Memberships on Resume

Should You List Memberships on Resume

It's beneficial to list memberships on a resume as they demonstrate a commitment to professional growth and industry involvement. In the United States, memberships can be particularly valuable for showcasing dedication within a field, networking abilities, and access to resources. However, in some international markets, such as Europe, where CVs are more skills-focused, memberships may not carry the same weight.

Why to List Memberships on Resume

• Demonstrates Professional Growth: Memberships indicate a desire to stay updated and engaged within your industry, which is essential for career development.
• Networking Opportunities: Being a member often provides access to networking events, forums, and communities that can lead to valuable connections.
• Access to Resources: Many membership organizations offer exclusive resources such as webinars, research studies, job postings, and discounts on industry-related products or services.

Where to List Memberships on Resume

• Professional Summary/Profile: Briefly mention key memberships that highlight your expertise in the opening section of your resume.
• Work Experience Section: Include relevant memberships if they are directly related to the job you're applying for. For instance, a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in a project management role.
• Education Section: If your school or alumni association offers industry-specific student or graduate memberships, consider listing them here.
• Skills/Certifications Section: List any memberships that come with certifications or designations relevant to the position you're applying for.

Examples of How to List Memberships on Resume

Relevant Professional Membership (Active)

• Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Active 2018-Present
• Demonstrates my ongoing commitment to the engineering profession.

Alumni Association Membership (Inactive)

• Member, Stanford University Alumni Association, Graduated 2013
• Showcases my affiliation with a prestigious institution and potential access to alumni resources and networking events.

Industry-Specific Student Membership (Active during education)

• Active Member, Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), 2015-2018
• Highlights my engagement with the computing industry while pursuing my degree and ongoing involvement through the present.

What to Avoid While Listing Memberships on Resume

• Irrelevant Memberships: Only include memberships that are directly related to the position you're applying for or add value in some way.
• Outdated Memberships: Remove any expired or irrelevant memberships to maintain a polished and up-to-date resume.
• Overly Detailed Descriptions: Briefly mention membership details; the focus should be on the benefits and relevance to the job you're applying for.
• Typographical Errors or Incomplete Information: Ensure that all listed memberships are spelled correctly, include accurate dates, and have complete contact information if necessary.

How to List Alumni Organizations on Resume

Best Practices

• Specificity: Clearly state the name of the alumni organization you are a member of. This helps recruiters understand your affiliation quickly. For example: Alumni Association of XYZ University.

Example: Member, Alumni Association of Stanford University

• Roles and Responsibilities: If you hold a leadership position or have contributed significantly to the organization, highlight these roles and responsibilities. This demonstrates your ability to collaborate and take on leadership tasks. For example: Chairperson, XYZ University Alumni Chapter.

Example: Secretary, MIT Alumni Association - Responsible for organizing monthly meetings and managing communication with chapter members

• Impact: Mention any accomplishments or initiatives that have positively impacted the alumni organization. This showcases your drive and ability to make a difference in a collaborative setting. For example: Organized a successful fundraising event for scholarships, raising $5,000.

Example: Coordinated the Annual Alumni GiveBack Day, engaging over 100 alumni volunteers in community service projects

• Relevance: Tie your involvement in alumni organizations to the job you're applying for, demonstrating how your skills and experiences are valuable in a professional setting. For example: Leveraged leadership and event planning skills gained as an Alumni Association officer to successfully manage team projects at my current workplace.

Example: My experience organizing events as part of the Alumni Association has equipped me with strong project management skills, making me well-suited for roles that require such abilities

• Consistency: Format your alumni organization memberships consistently with other sections on your resume, such as work experiences or extracurricular activities. This ensures a coherent and easy-to-read presentation of your qualifications.

Example:

- Member, Alumni Association of Stanford University (2018-Present)
  - Led committee for Annual Alumni GiveBack Day
  - Organized monthly networking events for chapter members

Example 1: Alumni Organizations on Memberships Resume

Consider the following example for a resume that emphasizes membership in an alumni organization:

• Work Experience
  • XYZ Corporation, Marketing Manager (2015-Present)
• Education
  • Stanford University, Bachelor of Arts in Communication (2011-2015)
• Memberships
  • Member, Alumni Association of Stanford University (2018-Present)
    • Led committee for Annual Alumni GiveBack Day
    • Organized monthly networking events for chapter members

Example 2: Alumni Organizations in Memberships Context

Consider the following example for a resume that highlights the skills gained through alumni organization membership:

• Work Experience
  • ABC Company, Project Coordinator (2018-Present)
• Education
  • MIT, Master of Science in Management (2015-2017)
• Memberships
  • Member, MIT Alumni Association (2017-Present)
    • Organized alumni networking events and career panels
    • Led initiatives to connect current students with alumni mentors

How to List Online Forums and Networks on Resume

Best Practices for Listing 'Online Forums and Networks' under the Subcategory 'Memberships'

• Highlight Participation Duration: Mention the duration of your participation in online forums and networks, providing context as to how long you've been an active member. This can help potential employers understand your commitment and consistency.

  Example: "Active member of the Reddit (subreddit name) community since 2018, contributing daily discussions and insights."

• Detail Your Role: Clarify the role you played within the online community. Whether it's a moderator, regular contributor, or simply an active participant, make sure to highlight your contribution level.

  Example: "Serving as a moderator for the Python programming subreddit, maintaining a positive and collaborative environment for fellow programmers."

• Quantify Your Impact: If possible, provide numbers that demonstrate your impact on the online community. This could include the number of posts you've made, the number of users you've helped, or even the engagement (likes, shares, comments) your content has received.

  Example: "Regularly contribute to discussions on StackOverflow, with over 100 accepted answers and more than 3,000 upvotes on my responses."

• Emphasize Relevant Skills: Showcase any skills or knowledge gained from your involvement in these online forums and networks. This can help employers understand the transferable skills you possess.

  Example: "Developed strong problem-solving abilities and communication skills through active participation in online programming forums."

• Describe the Context: Briefly describe the context of the online forum or network, explaining why it's relevant to your professional pursuits or how it demonstrates a specific skillset.

  Example: "Actively engaged in the freelance design community on Behance, showcasing my portfolio and networking with potential clients."

Example 1: Online Forums and Networks on Memberships Resume

[For example, let's say you have extensive experience on Reddit]:

• Active member of various Reddit communities related to digital marketing since 2015
• Regularly contribute insights and ideas, engaging with fellow marketers in discussions
• Served as a moderator for the subreddit dedicated to Google Analytics (r/GoogleAnalytics), maintaining a positive and constructive community environment
• Over 300 posts and responses, resulting in an average of 50 upvotes per post

Example 2: Online Forums and Networks in Memberships Context

[For example, let's say you participate in online forums to develop your technical skills]:

• Actively engaged in the Java subreddit community since 2016, asking questions and providing solutions for fellow developers
• Maintain a portfolio of personal projects on GitHub, showcasing my programming abilities and collaborating with other developers
• Serve as a mentor within the StackOverflow study group, helping newcomers develop their coding skills
• Over 200 answers to programming questions, resulting in an average of 35 upvotes per answer

How to List Community Service Organizations on Resume

Best Practices for Listing 'Community Service Organizations' under the 'Memberships' Category:

• Highlight Relevance: Mention the community service organizations that are relevant to the job you're applying for. If the position requires skills like leadership, teamwork, or project management, emphasize your roles in these organizations.

  • Example: Active member of "Volunteer for Education" from 2018-2021. Led a team of 15 volunteers in organizing educational workshops for underprivileged children, demonstrating leadership and teamwork skills.

• Specify Your Role: Clearly state your role within the organization. Were you a member, a committee member, or a board member? Provide details about what your responsibilities were to give the employer a clear picture of your involvement.

  • Example: Served as a Board Member for "Local Animal Shelter" from 2016-2018. Led fundraising efforts and managed a team of volunteers, demonstrating leadership, project management, and communication skills.

• Quantify Your Impact: When possible, provide numbers or specific examples to show the impact you made in your role. This could include the number of hours volunteered, the number of people served, or the amount of money raised.

  • Example: Contributed over 200 hours of volunteer work annually at "Food Bank for the Homeless" as a member from 2013-2016. Assisted in organizing food drives and packing meals, helping to provide over 500 meals weekly.

• Use Action Verbs: Use strong action verbs to describe your activities within the organization. This makes your resume more dynamic and engaging.

  • Example: Actively participated as a member of "Greenpeace" from 2019-2021, organizing protests, collecting signatures for petitions, and educating the public about environmental issues.

• Include the Name and Location: Be sure to include the full name of the organization and its location. This helps provide context and shows your geographical involvement.

  • Example: Member of "Habitat for Humanity - New York City" from 2015-2017, contributing to building affordable homes for low-income families.

Example 1: Community Service Organizations on Memberships Resume

Member of "The Red Cross" from 2018-2021. Provided first aid and emergency response services during natural disasters. Assisted in blood drives, contributing to the collection of over 500 units of blood annually.

Example 2: Community Service Organizations in Memberships Context

Active member of "Children's Wish Foundation" from 2016-2018. Raised funds for and granted wishes to critically ill children, demonstrating empathy, teamwork, and dedication.

How to List Industry-specific Groups on Resume

Best Practices for Listing Memberships in Industry-specific Groups

• Highlight Relevance: List memberships that are directly related to your target industry or role. This shows recruiters that you are actively engaged in your field and stay updated with the latest trends and developments.

  For example, if you're applying for a marketing position in the pharmaceutical industry, include memberships in organizations such as the Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Association (PMRA) or the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA).

• Detail Membership Type and Duration: Clearly specify the type of membership (e.g., regular, student, life member) and its duration (start and end dates if applicable). This information provides context and shows your long-term commitment to the industry.

  Include the following information for each membership: [Membership Type] - [Start Date] to [End Date], e.g., Regular Member - January 2018 to Present.

• Include Achievements: Mention any achievements, awards, or leadership roles you've held within these organizations. This demonstrates your active participation and impact in the industry.

  For example, if you were a committee chair for an organization, make sure to include that detail.

• Customize for Each Role: Tailor your membership list for each job application by emphasizing groups that align with the specific role or company you're applying to. This shows recruiters that you have done your homework and are genuinely interested in their organization.

  To highlight this, rearrange your memberships according to relevance for each position. For example, if you're applying to a tech company, list memberships in organizations like the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) or the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) at the top of your list.

• Limit Irrelevant Memberships: Keep memberships that are only marginally related to your target role or industry in a separate, smaller section or omit them altogether. This helps maintain focus on the most relevant information for recruiters.

  If you've been a member of a variety of organizations unrelated to your field, consider creating a 'Professional Development and Community Involvement' section where you can list these memberships without distracting from the more important industry-specific groups.

Example 1: Industry-specific Groups on Memberships Resume

Memberships:

• Regular Member - January 2018 to Present, American Marketing Association (AMA) - Active participation in marketing-related events and workshops; served as a committee chair for the AMA's Pharmaceutical Division in 2020.
• Associate Member - August 2019 to Present, Institute of Supply Management (ISM) - Attended ISM conferences and webinars focusing on supply chain management; currently working towards earning the Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD) designation.
• Student Member - September 2014 to May 2018, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) - Organized campus events and attended regional conferences focused on petroleum engineering; received the Outstanding Student Member award in 2017.

Example 2: Industry-specific Groups in Memberships Context

Memberships:

• Life Member - January 2005 to Present, American Institute of Architects (AIA) - Regularly attend AIA events and conferences; actively participate in the local chapter's advocacy committee.
• Associate Member - June 2016 to Present, Urban Land Institute (ULI) - Attend ULI real estate development workshops and networking events; serve as a mentor for ULI's Young Leaders Group.
• Member - January 2019 to Present, International Facility Management Association (IFMA) - Regularly participate in IFMA educational webinars; attend local chapter meetings to stay up-to-date on facility management trends.

How to List Professional Associations on Resume

• Highlight Relevant Associations: Include only those associations that are related to your target job or industry. This shows hiring managers that you are professionally engaged in your field.

For example, if you're applying for a marketing position, listing memberships in the Marketing Association of America would be relevant.

• Specify Membership Level: If applicable, mention the level of membership (e.g., regular member, executive member, etc.). This can demonstrate your commitment and involvement within the organization.

For example: "Regular Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)"

• Mention any Leadership Roles: If you hold a leadership position in the association, such as a board member or committee chair, make sure to include this information. This can highlight your leadership skills and initiative.

For example: "Chair, Marketing Committee, American Marketing Association"

• Include Achievements and Participation: Mention any awards, certifications, or events you've participated in through the association. This can showcase your accomplishments and commitment to professional development.

For example: "Awarded 'Marketer of the Year' by the American Marketing Association in 2021"

• Order Wisely: List your professional associations after your work experience but before any education or skills sections. This ensures they are prominently displayed without overwhelming the resume with too much information upfront.

For example:

Work Experience

...

Professional Associations

• Regular Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
  • Chair, Marketing Committee
  • Awarded 'Outstanding Volunteer' in 2019

Education

...

Skills

...

Example 1: Professional Associations on Memberships Resume

Consider a job seeker applying for a nursing position. They could list their professional associations as follows:

Professional Associations

• Active Member, American Nurses Association (ANA)

  • Participated in annual conference in 2019
  • Earned 'Nurse of the Year' award in 2020

• Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), National League for Nursing (NLN)

Example 2: Professional Associations in Memberships Context

Imagine a software developer applying for a position at a tech company. Their professional associations section could look like this:

Professional Associations

• Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
  • Co-organizer of the IEEE Technical Conference in 2018
  • Published a research paper on AI ethics in the IEEE Xplore Digital Library