Introduction:
Your resume is your first opportunity to make a lasting impression on potential employers. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a student, or someone looking to switch careers, internships play a crucial role in building your professional experience. But, how do you put an internship on your resume? In this article, we’ll explore the key aspects of incorporating internships into your resume, from when to include them to where and how to do so effectively.
How to Put an Internship on Your Resume?
Choose a Well-Crafted Resume Format:
Your resume’s format sets the stage for the information you want to convey. Opt for a reverse-chronological format, placing your most recent internship experience at the top.
Remember to tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for, emphasizing the skills and experiences that align with the job description. Use action verbs and quantify your achievements whenever possible to make your resume more impactful and compelling to potential employers.
Contact Information:
Begin your resume with your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
Certainly, here’s a breakdown of the contact information section for your resume:
- Name: Your full legal name should be prominently displayed at the top of your resume. Use a slightly larger font or different formatting (e.g., bold) to make it stand out. This section should look something like: [Your Full Name]
2. Phone Number: Include a reliable phone number where employers can reach you. Make sure it’s a number where you can easily receive calls and voicemails. Format it as follows: [Your Phone Number]
3. Email Address: Use a professional email address that includes your name (e.g., [email protected]) rather than a casual or outdated one. Here’s how you can format it:[Your Email Address]
4. LinkedIn Profile (if applicable): Including a link to your LinkedIn profile can be beneficial, especially if your profile is professional and well-maintained. It’s optional, but if you choose to include it, format it like this:: [Your LinkedIn Profile URL]
Remember to ensure that your LinkedIn profile is up to date and presents a professional image. Make sure there is a professional photo, a summary highlighting your career objectives, and details about your education and work experiences.
Professional Summary:
The Professional Summary is a vital part of your resume that serves as a brief, compelling introduction to you as a candidate. Here’s how to craft a professional summary that encapsulates your skills, career goals, and highlights from your internship:
Your professional summary should be a concise, engaging paragraph at the beginning of your resume. It typically consists of 2-4 sentences.
Example:
“I am a recent graduate with a passion for [Your Field of Interest] and a strong foundation in [Relevant Skills]. Throughout my academic journey, I honed my skills in [Specific Skills], and during my recent internship at [Company/Organization Name], I successfully [briefly mention a significant achievement or contribution]. I am now seeking to leverage this experience and my dedication to [Your Field] to contribute effectively to a dynamic team and make a meaningful impact at [Company Name] or a similar organization. My strong work ethic, adaptability, and eagerness to learn make me a valuable asset to any project or team.”
In this example, you’ve mentioned your academic background, relevant skills, and how your internship experience ties into your career goals. You’ve also emphasized your enthusiasm, adaptability, and the value you can bring to a prospective employer. This summary should pique the employer’s interest and encourage them to read further in your resume to learn more about your qualifications and experiences.
Internship Section:
Create a dedicated section for your internship(s) where you can delve into the specifics.
- Position Title: State your position clearly.
- Company Name: Mention the company you interned at.
- Duration: Include the start and end dates of your internship.
- Location: Specify the location of the internship (city and state).
- Responsibilities: List the tasks you were responsible for. Use bullet points for clarity and brevity.
- Achievements: Highlight your accomplishments during the internship. Mention any quantifiable results, such as projects completed, goals achieved, or skills acquired.
Include Action Words:
Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb. For example, “Managed,” “Developed,” “Analyzed,” “created,” etc., to highlight your contributions during the internship. This makes your contributions more dynamic.
Quantify Your Achievements:
Numbers are your friends. If you can quantify your achievements, do it. For example, “Increased website traffic by 30% during my internship” sounds more impressive than simply saying you “improved website traffic.”
Tailor Your Resume:
Customize your resume for the job you’re applying for. Highlight the skills and experiences from your internship that align with the specific role.
Education Section:
Include your education information, mentioning your degree, institution, graduation date, and any relevant coursework or academic honors.
Highlight Relevant Skills:
Emphasize the skills you gained during the internship that are directly applicable to the job you’re applying for. These could include technical skills, soft skills, or industry-specific knowledge.
Additional Sections (if applicable):
Depending on your experiences, you can include sections like “Volunteer Work,” “Extracurricular Activities,” or “Certifications.”
Proofread and Edit:
Ensure your resume is free of typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues. Ask a friend or mentor to review it as well.
Formatting and Design:
Keep your resume clean, professional, and easy to read. Use a legible font and maintain consistent formatting throughout.
Use Keywords:
Tailor your resume to the specific job by incorporating keywords from the job description. This can help your resume get past applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Keep It Concise:
Ideally, your resume should not exceed two pages. Focus on the most relevant and impactful information.
When to Put an Internship on a Resume?
- Relevance: The most important factor in deciding when to include an internship on your resume is its relevance to the job you’re applying for. If the skills and experiences gained during the internship align with the requirements of the new position, they should be prominently featured.
- Recency: If you’ve had multiple internships, focus on the most recent ones. However, older internships can be included if they showcase unique skills or experiences that are particularly relevant.
- Significance: Include internships that had a significant impact on your skills and professional growth. Don’t include every internship; prioritize quality over quantity.
Where to Put Internships on a Resume?
- Resume Section: Typically, internships are included in the ‘Experience’ or ‘Work History’ section. This section should be just below your contact information and career objective (if you have one).
- Order: List your internships in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent one. Include the organization’s name, your job title, the dates of your internship, and the location.
How to Include Internships?
- Clear Formatting: Maintain a consistent and clear format throughout your resume. Use bullet points for each internship description, and keep the style uniform.
- Education Section: If you’re a recent graduate or a student, it’s common to include your education section before your experience section. Include your degree, institution, graduation date, and relevant honors or awards.
- Optional Sections: Depending on your background, you may want to include additional sections such as ‘Projects,’ ‘Skills,’ ‘Volunteer Work,’ or ‘Certifications.’ These can help showcase your diverse experiences and skills.
- Customization: Tailor your resume to each job application. Highlight the internships, skills, and experiences that align with the specific role you’re applying for. This demonstrates your genuine interest and suitability for the position.
Conclusion:
Internships are invaluable in building your career, and effectively including them on your resume is crucial. Remember to assess the relevance, regency, and significance of each internship, place them in the ‘Experience’ section, and use clear formatting with action verbs and quantifiable achievements to make your resume stand out. Customizing your resume for each job application further enhances your chances of landing your dream job. Master the art of including internships on your resume, and you’ll be well on your way to success in the competitive job market.
