How to list internship experience on your resume

How to List Internship Experience on Your Resume

ByWhyphy Length: 7 minutes

Are you looking to add internships to your resume to stand out in the job market? Including internships on your resume can be a great way to showcase your skills, experience, and potential to potential employers. However, it’s important to list your internships in a way that is clear, concise, and optimized for your prospective employers.

As a college student or recent graduate, internships can be a valuable way to gain practical experience in your field of study and make connections in the industry. When it comes time to apply for jobs, it’s important to highlight your internship experience on your resume in a way that showcases the skills and knowledge you have gained.

Top 5 tips for listing internships on your resume

The following are real-world steps to follow when adding your work experiences as an intern to a curriculum vitae or cover letters. The steps are practical and based on actual experiences of former interns in leading organizations.

1. Consider the relevance of the internship

When deciding whether to include an internship on your resume, consider how relevant the experience is to the position you are applying for. If the internship is closely related to the job you are seeking, it’s likely to be a valuable addition to your resume. However, if the internship is less directly related, you may want to consider whether it’s worth including on your resume or whether there are other experiences that better showcase your skills and qualifications.

2. Use specific and descriptive language

When describing your internship experience, be specific and use descriptive language to highlight the skills and knowledge you gained. For example, rather than simply stating that you “completed an internship,” consider including details such as the tasks you completed, the tools and technologies you used, and the specific skills you developed.

3. Emphasize your achievements

Your internship experience should demonstrate your ability to contribute to an organization, so be sure to highlight your accomplishments and any responsibilities you had. For example, if you were responsible for a particular project or task, explain the challenges you faced and the results you achieved.

4. Include relevant coursework

If you completed an internship as part of a course or program, consider including relevant coursework on your resume as well. This can help to demonstrate your overall knowledge and understanding of the field and provide context for your internship experience.

5. Use resume formatting to your advantage

Use resume formatting to highlight your internship experience and make it stand out. Consider using bullet points or headings to draw attention to your internship, and place it prominently on your resume.

Case Study: How an International Graduate from India Got a Job at Microsoft by Customizing Her Internship Experience into a Resume

As an international graduate from India, Priya faced a number of challenges when it came to finding a job in the competitive tech industry. Despite her strong academic background and internships at top companies in India, she struggled to stand out in the crowded job market.

Determined to succeed, Priya decided to take a proactive approach to her job search and focused on customizing her resume to highlight her unique skills and experiences.

One of the key strategies Priya used was to emphasize the skills and knowledge she gained from her internships. She knew that her internships were an important part of her experience and had the potential to make a strong impression on potential employers.

To make the most of her internships, Priya carefully crafted her resume to highlight the specific tasks and responsibilities she had during each internship, as well as the skills and knowledge she gained. She also included information on any relevant coursework or projects she had completed as part of her internships, and used descriptive language to showcase the value of her experience.

In addition to emphasizing her internships, Priya also customized her resume to highlight her unique cultural background and international experience. She included details on her language skills and cross-cultural communication skills, as well as any international study or work experiences she had.

By customizing her resume to highlight her internships and international background, Priya was able to stand out in the job market and secure a highly sought-after internship at Microsoft. She excelled during her internship, and after completing the program, was offered a full-time job at the company.

Priya’s success story illustrates the importance of customizing your resume to highlight your unique skills and experiences. By focusing on her internships and international background, she was able to differentiate herself in the job market and secure a coveted position at a top tech company.

First Job Search Advise for Fresh Graduates

As a fresh graduate, it can be challenging to find a job when you don’t have much work experience. However, there are still ways to showcase your skills and qualifications to potential employers, even if you don’t have traditional work experience.
Here are a few tips for finding a job as a fresh graduate with only internship experience:

  1. Tailor your resume and cover letter to the job: When applying for jobs, it’s important to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific position you are seeking. This means highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job and demonstrating how they can be applied in a professional setting.
  2. Consider entry-level positions: While you may be looking for a more advanced role, it’s worth considering entry-level positions as a way to get your foot in the door and gain work experience. These positions can be a valuable way to gain practical skills and make connections that can help you advance in your career.
  3. Emphasize your internships: While internships may not be the same as full-time work experience, they can still be valuable in demonstrating your skills and abilities to potential employers. When applying for jobs, make sure to highlight your internships on your resume and in your cover letter, and be specific about the tasks you completed and the skills you gained.
  4. Keep an open mind and be persistent: Finding a job as a fresh graduate can be challenging, and it’s important to be persistent and keep an open mind about different job opportunities. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t find a job right away, and be willing to consider different industries or job roles that may not be exactly what you had in mind.
  5. Network and seek out informational interviews: Networking can be a valuable way to learn about job opportunities and make connections in your field. Consider reaching out to people in your industry or at companies you are interested in to request informational interviews. This can give you a chance to learn more about the industry and specific job roles, and make connections that may lead to job opportunities.

Other top blogs to learn about Internships

There are many blogs that may be of interest to interns, depending on their field of study and career goals. Some popular blogs for interns may include:

  1. InternMatch: This blog provides information and resources for students and recent graduates seeking internships and entry-level jobs.

  2. The Muse: This career advice and job search blog includes a section specifically for interns, with articles on topics such as networking, resume building, and finding the right internship.

  3. InternQueen: This blog, founded by a former intern, provides resources and tips for students looking to find and succeed in internships.

  4. Internship Programs: This blog offers information on internships and intern programs in a variety of industries, including engineering, finance, and marketing.

  5. The Internship Chronicles: This blog features stories and advice from interns and recent graduates on finding and succeeding in internships.

What are the best companies to intern for in 2023?

In all honesty, it is difficult for me to predict which companies will be the best to intern for in 2023, as this can depend on many factors such as the individual’s interests, skills, and career goals, as well as the job market and the specific industries in which these companies operate. That being said, some companies that have consistently been popular among interns and have strong reputations for their internship programs include:

It is worth noting that these companies may have highly competitive internship programs and may only accept a small number of interns each year. It is also important to consider smaller companies and startups, as they may offer unique opportunities and experiences for interns.

Ultimately, the best company for an intern will depend on the individual’s personal and professional goals, as well as their fit with the company’s culture and values. It is a good idea to do some research and consider what you are looking for in an internship before applying to any specific company.

Wrapping up

Overall, the key to listing internships on your resume is to showcase the skills and knowledge you have gained and demonstrate how they can be applied in a professional setting. By following these tips and tailoring your resume to the specific job you are applying for, you can effectively highlight your internship experience and stand out to potential employers.