Writing a CV for an internship can be intimidating—especially if you have little to no work experience. But don’t worry. This comprehensive guide will help you craft a winning CV that showcases your potential and boosts your chances of landing the internship of your dreams in South Africa or beyond.
Why Your CV For an Internship Matters
Your CV (Curriculum Vitae) is often the first impression a recruiter will have of you. Whether you’re applying for a SETA internship, a corporate graduate programme, or a summer internship, your CV should:
- Clearly reflect your qualifications and achievements
- Highlight your transferable skills
- Show you’re motivated, reliable, and eager to learn
What to Include in Your Internship CV
Here’s a checklist of essential sections your CV should contain:
1. Contact Information
At the top of your CV, include:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- Location (City, Province)
- LinkedIn profile (if available and up to date)
🔒 Avoid adding personal details like your photo, gender, religion, or ID number unless requested.
2. Personal Profile or Objective (Optional)
If you choose to include one, write a 2–3 line summary of who you are and what you’re aiming for. Keep it specific to the internship.
📌 Example:
“A third-year BCom Accounting student with strong analytical and problem-solving skills seeking a finance internship to apply academic knowledge in a practical setting.”
3. Education History
List your education in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Include:
- Degree/Diploma/Certificate name
- Institution name
- Dates attended (Start–End)
- Noteworthy modules or projects (optional)
📌 Example:
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
University of Pretoria, 2021–2024
- Modules: Financial Management, Business Law
- Research Project: Budgeting for SMEs in Gauteng
4. Work Experience
Include any:
- Part-time jobs
- Internships
- Holiday work
- Campus jobs
If you don’t have formal work experience, skip to volunteering or project work.
Each entry should include:
- Job Title
- Employer
- Dates
- Duties and achievements (in bullet points)
📌 Example:
Sales Assistant
Mr Price – Eastgate Mall, Dec 2023 – Jan 2024
- Assisted customers with purchases and returns
- Replenished stock and organised sales floor
- Achieved daily sales targets consistently
5. Volunteering & Extracurricular Activities
Don’t underestimate these! Highlight:
- School/University clubs or societies
- Sports teams
- Volunteer work
- Fundraising or community initiatives
📌 Example:
Treasurer – Accounting Society, UCT
- Managed R15,000 annual budget
- Organised 3 student workshops on financial literacy
6. Skills Section
Use this section to highlight hard and soft skills relevant to the internship.
Hard Skills:
- MS Excel, Google Docs
- Graphic Design (Canva, Photoshop)
- Programming (Python, Java)
- Social Media Management
- Financial Analysis
Soft Skills:
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Time management
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving
7. Languages, Certificates, and Licences
If you have additional qualifications or certifications, include them.
📌 Example:
- Languages: English (Fluent), Zulu (Intermediate)
- Certificates: First Aid Level 1, Google Digital Marketing
- Driver’s Licence: Code B (Own Transport)
8. References
You can either:
- List two referees (e.g., academic tutor and past employer), or
- Simply write: “References available upon request”
What If You Have No Work Experience?
No experience? No problem.
Use your academic projects, leadership roles, community service, or hobbies to demonstrate transferable skills.
📌 Example:
“As part of my Business Studies final project, I created a business plan and marketing strategy for a fictional mobile app, demonstrating my planning and presentation skills.”
Best Format for Your Internship CV
Most internship applicants should use the chronological format, listing education, work, and volunteering in reverse date order.
Quick Formatting Tips:
- Use clear headings (e.g., “Education”, “Work Experience”)
- Keep fonts consistent (e.g., Arial, Calibri, 11–12pt)
- Use bullet points for readability
- Avoid large chunks of text
- Save as PDF before submitting unless stated otherwise
How Long Should Your CV Be?
- 1 page if you’re in your first or second year of university
- 2 pages max if you have more experience
Always follow the employer’s instructions. If they request one page, stick to it.
Do You Need a Cover Letter for Internships?
Yes. A cover letter complements your CV by explaining:
- Why you’re interested in the internship
- What skills and experiences make you a good fit
- What you hope to gain from the opportunity
🔗 Read: How to Write a Convincing Cover Letter for Internships
Download Internship CV Template (Free)
Need a head start? Download our editable internship CV template in Word or PDF format to guide your writing.
📥 Click here to download the internship CV template
Internship CV Do’s and Don’ts
✅ Do:
- Use professional formatting and language
- Tailor your CV for every application
- Use action verbs like “led”, “created”, “organised”, “managed”
- Quantify achievements (e.g., “raised R10,000 for charity”)
❌ Don’t:
- Use slang or emojis
- Include outdated personal details (e.g., marital status)
- Submit the same generic CV everywhere
- Lie or exaggerate qualifications
Where to Use Your Internship CV
Your polished CV can be used for:
- SETA Internships 2025
- Graduate internships at banks, law firms, and IT companies
- Government internship programmes
- Applications through job sites like Careers24, Indeed, JobMail
- University career portals and career expos
Final Thoughts: Your Future Starts Now
Crafting the perfect internship CV takes time—but it’s worth the effort. With a clean layout, relevant achievements, and thoughtful presentation, you’ll stand out in a competitive internship market.
Remember: every application is a chance to market yourself and take a step closer to your career goals. Now go polish that CV, write your cover letter, and start applying with confidence!