The truth is many large companies require that their internship candidates
submit resumes and cover letters just as job candidates are required to do.
This can feel intimidating to the student who has no experiences to list. If
you fall into this category, take a look at three ways that you can bring
what experience you do have to life so that you can snag that great
internship.

Tip #1: Think from the Employer's Perspective

The first tip to consider when writing your internship resume is thinking
from the employer's perspective. This means considering what the employer
would want to know about a person they want to hire. Doing this requires
that you study the internship description so that you can determine what the
employer is really looking for, as well as looking at the overall goals of
the company. Afterward, you can take a look at what you have to offer and
how ­ from the employer's perspective ­ what you know and want to accomplish
can truly aid its mission.

Tip #2: Consider all of Your Experiences

Next, after you've looked at what the employer is likely looking for in an
intern, you can round up your experiences to see how well they mesh with
their goals. What is it that you have to offer? If you haven't held a job,
what experiences have you had that have helped you build essential skills
for the role? How organized are you? Do you work well with people? It's good
to think about everything you've done that has required responsibility to
show how great an intern you're going to be.

Tip #3: Educate Yourself on Resume-Writing Rules

Just because you're a newbie resume writer doesn't mean you're off the hook
when it comes to creating a flawless resume. It's your job to learn the
information you don't already know. For instance, you'll need to make sure
to include the essential sections: objective, education, relevant coursework
(good for students), experience, activities (include this section if you
have relevant extracurricular activities), and special skills. But these are
not all the rules you'll need to consider. Here are a few more.

First, you'll want your resume to be brief ­ one page is usually long enough
to highlight your essentials. Second, the resume should be error-free. No
typos or grammatical errors allowed. Third, it's recommended that you write
your accomplishments as actions rather than duties. In other words, instead
of explaining that you were responsible for something, it's good to say you
"implemented" or "managed" something. And finally, if possible, try to
stay away from "cutesy" fonts, flower-print backgrounds, and anything else
that stops your resume from looking professional.

It's not always easy to write a resume, especially when there may not be
much to list. But don't let that deter you from writing a great one. The
more time you spend on creating an employer-specific, action-oriented,
error-free resume, the greater your chances will be of snagging the
internship you want most.


Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and is passionate about
providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job
search tools and information. Compare the top resume writers in the industry
at http://www.resumelines.com. Invite Your Comments