How to list an internship on your resume
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Key takeaways
Internships are often a first step toward building real-world skills and connections. Knowing how to translate that experience onto a resume can make the difference between being overlooked and standing out. Whether you’re applying for your first full-time role or just looking to boost your resume, it’s important to think about how you handle listing internships.
Where to put an internship on your resume
Here are a couple of places your internship could live on your resume.
Work experience section
If your internship duties mirror the role you’re applying for, list it in your work experience section. Use the same format as paid jobs: job title, company name, location, and dates.
Example:
Marketing Intern | ABC Agency | Atlanta, GA | June–August 2024
#1 family finance and safety app.
Supported a 5-person team on client social media campaigns, growing follower counts by 15%.
Created 10+ content calendars and coordinated with design teams to launch campaigns on time.
Education section
If you’re still in school or the internship was tied to your coursework, you can place it under education. Keep the description brief unless the tasks directly relate to the job you’re applying for.
Example: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | University of Georgia | Expected May 2025 Relevant coursework: Cognitive Development, Behavioral Research Methods Internship: Assisted with survey design and data analysis for a psychology lab.
Dedicated internship section
If you’ve completed multiple internships across different industries, creating a separate “Internship Experience” section can help recruiters scan your relevant history quickly.
Example:
Internship Experience Finance Intern | XYZ Bank | Remote | Summer 2023
Developed weekly reports tracking $2M+ in client portfolios.
Assisted in research on economic trends for quarterly investment updates.
Editorial Intern | College Magazine | Washington, DC | Fall 2022
Wrote and edited 15+ articles, some featured on the homepage.
Conducted interviews and fact-checking to support editorial standards.
How to format internship details
Keep these tips in mind when you’re writing and formatting your resume to make your experience truly stand out.
Use action verbs. Replace passive descriptions with results-driven language. Instead of “Responsible for data entry,” write “Entered and analyzed 1,500+ data points weekly to support reporting accuracy.”
Highlight transferable skills. Even if the tasks don’t seem directly related, emphasize skills like communication, teamwork, or project management.
Quantify results. Numbers stand out. Include metrics like percentages, amounts, or time saved where possible.
Keep it relevant. Tailor your bullet points to the job description. If the role calls for research skills, highlight the research projects you completed in your internship.
How to list unpaid internships
Unpaid internships sometimes get dismissed because they don’t come with a paycheck. But in many industries — like media, nonprofits, or public service — they’re common stepping-stones.
What matters to employers is not the pay but the proof: skills you developed, challenges you tackled, and results you delivered. Be concise but specific about your contributions, what you learned, and measurable outcomes that show your impact.
Example:
Nonprofit Outreach Intern | Local Food Bank | Summer 2023
Coordinated 3 fundraising events, raising over $10,000 for local programs.
Recruited and managed 20+ volunteers, improving community engagement.
How to list remote or virtual internships
Remote internships show you can manage time and collaborate independently. On your resume, mark the role as “Remote” and include the tools you used (Zoom, Slack, Trello, Google Workspace). Mention one or two specifics, like coordinating across time zones or leading a virtual meeting. Keep it short and relevant — clarity often matters more than length.
Example: Software Development Intern | TechStart | Remote | January–May 2023
Collaborated with a global team using Slack and Jira to complete 2 software releases.
Designed and tested 3 new features, improving user engagement by 8%.
Should you list short internships?
Yes. Even if an internship lasted only a few weeks, it’s worth including it if you gained relevant skills. Keep the description concise and highlight what you learned.
Common mistakes to avoid
Now that you know how to list an internship on your resume, you’ll want to avoid these mistakes.
Listing only duties, not achievements. Employers want to see the impact you made, not just your daily routine or tasks. Whenever possible, connect your responsibilities to specific outcomes, like saving time, boosting efficiency, or helping a project succeed.
Leaving out dates. Always include start and end dates, even if the internship was brief. If it’s ongoing, note it as “Present” to show continuity.
Overloading your resume. If you have more recent, stronger experience, keep your internship details concise. Stick to two or three key bullets that highlight the most relevant skills.
Forgetting context. A title alone may not tell the full story. Add a brief phrase about the company, department, or project focus so employers understand the scope of your experience.
Turning internships into career leverage
Internships can be powerful additions to your resume, not just space-fillers. When listed effectively, they demonstrate skills, initiative, and readiness for bigger challenges. Think about your resume as a story: Each internship is a chapter that highlights growth and preparation for what comes next.
With clear formatting, strong examples, and a focus on achievements, your internship experience can carry as much weight as paid work. Use it to show employers that you’re ready to contribute from day one.
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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.
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