How to Write an Internship CV

Say what you want and when you're available

Internships and attachments usually run for fixed periods. In your summary, say what kind of placement you want and when you're free, for example: “Third-year Computer Science student seeking a software development internship, available June to August.”

Show relevant study

List your programme, year of study and expected completion. Then name the courses that relate to the organisation's work. A telecoms company cares about your networking course; a bank cares about accounting and economics.

Make projects do the work

For most students, projects are the best evidence of ability. For each project write:

• What the project was and your role in it
• The tools, equipment or methods you used
• The result — a working prototype, a report, a presentation, a grade

Include practical skills

Technical supervisors want to know what you can do with minimal supervision: software you can use, equipment you've operated, lab techniques, drawing tools, programming languages. Be honest about your level.

Previous attachments and holiday work

If you've done an attachment before, list it under Experience with specific tasks. Holiday jobs outside your field still belong on the CV; keep them short.

Safety and certificates

For engineering, construction, laboratory and health placements, any safety training or induction is worth listing. So are relevant online certificates.

See a complete internship CV example →

Send it the right way

• Follow the organisation's instructions — some use online forms, others ask for an email with an introduction letter from your school.
• Send a PDF and name it clearly.
• Write a short, polite email or cover letter that names the placement and your dates.