6 answers
Chakrika
Student
Sterling, Virginia
1
Question
Asked
991 views
How can I improve my resume and get internships What should I do to improve my resume? ?
I'm looking for an entry-level internship in information technology. Although I have no experience, I know how to use Python and R-Language. I'm working towards getting an entry-level Python certification.
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6 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1656
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Getting an internship can be a beneficial first step into the information technology career you want. Showing an employer that you have the potential to succeed, even when you have limited to no experience, begins with an impactful internship resume. In your internship resume you should focuses primarily on your skills, education, and other strengths since you may not have extensive work experience to show yet. It can be challenging to create one as you might feel like you don't have enough to include in a resume. However, writing your internship resume is an opportunity to reflect on your strengths and what makes you unique. Even if you don't have the work experience, you likely have other unique experiences that have helped you develop important skills that would make you a great addition to a company's team. Take this opportunity to think about your achievements so far, including your education, volunteer experience, extracurricular activities or any area of your life where you might have shown exceptional skill, achievement or creative thinking.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR
INTERNSHIP RESUME STANDOUT
1️⃣ Employers offering internships expect to see candidates without a lot of experience, so you don't need to pad your resume to make it look fuller than it is. Keep your resume to one page, and only include extracurricular activities or achievements if you can clearly identify how they relate to the internship you are applying for. Your resume format should also be clean and simple, especially if you are submitting it through an online system. Many online systems will run your resume through an ATS (applicant tracking system) which automatically screens out resumes that don't meet certain minimum criteria. Complicated formatting can be confusing for this system, potentially causing your resume to be screened out even though you did meet the criteria.
2️⃣ Employers are more likely to remember a tangible accomplishment more than a vague description of your abilities. Whenever possible, include any certificates or awards you won and any measurable successes. For example, if you were on the student newspaper, mention how many articles you wrote or a specific story that required exceptional research and reporting. Avoid the tempted to use more detail or more complicated sentences than they need to get the point across. This can make the resume feel cluttered and overwritten. Instead, use active language and high impact words to make your qualifications sound clear and memorable.
3️⃣ Read through a few internship descriptions from different companies that you would work for and take note of the common denominators. These are the skills they tend to ask for and the key terms and phrases they use to describe the role. As you write your objective statement, make sure it touches on those same key phrases and skills. Ultimately, you want to write one to three sentences that describe who you are in terms of what main strengths you have to offer and what your career goals are. The goal of your objective statement is to summarize your value in clear, memorable terms so that employers can easily get a sense of what you have to offer.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR
INTERNSHIP RESUME STANDOUT
1️⃣ Employers offering internships expect to see candidates without a lot of experience, so you don't need to pad your resume to make it look fuller than it is. Keep your resume to one page, and only include extracurricular activities or achievements if you can clearly identify how they relate to the internship you are applying for. Your resume format should also be clean and simple, especially if you are submitting it through an online system. Many online systems will run your resume through an ATS (applicant tracking system) which automatically screens out resumes that don't meet certain minimum criteria. Complicated formatting can be confusing for this system, potentially causing your resume to be screened out even though you did meet the criteria.
2️⃣ Employers are more likely to remember a tangible accomplishment more than a vague description of your abilities. Whenever possible, include any certificates or awards you won and any measurable successes. For example, if you were on the student newspaper, mention how many articles you wrote or a specific story that required exceptional research and reporting. Avoid the tempted to use more detail or more complicated sentences than they need to get the point across. This can make the resume feel cluttered and overwritten. Instead, use active language and high impact words to make your qualifications sound clear and memorable.
3️⃣ Read through a few internship descriptions from different companies that you would work for and take note of the common denominators. These are the skills they tend to ask for and the key terms and phrases they use to describe the role. As you write your objective statement, make sure it touches on those same key phrases and skills. Ultimately, you want to write one to three sentences that describe who you are in terms of what main strengths you have to offer and what your career goals are. The goal of your objective statement is to summarize your value in clear, memorable terms so that employers can easily get a sense of what you have to offer.
Thank You Michelle. It’s always a pleasure working with you – thank you for your contributions to CareerVillage.
Doc Frick
Lillian Clarke
Career Coach
5
Answers
Bloomington, Indiana
Updated
Lillian’s Answer
Hi Chakrika! Thank you very much for submitting your question.
I, first, want to say it is incredible that you have those technical skills! Pat yourself on the back for that because they directly apply to the field you're going into. Really awesome job! 😊 When I coach students in building their resumes who find themselves in your situation, I encourage them to write down any project or activity where they demonstrated those skills as if they were a job experience.
Take the following for example:
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Project Student Member
*Utilized R to analyze data sets to find project solutions.
*Communicated effectively with teammates by contributing to meetings.
*Demonstrated Python proficiency by writing code and applications found in the data to increase efficiency.
This example showcases your technical skills, how you have applied them, and formats them as if it were a job experience.
Now, if you do not have project experience practicing these technical skills, that is okay too! I would then create a skills section on your resume that mentions you are proficient in these two systems.
I hope my insight has been helpful! Best of luck in finding your internship. We are all rooting for you!
I, first, want to say it is incredible that you have those technical skills! Pat yourself on the back for that because they directly apply to the field you're going into. Really awesome job! 😊 When I coach students in building their resumes who find themselves in your situation, I encourage them to write down any project or activity where they demonstrated those skills as if they were a job experience.
Take the following for example:
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Project Student Member
*Utilized R to analyze data sets to find project solutions.
*Communicated effectively with teammates by contributing to meetings.
*Demonstrated Python proficiency by writing code and applications found in the data to increase efficiency.
This example showcases your technical skills, how you have applied them, and formats them as if it were a job experience.
Now, if you do not have project experience practicing these technical skills, that is okay too! I would then create a skills section on your resume that mentions you are proficient in these two systems.
I hope my insight has been helpful! Best of luck in finding your internship. We are all rooting for you!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian-Nutritionist & Software Developer since 1972 🡆 Optimization Of Human Performance
7112
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Chakrika!
Improving Your Resume for Entry-Level IT Internships
1. Tailor Your Resume to the Job Description Start by carefully reading the job descriptions of the internships you are interested in. Identify key skills and qualifications that employers are looking for, such as proficiency in Python, R-Language, or any specific tools and technologies relevant to information technology. Customize your resume to highlight these skills prominently.
2. Highlight Relevant Skills Since you mentioned knowing Python and R-Language, create a dedicated “Skills” section on your resume. List programming languages, software tools, and any other technical skills you possess. Be specific about your proficiency level (e.g., beginner, intermediate) and consider adding any projects or coursework that demonstrate your abilities.
3. Include Education and Certifications As you work towards an entry-level Python certification, include this information on your resume. Mention your current educational status (e.g., degree program, expected graduation date) and any relevant courses related to IT or programming that you’ve completed. If you have already earned certifications or completed online courses (e.g., from platforms like Coursera or edX), list them as well.
4. Add Projects and Experience Even if you lack formal work experience, you can still showcase relevant projects. If you’ve worked on personal projects using Python or R-Language—such as data analysis tasks, web development projects, or contributions to open-source software—include these in a “Projects” section. Describe each project briefly, focusing on what technologies were used and what outcomes were achieved.
5. Volunteer Work and Extracurricular Activities If you’ve participated in volunteer work or extracurricular activities related to technology (like coding clubs or hackathons), include these experiences on your resume. They can demonstrate teamwork, leadership skills, and a commitment to learning.
6. Use Action Verbs When describing your experiences—whether they are projects, volunteer work, or coursework—use strong action verbs such as “developed,” “analyzed,” “designed,” “collaborated,” etc., to convey your contributions effectively.
7. Keep It Concise and Professional Your resume should ideally be one page long for entry-level positions. Use a clean format with clear headings and bullet points for easy readability. Avoid overly complex language; instead, aim for clarity and professionalism in your writing.
8. Proofread Your Resume Before sending out your resume, thoroughly proofread it for spelling and grammatical errors. Consider asking a friend or mentor to review it as well; fresh eyes can catch mistakes you might overlook.
9. Network Actively In addition to improving your resume, actively network within the industry through platforms like LinkedIn or local tech meetups in Sterling, Virginia. Networking can lead to internship opportunities that may not be advertised publicly.
By following these steps systematically while focusing on showcasing relevant skills and experiences effectively on your resume, you’ll significantly improve your chances of landing an entry-level internship in information technology.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
1. The Balance Careers This source provides comprehensive guidance on crafting resumes tailored for various industries including technology-focused roles.
2. Indeed Career Guide Indeed offers practical tips on how to enhance resumes specifically for entry-level positions along with examples of effective resumes.
3. Harvard Business Review HBR discusses best practices for job seekers including how to present skills effectively on resumes which is crucial for those without extensive experience.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
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|==========================God Bless You, Richly!==========================|
|===========================James Constantine===========================|
|===================THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK DIETITIAN==================|
|===================Programming For Your Nutrition Education=================|
|============================~ Since 1972!==============================|
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
Improving Your Resume for Entry-Level IT Internships
1. Tailor Your Resume to the Job Description Start by carefully reading the job descriptions of the internships you are interested in. Identify key skills and qualifications that employers are looking for, such as proficiency in Python, R-Language, or any specific tools and technologies relevant to information technology. Customize your resume to highlight these skills prominently.
2. Highlight Relevant Skills Since you mentioned knowing Python and R-Language, create a dedicated “Skills” section on your resume. List programming languages, software tools, and any other technical skills you possess. Be specific about your proficiency level (e.g., beginner, intermediate) and consider adding any projects or coursework that demonstrate your abilities.
3. Include Education and Certifications As you work towards an entry-level Python certification, include this information on your resume. Mention your current educational status (e.g., degree program, expected graduation date) and any relevant courses related to IT or programming that you’ve completed. If you have already earned certifications or completed online courses (e.g., from platforms like Coursera or edX), list them as well.
4. Add Projects and Experience Even if you lack formal work experience, you can still showcase relevant projects. If you’ve worked on personal projects using Python or R-Language—such as data analysis tasks, web development projects, or contributions to open-source software—include these in a “Projects” section. Describe each project briefly, focusing on what technologies were used and what outcomes were achieved.
5. Volunteer Work and Extracurricular Activities If you’ve participated in volunteer work or extracurricular activities related to technology (like coding clubs or hackathons), include these experiences on your resume. They can demonstrate teamwork, leadership skills, and a commitment to learning.
6. Use Action Verbs When describing your experiences—whether they are projects, volunteer work, or coursework—use strong action verbs such as “developed,” “analyzed,” “designed,” “collaborated,” etc., to convey your contributions effectively.
7. Keep It Concise and Professional Your resume should ideally be one page long for entry-level positions. Use a clean format with clear headings and bullet points for easy readability. Avoid overly complex language; instead, aim for clarity and professionalism in your writing.
8. Proofread Your Resume Before sending out your resume, thoroughly proofread it for spelling and grammatical errors. Consider asking a friend or mentor to review it as well; fresh eyes can catch mistakes you might overlook.
9. Network Actively In addition to improving your resume, actively network within the industry through platforms like LinkedIn or local tech meetups in Sterling, Virginia. Networking can lead to internship opportunities that may not be advertised publicly.
By following these steps systematically while focusing on showcasing relevant skills and experiences effectively on your resume, you’ll significantly improve your chances of landing an entry-level internship in information technology.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
1. The Balance Careers This source provides comprehensive guidance on crafting resumes tailored for various industries including technology-focused roles.
2. Indeed Career Guide Indeed offers practical tips on how to enhance resumes specifically for entry-level positions along with examples of effective resumes.
3. Harvard Business Review HBR discusses best practices for job seekers including how to present skills effectively on resumes which is crucial for those without extensive experience.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
|==========================God Bless You, Richly!==========================|
|===========================James Constantine===========================|
|===================THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK DIETITIAN==================|
|===================Programming For Your Nutrition Education=================|
|============================~ Since 1972!==============================|
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
Biplab Panda
Engagement Director
117
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Biplab’s Answer
Chakrika,
It's awesome that you've already got a start on this.
Going down the certification path (like you're already doing) is a logical next step. Consider other volunteer opportunities or your own project-based work that can help bolster your portfolio, and this will help strengthen your resume.
Kudos on you for starting early!
Good luck.
It's awesome that you've already got a start on this.
Going down the certification path (like you're already doing) is a logical next step. Consider other volunteer opportunities or your own project-based work that can help bolster your portfolio, and this will help strengthen your resume.
Kudos on you for starting early!
Good luck.
Mario Ramirez
Leader, Customer Delivery
13
Answers
Mexico City, Mexico
Updated
Mario’s Answer
Hi Chakrika,
Many colleges and universities offer programs that connect students with mentorship opportunities from companies. MESA is a great example that elevates their community by helping students improve their resumes for better job opportunities.
Check if your university offers such programs. They not only foster mentor-mentee relationships but also provide a deeper understanding of the marketplace and what you should be looking for.
From a resume perspective, it's important to highlight your skills through specific behaviors or circumstances. For instance, if you delivered a project and your role was an enabler, make sure to reflect the key activities you undertook and how they contributed to the project's success. Providing concrete examples demonstrates that these behaviors are a regular part of your skill set. If you struggle to provide examples, it might indicate that these behaviors are not as frequent as you think.
Wishing you all the best for 2025!
Mario R
Many colleges and universities offer programs that connect students with mentorship opportunities from companies. MESA is a great example that elevates their community by helping students improve their resumes for better job opportunities.
Check if your university offers such programs. They not only foster mentor-mentee relationships but also provide a deeper understanding of the marketplace and what you should be looking for.
From a resume perspective, it's important to highlight your skills through specific behaviors or circumstances. For instance, if you delivered a project and your role was an enabler, make sure to reflect the key activities you undertook and how they contributed to the project's success. Providing concrete examples demonstrates that these behaviors are a regular part of your skill set. If you struggle to provide examples, it might indicate that these behaviors are not as frequent as you think.
Wishing you all the best for 2025!
Mario R
Jami Ibrahim
Career Consultant, Urban Planning, GIS, Resume Writing
27
Answers
Kaduna, Nigeria
Updated
Jami’s Answer
Hi Chakrika,
Improving your resume and making yourself more attractive for internships, especially in a competitive field like IT, is essential. Here are some concrete steps you can take to enhance your resume and increase your chances of landing an internship:
1. Firstly, use a clean, ATS-compliant format for your resume and keep it ideally to one page (since you are just starting out). Then tailor the resume’s summary and skills sections to each internship opportunity before applying. Highlight experiences that align closely with the job description and incorporate keywords from the job posting to make sure that your resume passes through the company’s applicant tracking systems (ATS).
2. Clearly list your knowledge of Python and R. Consider adding any frameworks or libraries you're familiar with (e.g., Pandas, NumPy for Python). Once you earn your Python certification, prominently display it on your resume. If you’re taking any additional relevant courses, include those too.
3. If you've completed any projects during your coursework that involved Python or R, include them in a "Projects" section. Also, if you have worked on personal projects, such as data analysis, automation scripts, or web development, detail these projects and what technologies you used.
4. List your degree program, institution, and expected graduation date. Include courses that are relevant to IT and programming, such as Data Structures, Algorithms, or Operating Systems.
5. Since you don’t have experience yet, emphasize soft skills that are valuable in the tech field. These include communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability.
6. Even if you haven't had an internship yet, consider volunteering for tech-related projects or internships that might allow you to gain hands-on experience. You can also work on freelance projects or contribute to open-source software. You can also join coding communities like GitHub to showcase your work.
7. Join professional groups, attend workshops, or speak at conferences related to IT. Networking can sometimes lead to internship opportunities. Maintain a professional LinkedIn profile. Connect with people in the industry and engage with content that interests you.
8. If you’ve completed coursework that involved projects, ask professors or peers for recommendations that you can use when applying.
9. Prepare for Interviews by browsing and practicing common interview questions and technical assessments specific to the information technology field. Be prepared to discuss your programming knowledge and any projects or coursework you've done.
10. Keep refining your resume as you complete new projects, gain new skills, or earn certifications.
The more proactive you are in enhancing your knowledge and experience, the better prepared you will be for internship opportunities in IT.
Good luck!
Improving your resume and making yourself more attractive for internships, especially in a competitive field like IT, is essential. Here are some concrete steps you can take to enhance your resume and increase your chances of landing an internship:
1. Firstly, use a clean, ATS-compliant format for your resume and keep it ideally to one page (since you are just starting out). Then tailor the resume’s summary and skills sections to each internship opportunity before applying. Highlight experiences that align closely with the job description and incorporate keywords from the job posting to make sure that your resume passes through the company’s applicant tracking systems (ATS).
2. Clearly list your knowledge of Python and R. Consider adding any frameworks or libraries you're familiar with (e.g., Pandas, NumPy for Python). Once you earn your Python certification, prominently display it on your resume. If you’re taking any additional relevant courses, include those too.
3. If you've completed any projects during your coursework that involved Python or R, include them in a "Projects" section. Also, if you have worked on personal projects, such as data analysis, automation scripts, or web development, detail these projects and what technologies you used.
4. List your degree program, institution, and expected graduation date. Include courses that are relevant to IT and programming, such as Data Structures, Algorithms, or Operating Systems.
5. Since you don’t have experience yet, emphasize soft skills that are valuable in the tech field. These include communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability.
6. Even if you haven't had an internship yet, consider volunteering for tech-related projects or internships that might allow you to gain hands-on experience. You can also work on freelance projects or contribute to open-source software. You can also join coding communities like GitHub to showcase your work.
7. Join professional groups, attend workshops, or speak at conferences related to IT. Networking can sometimes lead to internship opportunities. Maintain a professional LinkedIn profile. Connect with people in the industry and engage with content that interests you.
8. If you’ve completed coursework that involved projects, ask professors or peers for recommendations that you can use when applying.
9. Prepare for Interviews by browsing and practicing common interview questions and technical assessments specific to the information technology field. Be prepared to discuss your programming knowledge and any projects or coursework you've done.
10. Keep refining your resume as you complete new projects, gain new skills, or earn certifications.
The more proactive you are in enhancing your knowledge and experience, the better prepared you will be for internship opportunities in IT.
Good luck!