Land Your Dream Internship: Craft an Outstanding U.S. Application

Tell a story. Skip the generic resume. Show your talents and experience in a way that makes your motivation clear, and how you'd help your future host company.

Focus on results. Put numbers on what you achieved. Instead of "managed social media," write "increased website traffic by 20% through targeted social media campaigns."

Use the right keywords. Pick up relevant words from the job description. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) look for them, and so do recruiters.

Keep it easy to read. Short and scannable. Clear headings, bullet points and action verbs.

Proofread, proofread, proofread. Typos and grammar mistakes leave a bad impression. Check everything before you send it.

Show you care. Say why you're genuinely interested in the program and the fields you're aiming for.

Connect the dots. Link your resume to the program. Explain why your skills and experience make you a good fit.

End with a next step. Close by saying you'd love to learn more and to be interviewed.

Keep it to one page. Stick to what matters most and get to the point.

Format matters. Use a professional template and keep the formatting consistent. We have templates to get you started.

Back up your skills. Every skill you list is stronger with a measurable result next to it.

Get a second pair of eyes. Ask someone else to read your resume and cover letter. They'll catch what you missed.

Stand out with design. A good looking template helps, as long as it stays easy to read.

Link to your work. Add a link to your portfolio, personal website or LinkedIn profile.

Network. Connections in your industry often lead to internship opportunities.

Know your industry. Stay on top of current trends in your field.