Think about it. Nearly every job out there requires experience in some form or another.

Even if you’re fresh out of college, most employers want to see that you have at least SOME experience in the field you’re hoping to work in.

So how do you get around this little obstacle? By adding internship experience to your resume, of course! Internships are a great way to gain relevant experience without committing to a full-time job.

They show you’re proactive and willing to take on new challenges. If you’re unsure how to include your internship experiences on your resume, don’t worry! We’ll show you precisely what to do. Keep reading for tips on how to make the most of your internship experience!

When is the best time to list down internships?

Internships can be valuable to a resume because they demonstrate how well you have worked under pressure. They also provide real-world experience that could help you land a full-time position.

However, many people don’t think about adding an internship to their resume unless they have completed one while still in school. There are several reasons why this might be a good idea.

1. You have no other work experience.

If you’re looking for a job where you’ll learn something new daily, consider taking an unpaid internship.

These can give you hands-on experience in a field you’d never know anything about. For example, I had an internship working at a law firm during my second year of college.

While I wasn’t paid, I learned a lot about legal research and writing. This helped me land a summer associate position at another law firm.

2. You have limited work experience.

Sometimes, even if you’ve been out of school for a few years, you won’t have much work experience. In those cases, you can use an internship as an opportunity to build up your professional portfolio.

3. Your current employer doesn’t offer an internship program.

You can always ask your current employer if they offer an internship program. Many companies do significantly larger firms that hire new employees frequently. Some smaller businesses may not offer internships at all.

When to Leave Out Internships

As mentioned above, there are times when you should include an internship on your resume. But there are also times when you shouldn’t. Here are some guidelines to help you determine whether you should have training or not.

1. Is the Job Related to Your Field?

If you’re applying for a job in finance, don’t list an internship in accounting on your resume. This isn’t because you won’t ever do accounting again; it’s just because this particular internship doesn’t relate to your current career path.

2. How Long Have You Held the Position?

You probably wouldn’t want to list an internship that lasted less than six months on your resume. Why? Because you’ll look like you haven’t been working very long. However, if you’ve worked at a position for a few years, listing an internship that lasted several months could make you seem like you’re overqualified.

3. What Was the Role Like?

If you held an internship that involved research, writing, and project management, you might want to mention it on your resume. These kinds of positions are typically highly sought after.

The best place for an internship list on a resume

A common mistake job seekers make is listing internships under education or skills rather than work experience.

This is because many employers consider internships educational experiences and therefore don’t want to see them listed there.

Instead, place your internships in the “work experience” section of your resume. This way, your employer knows that you’ve been working while pursuing your degree.

Employers are looking for candidates who have both academic and professional backgrounds.

The best way to highlight an internship experience on a CV

The best way to show off your skills and experiences is to highlight what you learned from your previous jobs. You don’t want to list your current job; you want to showcase how you applied those skills and gained knowledge while working there.

This includes listing your internship experience. You probably already know that it’s essential to make sure your resume is formatted correctly. But did you know that it’s even more crucial to list your work history accurately?

If you’re struggling with where to begin, here are some tips to help you out.

1. Include the company name

If you are looking for an internship opportunity, you must include the company name and location in your resume.

This makes it easier for recruiters to find your application and see whether or not you fit into their organization.

Your resume is like a sales pitch; you want to make sure the person reading it knows what you have to offer.

You don’t want to waste anyone’s time applying without including relevant information about yourself.

2. Include the internship title

Ensure to include the internship name rather than just the generic job title, “internship.”

For example, if you worked at a law firm, your title might be “legal intern.” This way, employers know you have prior work experience within the legal industry.

In addition to showing off your expertise, including the title makes it easier for recruiters to find relevant jobs.

3. List dates by the season or year

Most internships are offered during specific times of the year. This makes it difficult for students to find work while they’re studying.

You want to ensure employers know about your availability throughout the year. To help you out, here’s how to write a job posting that lists dates by season or the year.

4. Responsibilities and achievements

In today’s competitive job market, it’s essential to stand out amongst the crowd.

When writing a resume, there are many things to consider, such as formatting, font size, and color scheme.

However, one thing that often goes overlooked is how to communicate what you have done throughout your career effectively. This includes highlighting the skills and experiences most relevant to your current position.

On a résumé, would you ever mention internships you held elsewhere?

There are a few other ways to include internship experience in cases where there isn’t much else on your resume.

Just like with jobs, provide your work experience by title, firm name, location, and dates without any other information. This gives the impression that you have held internships at several different businesses rather than just one.

Add a footnote at the end that says something similar to “Previous experience includes internships at.”

If you’re well into your professional life, you can add previous leadership or significant accomplishments.

Summary

If you’re like most people, your internship experience isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think about your resume.

But suppose you want to ensure potential employers see your qualifications in the best light possible. In that case, it’s essential to list your relevant experience – including those summer jobs, part-time positions, and internships.

Our team at Lancerbee can help you take your resume from good to great. We offer professional resume writing advice and services, so give us a tap today!