If you're applying for internships, your resume and cover letter are the first impression you make. It doesn’t matter if you have experience or not—what matters is how well you communicate your intent, skills, and interest.
This guide walks you through how to build a resume and cover letter that actually helps you get the interview. It's written specifically for students, freshers, and first-time applicants who want to stand out without padding their resumes.
Recruiters don’t spend more than 30 seconds on an application unless something stands out. If your resume is cluttered or your cover letter is generic, it goes to the bottom of the pile.
A strong resume shows you're serious and know how to present yourself. A thoughtful cover letter can fill in the blanks and show how you think.
Together, they:
On JobPe, you’ll find many roles open to freshers. Your application should prove you’re ready to start learning on the job.
Writing a resume without job experience is common for interns. It’s about shifting the spotlight to what you do have.
Think about:
You don’t need a job title to show responsibility or creativity.
Your resume needs to be easy to read. Stick to clean sections, use the same font throughout, and avoid fancy layouts. Hiring managers don’t care about visuals—they want relevant information fast.
Suggested structure:
Use a resume builder to do this quickly without stressing about formatting.
Contact Information
Summary
Optional, but helpful if you’re pivoting or want to explain your interest quickly.
Example: “Final-year economics student interested in data analytics and finance operations. Seeking an internship in fintech to build real-world experience.”
Education
Projects
Even simple ones work—what matters is how you describe them.
Designed a newsletter for my college society using Canva, growing subscribers by 45%
Built a personal website in HTML/CSS to showcase my projects
Created a basic inventory app in Python using Tkinter
Skills
Split into technical and soft skills if possible.
Certifications
Mention only those that add value to the job you’re applying for.
Extracurriculars
Clubs, competitions, or workshops. These show initiative and interest outside of class.
Avoid filler that adds no value:
Your resume should be one page. Be selective.
This is where most students struggle. A cover letter is not just a repetition of your resume. It’s your chance to talk directly to the person hiring you.
Greeting
If possible, address it to a person. If not, “Dear Hiring Team” is fine.
Introduction
Say where you found the job and why it caught your eye.
Body Paragraph (1–2)
Talk about your academic work, a project, or something that shows you’re a fit. Make it specific. Show, don’t just tell.
Closing
Be polite. Say you’re excited to learn more and thank them for their time.
Dear Hiring Team,
I’m applying for the Social Media Intern role at BrandCore. I found the listing on JobPe and was excited by the opportunity to work with a digital-first brand that values creativity.
As a journalism student, I’ve created content for my college blog and recently started a meme page that grew to 1,000 followers in under a month. I enjoy writing captions, testing formats, and seeing what works. I also completed a short course in digital marketing last month.
I’d love to support your team and grow my skills in a fast-paced environment. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Even small details can shift a recruiter’s impression.
They’re not expecting you to be perfect. They want to see:
Everything from the file name of your resume to your email subject line contributes to this impression.
You don’t have to figure everything out yourself. JobPe has tools to help applicants like you:
Treat each application as practice. With every submission, you learn something:
Track what you’ve applied for. Follow up after a week if you haven’t heard back. Ask for feedback if rejected—some will reply.
Sometimes a small shift in phrasing changes how you're seen.
Instead of:
“Participated in college fest planning”
Try:
“Coordinated logistics for a two-day college festival attended by 700+ students”
See the difference? One is passive. The other is active and specific.
If you haven’t worked before, talk about what you’ve learned on your own.
These aren’t “jobs,” but they show action.
Your first resume and cover letter might not feel impressive. That’s normal.
What matters is that you’re trying, you’re improving, and you’re learning to present your story in a thoughtful way.
The goal isn’t to look perfect. It’s to look ready.
Internships open doors. Your resume and cover letter are how you knock.
Want help with the next step?
Creative Content Writer
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