Whether you’re just starting out in your career or looking to enter a new field with limited experience, you need a resume that catches the attention of hiring managers. Internships provide jobseekers with an accessible entry point into a new career path. Writing a resume for internship with no experience can seem overwhelming; however, with the right tools, you can tailor your limited work history into employable skills.
The following guide includes a resume sample and tips to steer you in the right direction. With practice, you can craft your own outstanding internship resume despite your lack of professional experience and open new doors for your career.
Resume for Internship With No Experience
Leanna Dunhill
Cleveland, OH 11111
T: 555-640-8045 E: leanna.dunhill@anymailSummary StatementCreative college graduate with BA in Communications seeking internship in marketing and design firm. Interested in refining social media management and video production capabilities in a productive cooperate environment to garner professional experience. Thoughtful, ambitious, and eager to grow in professional field as a team player.
Cleveland, OH 11111
T: 555-640-8045 E: leanna.dunhill@anymailSummary StatementCreative college graduate with BA in Communications seeking internship in marketing and design firm. Interested in refining social media management and video production capabilities in a productive cooperate environment to garner professional experience. Thoughtful, ambitious, and eager to grow in professional field as a team player.
Skills
• Digital graphics (Adobe software suite)
• Video production (FinalCut Pro)
• Color correction
• Social media management
• Grant writing
• Design layout
• Typography
• Self-sufficient
• Creative problem solver
• Effective team leader
Education
Bachelor of Communications – 2017
Oberlin College – Oberlin, OH
Relevant coursework: Digital Advertising, Social Media Marketing, Video Production
Martin Luther King High School – 2013
Pittsburgh, PA
Awards & Achievements
Graduated summa cum laude – 2017
Made Dean’s List for eight semesters for sustaining 3.5 GPA or higher – 2013-2017
Awarded Mark Twain Scholarship for creativity and artistry – 2013
National Honor Society treasurer – 2012
Work Experience
Freelance Graphic Designer – May 2017-present
Self-Employed, Oberlin, OH
• Prepare marketing and promotional design content for independent clients and small businesses
• Design brand logos, brick and mortar signage, printed handouts, and digital media campaigns, assisting small companies in establishing marketing presence
• Consult with clients to ensure art direction met marketing goals
• Solicit business through client testimonials and online self-promotion, utilizing social media to share past work and garner business
• Prepare invoices and manage recordkeeping for all clients, ensuring thorough and accurate financial records
• Learn new design software platforms including Adobe Suite and subsequent upgrades
Bartender/Server – May 2015-March 2017
American Bistro Bar & Grill, Oberlin, OH
• Prepared drinks for patrons with courtesy and engaged service
• Crafted and named signature cocktail specials
• Expedited drink orders at server station
• Increased sales 15% over four months by upselling clients with premium spirits and local craft beer
• Designed sandwich board and menu graphics, increasing foot traffic
• Increased social media presence and followers with photos of new menu items and special event promotion
• Facilitated in new employee training, including bar and server staff, including menu items, POS protocol, and client interaction
• Participated in weekly staff meetings to discuss new menu items and promotional events to encourage stronger sales
Tips for Creating a Resume for Internship With No Experience
1. Open with an engaging professional summary
Most employers spend very little time (five to 10 seconds) reviewing incoming resumes. To leave an impression, your summary statement needs to garner attention. This is especially important in a resume for internship with no experience. Your statement should be brief, no more than four to six lines, and detail your professional history.
In the resume example, notice how the jobseeker begins with a clearly defined goal: to gain professional experience in social media management and video production. She then offers a list of employable traits and skills that help her stand out among the other applicants.
2. Provide a thorough list of skills
When you have little experience in your field, you should emphasize the employable skills gained in your work history. Skillsets are often interchangeable across different fields and industries and can improve your chances of getting hired.
Note in the example how the jobseeker presents a mix of hard and soft skills. Her hard skills include specific software knowledge and design capabilities. Additionally, she includes soft skills, such as problem solving and leadership, two attributes that many employers seek.
3. Draw attention to your professional and academic achievements
Awards and achievements show employers how you excel in various fields. Your employability increases when you demonstrate your strengths. On your resume, be sure to include any special recognition, such as academic honors or scholarships. Furthermore, incorporate professional achievements like promotions and service awards that speak to your skill as an employee.
4. Make your work history relevant to your new field
On a resume with no industry experience, connect your limited work history to the job you’re currently seeking. Even in different industries, many occupations require similar capabilities and experience.
Notice in the example how the jobseeker correlates bartending experience to both team building and marketing. Despite no obvious correlations, she tailored her work history to illustrate her potential in another field like advertising. As a result, her resume will likely garner more attention from hiring managers considering entry level candidates.
5. Avoid grammatical errors and embellishment
Your resume should never contain spelling or grammar mistakes. Even jobseekers with years of experience miss out on opportunities due to sloppy writing errors. Always proofread for mistakes before submitting.
Additionally, never embellish your work history. Though you may have limited work experience, you should focus on your skills and achievements instead of exaggerating your work history. Employers can tell if a resume is too good to be true.
The Most Important Resume for Internship With No Experience Takeaways
Even with no experience in your field, with a well-written resume, you can transition successfully into a new career path. In writing your resume for internship with no experience, remember to emphasize your skills and achievements over your previous positions. Additionally, with the limited work history you do have, illustrate how those jobs prepared you for the career you’re seeking.
Finding the career you want can be challenging. However, an effective resume can help you stand out among a sea of jobseekers. If you’re still struggling with your resume, we can help. Take advantage of our convenient and easy-to-use resume builder and get your document looking its best.
