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ATS Keywords for Student / Intern Resumes

Intern resumes are evaluated on potential and initiative more than polish — activities, part-time work, and coursework all count as real evidence when framed with genuine responsibility and outcomes.

Hard Skills

Relevant CourseworkClass/Club ProjectsBasic Software Proficiency (field-specific)Research Assistance

Soft Skills

ReliabilityWillingness to LearnCommunicationTime Management (Balancing School/Work)

Tools & Certifications

Microsoft Office/Google WorkspaceField-relevant Intro CertificationsBasic Data Tools (Excel, etc.)

How to use these keywords

  • Include part-time jobs even if unrelated to the target field — reliability and work ethic are real, transferable signals for internships.
  • Describe club/extracurricular leadership with real scope (budget managed, members led, events run) rather than just listing membership.
  • Keep it to one page — internship reviewers expect brevity and a long resume at this stage can read as padded.

See recommended resume templates for Student / Intern

Curated templates that pair well with this role's keyword profile.

Frequently asked questions

What if I have no relevant experience at all?

Lead with coursework, projects, and any leadership/volunteer role — internship postings expect limited experience and evaluate potential instead.

Should I list high school activities if I'm in college now?

Only if still relevant and recent (freshman/sophomore year) — phase them out as college experience accumulates.