Internship Resume Example & Best Format in 2023 (+ Tips)

Writing a great internship resume is scary.

The good news?

Most intern resumes are flunking out. Focus on achievements, and you’ll pass with flying colors. Want to nail it? Prove you’ve already done what the internship needs.

This guide will show you:

• Internship resume examples better than most.
• How to ace your internship resume with no work experience.
• How to write a resume for an internship to get the interview.
• How to format a great internship resume template.

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Looking for a different resumes? Check these out: 

• Computer Science Internship Resume
• Engineering Internship Resume
• HR Assistant Resume
• Sorority Resume

Internship Resume Example

Now, here’s how to write an internship resume:

1. Format Your Resume for Internships Right

Format your internship resume right, and you'll definitely score some extra points. 

Why? Because most resumes look messy. Having a clean and elegant resume will catch his eye and move your intern resume to the next stage. 

Follow this formula for the best resume formatting: 

• Pick the reverse-chronological resume format. It puts your smartest accomplishments in the front row.
• Use the best resume fonts in 10–14pt. Add big headings, 1-inch resume margins, and lots of white space so the hiring manager won’t squint.
• Make a one-page resume unless you’re Bobby Fischer or Judit Polgár.
• Start with a resume header. Include your name, phone number, email address, and social media links. No photo or street address.
• Next write an internship resume objective, then education and work experience.
• Include extras like projects, conferences, honors, and additional activities.

Expert Hint: Save your resume as a PDF unless the posting says not to. Resume for internships as PDFs won’t drop out when you send them. They’re also machine-readable.

2. Start With an A++ Internship Resume Objective

What’s next?

Write a head-turning resume objective (instead of a resume summary, which is commonly used by more experienced candidates). It should tell the hiring manager to sit up and pay attention.

Use these for your internship resume objective:

1. One adjective (energetic, hard-working, helpful)

2. Job title (marketing specialist, programmer, engineer)

3. A skill or two (SEM, Java, design)

4. How you’ll help (provide expert marketing intern help)

5. Flashiest 2–3 achievements (ran a social media campaign that got 8,000 shares, created 2 eCommerce websites)

These two college internship resume examples show right from wrong:

College Internship Resume Objective

Big difference.

That first resume for internship sample blows the curve out. The measurable accomplishments will make them want to meet you.

But if you make the effort, you’ll realize you’ve got a couple intern resume achievements like that.

Expert Hint: Don’t write your college internship resume objective first. You’ll get stuck trying to think what to say. Write it last so you’ll have piles of material to choose from.

3. Put the Right Experience and Skills on Your Resume for Internships

The key to getting chosen?

It’s packing your college student resume for internship with achievements.

Have you worked as a waitress? Or in retail? That’s nice. But you’ll go light-years farther if you show something they want.

These internship resume examples give a valuable lesson:

Resume for Internship Example

Say the internship wants these skills: (1) eCommerce (2) CAD (3) mobile development.

Why does that first college freshman resume example win? Look at those achievements.

The hiring manager would have to be a preschool dropout to ignore you.

But here’s the shocker: All those accomplishments were side-projects done in school or as a freelancer.

Internship Resume Skills

This is key:

Don’t cut-and-paste a list of skills for a resume for internships from the internet. That’s sophomoric. Pick the skills that are yours and appear in the job ad. This way you'll show that you are a perfect match. 

But for your reference, see this list:

Example Skills for an Internship Resume

• Collaboration
• Communication Skills
• Computer Skills
• Conceptual Skills
• Creative Thinking
• Critical-Thinking Skills
• Fast Learner
• Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Listening Skills
• Problem Solving
• Strong Work Ethic
• Self-Motivated
• Time Management

Here you can find even more technical skills. 

Expert Hint: According to a NACE survey, 61% of graduates do internships, and most of those are paid. A solid intern resume will get you in that better group.

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4. Write a Strong Intern Resume Education Section

Of course: The education section matters on a college internship resume. But only a few do it right. You have to tie your resume for internships to the position to get noticed.

This intern resume example shows how:

Education on Internship Resume—Example

The internship wants skills in: (1) programming (2) hardware knowledge (3) mobile computing

That college internship resume sample nails it. The achievements show you’re just short of prodigy status.

Expert Hint: Is your college internship resume experience still learning its ABCs? List education accomplishments like clubs, groups, and projects as if they’re jobs.

5. Enhance Your Internship Resume With Bonus Sections

Here’s a secret. Most resumes for internships are very similar. Education, experience, hire me. Show more than that and even Elon Musk would notice you.

How? Include extra resume sections that show you’re a starship on the launchpad.

See these internship resume examples:

Bonus Sections on Intern Resumes—Examples

Night and day.

Those first resume internship example prove you’re ready.

Those achievements and numbers show competence and passion. And this is how you win an internship. 

Expert Hint: Learn how to write a cover letter. Most hiring managers won’t read it, but nearly half won’t read your resume for internships without it.

6. Make Them Read Your Resume for Internships

“But I haven’t done anything yet!” That’s what everybody thinks.

Trust me. You’ve done more than you know. Need inspiration? Build your intern resume from accomplishments like these:

Achievements to Put on Internship Resume

• Academic projects
• High grades in key classes
• Well-received school papers
• Personal projects
• Freelance work
• Volunteer tasks
• Clubs and groups
• Commendations and compliments from teachers and employers
• Awards and honors
• Leadership positions
• Certifications
• Publications
• Podcasts or videos you’ve made
• Conferences attended

Any of those feats will make your resume for internships stand out. Just make sure they fit the internship. Does the position want creativity and problem solving? Pick internship-on-resume accomplishments that prove those traits.

What if you need to know how to show an internship on a resume?

How to Put Internship on a Resume

To put internship on a resume, list it like a job. Find achievements in it that match the job posting. List those as your bullet points, like the resumes-for-internships examples above.

Expert Hint: Employers believe you can do what you’ve already done. The closer your resume bullets to the internship’s responsibilities, the better.

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

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Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

 Looking for another kind of resume? Have a look at these guides: 

• Chemistry Resume
• College Graduate Resume
• College Student Resume
• Computer Science Resume
• Engineering Student Resume
• Entry-Level Accounting Resume
• Entry-Level Financial Analyst Resume
• Entry-Level IT Resume
• Entry Level Mechanical Engineer Resume
• Entry-Level Positions Resume
• General Resume That’s Not Generic
• Graduate School Application Resume
• High School Graduate Resume
• High School Student Resume
• Law Student Resume
• Logistics Resume
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) Application
• McDonald's Resume
• New Grad Nursing (RN) Resume
• PhD Resume
• Resume for College Application
• Resume with No Experience
• Scholarship Resume
• Science Resume
• Student Resume
• Teen Resume
• Translator Resume (CV)
• Undergraduate College Resume
• US Resume
• Virtual Assistant Resume

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our professional resume examples. 

Key Points

For a great internship resume:

• Use the college internship resume template up top. It puts all your greatest hits where employers can see them.
• Catch their eye with an intern resume objective. In it, list 2–3 achievements that’ll keep them reading.
• Stuff every bullet point with accomplishments. A resume for internships is a trophy case. Everything in it must fit the position.
• Don’t forget the internship cover letter. A resume for internships is nice, but a great cover letter will ensure they read it. This guide on how to write a cover letter as a recent graduate is also a good place to start. 

Got questions on how to write a great internship resume? Not sure how to put internship on a resume? Want to write a winning college student resume for internships? Leave a comment. We’re happy to reply.