"What do I put on my CV when I have no work experience?" Almost every student asks this before applying for their first internship. The good news: employers don't expect experience from an intern. On an internship CV (or resume), what they really look at is your education, your projects, your skills and your willingness to learn.
Short answer: A good internship CV is one page and follows this order: contact details, a two- or three-sentence summary, education, projects, any work or club experience, skills and languages. If you have no work experience, class projects, club roles, part-time jobs and certifications take its place.
Below you'll find two realistic internship CV examples, what to write in each section, and ready-made summary lines you can adapt.
Internship CV examples
Example 1: Software engineering internship CV (Computer Science student)
Why this CV works:
- The summary says exactly what he wants: his degree, interests and the type of internship are clear within three sentences.
- Projects are specific: instead of "built a web app", it names the technologies and how many people used it.
- Even an unrelated job adds value: tutoring shows responsibility and communication skills.
- A club role stands in for work experience: working on a team in a student club is real project experience.
Example 2: Marketing internship CV (Business student)
Why this CV works:
- Club work is described by its results: instead of "ran social media", it shows how the follower count grew.
- A class project becomes experience: the marketing plan is directly relevant to the internship.
- Skills match the role: Canva, Excel and Google Analytics are exactly what a marketing intern is expected to use.
What sections should an internship CV have?
The section order on an internship CV is a little different from an experienced professional's. Education and projects matter more than work history, so they come first:
- Contact details: full name, phone number, a professional email address (firstname.lastname@...), your city and your LinkedIn profile. If you're in software, add your GitHub link.
- Summary (Profile): two or three sentences about your degree, year, interests and the kind of internship you want.
- Education: university, degree, year of study and expected graduation date. Add your GPA if it's strong, and relevant coursework if it helps.
- Projects: class projects, capstone projects and personal projects. Say what you did, which tools you used and what the result was.
- Experience: previous internships, part-time jobs, club and society roles, and volunteering.
- Skills: programs, software and tools relevant to the role. Only list what you can actually use.
- Languages: with your level (e.g. Spanish – Intermediate, or a CEFR level such as B2).
- Certifications: online courses, workshops and training programs.
What to put on an internship CV with no experience
An empty work experience section is not a problem on an internship CV. Here's what you can highlight instead:
Class projects. Semester projects, group assignments and capstone projects are real experience. Describe your role and the concrete outcome: "Handled data analysis in a four-person team and presented the results at the end-of-term review."
Club and society roles. Organizing events, running social media or reaching out to sponsors for a student club shows teamwork and responsibility.
Part-time and seasonal jobs. Working in a café, a shop, a call center or as a tutor counts. Even if it seems unrelated, it builds customer service, time management and reliability.
Volunteering. Roles with charities, community groups or social projects are experience too.
Certifications and online courses. Courses you've taken on your own time prove that you're keen to learn.
Ready-made summary examples for an internship CV
Adapt these to your own degree and the internship you're applying for:
- Software / Computer Science: "Third-year Computer Science student with a strong interest in web development. I have used JavaScript and Python in class and personal projects, and I'm looking for a software engineering internship where I can apply what I've learned to a real product."
- Business / Marketing: "Third-year Business student passionate about digital marketing. I have created social media content for a student organization and I'm looking for a marketing internship to gain hands-on experience."
- Mechanical / Electrical Engineering: "Third-year Mechanical Engineering student interested in design and manufacturing. I have completed course projects in AutoCAD and SolidWorks and I'm looking for an internship that gives me experience in a production environment."
- Accounting / Finance: "Second-year Accounting student with advanced Excel skills and a solid understanding of bookkeeping basics. I'm looking for an internship in an accounting firm or a finance team."
- Psychology / Social sciences: "Third-year Psychology student interested in human resources and employee experience. In my research methods course I designed a survey and analyzed the results. I'm looking for an internship in HR."
Common internship CV mistakes
- Stretching it to two pages. One page is ideal for an internship CV.
- Sending the same CV everywhere. Tweak your summary and skills for each internship.
- Padding the skills list. Don't list a program you couldn't talk about in an interview.
- Using an unprofessional email address. Use an address based on your name.
- Mentioning projects in a single word. Instead of "website project", explain what you did and what came of it in a sentence or two.
- Leaving typos in. Read your CV several times before you send it.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an internship CV be?
An internship CV should be one page. Recruiters go through many applications quickly, and a concise, well-organized page stands out.
Is an internship CV the same as a resume?
In the US and Canada, the one-page document you send with a job application is usually called a resume, while "CV" often means a longer academic document. In the UK, Europe and many other countries, "CV" is the standard term for the same one-page document. The advice in this guide applies to both.
Should I put my GPA on my internship CV?
If your GPA is strong (often 3.0 out of 4.0 or higher), including it helps. If it's lower, you don't have to list it, but if the posting asks for it, include it honestly.
Do I need references on an internship CV?
No, they're not required. If you want to include one, choose a professor, club advisor or former employer who knows you, and always ask their permission first. Writing "References available on request" is also fine.
Should I include a photo?
It depends on the country. In the US, the UK and Canada, leave the photo off. In Turkey and many European, Middle Eastern and Asian countries, a professional photo is common. If you add one, see What makes a good CV photo?
Build your internship CV now
You don't have to start from a blank page. With BUDDA CV you pick a template, fill in your details step by step and download your internship CV as a PDF in minutes. On a computer, you can use the web version for free without installing anything. The CV Analysis feature also flags missing or weak sections before you send it.
Last updated: 24 September 2026
Related guides:
With BUDDA CV, you can easily prepare your first internship CV and give your career a strong start. Fast and easy; creating your CV and downloading it as a PDF are free.
