It’s not uncommon for an intern-hopeful to feel shocked after realizing that they need to create a resume in order to apply for a position. Because many on-campus jobs are obtainable without a resume, some students never assume they will need it to apply for an internship. They’re wrong.

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.

Image taken on 2006-09-02 09:25:04. Image Source. (Used with permission)