An internship is a period of work experience offered by an organization for a limited time period. Internships are usually undertaken by students and graduates seeking to gain relevant skills and experience in their chosen fields. Many internships are unpaid, but some may offer a stipend or other financial compensation. Internships can be full-time or part-time and may last for a few weeks or several months. Internships typically involve working on specific projects or tasks assigned by a supervisor. Some internships may include shadowing experienced employees, attending training sessions, or participating in company events. By completing an internship, individuals can develop new skills, build their professional networks, and learn more about their chosen career paths.
When to add an internship to your resume
No matter your age or how many years of experience you have in the workforce, an internship can be a great way to boost your resume. Not only does it show that you’re willing to learn new skills, but it also demonstrates your commitment to your chosen field. However, internships can also be a lot of work, so it’s important to make sure you’re ready before you take on this additional responsibility. Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to add an internship to your resume:
If you can answer yes to all of these questions, then an internship may be a great addition to your resume 2023 format. But if you’re not sure you’re ready for this level of commitment, it’s OK to wait until later in your career. Either way, internships can be a valuable asset to your resume, so don’t hesitate to consider them as you continue planning your career path.
When to Leave Out Internships
When to Leave Out Internships: 5 Times You Can Leave Them Off Your Resume
- If your internships don’t align with the job you’re applying for.
- If the duties of your internship were menial.
- If your resume is already packed with experience.
- If you only completed one short internship a long time ago.
- If you don’t have room on your resume.
When it comes to whether or not to include your internships on your resume, there are certain instances when it’s better to leave them off. These five scenarios are some of the most common times when omitting internships from your resume is acceptable and, in some cases, even advised.
If your internships don’t align with the job you’re applying for
One of the main reasons you would want to list an internship on your resume is because it directly corresponds to the job you’re applying for. So, if you have an internship that doesn’t relate to the position you’re targeting, it might be best to leave it off your resume. Of course, if you think the skills or knowledge you gained during the internship could somehow be transferable, then, by all means, include it! But if there’s no connection whatsoever, it might be better to save space for something else.
If the duties of your internship were menial
Many internships offer college students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain valuable experience in their desired field. However, not all internships are created equal. If your internship involved a lot of busy work or other menial tasks that don’t demonstrate any real skills or knowledge, it’s probably not worth including on your resume. Consider omitting it unless, of course, you can spin those duties in a positive light somehow.
If your resume is already packed with experience
When deciding whether or not to include an internship on your resume, another thing to consider is how much other experience you have. If you’ve been working full-time for a while and have plenty of other experiences to draw from, an old internship might not be as relevant as it once was. In this case, it might be best just to leave it off unless there are some extenuating circumstances (like if the experience is particularly recent or relevant).
If you only completed one short internship a long time ago
Perhaps you completed an unpaid internship during college that lasted only a couple of months and wasn’t particularly noteworthy. Or maybe you did an externship during high school that was only a week long. Unless this brief experience was truly remarkable in some way or helps fill a skills gap on your resume, there’s no need to include these types of experiences. Instead, focus on more meaningful experiences that will actually help sell you as a candidate.
If you don’t have room on your resume
Finally, another reason why you might want to leave out an internship from your resume is simply that you don’t have enough space. Even if an experience was significant and relevant, if it doesn’t fit within the confines of one page, it might be best just to omit it altogether (especially if including it would cause other important information to get cut). The general rule of thumb is that internships should only be included if they add value to your application in some way.
So, if you’re unsure about whether or not to include an experience, err on the side of caution and leave it out. After all, less is often more when it comes to resumes! Maintaining a clear and concise document will ultimately do more to help you land an interview than packing in every single experience, no matter how small.
So, if you’re unsure about whether or not to include an experience, err on the side of caution and leave it out. After all, less is often more when it comes to resumes! Maintaining a clear and concise document will ultimately do more to help you land an interview than packing in every single experience, no matter how small.
How to put internship experience on your resume
One of the most common questions I get asked is how to list internship experience on a resume. This is a great question because internships can be a great way to gain valuable work experience, especially if you’re a student or recent graduate. There are a few different ways to list internship experience on your resume, depending on the type of internship and the amount of experience you have.
Add the internship to your work experience
Your work experience section is one of the most important parts of your resume. It’s where potential employers can get a sense of your skills and abilities, and it can be the deciding factor in whether or not you get an interview. If you’re still in college, or if you’ve recently graduated, you may be wondering whether or not to include your internship on your resume. The answer is yes! An internship can be a great way to gain relevant work experience, even if it’s only for a short period of time. In fact, many employers prefer candidates who have interned in their field of interest. If you’re not sure how to list your internship on your resume, talk to a career counselor or look online for examples. No matter what, make sure to include it – it could be the difference between getting your dream job and being passed over for someone with less experience.
Write the formal title, company, location, and date of your internship
Securing an internship is a great way to gain valuable work experience and get your foot in the door of your desired company. When writing your resume, be sure to include the formal title, company, location, and dates of your internship. This will show potential employers that you have taken the initiative to gain relevant experience and are familiar with the inner workings of a professional workplace. Including this information will also demonstrate your ability to handle important responsibilities and meet deadlines. Consequently, including your internship experience on your resume can be invaluable in helping you secure future employment.
List your responsibilities throughout the internship
When crafting your resume, it is important to include an accurate portrayal of your responsibilities during your internship. This will give potential employers a better understanding of the work you are capable of and whether you would be a good fit for their company. Be sure to include any relevant projects you worked on, as well as any skills you developed during your time as an intern. If you can demonstrate that you are capable of meeting the demands of a professional workplace, you will be one step closer to landing your dream job. So don’t forget to list your internship responsibilities on your resume- it could make all the difference.
Include any achievements or accomplishments
It is important to include any relevant achievements or accomplishments. These can help set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate the skills and experience that you have to offer. For example, if you have received any awards or recognition for your work, be sure to mention this. If you have worked on any special projects or in a leadership role, this is also worth highlighting. Including this information can help give potential employers a better sense of your abilities and what you could contribute to their organization. So when putting together your resume, be sure to include your most impressive achievements and accomplishments.
Ensure the formatting matches the rest of your resume and work experience
As you format your work experience, it’s important to ensure that it matches the rest of your resume. This will ensure that your resume is consistent and professional-looking. Start by ensuring that the font and font size match the rest of your resume. Then, align your work experience section with the rest of your resume. For example, if your resume is left-aligned, then left-align your work experience section. Finally, use bullet points or paragraphs to list your work experience. If you use bullet points, make sure they’re properly formatted and consistent with the rest of your bullet points. By taking care of the formatting of your work experience section, you can ensure that your resume looks polished and professional.
Example of an internship on a resume
If you’re still in school or have recently graduated, you can list your internship under your education section. If you’ve already completed your education, you can list your internship under your work history. Be sure to include the name of the company, the dates of your internship, and a brief description of your duties and responsibilities. For example:
XYZ Company, Summer 2019
- Conducted research on potential new products
- Assisted with product development
- Wrote customer case studies
- Created social media content
Lindsay is a certified resume writer and interview coach. She obtained her certification in resume writing (CPRW) which will allow her resume expertise to help readers outshine the competition within the first 5 seconds of reviewing what they have on paper.
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