Writing an internship resume is challenging if your first internship will also be your first job. In fact, creating an internship resume can be difficult even if you’ve had a part-time job or two.

It’s the old chicken-and-egg routine. Human resource departments and internship coordinators are looking for an employee with experience. But how can you get experience without first being hired for a job?

Actually, you probably already have resume-worthy experience, even if you’ve never had a job or internship!

In fact, University Language’s professional resume writing service for students and recent graduates includes a personalized questionnaire and interview so that your resume writer can choose your most valuable activities and skills to put on your resume.

For example, have you considered including these 5 items on your resume?

1. Hobbies That Are Also Special Skills

Did you build your own website in your spare time? An internship coordinator may appreciate your knowledge of programming and html.

Are you taking weekend classes to learn sign language? The human resources department might recognize not only your dedication, but also how that skill could be an asset to the company.

Some hobbies don’t belong on resumes. For example, your love of riding roller coasters should go on resumes for only a few, very specific internships. But make a list of all of your hobbies and interests and carefully consider if and how they would enhance your resume and benefit a business.

2. Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are a valuable addition to an internship resume if you haven’t had a job. Treat each activity almost as if it were a job, listing the dates you have been involved, your positions and your responsibilities.

If your extracurricular activities are related to the internship you are applying for, that’s even better! For example, are you applying for a journalism internship? Highlight how you have submitted articles to the student newspaper, edited the Spanish Club’s monthly newsletter, and written a blog focused on student life.

3. Volunteer Work

A job doesn’t have to be paid for you to get valuable work experience, and many internship coordinators recognize that.

Like with a paid job, volunteer work shows that you are reliable and can stick to a schedule. As an added bonus, volunteer work proves that you recognize that some things are more important than money.

4. Awards and Achievements

Have you been selected to attend a national conference? Had a short story published in a literary magazine? Won a prize at the state science fair?  Awards and achievements show internship coordinators that you are dedicated and ambitious.

But be choosy for your resume. An internship coordinator probably doesn’t care that you won first prize in the annual third grade jump roping competition!

5. “Unofficial” Jobs

Babysitting, lawn-mowing, leaf-raking … these and jobs like them are perfectly appropriate to place on an internship resume so long as you were hired to do them on a regular basis by more than just your parents!

You may not have a pay stub, but these jobs are just as “real” as any other … and your internship resume will reflect that you are responsible and organized.

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