It’s never too early to start applying for internships because these are precious opportunities where you learn real-life skills applicable to the work environment. So, how do you make a resume for an internship?
Unlike full-time employment, internship recruiters are not always seeking long-term employees. Therefore, your resume should explain
- How your desired career path aligns with what the internship offers
- The skills you have that would make you a good intern
- Your academic success
- Extracurricular activities similar to your desired internship
Use An Online Resume Builder
No matter what internship you’re applying for, you should almost always use a resume generator. Most companies now use an online hiring process, and poorly formatted resumes may be incompatible with the application system.
Online builders will provide pre-approved templates with professional designs. As people always say, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Use a resume builder so you can focus your time and energy on the content.
Research The Company
Research the company and understand what they look for in their employees and interns. The company culture will be a big piece of your research. If possible, try to find out the previous interns they’ve hired and get in touch with them.
Find a few things that really draw you to the company. For example, employee engagement activities, professional development opportunities, or an individual leader who is your role model. This information will help you craft your resume.
Talk About The Why
Companies offering internships want to make sure they can help you learn and grow. This is the key difference between a regular job and an internship. Because you’re playing the apprentice role, you need to showcase in your resume why you want this internship.
A good approach is to create a summary block and talk about your dreams and goals. When listing your experience and skills, try to focus on items that are most related to the internship you want as a subtle way of saying you’ve been preparing yourself for an opportunity like this.
Showcase What You’ve Learned
It’s okay if you don’t have much experience, but make sure you showcase your academic achievements and the courses you’ve taken. If possible, treat your internship resume more like a CV instead of a professional resume.
Additionally, include extracurricular activities that highlight your leadership and people skills. Because internships are meant to teach your things, recruiters often care more if you’re a good learner and team player than solely focusing on your hard skills.
Final Tips On Making An Internship Resume
Internships are a great way to build up your resume and experience while still in school. That’s why it’s important to know how to make a resume for an internship.
As a starter, find an online resume builder and choose the template you want. Make sure you have a summary block where you talk about your qualification and future plans and why this internship is vital for you to reach your goals.
Focus on academic achievements and soft skills, but don’t ignore the technical skills needed for the job. If you have room left, you can also add one or two references who can vouch for your integrity and learnability.
