Extracurriculars on Resume

Should You List Extracurriculars on Resume

While it may seem that only work experience or academic achievements are important, listing extracurricular activities on your resume can provide valuable insights into your skills, interests, and personal qualities to potential employers. This is especially true for students, recent graduates, and those changing careers. However, in some industries such as finance or law, where professional certifications and work experience dominate, extracurriculars may hold less weight.

Why to List Extracurriculars on Resume

• Demonstrate Passion and Initiative: Extracurricular activities show that you are passionate about something outside of your academic or professional life. They demonstrate your ability to initiate, lead, and commit time towards a project or goal.
• Highlight Relevant Skills: Whether it's participating in a sports team, joining a student organization, or volunteering, extracurricular activities can help you showcase essential skills like communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability.
• Show Diversity and Well-roundedness: A well-rounded resume demonstrates that you have a balanced lifestyle, which is attractive to many employers. Extracurricular activities can help highlight this aspect of your personality.
• Stand Out from the Crowd: In a competitive job market, extracurriculars can help you stand out from other candidates with similar qualifications and experiences. They offer an opportunity to showcase unique talents or interests that may not be apparent in academic or work achievements.

Where to List Extracurriculars on Resume

Extracurricular activities are typically listed under the "Activities," "Hobbies," or "Volunteer Work" sections of a resume. In some cases, they can be integrated into the "Experience" section if the activity is highly relevant to the job you're applying for. For example, if you were the president of a student organization that focused on a specific industry, you might choose to list it under the "Experience" section.

Examples of How to List Extracurriculars on Resume

President, Student Environmental Club

• Led and managed a team of 10 members in organizing events promoting environmental awareness on campus.
• Spearheaded a successful campaign to reduce plastic waste by implementing a reusable cup program at the university cafeteria.

What's good about this example: The bullet points are concise, specific, and quantifiable where possible. They demonstrate leadership, organizational skills, and problem-solving abilities.

Volunteer, Local Animal Shelter

• Assisted in the care and feeding of shelter animals daily.
• Organized a fundraising event that raised $500 for the shelter's medical expenses.

What's good about this example: This entry highlights compassion, responsibility, and initiative. The quantifiable aspect (raised $500) adds weight to the achievement.

What to Avoid While Listing Extracurriculars on Resume

• Irrelevant activities: Choose activities that are relevant to the job you're applying for or demonstrate skills that will be valuable in your desired career.
• Vague descriptions: Be specific about your roles and achievements within the activity, and avoid generic statements like "participated" or "helped."
• Excessive details: Keep your descriptions concise and focused on key achievements to maintain readability.
• Overemphasis: Balance your extracurricular activities with other sections of your resume, such as work experience and academic achievements, to avoid appearing unprofessional or unfocused.

How to List Leadership Roles in Organizations on Resume

Best Practices:

• Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasize the skills gained from these leadership roles that are applicable to the desired job. For instance, if you were a president of a student club, mention organizational skills, team management, and project execution.

Example: "Led a team of 20 members as President of the Student Marketing Club, overseeing successful execution of 5 marketing campaigns that increased brand visibility by 30%."

• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, provide concrete numbers to demonstrate the impact of your leadership roles. This could be in terms of increased membership, budget managed, or projects completed.

Example: "Managed a budget of $5000 as Treasurer for the Debate Society, successfully balancing expenses and maximizing resources."

• Showcase Responsibilities: Clearly define your responsibilities within each role to give employers a clear understanding of your leadership experience. This can include tasks such as planning events, managing staff, and making strategic decisions.

Example: "Directed the organization of 4 annual charity events for the School Volunteer Network, raising over $10,000 for local charities."

• Include Context: Mention any context-specific achievements or experiences that may be relevant to the job you're applying for. For example, if you were a leader in an extracurricular activity related to your chosen field, make sure to highlight this.

Example: "As Editor-in-Chief of the Science Journal, managed a team of writers and edited scientific articles, improving the quality of submissions by 25%."

Example 1: Leadership Roles in Organizations on Extracurriculars Resume

In an extracurricular context, consider the following example:

• President, Environmental Club
  • Led a team of 20 members to organize monthly cleanup events, reducing local pollution by 15%
  • Successfully liaised with local businesses to secure sponsorships and resources
  • Developed and presented proposals for environmental initiatives to school administration

Example 2: Leadership Roles in Organizations in Extracurriculars Context

Here's an example of leadership roles in extracurricular activities related to a specific field:

• Founder & President, Biotech Club
  • Established the first biotechnology-focused student club on campus
  • Organized workshops and seminars with industry professionals, providing members with valuable insights
  • Successfully lobbied for the acquisition of lab equipment for club use

By following these best practices and using specific examples from your extracurricular leadership roles, you can effectively demonstrate your leadership skills on your resume.

How to List Academic Clubs and Societies on Resume

Listing academic clubs and societies on a resume can demonstrate your involvement in extracurricular activities, leadership skills, and passion for specific subjects. Here are some best practices:

• Highlight Relevant Experience: Include only those clubs or societies that align with the job you're applying for. If you're applying for a role in computer science, mentioning your membership in the mathematics club could be beneficial.

For example, if you're applying for a software engineering position, you might list your involvement in the 'University of ABC's Computer Science Club'. You can highlight your roles as the Secretary or Web Developer, detailing how you organized events and maintained the club's website.

• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, provide quantifiable achievements to demonstrate your impact on the club or society. This could include organizing conferences attended by hundreds of people, developing software that was used by a large number of members, or raising funds for charity events.

For instance, you might say, "Led a team of 10 members to organize the 'University of ABC's Annual Hackathon', which attracted over 250 participants from various universities."

• Describe Leadership Roles: If you held leadership positions in these clubs or societies, describe your responsibilities and achievements in those roles. This could include managing budgets, organizing events, leading projects, or mentoring other members.

An example might be, "Serving as President of the 'University of ABC's Debate Society', where I led a team of 20 members to win the regional championship."

• Showcase Skills: Use your involvement in academic clubs and societies to showcase relevant skills. This could include communication skills (e.g., public speaking, negotiation), project management skills, or technical skills (e.g., programming, graphic design).

For example, if you were part of the university's web development club, you might list your proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Example 1: Academic Clubs and Societies on Extracurriculars Resume

• Computer Science Club, University of ABC
  • President (20XX-20XY)
  • Organized monthly workshops and seminars, attracting an average of 50 participants each.
  • Led a team of 10 members to develop a mobile app for the club, which was downloaded over 1,000 times.

Example 2: Academic Clubs and Societies in Extracurriculars Context

• Mathematics Club, University of DEF
  • Treasurer (20XY-20XZ)
  • Successfully managed a budget of $5,000 to organize monthly meetings and workshops.
  • Raised funds for charity events, contributing over $1,500 to various causes.

How to List Creative Pursuits (art, Music, Writing) on Resume

• Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasize the skills you've developed through your creative pursuits that are transferable to your desired profession. For instance, if you're applying for a job in project management and you led a group of musicians in composing an original piece, highlight your ability to collaborate effectively, manage time efficiently, and exercise creativity under pressure.

  • Project Management (Leadership): Led a 10-piece band in the composition and performance of an original symphony for our school's talent show. Demonstrated strong organizational skills by coordinating rehearsals and assignments, and exercised leadership by inspiring team members to meet deadlines and exceed expectations.

• Quantify Your Achievements: Where possible, provide measurable achievements from your creative endeavors. This could be the number of pieces you've published, the number of people who attended a performance you organized, or the number of hours spent practicing a particular skill.

  • Writing (Content Creation): Authored and self-published a 50-page eBook on sustainable fashion, which has garnered over 2,000 downloads since its release in January 2021.

• Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with an active verb to make your achievements more impactful. This could include verbs like "composed," "painted," "designed," "illustrated," or "written."

  • Art (Graphic Design): Created and implemented a visually striking logo for our school's drama club, which increased membership by 30% during the 2019-2020 academic year.

• Include Context: Provide context for your creative pursuits to help potential employers understand their significance. This could include details about the scope of the project, the audience it was intended for, or any challenges you overcame during its execution.

  • Music (Composition): Compiled and arranged a 45-minute suite of music inspired by traditional Japanese instruments, which I performed live at our school's cultural festival in front of an audience of 300 people.

• Tailor to the Job Description: Customize your creative pursuits section based on the job description you're applying for. If a position requires strong communication skills, highlight projects where you successfully collaborated with others or presented your work publicly. If a role involves problem-solving, focus on examples that required creative thinking and innovation.

  • Writing (Screenplay): Co-wrote and produced a 10-minute short film based on a popular fairy tale, which was accepted into a local film festival and screened to an audience of over 250 people. Demonstrates strong storytelling abilities and the ability to adapt classic narratives for modern audiences.

Example 1: Creative Pursuits (art, Music, Writing) on Extracurriculars Resume

As part of my involvement in the school's drama club, I took on the role of Art Director. In this position, I was responsible for designing and executing visual concepts for each production, ranging from set designs to promotional materials. One particularly successful project was our adaptation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." To bring a fresh perspective to the classic play, I incorporated elements of surrealism into the set design, which garnered praise from both the audience and the school's drama teacher.

• Art (Set Design): Led the design and execution of an innovative set for our school's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," incorporating elements of surrealism to create a visually striking and immersive environment that enhanced the overall performance.

Example 2: Creative Pursuits (art, Music, Writing) in Extracurriculars Context

During my time as a member of our school's choir, I had the opportunity to expand my musical knowledge and skills beyond just singing. One project that stood out was the arrangement and performance of an original choral piece for our school's talent show. Working closely with the choir director and fellow musicians, we composed a 5-minute medley of popular songs from various eras, seamlessly blending them together to create a cohesive and engaging performance. Our hard work paid off as we won first place in the talent show and received a standing ovation from the audience.

• Music (Arrangement): Collaborated with fellow musicians to compose and perform an original choral medley for our school's talent show, demonstrating strong skills in composition, arrangement, and performance. Our hard work and team effort resulted in a first-place finish and a standing ovation from the audience.

How to List Sports and Fitness Activities on Resume

Best Practices for Listing the 'Sports and Fitness Activities' Subcategory:

• Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasize the skills gained from these activities that are transferable to the job you're applying for. For example, leadership skills from coaching a team or time management skills from maintaining a workout routine.

  Example: Maintained a consistent workout schedule and improved my discipline and time management skills during my daily morning jogs.

• Specify Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define your role within the sports or fitness activity. This could include being a team captain, personal trainer, or even organizer of a weekly soccer game.

  Example: Served as team captain for our university's basketball team, leading practices, strategizing game plans, and motivating teammates.

• Quantify Achievements: If possible, provide concrete data about your achievements in sports or fitness activities. This could be the number of people you've coached, personal best times or distances achieved, or tournaments won.

  Example: Coached a youth swimming team to victory at the city-wide swim meet, improving their stroke techniques and instilling a strong sense of sportsmanship.

• Describe Extracurricular Context: Make it clear that these activities were undertaken outside of formal education or employment, using terms like 'extracurriculars' or 'personal pursuits'.

  Example: Participated in extracurricular tennis lessons twice a week, honing my skills and developing a competitive spirit.

• Show Passion and Commitment: Demonstrate your passion for sports and fitness by detailing the time and effort you've invested in these activities.

  Example: Dedicated three hours each day to practicing martial arts, achieving black belt status and developing a disciplined mindset.

Example 1: Sports and Fitness Activities on Extracurriculars Resume

Extracurriculars: Basketball Coach, Swim Club Volunteer

• Coached a local basketball team, focusing on teamwork, strategy, and skill development.
• Volunteered as a swim instructor for the community swim club, helping children learn swimming techniques.
• Led practices and games for both teams, fostering a positive and competitive environment.

Example 2: Sports and Fitness Activities in Extracurriculars Context

Extracurriculars: Yoga Instructor, Marathon Runner

• Taught weekly yoga classes to colleagues, focusing on flexibility, balance, and mindfulness.
• Trained for and completed a half marathon, improving my endurance and discipline.
• Organized and led a running group that met three times a week to train together.

How to List Volunteer Work on Resume

Listing your volunteer work on a resume can demonstrate your dedication, skills, and unique qualities to potential employers. Here are some best practices:

• Highlight Relevant Skills: Mention the skills you've acquired or honed during your volunteer work that are applicable to the job you're applying for. For instance, if you were a volunteer event coordinator, you could list organizational skills.

Example 1: Volunteer Work on Extracurriculars Resume

• Volunteer Event Coordinator, School Charity Fair (2019-2020)

  • Planned and organized events for over 500 attendees, demonstrating strong organizational skills.
  • Collaborated with school staff and fellow volunteers to ensure event success, showcasing teamwork abilities.

• Quantify Your Impact: Wherever possible, provide numbers or specific examples of your contributions to highlight the scale of your work.

Example 2: Volunteer Work in Extracurriculars Context

• Volunteer Tutor, Local Literacy Program (2017-2019)

  • Assisted 15 students with reading and writing skills, helping them improve by an average of two grade levels.
  • Developed personalized lesson plans based on student needs, showcasing creativity and adaptability.

• Include Context: Provide context about the organization or cause you volunteered for, as this can help potential employers understand your motivations and passions.

Example 1: Volunteer Work on Extracurriculars Resume - Coordinated a charity event benefiting a local cancer research facility, demonstrating dedication to healthcare initiatives.

• List Under 'Extracurriculars': If your volunteer work is related to your academic or professional pursuits, list it under the 'Extracurriculars' section rather than 'Volunteer Work'. This can help emphasize its relevance.

Example 2: Volunteer Work in Extracurriculars Context - Participated in a summer internship at a law firm, gaining practical experience and supporting pro bono cases. Listed under 'Extracurriculars' to highlight its relevance to a legal career.

• Keep It Concise: Aim for 4-6 bullet points per volunteer work entry to maintain readability and focus on the most significant aspects of your experience.