Where Do You Put Internships on a Resume

Got an internship? That's awesome! Internships are super valuable for your career journey. They show you have real-world experience, skills, and a strong work ethic. But then comes the big question: where do you put internships on a resume so hiring managers actually see them?

Don't worry, you're not alone! Many students and new grads wonder about the best spot for their internships. This guide will make it super easy, so you can build a resume that gets noticed and helps you land your dream job!

Why Your Internships Are SO Important for Your Resume

Think of an internship as a bridge between school and a full-time job. It shows:

• Real Experience: You've worked in a professional setting.
• Skills in Action: You've used what you learned in school to do actual tasks.
• Industry Knowledge: You understand how a specific field works.
• Motivation: You're keen to learn and grow.

These are all things employers love to see! So, let's make sure your internships shine on your resume.

The Best Places for Internships on Your Resume

The "best" place depends on your experience level. Here are the main options:

1. The "Experience" Section (Most Common & Recommended)

For most people, especially students, recent graduates, or those with limited full-time work, your internships should go right into your "Experience" section.

Why it's good: This is where employers look first for your work history. Putting internships here shows them you have practical skills and relevant work experience.

How to do it: Treat your internship like any other job. List the company name, your title (e.g., "Marketing Intern"), location, and dates. Then, use bullet points to describe what you did and achieved.

Example:

Experience

Marketing Intern | Bright Ideas Co. | New York, NY | May 2023 – August 2023

• Helped manage social media accounts, increasing follower engagement by 15%.
• Researched market trends to identify new customer opportunities.
• Wrote blog posts and website content to attract new visitors.

2. A Dedicated "Internship Experience" Section (When You Have Many)

If you've done several internships (lucky you!), or if your internships are more relevant than other past jobs (like retail), you might create a special section just for them.

Why it's good: It clearly highlights your practical training and shows a strong commitment to your field. It also keeps your "Professional Experience" section for full-time roles if you have them.

How to do it: Place this section after your "Education" and "Skills" but before other "Work Experience" if your internships are highly relevant to the jobs you're applying for.

Example:

Internship Experience

Software Development Intern | Tech Solutions Inc. | San Francisco, CA | January 2023 – April 2023

• Coded new features for a mobile app using Python, improving user experience.
• Collaborated with a team of developers on daily coding tasks.

Data Analysis Intern | Global Research | Remote | June 2022 – August 2022

• Collected and cleaned large datasets, finding key insights for client reports.

3. If You Have Lots of Other Experience (Less Common for Interns)

If you're already a seasoned professional with many years of full-time work, and your internship was a long time ago, you might:

• Keep it in Experience: If it's still highly relevant to the job you want.
• Remove it: If it's very old and doesn't add much value compared to your recent, more senior roles.
• Combine with Projects: If it was more project-based, you might mention it briefly in a "Projects" section.

For most job seekers reading this, the "Experience" section or a dedicated "Internship Experience" section will be your best bet!

What Information to Include for Each Internship

No matter where you place it, make sure each internship entry includes these key details:

• Your Title: (e.g., Marketing Intern, Software Intern, Research Assistant)
• Company Name: The full name of the organization.
• Location: City, State (or "Remote" if applicable).
• Dates of Employment: (e.g., "May 2023 – August 2023" or "Summer 2023"). Be exact!
• Bullet Points: 3-5 strong bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements.

How to Write Powerful Bullet Points for Your Internships

This is where your internship really shines! Don't just list duties; show what you achieved. Use the STAR method idea (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in a shorter way for your resume bullets:

• Start with Action Verbs: Use words like "Developed," "Managed," "Created," "Analyzed," "Assisted," "Improved," "Researched."
• Describe Your Action: What did you actually do?
• Mention Tools/Skills: What software, languages, or specific skills did you use?
• Show the Result (Numbers are Best!): What positive impact did your work have? Even small numbers are great!

Bad Example: "Was responsible for social media posts."

Good Example: "Managed daily social media content, increasing follower engagement by 15% over three months."

Bad Example: "Helped with office tasks."

Good Example: "Assisted senior staff with data entry and report preparation, improving team efficiency."

Top Tips for Internships on Your Resume

• Be Specific: Instead of "Helped team," write "Collaborated with a 5-person marketing team on client projects."
• Tailor Your Resume: Always adjust your resume for each job you apply for. Highlight internships and skills most relevant to that specific job description.
• Proofread Carefully: A single typo can make a bad impression. Ask a friend or career advisor to review it!
• Keep it Consistent: Use the same formatting (dates, bullet points, fonts) for all your experience entries.

Conclusion

Placing your internships correctly on your resume is key to showing off your valuable experience. By putting them in the "Experience" section or a dedicated "Internship Experience" section and using strong action-oriented bullet points, you'll create a powerful document that catches employers' eyes.

Now that your resume is perfectly polished, don't forget the next step: managing all your job applications! ApplyTrackr can help you keep track of every job you apply for, interview you get, and follow-up you send. Stay organized and boost your job search success!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Should I put my internships above my education?

A1: If you are a student or recent graduate and your internships are very relevant to the jobs you want, YES! Many experts suggest putting "Experience" (including internships) before "Education" if your experience is more compelling than your academic courses alone. If you're still in school and have no other work experience, your education might go first.

Q2: What if my internship wasn't directly related to my degree?

A2: It can still be valuable! Focus on the transferable skills you gained. For example, if you did a retail internship but want a marketing job, highlight customer service, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills. Frame your bullet points around these skills.

Q3: How many internships should I list on my resume?

A3: List all relevant internships, especially if you're a student or recent grad. If you have many (more than 3-4) and some are older or less relevant, you might choose to only include the most impactful ones, especially if you need to save space. Always prioritize quality over quantity.

Q4: Do I need a cover letter for internships?

A4: While this blog post is about resumes, it's good to mention: YES! Always try to send a cover letter. It lets you explain why you're a great fit for the role and connect your experiences (including internships!) directly to the job description.

Q5: Should I include volunteer work on my resume?

A5: Absolutely, especially if you have limited paid work experience! Treat volunteer roles like internships in your "Experience" section, focusing on responsibilities and achievements, or create a separate "Volunteer Experience" section. It shows initiative and valuable skills.

Q6: Is it okay to use AI to help me write my resume bullet points for internships?

A6: Yes, AI tools can be helpful for brainstorming ideas or rephrasing sentences! However, always make sure the final content is accurate and truly reflects your own work and achievements. Use AI as an assistant, but you are the expert on your own experience.