Why should I include extracurricular activities on my resume?

As a young jobseeker, you may not lack that relevant job experience if you've ever been involved in extracurricular activities like playing in a school band or being the goalie on a soccer team.

On your resume, these activities will showcase your skills and prove you’re more capable than your lack of experience suggests.

Now let's see how that works!

Here are some extracurriculars you should include on your resume:

• Student government member

• Music band member

• Arts club

• Foreign exchange student

• Language club member

• Sports team member

• Resident advisor

• Work-study programs

• Volunteer work

Photo by Bram Naus on Unsplash

The area of your resume you choose to include your extracurricular activities depends on how relevant they are to the job you want and your style of writing. You can put them under the following headings:

1. Work Experience

2. Education

3. Achievements and Awards

4. Activities and Interests

Listing your extracurricular activities on your resume serves the major purpose of showing the employer that you've been building the following skills by being part of those activities:

• Project management

• Organization

• Communication

• Time management

• Teamwork

• Marketing

• Leadership

• Presentation

• Design

Photo by Braden Collum on Unsplash

Regardless of which extracurricular activities you intend to include on your resume, you should include the name of the organization or club, your role, and the date of your participation.

When demonstrating your skills and experience, always include your accomplishments, responsibilities, awards, and what skills you acquired personally.

Check out these Bytes for some tips on how to demonstrate your skills on your resume: