Internship Preparation - What I Knew About CVs Before Making One
Created At: 11/2/2025, 10:45:18 AM
Before I made my first real CV, I wasn’t sure where to begin. I’m not a career expert or someone with experience in hiring. I’m just a final-year Software Engineering student trying to land an internship.
This isn’t a professional guide—it’s a story. My story. It’s about how I learned to build my CV through trial and error, research, and slowly figuring things out. There were gaps in my knowledge and mistakes I made, but over time, I learned what worked.
Here’s a breakdown of everything I knew while creating my own CV:
1. Start With a Simple, Clean Header
The first thing is that a CV doesn’t need a flashy top section. It should begin with a clean, simple header that includes:
- Full Name
- Phone Number
- Professional Email
- LinkedIn Profile
- GitHub Profile
Optional: Profile Picture
Adding a photo is not mandatory unless the job specifically asks for it. Personally, I don’t prefer using one. I believe companies should hire based on skills, not looks.
2. Write a Simple, Clear Objective
The objective section should:
- Be short and easy to read.
- Clearly state what you want.
- Reflect where you see yourself in the near future.
- Avoid buzzwords or overly complicated language.
Keep it real and focused.
3. Organize Technical Skills
Do not fake expertise. Only list technologies and tools you're confident using.
Group technical skills into categories like: Languages, Frameworks & Libraries, Tools, Databases.
4. Add Any Kind of Experience (It Counts!)
Even if you're still a student, experience comes in many forms: Remote Jobs, Freelancing, Part-time Roles, Volunteering, University Roles (e.g., Teaching Assistant)
When listing experience, include:
- Company Name
- Location
- Your Position (e.g., Software Engineer, AI/ML Engineer)
- Type of Role (Full-time, Part-time, Freelance, Contract)
- Time Duration
- Bullet Points Describing Your Contributions
Be specific about what you did, not just your title.
5. Describe Projects Like Products
Projects became one of the most important parts of your CV.
- A description that simply explains what the software does, who it’s for, and how it helps them.
- Use bullet points to highlight major features or challenges.
- Include the time frame and technology stack.
- Add helpful links:
- GitHub Repo
- Live Website
- Demo Video
Projects show your practical skills, especially if you don’t have much job experience yet.
6. Link Certifications and Achievements
If you’ve taken online courses, participated in coding contests, or completed any kind of training:
- List them
- Link to scoreboards, certificates, or proof of completion
It adds credibility to your learning journey.
7. Use Text-Based URLs (Not Long Links)
Don’t paste full URLs like this: https://github.com/masum184e
Instead, use clean text links like:
It looks more professional and is easier to read.
Based on all of this knowledge, I prepared my first CV. Was it perfect? Probably not. But it was honest, clear, and a true reflection of what I could do.
If you’re a student like me, remember this: you don’t need to have it all figured out. Just start, keep learning, and improve as you go.