11 answers
Emely
Student
1
Question
Asked
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What can I improve in my resume to be accepted in internship opportunities ?
I am a sophomore in Baruch college. I need to start doing internships and have applied to several positions, but haven’t been accepted. I would like to know what can I improve on my resume to be accepted?
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11 answers
Angelina (Yun Chu) Kuan
Risk Consulting
41
Answers
Foster City, California
Updated
Angelina (Yun Chu)’s Answer
Crafting a resume for internship opportunities as a college sophomore can seem challenging, below are some guidance on how to best craft your resume:
1. Tailor Your Resume for Each Internship
Customize your resume to the specific internship you are applying for. Review the job description carefully and include keywords or skills that match what the employer is looking for. Highlight the most relevant experiences to that role.
2. Choose the Right Format
Use a Clean, Professional Layout: Keep the design simple and easy to read. Stick to one page (especially for internships), use bullet points, and organize information logically.
Use Professional Fonts: Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in size 10–12.
3. List Relevant Experiences
Even if you haven’t had formal internships before, you can list any part-time jobs, volunteer work, or projects that demonstrate relevant skills.
Use strong action verbs and quantify your achievements when possible.
Prioritize transferrable skills: Communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and organization are valuable for almost any internship.
4. Include Extracurricular Activities
List leadership roles, club memberships, sports teams, or any organizations you’re involved with. Highlight leadership roles or initiatives that show your ability to take charge or work well with a team.
Describe what you accomplished within these roles, like planning events or managing social media for a club.
5. Highlight Skills
Technical Skills: If you have any skills in software programs (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Adobe Photoshop, programming languages, or tools specific to the field you’re applying to), make sure to include them.
Soft Skills: While soft skills like communication and time management are important, focus more on measurable and specific skills.
Languages: If you speak multiple languages, be sure to include them, especially if the role or company operates internationally.
6. Add a Projects Section (If Relevant)
If you’ve worked on class projects that are relevant to the internship, list them. This is especially useful for students who don’t have a lot of formal work experience.
7. Include Certifications (If Applicable)
If you have any certifications that are relevant to the role, include them.
8. Proofread and Optimize for ATS
Proofread: Ensure your resume is free of typos and grammatical errors. A clean and error-free resume reflects attention to detail.
Optimize for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems): Many companies use software to scan resumes for keywords. Make sure your resume includes terms from the job description and is formatted in a way that ATS systems can easily scan (no complex graphics or fancy fonts).
9. Use Action Verbs
In your bullet points, start with action verbs like "Collaborated," "Led," "Created," "Analyzed," "Designed," "Developed," etc. This makes your resume sound dynamic and results-oriented.
10. Get Feedback
Have someone else, like a career counselor, professor, or trusted peer, review your resume to provide feedback. A fresh set of eyes can catch errors or make suggestions for improvement.
1. Tailor Your Resume for Each Internship
Customize your resume to the specific internship you are applying for. Review the job description carefully and include keywords or skills that match what the employer is looking for. Highlight the most relevant experiences to that role.
2. Choose the Right Format
Use a Clean, Professional Layout: Keep the design simple and easy to read. Stick to one page (especially for internships), use bullet points, and organize information logically.
Use Professional Fonts: Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in size 10–12.
3. List Relevant Experiences
Even if you haven’t had formal internships before, you can list any part-time jobs, volunteer work, or projects that demonstrate relevant skills.
Use strong action verbs and quantify your achievements when possible.
Prioritize transferrable skills: Communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and organization are valuable for almost any internship.
4. Include Extracurricular Activities
List leadership roles, club memberships, sports teams, or any organizations you’re involved with. Highlight leadership roles or initiatives that show your ability to take charge or work well with a team.
Describe what you accomplished within these roles, like planning events or managing social media for a club.
5. Highlight Skills
Technical Skills: If you have any skills in software programs (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Adobe Photoshop, programming languages, or tools specific to the field you’re applying to), make sure to include them.
Soft Skills: While soft skills like communication and time management are important, focus more on measurable and specific skills.
Languages: If you speak multiple languages, be sure to include them, especially if the role or company operates internationally.
6. Add a Projects Section (If Relevant)
If you’ve worked on class projects that are relevant to the internship, list them. This is especially useful for students who don’t have a lot of formal work experience.
7. Include Certifications (If Applicable)
If you have any certifications that are relevant to the role, include them.
8. Proofread and Optimize for ATS
Proofread: Ensure your resume is free of typos and grammatical errors. A clean and error-free resume reflects attention to detail.
Optimize for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems): Many companies use software to scan resumes for keywords. Make sure your resume includes terms from the job description and is formatted in a way that ATS systems can easily scan (no complex graphics or fancy fonts).
9. Use Action Verbs
In your bullet points, start with action verbs like "Collaborated," "Led," "Created," "Analyzed," "Designed," "Developed," etc. This makes your resume sound dynamic and results-oriented.
10. Get Feedback
Have someone else, like a career counselor, professor, or trusted peer, review your resume to provide feedback. A fresh set of eyes can catch errors or make suggestions for improvement.
Aman Kumar
Software engineer
161
Answers
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Updated
Aman’s Answer
Hi Emely,
It's great to see you taking the initiative to pursue internships while still in college! Getting those first experiences can indeed be challenging, but a well-structured resume can make a significant difference.
First, I recommend enhancing your resume's format and structure. Create a clear hierarchy with your most relevant experiences at the top. For example, if you've done any volunteer work or part-time jobs, even if they're not directly related to the internships you’re applying for, include them. Focus on transferable skills like team collaboration, problem-solving, and communication. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities in each role with action verbs. Instead of saying “Responsible for managing a team project,” say “Led a team of 4 to develop a marketing strategy that increased social media engagement by 30%.” This showcases your impact rather than just duties.
Moreover, if you have any relevant coursework or projects, make sure you highlight those. Mention any specific tools, software, or methodologies you've learned and how you applied them. For example, if you took a class on data analysis that involved using Excel or R, say something like, “Utilized R to analyze data sets for a class project, resulting in actionable insights that improved our mock campaign’s performance.”
Lastly, consider customizing your resume for each application. Tailor your objective statement and highlight experiences that align with the specific company or industry. If you can relate past experiences to the internship role, even better!
Best of luck, Emely! Remember, persistence is key; keep refining your approach, and you’ll find the right opportunity soon.
It's great to see you taking the initiative to pursue internships while still in college! Getting those first experiences can indeed be challenging, but a well-structured resume can make a significant difference.
First, I recommend enhancing your resume's format and structure. Create a clear hierarchy with your most relevant experiences at the top. For example, if you've done any volunteer work or part-time jobs, even if they're not directly related to the internships you’re applying for, include them. Focus on transferable skills like team collaboration, problem-solving, and communication. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities in each role with action verbs. Instead of saying “Responsible for managing a team project,” say “Led a team of 4 to develop a marketing strategy that increased social media engagement by 30%.” This showcases your impact rather than just duties.
Moreover, if you have any relevant coursework or projects, make sure you highlight those. Mention any specific tools, software, or methodologies you've learned and how you applied them. For example, if you took a class on data analysis that involved using Excel or R, say something like, “Utilized R to analyze data sets for a class project, resulting in actionable insights that improved our mock campaign’s performance.”
Lastly, consider customizing your resume for each application. Tailor your objective statement and highlight experiences that align with the specific company or industry. If you can relate past experiences to the internship role, even better!
Best of luck, Emely! Remember, persistence is key; keep refining your approach, and you’ll find the right opportunity soon.
Yamina KHALDI ☁️
Account Executive
2
Answers
Mulhuddart, County Dublin
Updated
Yamina’s Answer
Hi Emely,
Here are the three most important points to improve your resume for internship opportunities:
1-Personnalise your resume for all applications
Action: Customize your resume to match the job description by incorporating relevant keywords and skills.
Impact: Increases the chances of passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and demonstrates your alignment with the internship role.
2. Quantify Achievements
Action: Use numbers to describe your accomplishments (e.g., “Improved efficiency by 20% in a class project”).
Impact: Provides concrete evidence of your contributions, making your resume more compelling.
3. Highlight Relevant Coursework and Projects
Action: Include specific coursework, projects, or case studies related to the internship field.
Impact: Shows your foundational knowledge and practical application of skills, enhancing your attractiveness as a candidate.
Networking: Connect with professionals in the same industry and seek recommendations and advice.
Focusing on these areas can significantly strengthen your resume and improve your chances of landing an internship.
Here are the three most important points to improve your resume for internship opportunities:
1-Personnalise your resume for all applications
Action: Customize your resume to match the job description by incorporating relevant keywords and skills.
Impact: Increases the chances of passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and demonstrates your alignment with the internship role.
2. Quantify Achievements
Action: Use numbers to describe your accomplishments (e.g., “Improved efficiency by 20% in a class project”).
Impact: Provides concrete evidence of your contributions, making your resume more compelling.
3. Highlight Relevant Coursework and Projects
Action: Include specific coursework, projects, or case studies related to the internship field.
Impact: Shows your foundational knowledge and practical application of skills, enhancing your attractiveness as a candidate.
Networking: Connect with professionals in the same industry and seek recommendations and advice.
Focusing on these areas can significantly strengthen your resume and improve your chances of landing an internship.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Emely !
It depends upon what your major is, but Baruch does Internship Placement so you will need to ask your major professors about Baruch Training Internships. All majors may not have this, though, so check in your major department.
Not having seen your resume, it's hard for anyone to say what you need to do. It may just be getting the application in before the internships fill up. I can suggest some other reasons, too. It may not be your resume. You are in New York City and the amount of resumes that the internships may be receiving are numerous. If you are sending them by e-mail or leaving voice mails, chances are high that they will not provide a response. Also, you are sending for the same internships that Juniors and Seniors as well as graduates are applying for and if you are in your first year of college, it may be that they want interns that have more courses or experience behind them. The volume of applications in NYC is very high, so do not worry or take it that you need to improve your resume. What would help would be to get some experience by way of volunteer work.
It may be best to approach agencies or companies in New York City in person. Talk face to face with a receptionist or staff where ever you want to do volunteer work. Introduce yourself and ask whom you may speak with about volunteer work. Again, it's going to depend upon what your major is. You can also consider going into one of the boroughs in which you have family or friends that you can visit and at the same time seek volunteer work at places there.
You can also find out about any groups or activities connected to your major that are held at Baruch. Work on projects and build your experience that can be added to your resume. Your major department should have information about opportunities and groups. Take full advantage of the resources on campus. Applying for volunteer work, internships or employment is not guaranteed, it's just a matter of applying and waiting to hear back. If you're not being accepted for an internship right now, it may mean that you need more experience and the basic courses in your major. Take it slow at first, gather resources, look into volunteer work instead of internships and take it step by step. It's a process just like anything else but well worth having patience and letting opportunities flow naturally and when the time is right for work you will be able to do.
Just some advice that I thought I'd contribute. I think you'll be fine and projects and experience will be coming your way soon enough ! Best wishes in all you do.
It depends upon what your major is, but Baruch does Internship Placement so you will need to ask your major professors about Baruch Training Internships. All majors may not have this, though, so check in your major department.
Not having seen your resume, it's hard for anyone to say what you need to do. It may just be getting the application in before the internships fill up. I can suggest some other reasons, too. It may not be your resume. You are in New York City and the amount of resumes that the internships may be receiving are numerous. If you are sending them by e-mail or leaving voice mails, chances are high that they will not provide a response. Also, you are sending for the same internships that Juniors and Seniors as well as graduates are applying for and if you are in your first year of college, it may be that they want interns that have more courses or experience behind them. The volume of applications in NYC is very high, so do not worry or take it that you need to improve your resume. What would help would be to get some experience by way of volunteer work.
It may be best to approach agencies or companies in New York City in person. Talk face to face with a receptionist or staff where ever you want to do volunteer work. Introduce yourself and ask whom you may speak with about volunteer work. Again, it's going to depend upon what your major is. You can also consider going into one of the boroughs in which you have family or friends that you can visit and at the same time seek volunteer work at places there.
You can also find out about any groups or activities connected to your major that are held at Baruch. Work on projects and build your experience that can be added to your resume. Your major department should have information about opportunities and groups. Take full advantage of the resources on campus. Applying for volunteer work, internships or employment is not guaranteed, it's just a matter of applying and waiting to hear back. If you're not being accepted for an internship right now, it may mean that you need more experience and the basic courses in your major. Take it slow at first, gather resources, look into volunteer work instead of internships and take it step by step. It's a process just like anything else but well worth having patience and letting opportunities flow naturally and when the time is right for work you will be able to do.
Just some advice that I thought I'd contribute. I think you'll be fine and projects and experience will be coming your way soon enough ! Best wishes in all you do.
Le Chern Ho
Corporate Development - Strategy
2
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Le Chern’s Answer
It's certainly beneficial to engage in a conversation with the hiring manager to understand their needs. If you can, customize your resume to match these needs.
Try to identify the key tasks and abilities the job ad is seeking. Alongside this, draft a cover letter that emphasizes your enthusiasm for the role and explains why you've chosen this specific career. If you can, connect with a professional who's already working in the field for valuable insights and advice.
Try to identify the key tasks and abilities the job ad is seeking. Alongside this, draft a cover letter that emphasizes your enthusiasm for the role and explains why you've chosen this specific career. If you can, connect with a professional who's already working in the field for valuable insights and advice.
Veronica P
Strategy & Operations
3
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Veronica’s Answer
Hi Emely,
Some tips are
1. Have someone within the industry or similar team you are applying to review and provide feedback: Resume formats can vary by industry and type of roles you are apply for, so not all feedback should be weighted the same. The most useful feedback would be from those who have applied to, interviewed for, and work/worked at the type of domains are you are pursuing.
2. Simplify: A general guideline is to make your resume have 1 page for ten years of work experience. Additionally, walk through your resume and ask yourself, "would someone who has never worked in the experiences I had nor met me be able to make sure of what I have written?" to make sure you are describing your experience in a clearly understandable matter
3. Highlights Relevant to the Job: Not all experiences are equally relevant for every job, so tailor your resume to bring out the experiences that are most relevant to the roles you are applying to at this time.
4. Include Contact Information: Make sure you leave your email or a way to reach you if and when they are interested!
Some tips are
1. Have someone within the industry or similar team you are applying to review and provide feedback: Resume formats can vary by industry and type of roles you are apply for, so not all feedback should be weighted the same. The most useful feedback would be from those who have applied to, interviewed for, and work/worked at the type of domains are you are pursuing.
2. Simplify: A general guideline is to make your resume have 1 page for ten years of work experience. Additionally, walk through your resume and ask yourself, "would someone who has never worked in the experiences I had nor met me be able to make sure of what I have written?" to make sure you are describing your experience in a clearly understandable matter
3. Highlights Relevant to the Job: Not all experiences are equally relevant for every job, so tailor your resume to bring out the experiences that are most relevant to the roles you are applying to at this time.
4. Include Contact Information: Make sure you leave your email or a way to reach you if and when they are interested!
Zev Rosenbaum
Data Science
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Zev’s Answer
Hey Emely,
When writing about your experience, focus on your accomplishments, your impact in the role. Being on a team or being on the board of a club can show some skillset or leadership experience. Volunteer or community service opportunities are also great to see on a college student's resume. Generally, simpler is better for your resume, so try to keep your resume to one page.
I hope this helps and I wish you luck in your search!
When writing about your experience, focus on your accomplishments, your impact in the role. Being on a team or being on the board of a club can show some skillset or leadership experience. Volunteer or community service opportunities are also great to see on a college student's resume. Generally, simpler is better for your resume, so try to keep your resume to one page.
I hope this helps and I wish you luck in your search!
Zev Rosenbaum
Data Science
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Zev’s Answer
Hey Emely, I thought through some tips that I think are good broad ideas to keep in mind as you prep for interviews:
- Be prepared to speak to your experience and how it would apply to the company
- Read up on the company and the general internship description to make sure it's a good fit for you. This will also help shape your interview answers
- Ask questions to show interest and to make sure its a good fit for you. Don't forget, you're also interviewing the company and internship to see if it's right for you.
- Make sure to have a tidy professional appearance whether on video or in person.
- Eye contact will show confidence and generate a better connection with your interviewer.
I hope your internship search goes well!
- Be prepared to speak to your experience and how it would apply to the company
- Read up on the company and the general internship description to make sure it's a good fit for you. This will also help shape your interview answers
- Ask questions to show interest and to make sure its a good fit for you. Don't forget, you're also interviewing the company and internship to see if it's right for you.
- Make sure to have a tidy professional appearance whether on video or in person.
- Eye contact will show confidence and generate a better connection with your interviewer.
I hope your internship search goes well!
Clemente Diaz
Higher Ed. Administrator, Industrial-Organizational Psychology Practitioner, Psychology Faculty
8
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Clemente’s Answer
Hi Emely,
When it comes to your resume, the most important thing is highlighting industry-relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities. If you don't have relevant internship experience, you should highlight relevant and transferable skills via course projects, club activities, job simulations, etc. I recommend you schedule an appointment with the Starr Career Development Center to (1) explore opportunities/resources (e.g., the Forage) you can include in your resume and (2) to have a resume review.
When it comes to your resume, the most important thing is highlighting industry-relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities. If you don't have relevant internship experience, you should highlight relevant and transferable skills via course projects, club activities, job simulations, etc. I recommend you schedule an appointment with the Starr Career Development Center to (1) explore opportunities/resources (e.g., the Forage) you can include in your resume and (2) to have a resume review.
Rohan Bhatia
Data Scientist
2
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Rohan’s Answer
Your resume should be tailored to the job or internship you are applying for. Few pointers to keep in mind which might help in your resume getting shortlisted:
Make sure your skills in resume are aligned with the skills asked in internship opportunities
Try to use relevant key words in resume because sometimes companies do shortlisting based on keyword search
Highlight impact of your projects when describing your experience or projects
Use numbers or percentage to show impact of your project.
Try to keep resume crisp and to the point.
Make sure to provide correct email address and/or phone numbers
Best of luck!
Make sure your skills in resume are aligned with the skills asked in internship opportunities
Try to use relevant key words in resume because sometimes companies do shortlisting based on keyword search
Highlight impact of your projects when describing your experience or projects
Use numbers or percentage to show impact of your project.
Try to keep resume crisp and to the point.
Make sure to provide correct email address and/or phone numbers
Best of luck!
Annaleigh Niedzielski
Videographer, Producer, Assistant Director
65
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Annaleigh’s Answer
Hi Emely!
One of the biggest mistakes I have seen in resumes is actually having too much! Keep your resume to one page if possible, only including what is applicable to the job. Additionally, a cover letter with details on the internship you are applying to and WHY you want to work there specifically can do wonders! Finally, try to get involved in clubs or volunteer opportunities that are related to your field to continue to build your resume and meet people in your career.
One of the biggest mistakes I have seen in resumes is actually having too much! Keep your resume to one page if possible, only including what is applicable to the job. Additionally, a cover letter with details on the internship you are applying to and WHY you want to work there specifically can do wonders! Finally, try to get involved in clubs or volunteer opportunities that are related to your field to continue to build your resume and meet people in your career.