Tips for Creating an Excellent Resume to Land an Internship

Tips for Creating an Excellent Resume to Land an InternshipTips for Creating an Excellent Resume to Land an InternshipA successful career starts with a great resume. Heres how to sell yourself with very little experience.In todays job market, the internship has become the new entry-level position. If you want to build a successful career, it starts with a series of internships, co-ops and fellowships throughout your college career. But to land these coveted opportunities, you must first write a winning resume.I shared with Business Insiders Jacquelyn V. Smith a sample resume and my top tips for job landseekers with no experience. Here are the top takeawaysKeep the layout clean.Stick with one font type throughout the document thats easy to read online and offline such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri. Be consistent in how you represent locations (Atlanta, GA vs. Atlanta, Georgia) and time (Summer 2012 vs. May 2012 August 2012 vs. 05/2012 08/2012), so its easy to scan and pick o ut the important information. In addition, the headers and main sections of information are centered on the page, which Ladders eye-tracking study revealed is how recruiters tend to scan resumes.Include a link to your professional profile.You havent already, create at least one social media profile thats dedicated to your future profession. If you plan to work in a more creative field when you graduate, consider developing an online portfolio you can include in the contact information section of your resume. Also, increase the security settings on your personal social media accounts to make sure theyre safely hidden away from hiring managers eyes.Make your goals clear.If your resume was passed along to someone by a friend, would the reader know right away what type of internship or first job youre looking for? Include a professional title and summary at the top of the resume that clearly states your goals,so the reader never has to guess. Even though youre still developing your pers onal brand, your summary should explain the value you bring to the table.Play up your selling points. When you dont have any relevant work experience, you have to get a little creative with the layout of your resume to showcase your other strengths such as your leadership activities, relevant coursework, and academic achievements. Include your work experience, even if it isnt directly tied to your internship goals because it demonstrates your work ethic, but move it towards the bottom of the resume.Dont list your references.As a college student you only get one page of resume real estate dont waste it by including a list of references or stating References available upon request. Employers dont ask for this information until you make it to a face-to-face interview, and they know youll provide it if they request it.While employers dont expect their prospective interns to have loads of relevant experience, they do want to see an active, well-rounded student whos genuinely interested in their job opportunity.Click on the following link to view the full list of resume tips and a sample resume on Business Insider.