How to Write a Résumé for a Summer Internship

In this article, we will explore 10 essential tips to help you write a résumé tailored specifically for summer internship applications. By focusing on what matters most to employers, you can increase your chances of securing a role that will contribute to your professional growth.

Start with a Compelling Summary or Objective Statement

The first section of your résumé should include a short but powerful summary or objective statement. This is where you can introduce yourself to the employer, outline your key qualifications, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the internship. Since most applicants for summer internships may have limited experience, your summary should focus on your academic achievements, relevant skills, and career goals.

Writing an Effective Summary Statement:

• Keep it concise: Aim for 2-3 sentences that get to the point quickly.
• Highlight your strengths: Mention your key skills and academic background that align with the internship.
• Tailor it to the role: Customize your summary for each internship application by mentioning the specific role or industry.

Example:
"Dedicated third-year economics student with strong analytical and research skills. Seeking a summer internship in finance to gain practical experience in financial analysis and market research. Proven ability to work effectively in teams and manage projects with attention to detail."

Prioritize Your Education Section

For most students or early-career professionals, education is one of the most significant sections of the résumé, especially if you lack extensive work experience. Make sure to highlight your degree program, the institution you’re attending, and your expected graduation date. If you have a high GPA or have received academic honors, this is the place to showcase them.

What to Include in the Education Section:

• Degree and major: Clearly state the degree you're pursuing and your field of study.
• Relevant coursework: List specific courses that align with the internship role (e.g., marketing, computer science, finance).
• Academic achievements: Include any honors, scholarships, or awards.

Example:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Expected Graduation: May 2025
GPA: 3.8
Relevant coursework: Social Psychology, Data Analysis, Behavioral Statistics

Highlight Transferable Skills

Even if you haven’t had much work experience, you’ve likely developed valuable transferable skills through your academic projects, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs. These skills, such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving, are crucial in any workplace. Identify which of your skills are most relevant to the internship and highlight them on your résumé.

How to Showcase Transferable Skills:

• Create a dedicated skills section: List the top skills that are applicable to the internship.
• Emphasize technical skills: Include any software, tools, or technical skills you’ve gained through coursework or self-learning.
• Use industry-specific keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description to align with the employer’s needs.

Example:
Skills: Data Analysis, Research, Team Leadership, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Photoshop, Public Speaking, Social Media Management

Include Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities provide insight into your character and soft skills. If you’ve participated in student organizations, sports, or volunteer work, these experiences can demonstrate leadership, time management, and teamwork—qualities employers value. For instance, if you’ve held a leadership position or been involved in organizing events, it can show your initiative and ability to work collaboratively.

Presenting Extracurricular Activities:

• Show leadership: Highlight any leadership positions you’ve held, such as club president or event coordinator.
• Focus on achievements: Describe specific accomplishments within your extracurricular roles.
• Relate to the internship: Choose activities that demonstrate skills relevant to the position.

Example:
Treasurer, Environmental Club – Managed a budget of $5,000, organized fundraising events, and secured sponsorships that contributed to community environmental projects.

Leverage Any Work or Volunteer Experience

Even if your past jobs or volunteer positions don’t seem directly related to the internship, you can still present them in a way that highlights transferable skills. For example, retail jobs can show customer service skills, while volunteer work can demonstrate dedication and teamwork.

How to Frame Work Experience:

• Use bullet points: Make each experience easy to read and scan.
• Focus on responsibilities and achievements: Show the specific tasks you were responsible for and any accomplishments.
• Demonstrate growth: Emphasize how the role helped you develop relevant skills, such as communication or organization.

Example:
Sales Associate, ABC Retail – Provided excellent customer service to increase client satisfaction. Assisted in inventory management and contributed to a 10% increase in sales through effective upselling.

Tailor Your Résumé for Each Internship

Employers appreciate when candidates take the time to customize their résumés for the specific role they’re applying for. Tailoring your résumé shows that you’ve researched the company and that you’re genuinely interested in the position. Use keywords from the job description, emphasize relevant experiences, and modify your skills section to match the internship’s requirements.

How to Customize Your Résumé:

• Incorporate keywords: Use terms and phrases from the job posting in your résumé, especially in the skills section.
• Highlight relevant accomplishments: Adjust the bullet points in your work experience to align with the internship’s focus.
• Mention industry-specific experience: If you’ve taken part in any activities or coursework related to the industry, make sure to emphasize it.

Pro Tip: Create multiple versions of your résumé if you’re applying for internships in different industries. Tailoring your résumé to each role significantly increases your chances of getting noticed.

Keep It Clear and Concise

When applying for internships, keep your résumé to one page. Employers may receive hundreds of applications, so it’s important that your résumé is easy to read and doesn’t contain unnecessary information. Use clear headings, bullet points, and consistent formatting to create a clean, professional layout.

Formatting Tips:

• One-page limit: Stick to one page, especially if you have limited experience.
• Use clear sections: Divide your résumé into sections such as Education, Skills, Experience, and Activities.
• Stick to a professional design: Avoid overly elaborate designs and stick to clean, professional fonts and layouts.

Pro Tip: Use bold or italics to emphasize key points, but don’t overdo it. Simplicity is key to making your résumé easy to read.

Write a Personalized Cover Letter

A cover letter complements your résumé by allowing you to explain why you’re interested in the internship and how your skills align with the company’s needs. While some internships may not require a cover letter, sending one can give you an edge by demonstrating your commitment and interest.

Key Elements of a Cover Letter:

• Personalize it: Address the letter to the hiring manager and reference the specific internship.
• Highlight relevant skills: Briefly mention the skills and experiences that make you a strong candidate.
• Show enthusiasm: Explain why you’re excited about the company and the opportunity to intern with them.

Pro Tip: Keep your cover letter concise (about one page) and ensure it aligns with the tone and content of your résumé.

Proofread for Perfection

A résumé with typos or grammatical errors can make a negative impression. Proofreading is essential to ensure that your résumé is error-free and presents you as a detail-oriented candidate. Always review your résumé for mistakes and consider asking a friend, family member, or career advisor to give it a second look.

Proofreading Tips:

• Check for typos: Use spelling and grammar tools like Grammarly or your word processor’s built-in checker.
• Ensure consistency: Make sure formatting, font size, and bullet points are consistent throughout.
• Read aloud: Sometimes reading your résumé aloud can help you catch awkward phrasing or unclear statements.

Pro Tip: Take a break after writing your résumé and come back to it with fresh eyes. You’re more likely to catch mistakes after some time away.

Include Complete Contact Information

It may seem obvious, but make sure your contact information is accurate and up-to-date. Include your full name, phone number, professional email address, and if applicable, a link to your LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio.

Contact Information Checklist:

• Full name: Clearly state your first and last name.
• Phone number: Ensure it’s accurate and includes your area code.
• Professional email: Use a professional email address, ideally one that includes your name (avoid informal addresses).
• LinkedIn or portfolio: If relevant, include links to your online profiles or portfolio.

Conclusion

Writing a résumé for a summer internship may seem daunting, but by focusing on your education, transferable skills, and relevant experiences, you can create a compelling application that stands out to employers. Remember to tailor your résumé to each role, keep it concise and organized, and always proofread for errors. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to landing a valuable summer internship that can pave the way for future career success