Top 10 Tips to Create the Perfect Internship Resume

An internship resume shares many common elements with a regular resume. The only difference is that an internship resume gives more importance to academic achievements, and extracurricular activities. Another reason the internship resume becomes important? That’s because interns don’t have any work experience to show.  

So, what the elements your internship resume should convey?  

First, an internship resume should show a candidate’s motivation for pursuing the internship. Next comes what they can contribute to the workplace.

Other than their academic qualifications, interns can highlight their research work, part-time jobs, volunteer work, and any awards they received in their resumes. 

 

In addition to technical skills, an internship resume should focus on transferable skills applicable to a role. These are skills like teamwork, communication, problem-solving and adaptability. A compelling internship resume is also tailored to the requirements of an internship.   

Understanding the Structure of an Internship Resume 

Here’s some important elements to include in your internship resume.  

1. Contact Information and Personal Details

This is the first section that recruiters look for. Start your resume with all your personal details like your full name, phone number, email address, and home address. Make sure this information is up to date and easily visible.

2. Objective or Summary Statement

The objective summary shows your motivation to join the internship. Include a few lines that highlights your career goals, and what you can bring to the internship position. This statement should be tailored to the specific internship opportunity you’re applying for.

Here are a few compelling messages for various internship roles:

For marketing interns

Seeking a challenging internship opportunity in the field of marketing, where I can leverage my strong analytical skills and creative mindset to contribute to innovative marketing campaigns. Eager to gain hands-on experience in digital marketing strategies and consumer behaviour analysis while collaborating with a dynamic team.

For finance interns

Motivated and detail-oriented finance student with a strong interest in investment banking. Seeking an internship position where I can apply my solid financial analysis skills and develop a deep understanding of capital markets. Committed to contributing to the success of the organisation through diligent research, financial modelling, and effective problem-solving.

Programming intern

Dynamic computer science student with a strong foundation in programming and web development. Eager to apply my knowledge in a practical setting, through an internship that offers opportunities for software development, troubleshooting, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Committed to learning and staying up to date with emerging technologies to contribute to innovative and impactful projects.
 

Education and Relevant Coursework

List your educational background, including the details of your institutes, degree or program. Also include details about your graduation date and academic grades. Include any relevant coursework that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in the field.

Work Experience (If Applicable)

If you have any previous work experience, include it in this section. Focus on relevant internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer positions. List your work experiences in reverse chronological order to allow employers to quickly see your most recent and relevant experiences.
 

Skills and Qualifications

Highlight the skills that are relevant to the internship position. These can include technical skills, such as programming languages or software proficiency, as well as soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.

Extracurricular Activities and Leadership Roles

Mention any extracurricular activities, clubs, or organisations you have been involved in. Highlight any leadership roles you’ve held, as they demonstrate your ability to take initiative and work well with others.

Projects and Achievements

Showcase any projects or academic achievements that are relevant to the internship role. This could include research projects, presentations, publications, or awards you’ve received.

References (Optional but Valuable)

If possible, we highly recommend that you include references or mention that they are available upon request. Choose reliable references who can speak to your skills and qualifications, such as professors, advisors, or previous employers.

Tips for Creating a Great Internship Resume

To create an outstanding internship resume, consider the following tips:

1. Tailor your resume to the specific internship position:

Research the Company and Internship Requirements

Before you start working on your resume, thoroughly research the company and understand what they are looking for in an intern. Explore their website, social media handles, and any available job descriptions or internship listings.

Pay attention to their values, mission statement, and the skills they mention as important for the internship position. This research will give you insights into the company culture and identify the key qualifications they seek in an intern.

Resume Objective or Summary Statement

Your profile summary statement is a great opportunity to grab the employer’s attention.

Draft a compelling profile summary statement that highlights your relevant skills, experiences, and enthusiasm for the specific internship opportunity.

Tailor your statement to demonstrate how your qualifications and aspirations align with the company’s needs. This section allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the internship requirements and show the employer that you are genuinely interested.
 

2. Showcasing your skills and qualifications:

Skills Relevant to the Internship

Here, focus on technical skills that are directly applicable to the internship role, such as programming languages or software proficiency.

Here are examples of key skills that are required in popular internship roles in India:

Relevant Coursework, Projects, and Certifications

In your internship resume, your academic achievements and practical experiences related to the role are highly critical. Mention relevant coursework that demonstrates your knowledge and abilities in the specific area of the internship. This could involve classes, research projects, or academic papers.

Check out the table below for some coursework that are relevant for popular internship roles:

3. Highlighting your experiences and achievements:

Past Internships, Part-time Jobs, or Volunteer Work

In this section, provide a concise description of your previous internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer experiences that are relevant to the internship you’re applying for. Here are a couple of examples of how you can highlight your past experiences in your resume:

Example 1: Internship or part-time work

Marketing Intern, XYZ Company, City, State

a) Assisted in developing social media campaigns and managed content creation.
 

b) Conducted market research and analysis to identify target audience preferences.
 

c) Collaborated with the marketing team to plan and execute promotional events.

Example 2: Volunteer work

Event Volunteer, Local Non-profit Organization, City, State

a) Helped in planning and executing fundraising events.

b) Assisted with event setup, registration, and logistics.

c) Collaborated with a team to ensure smooth event operations.
 

Your accomplishments and Impact

Whenever possible, quantify your achievements and provide specific examples to demonstrate the positive impact you had in your previous experiences. Numbers, percentages, charts, or any measurable data will help provide context and make your accomplishments more impactful.  

4. Formatting and presentation:

Choosing an Appropriate Resume Template and Layout

When preparing or selecting a resume template, keep these pointers in mind:

a) Choose a clean, professional resume template 

b) Align the resume format with industry norms 

c) Highlight key information 

d) Use headings and subheadings to create clear sections 

e) Organise the resume. Make it easy to navigate
 

Keeping the Resume Concise and Easy to Read

Refer to the tips below to ensure your resume remains easy to read:

a) Aim for a one-page document. Avoid lengthy paragraphs 

b) Use bullet points to present information clearly 

c) Prioritise relevant and impactful information 

d) Eliminate unnecessary details

Paying Attention to Grammar, Spelling, and Formatting Details

Proofread your resume multiple times and keep in mind the following points:

a) Maintain a professional tone. Use formal language 

b) Check for grammar and typos 

c) Ensure consistent formatting with font, font size, and margins 

d) Be consistent with capitalisation, punctuation, and indentation

These tips and tricks will help you crafting an effective internship resume. The key is to tailor it to the opportunity you’re applying for. And remember to proofread your resume for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. 

Now that you’re ready, get your awesome resume out and head on to Zuno to find the perfect internship for you. Good luck!

FAQs on Internship Resume

Q1. How can I highlight my relevant skills and experiences in my internship resume?

Ans: To highlight your relevant skills and experiences in your internship resume, follow these steps:

a) Tailor your resume to match the internship you’re applying for 

b) Use a dedicated skills section including both technical and soft skills 

c) Emphasise your accomplishments and contributions in previous roles 

d) Prioritise relevant experiences by listing them in reverse chronological order 

e) Include all relevant coursework that demonstrates your skills 

f) Showcase extracurricular activities 

g) Use action verbs and concise bullet points 

i) Quantify your achievements to show impact 

j) Proofread multiple times and edit

Q2. Should I include my GPA on my internship resume?

Ans: If your GPA is strong (3.0 or higher) and relevant to the internship or the company specifically requests it, include your GPA on your internship resume. Otherwise, it is generally optional and not necessary to include.

Q3. What format should I use for my internship resume?

Ans: Use a clear and concise format for your internship resume, such as a reverse-chronological format, that highlights your relevant experiences, skills, and achievements.

Q4. How can I tailor my internship resume for a specific industry?

Ans: To tailor your internship resume for a specific industry:

a) Research the industry 

b) List your skills and experiences as per the requirements of the role 

c) Use industry-specific keywords 

d) Highlight relevant projects, coursework or internships 

e) Choose a clean format and proof-read multiple times.

Q5. How long should my internship resume be?

Ans: Keep your internship resume concise and limit it to one page, especially if you have limited professional experience. Only if you have a wide range of highly relevant experiences to show, then it’s okay to go beyond one page.