Top 10 Internship Skills & How to Develop Them

Landing an internship is a pivotal milestone in your professional journey, offering invaluable opportunities to hone your skills, expand your knowledge, and kick-start your career trajectory.

In this guide, I’ll explore the top 10 internship skills loved by employers across most industries and provide actionable strategies for developing and showcasing them effectively.

In this guide, I’ll show you:

• What are internship skills, and why are they so important.
• The top 10 internship skills to add to your resume.
• How to show skills for internship on your job application.

Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder with 20+ resume templates and create your resume now.

Create your resume now

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

What users say about ResumeLab:

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.”
Patrick

I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Dylan 

My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
George

Create your resume now

Ready to write your first internship resume? See our specialized guides:

• Computer Science Internship Resume
• Engineering Internship Resume
• Marketing Internship Resume

1. What Are Internship Skills?

Internship skills refer to the key abilities, both technical and soft, that a candidate develops or hones during an internship experience. These can range from industry-specific knowledge to essential workplace skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Why Are Internship Skills Important?

Internship skills are like the secret sauce that turns a good candidate into a great one. They show that you're not just book-smart but also have hands-on experience with the tools and tasks of your chosen field.

Employers want someone who can hit the ground running, and if you've already navigated real projects, even on a smaller scale, it proves you're up to the challenge. Plus, it's not just about doing the work—you’re learning how to communicate with your team, adapt to changes, and solve problems on the fly. Those abilities make you invaluable in any workplace.

2. The Top 10 Internship Skills

Here are the top 10 most valuable internship skills, compiled from several sources:

Communication

Effective communication skills are the cornerstone of any internship role. Interns need to articulate ideas clearly, actively listen to instructions, and collaborate with team members. Strong communication skills facilitate smooth interactions with colleagues, supervisors, and clients, fostering a productive work environment.

For instance, interns proficient in written and verbal communication can convey their ideas succinctly and participate confidently in team discussions, enhancing team cohesion and project outcomes.

Time Management

Interns often juggle multiple tasks and deadlines, requiring impeccable time management skills. The ability to prioritize assignments, allocate time efficiently, and meet deadlines is crucial for success. With effective time management, interns can maximize their productivity, minimize stress, and deliver high-quality work within stipulated timeframes.

For example, interns adept at time management can create realistic work schedules, allocate sufficient time for each task, and adapt to changing priorities, ensuring timely completion of projects.

Adaptability

In the dynamic work environment, adaptability is a prized skill. Interns must be flexible and open to change, as they navigate diverse tasks and unexpected challenges. The capacity to quickly adjust to new situations, learn new skills, and embrace feedback is essential for professional growth. By demonstrating adaptability, interns can thrive in fast-paced environments, overcome obstacles, and contribute effectively to team objectives.

For example, interns who demonstrate adaptability can seamlessly transition between different projects, handle unforeseen obstacles with ease, and maintain a positive attitude amidst change.

Problem-Solving Skills

Interns encounter various obstacles and issues during their internship, requiring strong problem-solving abilities. The capacity to analyze problems, identify root causes, and develop creative solutions is invaluable. Interns with strong problem-solving skills can troubleshoot issues independently, contribute innovative ideas, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. 

For instance, interns proficient in problem-solving can tackle complex challenges, propose effective solutions, and implement strategies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Teamwork/Collaboration

Collaboration is a must-have for workplace success, making teamwork an essential skill for interns. Interns must effectively collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, contribute to group projects, and foster a supportive team environment. By working collaboratively, interns can leverage collective strengths, share ideas, and achieve common goals.

For example, interns skilled in teamwork can communicate effectively, respect diverse perspectives, and leverage each team member's expertise to achieve optimal results.

Attention to Detail

Precision and accuracy are critical in intern roles, where even minor errors can have significant consequences. Interns must pay close attention to detail, ensuring the quality and accuracy of their work. By demonstrating attention to detail, interns can produce error-free deliverables, uphold quality standards, and build their credibility.

For example, interns with keen attention to detail can meticulously review documents, spot inconsistencies or errors, and deliver polished work that meets or exceeds expectations.

Initiative/Drive

Employers value interns who take initiative and proactively seek opportunities to contribute. Interns should demonstrate a proactive attitude, take ownership of their projects, and seek ways to add value to the organization. By displaying initiative, interns can showcase their drive, ambition, and commitment to professional growth.

For example, interns who show initiative can identify areas for improvement, propose innovative ideas, and take on additional responsibilities to drive positive change.

Critical Thinking

Interns need to think critically and analytically to solve complex problems, make informed decisions, and evaluate information effectively. The ability to assess situations objectively, gather relevant data, and draw logical conclusions is essential for success. Interns with strong critical thinking skills can analyze issues from multiple perspectives, anticipate potential challenges, and make well-reasoned decisions.

For example, interns proficient in critical thinking can evaluate competing options, weigh the pros and cons, and recommend the most viable course of action based on evidence and logic.

Professionalism

Interns serve as ambassadors of the organization, representing its values, culture, and brand. Professionalism encompasses qualities such as reliability, integrity, and accountability. Interns must conduct themselves professionally, adhere to ethical standards, and uphold the organization's reputation. By demonstrating professionalism, interns can build trust with colleagues, supervisors, and clients, paving the way for future opportunities.

For example, interns who exhibit professionalism can handle confidential information responsibly and act with integrity in all interactions.

Learning Agility

The ability to learn quickly and adapt to new information is essential for interns navigating unfamiliar tasks and industries. Interns should possess learning agility, allowing them to acquire new skills, absorb feedback, and continuously improve. By embracing lifelong learning, interns can stay ahead of industry trends, expand their skill sets, and remain competitive in the job market.

For example, interns with learning agility can quickly grasp complex concepts, seek out learning opportunities, and apply new knowledge to enhance their performance and contribute value to the organization.

Expert Hint: If you think that internships are a trap and won’t help you secure a stable job in the future, think again. As a study has shown, applicants with internship experience have, on average, a 12.6% higher probability of being invited to a job interview.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.

3. How to Show Internship Skills on a Resume

As a budding professional, your internship skills are invaluable assets that can set you apart in the competitive job market. And it's essential to leverage these valuable experiences to propel your career forward.

In this section of the article, we'll walk you through the steps to effectively highlight your internship skills and write a resume that stands out to potential employers.

1. Include Internship Skills in the Resume Objective

When including internship skills in the resume objective, your goal is to craft a concise and compelling statement that highlights your relevant experiences, career aspirations, and how you can contribute to the prospective employer.

Internship Skills—Resume Objective Example

2. Showcase Internship Skills in the Work Experience Section

Your work experience section is a goldmine for highlighting your internship accomplishments. Here's where you can showcase the specific projects you've worked on, the skills you've developed, and the impact you've made during your internships.

Internship Skills—Work Experience Section Sample

Expert Hint: Don’t panic if you have zero working experience. There are still great ways to write a resume with no experience.

3. Add Skills for Internships to Your Education

Don't overlook the importance of your education section in showcasing your internship skills. You can present your finished projects, relevant coursework and other academic achievements that corroborate your internship skills.

Intern Skills—Education Section Example

4. Provide More Internship Skills In Your Bonus Sections

Elevate your internship resume with bonus sections that highlight additional skills and experiences gained from your internships. Explore creative ways to showcase your internship skills through resume certifications, volunteer work, language levels, or professional memberships.

Skills for Internships—Bonus Sections Example

5. Feature a Good Internship Skills Section

In the skills section, you'll provide a concise overview of your abilities, offering recruiters a quick glimpse into your skill set. It's crucial to include a balanced mix of both soft skills and hard skills.

If you haven't highlighted certain key skills in earlier sections, this is your opportunity to do so. However, exercise restraint; aim for 5–10 skills to avoid overwhelming the reader.

Consider incorporating additional internship skills, such as:

• Digital Marketing
• Market Research
• Social Media Management
• Content Writing
• Graphic Design
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Data Analytics
• Event Planning
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
• Sales Techniques
• Project Coordination
• Presentation Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Public Speaking
• Software Proficiency (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Cloud)
• Financial Analysis

Expert Hint: The design of your resume is just as important as the information you fill it with. Choose a simple resume template to help you organize your job application.

4. How to Improve the Top Internship Skills

Of course, one of the best ways to improve your intern skills, is through participating in internships. But that may be easier said than done. Companies demand a versatile skill set even from inexperienced candidates.

That’s why you should work on developing the top internship skills even before you secure one. Fortunately, there are several ways to practice them. Here are just a few of them:

1. Enhance Communication Through Public Speaking Courses

Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful internship. Public speaking courses offer a structured environment to hone your verbal and non-verbal communication skills, allowing you to convey ideas with clarity and confidence.

Participating in public speaking courses provides opportunities to practice articulating your thoughts, engaging with diverse audiences, and delivering impactful presentations. These skills are invaluable in navigating professional settings and building rapport with clients and coworkers.

Pros:

• Improves articulation and clarity of speech.
• Builds confidence in expressing ideas and opinions.
• Enhances the ability to engage and connect with others.

2. Master Time Management With Productivity Apps

Internship roles often involve managing multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously. Leveraging productivity apps such as Todoist, Toggl, or Evernote can help you organize your workflow, prioritize tasks, and maximize productivity.

These tools provide features such as task lists, reminders, and time tracking, allowing you to efficiently manage your workload and meet project deadlines. By mastering time management skills, you demonstrate reliability, efficiency, and accountability in your internship role.

Pros:

• Provides a centralized platform for task management.
• Facilitates efficient allocation of time and resources.
• Enables seamless collaboration and communication with team members.

3. Cultivate Adaptability Through Networking Events

Networking events offer opportunities to connect with professionals from diverse backgrounds and industries, fostering adaptability and resilience.

Attending networking events exposes you to new perspectives, challenges, and career opportunities, helping you navigate the uncertainties of the internship experience with confidence and agility. Engaging in meaningful conversations, exchanging ideas, and seeking mentorship can broaden your professional horizons and enhance your adaptability skills.

Pros:

• Expands professional network and fosters relationship-building.
• Exposes you to diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Provides access to mentorship and career development opportunities.

4. Develop Problem-Solving Skills Through Extracurricular Projects

Engaging in extracurricular projects outside of your internship responsibilities allows you to apply problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios and demonstrate initiative and creativity.

Whether it's participating in hackathons, joining student organizations, or volunteering for community initiatives, extracurricular projects provide platforms to collaborate with peers, tackle complex challenges, and deliver innovative solutions. These experiences showcase your ability to think critically, adapt to change, and drive positive outcomes, making you a valuable asset to any internship team.

Pros:

• Offers opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems.
• Demonstrates initiative, creativity, and leadership potential.
• Enhances problem-solving and critical-thinking skills in diverse contexts.

By incorporating these strategies into your internship journey, you can strengthen your skills, broaden your experiences, and maximize your professional growth opportunities.

Expert Hint: It’s not just the fact of having internship experience that will increase your chances of landing a job. A NACE student survey discovered that students who participated in paid internships received more job offers and had higher starting salaries than those who participated in unpaid internships.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

Mastering internship skills is essential for excelling in your professional development journey. Here's a comprehensive view of the most important aspects from this article:

• Communication, adaptability, time management, problem-solving, and teamwork are among the most crucial internship skills.
• Internships require a blend of hard and soft skills. Focus not only on technical abilities but also on building strong relationships and demonstrating adaptability.
• You should showcase your internship skills in all sections of your resume, including the objective or summary, work experience, education, and additional sections.
• Continuous improvement is key to success. Actively seek opportunities to enhance your skills through courses, workshops, and hands-on experiences, and be open to receiving feedback to refine your abilities.

Did you find our article on internship skills useful? Do you need further assistance with incorporating internship skills into your resume? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and I'll be delighted to assist you further.

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.