how to make a resume of extracurricular activities

Best Extracurricular Activities in a Resume With Examples, Tips, and Guide

Why Include Extracurricular Activities on Your Resume?

Types of extracurricular activities to include on your resume, how to include extracurriculars on your resume, resume examples with extracurricular activities, tips for highlighting extracurricular activities for job applications effectively, final tips on how to write extracurricular activities for your resume, additional resources, frequently asked questions about how to format extracurriculars on a resume.

You’re a whole person outside your job, and employers are increasingly interested in personality and extracurricular activities as they focus on culture fit and soft skills. But how can you include hobbies on your resume while still appearing professional? In this guide, you’ll learn how listing extracurricular activities can help, get tips for identifying the best extracurriculars to put on your resume, and see formatting examples.

Showcase transferable skills

Listing extracurricular activities on your resume lets you show valuable skills, such as leadership and communication, that may not be as obvious in your professional experience. This can be especially helpful if you don’t have a lot of traditional work experience .

Provide insight into your personality and interests

Extracurriculars give hiring managers an idea of who you are outside the office and can indicate whether you’re a fit for the company’s culture and values. They can also show how you used an employment gap after a layoff to hone your skills or prioritize your mental health.

Stand out in a competitive job market

While your resume should always focus on your professional skills, many other candidates may have the same experience and background. Including extracurricular activities can help differentiate your application and make a more memorable impression on the hiring manager.

• Examples: Student council president, club founder, team captain
• Examples: Volunteering at a local shelter or organizing charity events.
• Examples: Team sports, marathon running, or coaching
• Examples: Debate team, science club, honor societies
• Examples: Theatre, music ensembles, photography clubs
• Examples: Business competitions, hackathons, student chapters of professional associations

Create a dedicated section

Separate your extracurricular activities into their own section. You can keep the general “Extracurricular Activities” title or make it more specific, such as “Leadership and Involvement.” List each activity as a separate entry and provide bullet points that summarize your impact and relate it back to the job.

Prioritize activities based on relevance

Select which activities to include based on their relevance to the role. Focus on options that involve the skills and experience you’ll need for the position or that are related to the industry. For example, if you’re applying for a medical internship, volunteer work as a candy striper would be good to include.

These are good examples of extracurricular activity entries for a resume:

Local Library Teen Advisory Board Member, Central Library, San Antonio, TX September 2022 – present

• Increased teen participation in library activities by 30% through the design and distribution of new pamphlets handed out at local schools and businesses
• Engaged over 300 local youth with a summer “read-to-win” program
• Worked with library staff to develop more engaging teen services and programs with the board’s input and recommendations

Student Council Representative | Dimond High School November 2022 – present

• Voice the concerns and ideas of over 200 students
• Assist in planning and organizing four major school events each year
• Fundraised over $5,000 for school programs so far

Team Captain | Lady Lynx Varsity Soccer Team August 2022 – present

• Lead 21 players as team captain through effective communication, strategy sessions, and morale-building activities
• Promote teamwork and sportsmanship among peers
• Practice and compete in at least 10 regional soccer matches per year

Here’s a resume example that includes extracurricular activities:

Selena Ramirez 123 Bridge Street, Boston, MA 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | LinkedIn

Member – Class of ’26 at Boston College

Diligent and engaged student with high academic performance, including an A average for Mathematics. Recent leadership success in multiple school athletics and extracurricular activities. Naturally curious and eager to explore and understand new topics.

Candidate: Bachelor’s Degree Boston College , Boston, MA | Expected 2026

Graduate Belmont High , Boston, MA | August 2018 to June 2022 3.8 GPA (4.0 weighted) | Top 10% of graduating class | AP Calculus SAT scores: 760 math, 680 verbal (1440 combined)  

School Athletics Spring Track Team

• Co-Captain | Junior and Senior year
• Voted into team leadership role; coordinated with the head coach to help organize meets and answer various questions from team members
• Served as a valued mentor and resource to underclassmen

Use action verbs to describe involvement

Treat the summary of your extracurricular activity the same as you would formal job duties. Start each bullet with a strong action verb, such as “collaborated,” “organized,” or “facilitated.”

Quantify achievements and impact

Include numbers and metrics when possible to highlight the impact of your involvement instead of just presenting a hobbies list. For example, if you were in charge of organizing a charity event, include how many people attended to give the hiring manager a sense of scale.

Align activities with job requirements

Focus on how the extracurricular activity either prepared you for the position or is in line with the company’s values. The extracurriculars list should complement your overall resume instead of just being a list of your nonprofessional interests.

• Connect activities to job skills: When possible, show how the activity helped you improve your job-relevant skills or prepared you for the role. For example, if you served as the captain of your intramural team, maybe you learned about group dynamics, which could be helpful in a management position. 
• Avoid overloading the resume with too many activities: To avoid cluttering up your resume or overshadowing your professional experience, stick to the top extracurricular activities for your resume and put the section toward the bottom.
• Don’t include irrelevant or outdated activities: Remember that the main goal of your resume is to help a hiring manager identify you as a good fit for the position. Relevant extracurriculars for a resume include those that involve the industry or role you’re applying for or are directly related to the job duties.
• Proofread for clarity and accuracy: When presenting your extracurricular activities, ensure that the bullets describing your role and impact are as clear and concise as possible. Treat this section with the same attention to detail as your work experience section. 
• Keep the resume updated: Review your resume frequently to ensure that only the most recent and relevant activities are included.
• Seek feedback: A second set of eyes and an objective perspective can ensure your resume accurately highlights your skills and experience.
• Student Resume Examples and Templates for 2024
• Teen Resume Examples and Templates for 2024
• Tips on Writing the Education Section of Your Resume
• What Hobbies and Interests To Put on a Resume

The length of the extracurricular section depends somewhat on how much you have to put in the rest of the resume. Extracurriculars are generally used to provide more information to hiring managers if you don’t have a lot of job experience. Limit your extracurriculars to about 25% to 30% of your resume at most — less if you have more relevant sections, such as education or a key skills list.

In most cases, the extracurricular section of your resume will be toward the bottom, often before or after the education. For a first job , high school extracurricular activities on your resume can be listed higher to make up for the lack of professional experience. Extracurricular activities for college students could be listed along with the education section.

Extracurricular activities should be included on your resume when they are directly related to the position or are the best way to highlight your skills. Some top extracurricular activities for resumes include those related to leadership positions or community service work. These show soft skills like communication and teamwork that employees are looking for.

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.

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How To List Extracurricular Activites on Your Resume

Everything you ever wanted to know about how to include extracurricular activities on your resume — and whether it’s a good idea in the first place.

3 years ago   •   10 min read

Getting a job isn’t like getting into college — Hiring managers generally don’t care about your extracurricular activities. So why even bother including them on your resume?

Extracurricular activities can be a good way of showcasing your abilities when you don’t have a lot of work experience — in particular, if you’re still a student or have only just graduated. In that case, recruiters can look to your extracurriculars for evidence of transferable skills like leadership , teamwork , communication , and work ethic . This doesn’t mean that extracurricular activities are a substitute for relevant experience, but they’re a great place to start.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to determine if extracurricular activities are a good addition to your resume, which ones to include to show competitive transferable skills, and how to tailor your extracurricular activities to your particular industry and career level.

Should you put extracurricular activities on your resume?

Before we delve into how to showcase extracurricular activities, let’s decide if they’re the right fit for your resume.You should list extracurricular activities on your resume if:

• You’re a current student or recent graduate seeking an entry-level position.
• You don’t have a lot of paid work experience .
• It was through a prestigious or recognizable organization, like a law review or official charity.
• They demonstrate relevant transferable skills or noteworthy accomplishments that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

You should not list extracurricular activities on your resume if:

• You have enough paid work experience to showcase the same skills.
• The activity is more than 5+ years old.
• You’re applying for a senior position (with exceptions).
• It was a one-time activity rather than a regular, ongoing thing.

You can consider listing extracurricular activities on your resume if:

• You’re changing careers and want to include skills that are relevant to your new field.
• Your extracurricular activities are highly relevant or especially noteworthy.
• Your extracurricular activity includes a board membership or a similar position of leadership.

In these cases, you should still prioritize relevant paid work experience but can include extracurricular activities if there’s space on your resume. If you’re not sure if extracurricular activities are helping or harming your resume, upload it for free to Score My Resume , an online resume checker that will provide instant and detailed feedback on how to improve your resume.

How to list extracurricular activities on your resume

There are three ways to best showcase extracurricular activities on your resume: In a separate ‘Activities’ section, in your ‘Education’ section, and in an ‘Additional’ section at the end of your resume.

Generally, in any of these sections, you should list your activities in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. However, if older activities are more relevant to the job you're applying for, it's ok to list them first. For instance, a leadership role you had in college might be more relevant to a managerial position than more recent but less relevant activities.

In an activities section

If you were heavily involved in extracurricular activities and want to showcase that, it’s okay to have a whole section of your resume dedicated to it. Title it ‘Activities’ and include the name of the organization, the dates you were involved, your role or title, and 1-2 of your most relevant accomplishments. When deciding what to put under ‘Activities’ on your resume, consider activities that showcase your skills, interests, and professional experise.

For example:

In your education section

If your extracurricular activities were school clubs, they can go in the education section of your resume. For current students, your education section might be the most detailed section of your resume and can go at the top. You can also include other information like your major and relevant minor(s) , awards, relevant coursework, study abroad, and GPA.

If you’re a mid-level hire who graduated less than 10 years ago, you can still include extracurricular activities on your resume if they’re relevant and particularly noteworthy. In that case, you should keep it brief by listing extracurriculars on a single line in a short education section at the end of your resume, as shown in the example below.

If you don’t have a lot of work experience, you should aim to show transferable and soft skills that hiring managers and recruiters look for in your extracurricular activities. To find out if your bullet points are strong enough and have no mistakes, upload your resume to the tool below — it'll perform a quick scan and let you know if your extracurricular experiences can be improved.

In a volunteering section

If your extracurricular activities doubled as volunteer work, you can create a separate ‘Volunteering’ section on your resume. List each project or activity separately, including the dates you worked on it, and include 1-2 bullet points outlining your main accomplishments.For example:

In an additional section

If you want to include extracurricular activities on your resume without taking up a lot of space, consider including them in an additional section at the end of your resume. Include a subheading like ‘Activities’ and keep it to a single line, as shown in this resume example:

Optional resume section titles for extracurricular activities

Using appropriate section titles helps improve the readability of your resume and makes it easier for a recruiter to pick out the most useful information. Here are some additional resume section titles you can use when listing extracurricular activities:

• Extracurricular: Use this title if you have a broad range of activities outside of your academic or professional work that are relevant to your application.
• Activities: Use this title if your extracurriculars demonstrate a wide range of skills, including clubs, sports, or other group activities.
• Leadership : Choose this title when you want to emphasize leadership roles, such as president of a club or captain of a sports team. This is particularly effective if you’re applying for roles where leadership is a priority.
• Other: This title can be used to gather various parts of your resume that don’t fit into standard categories, such as extracurriculars, certificates, affiliations, etc.

Sample resume showing extracurricular experience

Here’s a good example of a resume for a student or recent graduate that showcases extracurricular activities, providing you with activities examples that easily fit into a high-performing resume:

How to highlight transferable skills through extracurricular activities

When considering what extracurricular activities to include on your resume, focus on those that demonstrate transferable skills, leadership, teamwork, or community involvement. Good activities to put on a resume can range from sports teams and clubs to volunteer work and personal projects.

Identify key transferable skills

Extracurricular activities are a great way to showcase both hard and soft skills in a professional setting. Consider the activity you took part in and identify if you can showcase any of the soft skills listed below:

• Leadership: Showcasing roles where you led a team or project.
• Teamwork: Demonstrating collaboration and collective problem-solving.
• Digital literacy: Showcasing your competence with digital tools and technology.
• Communication: Highlighting roles that required effective verbal or written communication.
• Organization: Managing events or projects efficiently.
• Problem-solving: Demonstrating your ability to identify challenges and come up with productive solutions.
• Innovation: Showing your ability to think outside the box.
• Time management: Highlighting your ability to juggle multiple responsibilities.
• Adaptability: Showing your ability to thrive in changing environments and adjust to new challenges.
• Conflict resolution: Demonstrating your skill in resolving disagreements and conflicts.
• Project management: Showcasing your ability to plan, execute, and oversee projects from start to finish.
• Analytical thinking: Showing your ability to analyze information, identify trends, and make informed decisions.

If you want to find relevant skills for the job you’re applying for, use our hard skills and keywords tool below to search for the job, and it’ll give you a list of skills relevant to the position.

Quantify your achievements

Once you have chosen an activity that showcases your desired skill, quantify your achievements with numbers and metrics . This gives a recruiter tangible proof of your skills while also explaining why your experience is relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you were involved in fundraising, specify the amount raised, or if you led a team, specify the size of the team.

Organized a charity event that raised $5,000 for environmental conservation.

Led a 15-member team to organize a college debate, attracting over 300 participants.

Use action verbs to create power phrases

Start your resume bullet points with a strong action verb , followed by a quantified metric, and end each phrase showing the positive result of your work. This formula creates eye-catching power phrases that succinctly demonstrate your skills.

Coordinated a team of 10 volunteers, leading to a 20% increase in fundraiser efficiency.

Designed and implemented a new marketing strategy for a college event, resulting in a 30% higher attendance than in previous years.

Tailor your examples to the job description

To make your extracurricular activities relevant to each application, tailor the examples you use to align with the job description. Identify key skills or responsibilities mentioned in the job description and choose extracurricular examples that best demonstrate these skills or qualities.

For instance, if the job requires strong leadership skills , highlight a time you led a team or project in your extracurricular activities.

Led a team of 20 volunteers in organizing the annual campus charity event, raising over $10,000.

Organized and directed a student-run theater production, coordinating a cast and crew of 30 people.

Align your examples with employer cultural and ethical values

When selecting which extracurriculars to highlight on your resume, consider the cultural and ethical values of the organizations you're applying to. Research each company’s history and their involvement in community and global initiatives. This will help you choose activities that resonate with their company structure and values as a whole.

For example, if a company prioritizes sustainability, describe your involvement in environmental clubs or eco-friendly initiatives. If a company values innovation and creativity, highlight your participation in tech projects or creative competitions.

What extracurricular activities to include on your resume based on your experience level

Not sure if your extracurricular activities belong on your resume? Here are some extracurricular activities that add value to your resume at every experience level.

Current students and recent graduates

For high school students and recent graduates, extracurricular activities are a major asset. On a high school activities resume, include sports, leadership roles, and any volunteer activities you’ve been involved in, such as:

• Foreign language activities — particularly study abroad
• Sports teams
• Performing arts
• Student government
• Fundraising
• Official clubs

Determining where to put clubs on a resume depends on how relevant they are to the job you’re applying for. If they are highly relevant, they can be included in the main 'Experience' section. Otherwise, they can be listed under an 'Activities' or 'Extracurricular' section.

For mid-career professionals, extracurricular activities should demonstrate continued personal growth. Include activities that highlight your leadership skills, industry involvement, or community engagement, such as:

• Volunteer work
• Publications
• Business venture and other projects — if these are significant enough, you might even want to consider including them in your regular work experience section.

Senior level

For senior-level professionals, the focus should be on activities that showcase strategic leadership and industry influence. Highlight roles that reflect your expertise and contributions at a higher level, including:

• Board memberships
• Consultancy
• Speaking engagements
• Business ventures
• High level of leadership

Tailoring extracurricular activities to your particular industry

Tailoring your extracurricular activities to the specific industry you're applying to is an important part of ensuring your resume stays relevant and impactful for each application. Below are examples of extracurricular activities that align well with different industry sectors:

Technology and IT:

• Coding clubs that demonstrate technical skills and proficiency with specific tools.
• Tech-focused volunteer work that showcases skills such as AI, machine learning, and web development.
• Personal tech projects, such as creating your own apps, websites, or software projects.

Led a team in a university hackathon, developing a mobile app that won second place for innovative use of AI in healthcare.

Finance and business:

• Leadership roles in investment clubs or business associations.
• Organizing fundraising events or managing budgets for student organizations.

As President of the campus Investment Club, grew membership by 40% and consistently outperformed market benchmarks in mock portfolios.

Education and academia:

• Tutoring or mentoring roles, showcasing teaching and coaching abilities.
• Involvement in educational clubs or academic competitions.

Tutored 30+ high school students in math and science, achieving an average student improvement rate of 25% in test scores.

Creative arts and design:

• Participation in arts clubs, creative writing courses, or performing arts groups.
• Contributions to campus publications, blogs, or design contests.
• Personal creative projects, such as films, photography, portfolio design, and art exhibitions.

Organized a campus art exhibit featuring 30+ student works, attracting over 300 attendees and promoting local artists.

Marketing and communications:

• Leading or participating in marketing or advertising clubs.
• Managing social media or publicity for student organizations or events.

Directed social media campaigns for the Campus Music Festival, increasing online engagement by 50% over previous years.

• Involvement in mock trial competitions or law student associations.
• Volunteering for legal aid societies or related community service.

Active member of the University Mock Trial team, reaching national finals and winning first place in our category.

Hospitality and tourism:

• Leadership roles in event planning or hospitality-related student organizations.
• Volunteering at local tourism events or cultural festivals.

Coordinated a local food festival, managing over 20 vendors and logistics, drawing an attendance of 5,000+ people.

Using extracurricular activities to help a career change

Extracurricular activities can be especially helpful when changing careers. When you’re moving to a new industry or field, your direct work experience may not align perfectly with your new career path. This is where extracurricular activities come into play, helping bridge the gap in your professional experience by showcasing relevant skills and interests in your new field.

• Focus on activities that demonstrate relevant skills to your new field. For example, leadership roles in community organizations can translate well into managerial positions in various sectors.
• If you're moving into a field that requires new technical skills, extracurricular activities like attending workshops, online courses, or certifications can demonstrate your commitment to learning and adapting.
• Demonstrate commitment to your new sector by showing involvement in industry-related groups. For example, someone transitioning to a career in environmental science might highlight their active role in conservation projects or environmental clubs.

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Listing Extracurricular Activities in a Resume

• Jul 29, 2024
• 2,560 views

When you're at the early stages of your career or still pursuing your education, incorporating extracurricular activities into your student resume can significantly enhance your prospects .

“When I was a teenager, I began to settle into school because I'd discovered the extracurricular activities that interested me: music and theater.” Morgan Freeman

These extracurricular pursuits offer a valuable opportunity to showcase your skills and qualifications beyond what's typically found in your academic record. They serve as tangible proof of your diverse capabilities, providing a refreshing contrast to the more conventional academic achievements listed in your educational background.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll take a deep dive into the art of integrating extracurricular activities into your resume.

Together, we'll explore:

• What extracurricular activities are;
• What types of involvement can be beneficial to include in a resume;
• How to present this information effectively;
• Which activities to prioritize depending on the situation;
• When it's most appropriate to have them on the resume.

Our aim is to help you understand the significance of these activities in the professional realm. This article will shed light on the real-world value they bring to your candidacy.

What are extracurricular activities

Extracurricular activities are things you do outside of regular school or work . They're not the required classes or job duties. Instead, these are involvements that can help you learn practical skills that are useful in your life.

When you get involved in extracurriculars, you can learn and grow in different ways. You can join clubs, volunteer, or do community service, which helps you develop yourself.

• Clubs let you meet people who like the same things as you, and you can work together on projects.
• Volunteering is about helping others and improving how you communicate, understand other people, and handle different situations.
• Community service makes you feel like you're making a difference in the world and shows how powerful it can be when people work together for a common goal.

The top 5 college organizations that will make your resume stand out are social justice clubs, student government, debate teams, academic major associations, and honor societies. (The College Post)

In simple words, extracurricular activities are like a bag full of opportunities . They're not just about school or work. They're about becoming a better, more skilled person in different parts of your life. They help you learn and improve, now and in the future.

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How to list extracurricular activities on a resume

Including extracurricular activities in your resume requires a strategic approach . Here are five essential steps to effectively integrate these activities into your resume.

1. Reflect on your involvement

Begin by creating a list of all the extracurriculars you are engaged in or have actively contributed to during your academic journey. Consider how each activity benefited you and the skills you acquired .

For instance, if you are part of a foreign language club, highlight your language skills, which can be valuable to potential employers. Focus on listing clubs or organizations where you were actively involved and developed transferable skills .

Moreover, consider mentioning activities where you held leadership roles , as these demonstrate your ability to take on responsibilities and make significant contributions. These can be being a part of student government or holding an executive role in an organization.

2. Prioritize relevant experiences

If you have participated in diverse extracurricular activities, prioritize those most relevant to your desired industry or position. Specify your level of involvement and interest in each activity.

List your clubs and organizations on your resume in the same way how you organize work experience. Include a job title, a brief description of your responsibilities, and the start and end dates of the position. (Ripple Match)

Tailor your list to align with the industry or role you are pursuing. Highlight the skills and experiences that will resonate with potential employers more easily. For example, if you are applying for a banking position , emphasize your membership in a student finance association over unrelated affiliations like knitting clubs.

3. Evaluate your qualifications

If you choose extracurricular activities for your resume , assess how your participation has enhanced your qualifications. For example, if you were on the student council, you likely developed excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Consider the following skills that extracurricular activities can help you acquire and emphasize on your resume:

Technical expertise. Academic and extracurricular activities can nurture specific technical skills relevant to your industry. Initiative. Involvement in extracurricular pursuits demonstrates ambition and the willingness to take initiative. Work ethic and dedication. Consistent effort and commitment in extracurricular activities highlight your dedication. Collaboration and communication. Working within clubs or organizations improves your soft skills , which are essential in various professions. Organization. Managing academics and extracurriculars showcases strong organizational skills. Leadership. Many activities allow you to lead and organize events, a trait highly regarded by employers. Problem-solving. Extracurriculars often involve real-world challenges, fostering critical thinking and creativity skills.

4. Organize your activities

The space you allocate to listing extracurricular activities should depend on your overall experience. If you had several internships or have substantial work experience, you may prioritize those experiences and include only your most noteworthy extracurricular activities.

However, if you lack work or internship experience, emphasize how your extracurriculars have equipped you for the position you seek. Start with your most recent or current activities and conclude with earlier involvements.

5. Use bullet points for detail

Under the name of each extracurricular activity, provide the dates of your involvement and your position or role. Follow this with a concise list of bullet points that elucidate the skills you gained and highlight your accomplishments. This format is similar to the work experience section of your resume .

It's essential to provide a comprehensive picture of your involvement. To do this effectively, you should include specific details under each activity.

Here's how to expand on the process of using bullet points for greater clarity:

• Dates of involvement. Begin by noting the period you were actively engaged in each of the extracurriculars. This shows recruiters the duration of your commitment and your ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Position or role. Next, specify your role or position within each activity. Make it clear whether you were the club president, team captain, treasurer, or another significant role. This highlights your level of responsibility and leadership within the group.
• Skills gained. Under each activity, elaborate on the skills you developed or enhanced. For example, if you were part of a debate club, you might mention that you improved your public speaking, critical thinking, and research skills. Be specific about how these skills were cultivated during your involvement.
• Highlight accomplishments. Use bullet points to showcase your accomplishments within each activity. Did you organize an event, win a competition, or lead a successful project? Mention these achievements. Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. For instance, if you raised funds for a charity event, specify the amount you gained.
• Awards and certifications. If you received any awards or certifications that are relevant to the job you're applying for, be sure to include them. Awards like "Club Member of the Year" or certifications in first aid can demonstrate your commitment and skills.
• Action verbs. To make your accomplishments more impactful, use power words when describing your role and achievements. For example, words like "led," "initiated," "organized," and "achieved" convey a sense of proactivity and accomplishment.

By providing these additional details for each extracurricular activity, you create a more precise and comprehensive picture of your experiences and skills. This helps potential employers understand the depth of your involvement and the value you can bring to their organization.

Examples of effective extracurricular activities

Sharing your involvement can be beneficial even if you are unsure which particular skills you acquired there. Recruiters will spot the activity that they know helped develop skills that are beneficial to the candidate picked for the role. (UpKey)

To offer a clearer picture, here are some examples of extracurricular activities that can be particularly impactful on your resume:

You'll create a more compelling narrative on your resume by delving deeper into these extracurricular activities. Specific experiences and achievements within each category will allow potential employers to get a better understanding of your persona.

When to include extracurriculars on a resume

In case you lack professional experience or you are still in college, adding extracurricular activities can strengthen your resume . They help showcase to potential employers that you do have the needed skills and qualifications. (Indeed)

Knowing when to incorporate your extracurricular activities in your resume is essential to presenting yourself effectively to potential employers. Here's a more detailed breakdown of when and why to include them:

In essence, the decision to include or remove extracurricular activities from your resume hinges on their relevance to your current career stage and goals . While there are general guidelines, remember that each person's journey is unique. It's essential to tailor your resume to showcase the experiences that best reflect your qualifications and aspirations.

While extracurricular activities can often enhance a resume by showcasing skills, interests, and personality traits beyond academic or professional achievements, there are certain situations when it might be appropriate not to include them .

Avoid mentioning extracurriculars:

• If they are not relevant to the job or industry you're applying for.
• If you have limited space on your resume and need to prioritize other sections.
• If you participated in extracurricular activities that could be perceived as controversial or sensitive (e.g., political activism, religious organizations).
• If you have extensive professional experience that demonstrates the skills and qualifications required for the job.
• If your extracurricular activities section is sparse or includes activities that are incomplete or unimpressive .

Examples of extracurricular activities for resume

Teacher resume.

Teachers often have a broad range of extracurricular activities they can include on their resume. Examples of activities outside the classroom that may be listed in a teacher's resume :

• Mentoring. Teachers can mentor students, either through organized programs or independently. This shows a dedication to aiding students reach their full potential.
• Coaching. Coaching sports teams is a great avenue for teachers to showcase their leadership and organizational abilities. It also shows an ability to motivate and inspire students.
• Tutoring. Tutoring students in-person or online is another way for teachers to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a particular subject area.
• Community involvement. Participating in community events or working with local nonprofits can showcase a teacher's commitment to the community while displaying leadership and communication skills.
• Professional development. Taking classes and participating in workshops show an ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement, which is always impressive to potential employers.
• Public speaking. Giving presentations at conferences or other events can demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, which is an important skill for any teacher.

Engaging in these activities can emphasize the various capabilities that teachers possess outside of the classroom, enhancing their eligibility for job openings.

Here's an example of how a teacher resume can look with the "Professional Development" section:

Accountant resume

Accountants have a wide range of skills that are beneficial to employers. However, including extracurriculars on your resume can help you gain a competitive edge over other applicants.

Here are some examples of activities that demonstrate professional traits relevant to the accounting field:

• Professional societies. Participating in professional organizations, such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants or the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), shows dedication to your profession.
• Volunteering. If you volunteer with a charity or non-profit organization, it demonstrates commitment and compassion.
• Networking. Networking events are a great way to meet new contacts and build relationships within the industry.
• Conferences. Attending finance-related conferences enables you to remain abreast of the most recent developments and cultivate your abilities.
• Continuing education. Taking courses related to accounting can show that you are eager to learn and stay current in the field.

Mentioning your out-of-class activities in your resume will help employers recognize you as someone devoted to their profession and eager to exceed what's expected.

News reporter resume

News reporters need to be well-rounded individuals. In addition to their journalism degree, they should have experience and knowledge in other areas.

These are a few examples of extracurricular activities and experiences that could help any news reporter make a stand-out resume:

• Volunteering. If you helped at local media outlets, this shows initiative and a willingness to learn. It also gives reporters valuable connections in the industry.
• Public speaking. Having experience with public speaking adds an important skill to any journalist's toolkit.
• Writing or blogging. This allows a reporter to hone their writing skills and gain visibility in the industry.
• Working with nonprofits or charities. This demonstrates a commitment to helping others, something that news organizations value highly.
• Professional development. Participating in career advancement opportunities, such as seminars or workshops is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in journalism and network with peers in the field.
• Conferences. Attending conferences and conventions related to journalism and media topics. This helps keep reporters informed about new advances in the industry, as well as providing valuable networking opportunities with fellow professionals.

By having a broad selection of non-academic activities and experiences on their resume, news reporters can indicate to those considering them for employment that they are well-rounded individuals who are committed to staying up-to-date and interested in the domain of journalism.

Here's an example of how you can mention your blog in a real resume:

Logistician resume

Logisticians are often required to have various skills to perform their job duties. Besides having a good understanding of the logistics process, they should also possess strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.

To enhance a logistician's resume , consider the following extracurricular activities:

• Toastmasters International. Toastmasters is an organization that helps individuals improve their public speaking skills. Through this demonstration, employers can notice that the individual is ready to take initiative and improve their communication abilities .
• Volunteering at a local food bank. Volunteering at a food bank shows employers that the person possesses strong organizational and problem-solving capabilities.
• Professional associations. Professional associations offer members networking opportunities and access to industry news. Participating in one can help to demonstrate the individual's dedication to the logistics sector.
• Online course. Online courses provide an opportunity for individuals to learn new skills or brush up on existing ones. This activity can demonstrate to employers that the individual has a desire to keep apprised of industry trends.

By participating in extracurricular resume activities such as these, logisticians can demonstrate their commitment and dedication to the field of logistics. These endeavors can assist them to stand out from other applicants and get hired for positions they are qualified for.

Police officer's resume

Police officers are expected to possess extensive knowledge, a diverse set of abilities, and a wide array of skills. When crafting a resume, extracurricular activities can show potential employers that you have the experience and qualities necessary to be successful in law enforcement.

Examples of valuable extracurriculars to include on a law enforcement professional's resume are:

• Sports teams. Participating in physical activities such as running, weightlifting, and martial arts is a terrific demonstration of your dedication to health and fitness.
• First Aid/CPR Training. Being certified in first aid and CPR shows that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to respond quickly and appropriately in emergency situations.
• Self-defense classes. Taking self-defense classes can help you develop the skills needed to protect yourself and others in dangerous situations.
• Community service. Participating in community service can show employers that you are dedicated to serving your community.
• Volunteer work. Volunteering at local shelters or other organizations can illustrate your resolve to assist others.
• Leadership roles. Serving as a leader in a club or organization shows that you have strong communication and organizational skills.

These are just a few examples of extracurricular activities that can help make your resume stand out as a police officer. Highlighting to employers the experience and capabilities you have for the job could be a major factor in being employed.

Below is an example of using the "Volunteer work" and "Self-defense classes" sections in a police officer resume:

Sharing extracurricular activities in your resume can significantly boost your employability , especially when starting your career or transitioning from academics to the professional world. These activities provide evidence of your skills, dedication, and interests outside the classroom.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you will be able to build your resume that highlights your extracurricular experiences effectively. You will surely impress potential employers and increase your chances of securing your desired job.

Amanda Baker

Certified Professional Resume Writer

Amanda Baker is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and career coach with over a decade of experience crafting compelling resumes and career marketing tools. As a black resume writer, Amanda brings a distinctive perspective to her work, guided by her commitment to nurturing the next generation of job seekers. Her ultimate goal is to equip young professionals with the skills and knowledge to confidently navigate the competitive job market.

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