Extracurricular activities are activities that individuals participate in outside of the regular school, college, or university education curriculum. Extracurricular activities are essential because activities showcase a range of skills and experiences that are not evident from academic or work history. Popular extracurricular activities demonstrate leadership, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and work ethic. Under the activities on a resume, include various activities showcasing transferable skills and personal interests.
Extracurricular activities must be included on a resume when they are relevant to the job application. Extracurricular activities are listed in a separate ‘Activities’ section, in the ‘Education’ section, or an ‘Additional’ section at the end of the resume. The choice depends on the relevance of the activities to the job application and the layout of the resume. Incorporating resume activities examples showcases a range of skills and experiences relevant to the position are applied for.
Examples of extracurricular activities as non-academic to include on a resume are proficiency in foreign languages, student council participation, and sports involvement. Job-related activities include volunteering and mentorship programs. Other activities that are listed on a resume include involvement in art, music, theatre, clubs, and societies. To list extracurricular activities on a resume, begin with creating a dedicated section highlighting non-academic involvement. Extracurricular activities must be placed in a dedicated section on the resume, typically following the education and/or professional experience sections.
If you don’t have any extracurricular activities for a resume, the focus must shift to academic achievements, personal projects, or hobbies. It’s crucial only to include activities where there was active involvement and where valuable skills were cultivated. It’s also advantageous to list any activities where a leadership role was held. The goal is to emphasize employability and compensate for any lack of work experience.
What are Extracurricular Activities?
Extracurricular activities are activities that individuals participate in outside of the regular school, college, or university education curriculum. The extracurricular activities are generally voluntary and include various pursuits such as sports, music, community service activities, jobs/internships, clubs, and more. Activities for resume are considered important because they help colleges and universities get to know students as individuals beyond their academic achievements.
Extracurricular activities demonstrate individuals' passion, dedication, and commitment to their interests. Activities to put on a resume contribute to personal development and help people stand out in academic applications. The development of video games in free time, for example, or an after-school movie club that watches and discusses movies, are considered extracurricular activities.
However, not all hobbies count as extracurriculars. Recreational activities done purely for enjoyment, like watching movies or playing video games, are not typically counted unless they involve some concerted effort and contribute to personal development.
Why Are Extracurricular Activities Important?
Extracurricular activities are important for showcasing relevant skills, compensating for lack of experience, providing insight into personality, and demonstrating transferable skills. Advantages of extracurricular activities include providing evidence of job-related skills and maturity, demonstrating the ability to commit to tasks, work as part of a team, and managing time effectively. Extracurricular activities showcase a robust set of transferable skills, such as leadership, collaboration, communication, management, public speaking, and presentation skills, which are often developed through activities like being part of the student council or a club executive.
For example, knowledge of a foreign language sets a candidate apart from others. A foreign language demonstrates communication skills, hard work, cultural awareness, and interest in self-development. Extracurricular activities fill that gap on a resume, providing a competitive edge even against more experienced candidates in the absence of work experience. Extracurricular activities for resume make candidates more interesting, even if they’re irrelevant to the job.
When to Include Extracurricular Activities on a Resume
Extracurricular activities must be included on a resume when the candidate is a current student or recent graduate, and the activity or role showcases leadership or is specifically relevant to the job or industry being applied to. Honors and activities for resume are helpful when the candidate lacks a lot of internship or paid work experience. However, once more than five years after graduation, extracurriculars probably don’t belong on the resume anymore unless they’re especially relevant to the industry or role being applied to and there is no more recent, relevant experience. Employers want to see that the candidate has transferable skills, which are abilities and knowledge that are applied in multiple contexts early in a career. Extracurricular activities in a resume prove a candidate is suitable for a job even if they haven’t already held a similar job. The experience of holding a leadership position in an extracurricular is especially valuable in an early career.
What to Put Under Activities on a Resume
Under the activities on a resume, include various activities showcasing transferable skills and personal interests. It is essential to understand that extracurricular activities are divided into different categories.
Non-Academic Activities
1. Foreign Languages
Foreign languages are considered extracurricular activities on a resume. Learning and mastering a foreign language requires dedication, discipline, and a genuine interest in understanding different cultures. Knowing foreign languages enhances cognitive abilities, improves communication skills, and demonstrates a willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone and embrace diversity. Proficiency in a foreign language is a valuable addition to a resume, reflecting positively on the individual’s personal and professional capabilities. It’s important to mention the level of proficiency when listing a foreign language as an extracurricular activity on a resume. For example, one must state “Fluent in French” or “Intermediate level in Spanish.”
2. Student Council
Participating in the student council is a beneficial extracurricular activity, allowing students to be involved actively in school governance. Student council members typically have significant responsibilities like policymaking, event coordination, and student body representation. Participation in the student council contributes to developing essential skills such as leadership, communication, problem-solving, and collaboration. Being a student council member as one of the extracurricular activities for students demonstrates a commitment to improving the school community, which is attractive to colleges and potential employers.
3. Sports
Participating in sports is a notable extracurricular activity that is included on a resume. Sports involvement emphasizes teamwork, leadership, discipline, and dedication, promoting physical well-being, strategic thinking, and goal-setting abilities. Sports also develop essential values such as fair play and respect for others, which are highly valued in various professional contexts. It is best to include specific details such as the sport, the level of competition (school, regional, national, etc.), and any notable achievements or roles, such as team captaincy, when listing sports as an extracurricular activity on a resume.
Job-Related Activities
5. Volunteering
Participating in volunteering is a notable extracurricular activity suitable for inclusion on a resume. Volunteering entails dedicating time and effort to a cause or organization without expecting financial compensation. Engaging in such volunteer work presents valuable opportunities to cultivate and showcase diverse skills, encompassing leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. The experiences underscore a commitment to community service and social responsibility. Job-related volunteering provides insights into a specific industry or role, offering practical experience that is particularly advantageous for those contemplating a career in that field. Including job-related volunteering on a resume is a robust enhancement, and it is advisable to specify the organization, the role or tasks undertaken, the duration of involvement, and any notable achievements or impacts associated with the extracurricular activity.
6. Mentorship
Guiding, advising, and supporting someone less experienced, mentorship stands out as a significant extracurricular activity worthy of inclusion on a resume. Mentorship involvement showcases a diverse skill set, including leadership, communication, empathy, and the ability to motivate and inspire others. Mentorship signifies a dedication to assisting others in their personal and professional growth, making it appealing to potential employers. The mentorship program, participating time, and any notable achievements or impacts are important factors to consider when listing it as an extracurricular activity.
Other Activities on Resume
7. Art, music, and theatre
Engagement in arts, music, and theatre is a significant addition to a resume. Arts, music, and theatre activities demonstrate creativity, precision, teamwork, and the ability to handle pressure. Extracurricular activities like engagement in arts, music, and theatre show commitment, as mastering the skills often requires consistent practice.
8. Clubs/societies
Involvement in clubs or societies is a noteworthy extracurricular activity to feature on a resume. The groups span a wide range, from academic clubs and hobby groups to cultural societies and community service organizations. Participation in the groups showcases a variety of skills and attributes, such as leadership, teamwork, communication, organization, and dedication. Involvement in clubs or societies reflects a candidate’s ability to balance academic responsibilities with other interests, indicating a well-rounded individual. Social activities for young adults are a great way to meet new people, strengthen relationships, and have fun.
Engagement in clubs or societies related to a specific field offers practical experience and valuable insights into that industry. Participation in the groups is especially beneficial for those contemplating a career in that particular field. The name of the club or society, the role held, the duration of involvement, and any significant accomplishments or contributions should be included on a resume.
How to List Extracurricular Activities on Resume
To list extracurricular activities on a resume, begin with creating a dedicated section highlighting non-academic involvement. The resume reflects the candidate's qualifications and personal interests by prioritizing a list of activities for a resume that aligns with the job being applied for. The strategic presentation of information enhances the overall impact of the resume, making it more appealing to potential employers.
Create a dedicated section.
Creating a dedicated section is the first step in organizing extracurricular activities on a resume. The separate section clearly presents varied involvements, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the candidate’s profile. The separate section highlights the candidate’s ability to balance academics with other interests, demonstrating a well-rounded personality.
Prioritize relevance.
The next step is to prioritize the relevance of the extracurricular activities. An effective resume emphasizes activities directly relevant to the job being applied for. The strategic selection of activities mirrors the specific skills and qualities sought by potential employers, enhancing the resume's overall appeal.
Include specific details.
Providing comprehensive details for each activity is important to make the resume more informative. Providing comprehensive details for each activity includes specifying the name of the activity, the role or position held, the duration of participation, and notable achievements or impacts. The careful approach ensures a nuanced and informative representation of the candidate’s extracurricular involvement. Providing metrics for achievements adds impact. For example, mentioning the number of events organized, funds raised, or specific accomplishments within a particular activity provides concrete and quantitative data that employers use to assess a candidate's potential.
Use action verbs.
Begin each bullet point with strong action verbs to describe contributions and achievements in each activity, providing a dynamic and engaging representation. Examples of strong action verbs to use on a resume include "developed," "implemented," "achieved," "analyzed," and "collaborated." The action verbs help to convey skills and accomplishments in a clear and impactful way.
Where to Put Extracurricular Activities on Resume
Extracurricular activities must be placed in a dedicated section on the resume, typically following the education and/or professional experience sections. Professional activities for a resume allow potential employers to gain insights into diverse involvements beyond the academic and professional realms. The dedicated section provides a clear and organized presentation of extracurricular activities, ensuring they are easily identifiable and effectively considered in evaluating qualifications. Adding extracurricular activities strategically demonstrates a well-rounded profile, displaying academic and professional achievements and active involvement in various activities contributing to skill building and personal development.
Extracurricular Activities Examples
Extracurricular activities examples are shown below.
- Debate Club
- Yoga or Martial Arts
- Tennis
- Photography Club
- Mentoring Programs
- Young Leaders Conferences
- Robotics Competitions
- Chess Club
- School Band
- Science Olympiad
- Coding Bootcamps
What if You Don't Have Any Extracurricular Activities for a Resume?
If you don’t have any extracurricular activities for a resume, the focus must shift to academic achievements, personal projects, or hobbies. Not having extracurricular activities on a resume is not a deal-breaker.
There are other ways to demonstrate skills and qualifications to potential employers. Emphasizing academic achievements becomes crucial when there are no extracurricular activities. There are likely to be personal interests, hobbies, or projects even if there hasn't been participation in traditional extracurriculars like school sports or clubs. Remember, the goal is to emphasize employability and compensate for lack of work experience.
FAQ
Are hobbies the same as extracurricular activities?
No, hobbies and extracurricular activities are not the same. Hobbies are personal interests pursued for enjoyment, while extracurricular activities are typically organized, structured pursuits outside of academic or professional obligations. Hobbies are personal pursuits that individuals engage in during their free time for personal satisfaction. Hobbies are typically done individually and reflect personal interests.
Extracurricular activities are structured activities that individuals participate in outside the academic responsibilities. Extracurricular activities often involve interaction with others and are more organized. Resume extracurricular section ranges from arts and sports to clubs, internships, or volunteer work. Extracurricular activities often have broader implications, helping to develop interpersonal skills, enhance abilities and experiences, and foster teamwork.
Although hobbies and extracurricular activities differ, a hobby is able to evolve into an extracurricular activity. For instance, a personal interest in photography is able to become an extracurricular activity by joining a photography club or initiating a community-based photography project.
What is the Difference Between Extracurricular Activities and Co-Curricular Activities?
Extracurricular activities are optional activities that are not part of the academic curriculum and are typically conducted outside the classroom. Co-curricular activities, however, are designed to supplement the academic curriculum and are often integrated with classroom learning.
Extracurricular activities are activities that individuals engage in outside of their regular academic work. Extracurricular activities, ranging from sports teams and clubs to volunteer work and part-time jobs, are usually chosen based on student interests and are not directly linked to academic studies.
Co-curricular activities, on the other hand, are intended to enhance the educational experience. Curricular activities are often directly related to classroom learning and sometimes contribute to course credit. Co-curricular activities aim to reinforce classroom learning by allowing individuals to apply their academic skills in real-world situations. Examples of co-curricular activities include internships, research projects, study abroad programs, and leadership experiences.
Are Extracurricular Activities Good For My Resume?
Yes, extracurricular activities are advantageous for your resume. Extracurricular activities present a more detailed view of skills and experiences that are not evident from academic or work history. Extracurricular activities exhibit various job-related skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and work ethic. Extracurricular activities showcase interests and commitments outside of work or school, offering potential employers a glimpse into personality and values.
Extracurricular activities benefit individuals new to the job market or with little relevant work experience. Extracurricular activities enhance a resume, showcasing skills and making an individual a more appealing candidate. The activities highlight transferable skills, even if they have nothing to do with the job being applied for.
Should I Put Clubs on My Resume?
Yes, you should put clubs on your resume if they exhibit valuable skills and are relevant to the job application. Clubs and organizations play a crucial role in extracurricular activities and offer valuable experience. Clubs showcase various skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. For instance, participation in a debate club indicates strong communication and critical thinking skills. Holding a leadership position in a club displays leadership and organizational skills.
However, it’s crucial only to include clubs or organizations where there was active involvement and where valuable skills were cultivated. It’s also advantageous to list any organizations where a leadership role was held.
Should I Put Sports on My Resume?
Yes, you should put sports on your resume if they highlight relevant skills that are applicable to the job application. Sports form a significant part of activities outside of school and offer valuable experience relevant to a job application. Sports showcase various skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
For instance, participation in a football team indicates strong teamwork and communication skills. Holding a captaincy position in a team displays leadership and organizational skills. However, it’s crucial only to include sports where there was active involvement and where valuable skills were cultivated. It’s also advantageous to list sports where a leadership role was held.
