Writing a resume for internships can be a little intimidating, especially for high schoolers who usually don’t have a lot of professional or work experience. Despite that, they can still create a resume that helps them stand out from the competition and acts as their extension.

Internships for students matter because they enable them to gain real-world experience, identify potential career paths, and learn basic workplace skills. Many also view it as an asset in college applications.internships-and-how-to-find-one/"> A internships-and-how-to-find-one/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report indicates that there are roughly 300,000 interns in the US every year. In 2020, among teenagers ages 16 to 19, 17.6% held a job, according to a Statista report.

Since a resume is the first impression that a potential employer has of the student, it is important to make sure it is well-crafted and professional. After all, the first impression counts.

Dive into this beginner’s guide to learn in-depth about the key components of an impactful resume that high schoolers should include to land their dream internship this summer.

• Start with contact details

At the very top of your resume (preferably in a bigger, bolder font), include your name and contact information, such as your phone number, email address, location (city and state), and relevant links, such as your personal website.

Use your school email address or professional email address to indicate your seriousness and respect for the position you are applying for.

• Include a summary statement

Recruiters recommend including the summary statement, usually 2–3 lines long because it focuses on the needs of the employer. To make sure it stands out, include relevant job terminology to demonstrate your suitability for the position.

A summary statement should have a strong opening that can clue the hiring manager into the core strengths. Here’s an example: "A motivated high school student with retail experience and POS system knowledge. Looking to grow management skills and continue providing excellent customer service."

Since high schoolers struggle to find out where they excel and are keen on career discovery, it is advisable to evaluate core strengths before applying for an internship.

• Provide education information

For high school students, the education section should be the focus of your resume. Since you likely have limited work experience, you should emphasize your education history, relevant certifications, and academic achievements to demonstrate your work ethic and knowledge.

Be sure to include the name of the school/institution, the expected graduation date, and any relevant coursework, honors, study abroad experiences, and GPA. All of these will help you stand out and show the employer why you are the best candidate for the internship.

• Talk about your experiences

List your experiences in order, starting with the most recent. This should include volunteer work, part-time jobs, student organizations, sports, etc. Make sure each entry includes the name of the organization, your job title, and the dates you worked there. Showcasing your achievements, such as awards or accomplishments, is also a great way to stand out.

• Showcase your skills

The skills section of a resume is where you list any relevant abilities that may be helpful to the job you're applying for. This may include technical skills, such as coding or programming, interpersonal skills, such as leadership or multitasking, and language skills.

Leverage InternMart quizzes to determine your skill proficiency in a few minutes.

If you have room, list non-job-related experiences (like crafting, hiking, etc.) to show your personality. Basic computer skills such as using Microsoft Word can be left out, as employers expect interns to have these capabilities.

Best practices that will help you win a few extra brownie points

• Focus on a simple layout and use fonts like Times New Roman or Arial (10–12 point); clearly mark sections and headers.
• Leverage bullet points, starting with action verbs (developed, analyzed, researched, implemented, evaluated, etc.) in the experiences section.
• One-page resumes work because hiring managers spend 6-7 seconds looking at them.
• Use keywords to make it past the computerized resume scanners.
• Proofread your resume thoroughly; have an expert look it over.
• Attach a cover letter to discuss what you hope to gain from the internship and why it matters to you.
• Provide references if only asked.
• Choose a PDF version when submitting your resume to ensure formatting is preserved when opened.

Conclusion

So, take the time to make sure your resume is polished and reflects the best of you. With a great resume, you can open yourself up to a world of internship opportunities.

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