Building a great resume is an important step in getting your dream job. Your resume is the first thing employers see, so it needs to show off your skills, experiences, and qualifications in the best way possible. If you’re just starting out in your career or changing fields, you might wonder: “Should I include externships on my resume?”
Externships might not get as much attention as internships, but they are a powerful tool for career growth. These short term work experiences give you the chance to learn valuable skills and gain insights that can shape your career. But how important are they for your resume, and when should you include them? Let’s take a closer look at externships and how they can help you in your job search.
What Are Externships?
Externships are brief, often unpaid, work experiences where you can learn about a specific industry or job. They usually last from a few days to a few weeks and are less hands-on than internships. While internships often involve doing more work, externships are mainly for observing and learning.
For example, a student interested in law might spend a week shadowing a lawyer in a courtroom. Externships are typically set up by universities, professional groups, or companies to give you a look into the real world of work.
Why Should You Include Externships on Your Resume?
If you’re just starting out or switching careers, externships can be a great addition to your resume. Here’s why:
1. Learn New Skills: Externships help you gain hands-on experience and learn important skills that you may not get from school alone. For example, if you’re studying marketing, an externship could teach you how to run digital ads or use social media for business.
2. Show Your Initiative: By looking for externship opportunities, you show employers that you’re motivated and eager to learn. They like candidates who take the initiative to grow their skills and gain real-world experience.
3. Get Professional Exposure: Externships give you a chance to see how professionals work in your chosen field. This helps you understand the industry better and decide if it’s the right fit for you. It also shows employers that you know the basics of how the industry works.
4. Fill Experience Gaps: If you’re new to the workforce or switching careers, externships can help fill in any experience gaps. They let you gain real-world experience, even if you haven’t had a full-time job in your desired field yet.
5. Boost Your Job Chances: In today’s competitive job market, employers want to see more than just what you learned in school. Externships give you a head start by showing that you’ve gained real-world experience.
When Should You Include Externships on Your Resume?
Externships are especially useful at certain stages of your career:
1. While in School: If you’re still in college, externships can be a great way to gain experience in your field. They’re usually short-term, so they fit well with your busy class schedule, and they give you something real to put on your resume after graduation.
2. Career Changes: If you’re changing fields, externships can help you build experience in your new area. For example, if you’re moving from teaching to marketing, an externship in marketing could give you the skills to make the transition easier.
3. Early in Your Career: If you’re just starting your career, externships can show employers that you’re excited to learn and ready to gain new skills. As you get more experience, you may not need to include externships anymore since you’ll have full-time job roles to list.
How to List Externships on Your Resume
When adding externships to your resume, treat them like internships or part-time jobs. Focus on what you learned and how it relates to the job you’re applying for. Here’s how to list them:
1. Job Title: Use a clear job title that reflects the externship role.
2. Company Name & Location: Include the company’s name and where it’s located.
3. Dates: Specify how long the externship lasted, whether it was a few weeks or months.
4. Responsibilities: List what you did, focusing on skills you gained or achievements you reached. For example, “Assisted with marketing campaign data” or “Shadowed legal professionals and learned about case management.”
5. Accomplishments: If you made a contribution or helped achieve a goal, include it. For example, “Helped increase social media engagement by 15%.”
Make sure your externship descriptions match the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a marketing job, highlight skills you learned during your marketing externship.
Externships vs Internships Decoding the Difference?
Externships and internships both offer experience, but they differ in several ways:
- Duration: Externships are shorter (a few days to a few weeks), while internships usually last longer (several months).
- Depth: Internships often offer more hands-on work and responsibility. Externships focus on observation and learning.
- Pay: Internships can be paid or unpaid, while externships are mostly unpaid.
- Purpose: Externships are for learning and observing, while internships involve working on tasks and projects.
Choose an externship if you want short-term exposure, and an internship if you want deeper, more involved experience.
Mistakes to Avoid When Listing Externships
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when adding externships to your resume:
1. Irrelevant Externships: Only include externships that relate to the job you’re applying for. Unrelated externships can confuse employers and make your experience less impactful.
2. Not Giving Enough Details: Just listing the externship without saying what you learned or how it fits with the job you’re applying for doesn’t show its value. Be sure to explain your accomplishments and the skills you gained.
3. Overemphasizing Externships: As you gain more professional experience, externships become less important. Focus on your full-time roles instead.
FAQs
1. Can I include externships if I’ve been working full-time for years?
If you have a lot of full-time work experience, externships may not be as relevant. However, if the externship is closely related to your career goals or job change, it could still be worth mentioning.
2. Are externships worth doing if they’re unpaid?
Yes, externships are valuable even if they’re unpaid. The experience, skills, and networking you gain can lead to future opportunities.
3. How should I present an externship if I have no prior work experience?
If you’re new to the workforce, externships show that you’re eager to learn. Highlight transferable skills like communication and problem-solving.
4. How long should I list an externship on my resume?
Externships usually last a few weeks, so list the exact duration and include it under the job title to show the timeframe.
Conclusion
Externships can be a valuable part of your resume. They give you the chance to build experience, get professional exposure, and show employers you’re eager to learn. Whether you’re starting your career or changing fields, externships can help make you stand out. As long as they relate to the job you’re applying for, they can make your resume stronger and improve your chances in the job market.
