Congratulations! Your odds of receiving a job offer after graduation have risen. How do we know? Statistically speaking, almost 70% of internships lead to job offers from the organisation. Since you are here, you have likely done at least one internship or are considering doing so. For the Virtual Internship you can attend the Virtual Internship program.
You are now pondering: How should I showcase my internship experience on my resume? Fortunately, that is exactly the question we’re answering here.
When to Include an Internship on Your Resume
You should include your internship on your CV. It can provide you with a significant competitive edge while seeking your first job or entering a new field.
However, there are locations where it is not advised.
For instance, if you completed a college internship as a librarian but are applying for a job in engineering, you should probably omit that experience. This further explains why students must only seek internships related to their intended future careers.
Therefore, include internships on your resume if:
You are a recent college graduate with limited work experience.
The internship was at a company in the same industry or one closely related to it. You developed skills and acquired knowledge that are relevant to the position for which you are applying.
Incorporating your internship experience into your resume can also be an integral part of the narrative you tell through your resume, for instance if you are switching careers.
Though you can omit certain internships from your resume after gaining full-time work experience, the majority of professionals, even those with extensive work experience, highlight internships when applying for work in the same/relevant industry.
Where to Include Internship Activity
The placement of your internship experience on your resume might have a significant impact. You have two possibilities here:
Work Background
Internships provide crucial job experience for recent graduates. Therefore, when writing your resume, include your internship in the section labelled “work experience” or “work history” alongside other jobs you may have held.
However, be sure to specify that it was an internship and not a part-time position.
Internship Knowledge
Additionally, you can create a distinct section to list your impressive internships. This option is ideal for applicants who have participated in many exceptional internships.
In addition, if the work is very relevant to the position, you may also include the ‘internship experience part’ above your work experience.
How to List Internships on Your Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide
It might be difficult to get into a new field, which is where internships come in. They bridge the gap between recent graduates and employees who are prepared for the future.
An internship offers you with all the tools and advice you need to be a successful employee by exposing you to the workplace, industry-specific technologies, teamwork, communication, and cooperation, among other things.
Employers also recognise the intern’s merits. Therefore, students with internships are 85 percent more likely to be hired upon graduation.
However, if you are unable to highlight the experience on your resume, all the time and effort you put into finding the ideal internship and giving it your all will be in vain.
Below is a step-by-step guide to including an internship on your resume in a way that will captivate employers and increase your chances of landing the job, or at least an interview with the recruiter.
Choosing the Appropriate Template: Making a Good Impression
It is essential to picture how our CV may truly appear. A good layout can make all the difference by communicating to the hiring manager that you are organised and professional, even before they read a single word.
However, there’s more. For instance, while a law firm prefers a resume with fewer errors, a graphic designer position would value creativity.
Therefore, investigate the most applicable resume templates for your industry. An online resume builder is also an excellent choice, as it offers thousands of tried-and-true templates.
However, if you are uncertain, you can opt for minimalist designs, as they are applicable to nearly every industry.
Initiate Your Speech with a Bang
This section is a very brief summary of your professional personality.
Start by researching the necessary qualities for your ideal position. The job description is your holy grail in this instance; once you have a clear understanding of the role’s requirements, emphasise the areas where your internship experience intersects with those requirements.
Concentrate on the most outstanding and pertinent aspects of your internship.
Be sure to inject some character into the description. Use robust, optimistic, and descriptive language and verbs, for instance, to paint a vivid picture. This demonstrates to the recruiter that you understand the company’s needs and are a better cultural fit.
Add Your Skills: You Have More Than You Think
It is essential to tailor your resume to each position you apply for, and internship experience is no exception.
The most effective way to highlight your internship experience in the employer-requested skills section is to compile a comprehensive list of all the skills you have acquired prior to and during your internships. However, ensure that you can support your claims with examples.
After completing the master list, select the skills listed in the job description. Additionally, you must include more than just technical skills here. Including your soft skills can also demonstrate your employability, particularly if you have completed a remote internship.
Remote work is the way of the future, and a remote internship will help you stand out from the competition. Add soft skills, such as remote communication and collaboration, discipline, and time management, to your internship experience in order to secure a spot among the finalists.
List Your Accomplishments: Provide Employers With the Information They Want
Add the accomplishments and responsibilities of your internship to the resume. List briefly all the internship projects you have completed, teams you have led, and company values you have contributed.
This is the perfect opportunity to provide recruiters with a clearer picture of what you could accomplish in a full-time role with their organisation.
If you are uncertain about your accomplishments, speak with your previous supervisor. They can demonstrate your contributions and work as an intern. In addition, they can offer guidance on how to effectively frame and organise your prior accomplishments to meet the requirements of hiring managers.
At Virtual Internships, all of our students are given project-based internships. Consequently, you can always have a list of your accomplishments and duties at the conclusion of your internship.
Enhance Your Resume Through a Virtual Internship
Competition for internship positions has intensified over the years. But how can you ensure that you are among the fortunate few? This is where we can assist.
Virtual Internships is a platform that connects ambitious students like you with the best host companies in the world. You will have full control over your internship programme here. Review your project at the outset, connect with pre-screened host companies, tailor our flexible programmes to fit your schedule alongside your studies, and gain internship experience that will distinguish you.
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