How to Write an Internship CV That Stands Out

You don't have a long list of credentials. Almost nobody applying for an internship does. The secret to a good internship CV is showing what you can do and want to do, not just what you have done.

Why do you need a CV for an internship?#

Even though the school sometimes arranges placements, many forms of internship, especially LIA, require you to apply and present yourself. A CV is your first impression. It determines whether you get an interview or end up in the "no" pile.

A good internship CV does not have to be long. One page is enough. The most important thing is that it is clear, relevant, and shows that you are motivated.

Structure of an internship CV#

1. Personal information#

Full name, phone number, email, and city of residence are sufficient. You do not need to include your personal identity number, age, or marital status.

Tip: Use a professional email address. firstname.lastname@gmail.com works well. Avoid nicknames.

2. Brief summary (2–3 sentences)#

State directly which programme you are studying, what you are looking for, and what you can contribute. The employer should understand who you are within five seconds.

Example:

Studying Digital Marketing at a YH programme and looking for a LIA placement in content marketing. Experienced with social media, copywriting, and Google Analytics through school projects and personal initiatives.

3. Education#

Current education first, then previous. Include:

• Programme name and school
• Period (start year – ongoing/end year)
• Relevant courses or specialisations

4. Experience#

List everything relevant – not just employment:

• Previous internships (APL, prao, LIA)
• Part-time and summer jobs: even if not industry-related
• Volunteer work and extracurricular involvement
• School projects that demonstrate relevant skills

For each entry, describe what you did and what you learned: not just the title.

Good phrasing:

Summer job, Café & Co (June–August 2025)
Responsible for the till, customer contact, and supply orders. Developed the ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Weak phrasing:

Barista at a café.

5. Skills#

List skills that are relevant to the internship you are applying for:

• Technical: Software, programming languages, tools
• Languages: Swedish (native), English (fluent)
• Other: Driving licence, certificates, specific knowledge

Avoid vague words like "team player" or "detail-oriented" without context. Demonstrate them through your experiences instead.

6. Additional merits (optional)#

Here you can highlight things that do not fit into other sections:

• Blogs, YouTube channel, or portfolio related to the industry
• Courses and certificates (LinkedIn Learning, Google, etc.)
• Hobbies that show relevant drive

5 mistakes to avoid#

1. Sending a generic CV to everyone#

Tailor your CV to each application. Highlight the experiences and skills that match that specific workplace. It does not need to be a complete rewrite, often adjusting the summary and the order is enough.

2. Irrelevant details#

The employer does not need to know that you enjoy cooking (unless you are applying for a placement in a restaurant). Every line should answer the question: "Why should I accept this particular student?"

3. Spelling errors and poor formatting#

Run a spell check. Ask someone else to read it through. Use a clean, readable format, nothing fancy. Simple heading hierarchy, generous margins, consistent typeface throughout.

4. Lying or exaggerating#

It always comes out. If you write that you are an expert in Photoshop, you should be able to prove it. Better to write "basic skills in Photoshop" – that is honest and sufficient.

5. Leaving gaps unexplained#

If there are periods without activity, explain briefly. "Travel", "family situation", or "re-evaluating career direction" are all perfectly acceptable.

Cover letter: is it needed?#

Yes, in most cases. A short cover letter (half a page maximum) that explains:

1. Why you want to do your internship specifically with them
2. What you can contribute
3. What you hope to learn

It shows that you have done your research and that you are not sending out mass applications.

Internship CV template: quick overview#

Your CV is a living document#

Update your CV after every new experience, internship, course, project. It takes two minutes and saves you stress before the next application. And most importantly: let your CV reflect who you are and where you are headed, not just what you have already done.