference. Did you improve a process, meet a challenging goal, or contribute to a successful project? Make these accomplishments stand out.

Include various experiences, such as internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer work. Even if they seem unrelated, they showcase valuable skills. Highlight responsibilities and achievements in each role, demonstrating your diverse skill set. This comprehensive approach paints a fuller picture of your qualifications for potential employers.

Including extracurricular and leadership activities

Highlight your involvement in clubs, organizations, or leadership positions. Whether it’s a school club, a community organization, or a leadership role, showcase these experiences. Mention your responsibilities and any achievements. This section provides insight into your teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.

Connect the dots for potential employers by explaining how your extracurricular and leadership activities contribute to your skills and qualifications. For example, if you were part of a debate club, discuss how it honed your communication and critical thinking skills. This demonstrates the transferable skills you’ve gained outside the classroom.

Highlighting professional development and certifications

Don’t forget to include any relevant certifications or training programs you’ve completed. This can include workshops, online courses, or certifications related to the internship. List them along with the issuing organization and date. This showcases your commitment to staying current in your field.

Show employers that you’re committed to continuous learning and improvement. Briefly mention how the certifications or training programs contribute to your professional growth. This demonstrates your proactive approach to staying updated in your industry.

Showcasing projects and portfolios

Highlight your hands-on experience by including relevant class projects or personal portfolios. If you worked on a project that aligns with the internship, describe your role and the outcomes. If you have a portfolio of your work, provide a link or attachment. This section gives employers a tangible view of your capabilities.

Make it easy for employers to see your work by providing links or attachments to projects and portfolios. If you have a personal website or an online portfolio, include the link. This allows potential employers to explore your work in more detail, giving you an edge in showcasing your skills and creativity.

Intern resume example

Below is an example of an intern resume for a student pursuing a marketing internship. This is a fictional example, and you should customize your resume for each specific internship application, emphasizing experiences and skills that align with the requirements of the position. This example is a starting point.

How to format your resume

The best resume format for an intern depends on the individual’s experiences, skills, and the industry they are applying to. Usually, the best resume format for interns and entry-level candidates is a functional resume format.

This format focuses on skills and qualifications rather than the chronological order of work experiences. It’s beneficial for interns who might not have an extensive work history but want to emphasize their skills, coursework, and relevant projects.

Below are a few editable free resume templates on Word that are great for interns and entry-level candidates. We also have free resume templates for Google Docs.

Intern Resume Template

Entry-Level Resume Template

Final thoughts

As you wrap up the journey of creating your intern resume, let’s recap the key points to ensure you’re on the right track:

• Crafting an engaging objective or summary: Begin your resume with a concise and impactful introduction tailored to the specific internship and company.
• Showcasing education and relevant coursework: Highlight academic achievements, relevant coursework, honors, awards, and extracurricular activities to provide a comprehensive view of your qualifications.
• Highlighting relevant skills: Identify and list both hard and soft skills, backing them up with specific examples or achievements to demonstrate your capabilities.
• Detailing internship and work experience: Structure your experience entries for maximum impact, emphasizing achievements and contributions in previous roles, including various types of experiences like internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer work.
• Including extracurricular and leadership activities: Showcase your involvement in clubs, organizations, or leadership roles and explain how these activities contribute to your skills and qualifications.
• Highlighting professional development and certifications: Include relevant certifications or training programs, demonstrating your commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• Showcasing projects and portfolios: Feature relevant class projects or personal portfolios, providing links or attachments to showcase your work.

Your resume is a dynamic document that should evolve with your skills and experiences. As you gain new knowledge and engage in different activities, continue updating your resume to reflect your growth. Regularly revisit and refine it to stay ready for exciting opportunities on your professional journey. Your resume is a reflection of your unique journey and potential, so keep it polished and up-to-date as you continue to learn and excel. Best of luck on your internship pursuit!

Career Reload Team

We’re a team of writers dedicated to providing insights and tips for navigating the professional world. With a collective wealth of experience across various industries and roles, our team understands the challenges and opportunities that come with seeking meaningful work and advancing your career. We help job seekers to better their careers by offering career advice & free resources. Download free Word resume templates and resume templates for Google Docs.