Introduction
Syllabus and curriculum are not the only part of education. Being a bookworm and knowing the answers to all the questions is insufficient for a stellar resume. The job market is becoming extremely competitive, and only candidates with the right skills are hired. Recruiters look for candidates who can act instead of just talk. Also, foreign universities look for more than academic excellence in the admission essay.
So, how can you compete and stand out among hundreds of applicants? For a strong resume, you must pad it with extracurricular activities. Let’s explore the benefits of such co-curricular activities and how they can boost your resume.
What are Extracurricular Activities?
Schools, colleges, and universities offer many programs and cultural activities along with the syllabus. Students are encouraged to participate in these events to show off their skills. While these activities are entirely optional, pursuing them will ensure that you gain practical skills like leadership, time management, teamwork, and planning. These can transform into relevant life skills for your job or application for higher studies. Being a part of professional organizations or clubs and voluntary or community services can all add bonus points to your resume.
When Should I Include Extracurricular Activities?
Your resume should be created based on the purpose. If you are building your resume for a job offer, you must ensure that it showcases all the skills relevant to the job. On the other hand, if you are creating a resume for applying to a foreign university, you should include details that can convince you that you are a better candidate who can contribute to the university as well.
When you have industry experience, including that in your resume will highlight your skills, and in that case, extracurricular activities may not even be needed. However, if you are a student or fresher with no relevant experience, these co-curricular activities can boost your resume. Some of the reasons why you must include these on your resume are:
- Highlight your resume with leadership skills
- To demonstrate technical skills
- Explain the knowledge you gained from your other activities
How to Include Extracurricular Activities on Your Resume?
Even though extracurricular activities can elevate your resume, they are not simply blank fillers. Remember that fillers in your resume are frowned upon. Before including extracurricular activities, do some self-reflection to find the right skills to add.
- List out activities in which you have actively contributed in your school or college. Focus on your involvement and the skills you gained. For example, if you have been a part of language clubs, let the employers know that you have language skills.
- Even though you might have been involved in several activities, include only those that are relevant to your resume.
- Look at your resume from the employer’s perspective and analyze whether adding such academic activities in universities adds any value.
Recommended Read – 8 Things to Do as a Student to Make Your Future Self Proud
7 Best Extracurriculars For Ivy League
If you are wondering how to build a strong resume, you can include out-of-class activities that enhance your skills. University experience is more than just getting a degree certificate. The goal should be learning, and sometimes, the extracurriculars may be daunting and add to your burden. However, it can help students build practical skills. Some of the co-curricular activities you can use in your resume are:
#1 Foreign Language
Knowing an additional language is always a resume booster. It can instantly set you apart, especially in multinational companies. For example, many manufacturing companies with factories in China favour resumes with Chinese language skills. Showcasing that you have taken the extra effort to learn something new apart from your curriculum would show universities that you will actively participate in research programs.
#2 Student Council
Student bodies in schools and colleges demand your time. When your resume shows that you don’t shy away from such additional responsibilities, it indirectly showcases your time management and organisation skills. Especially if you have headed any such student councils, it can add significant value to your curriculum vitae. If you have been a part of fraternities, sororities, or other type of school club, include those details as well.
#3 Sports
You must include your active participation in sports in your resume. Even if you have industry experience, including this crucial skill will immediately set you apart from the crowd. Involvement in sports highlights your teamwork, dedication, self-improvement, and leadership skills.
#4 Volunteering
Volunteering is essentially doing some job without getting paid. Often, volunteering is done for a social cause, and this shows recruiters that you are willing to do extra work in your free time to give back to the community. It also highlights your eagerness to help out others. It is a significant indicator of personal development.
#5 Peer Tutoring
Many schools have school tutoring programs that you can join to help out other students. You can also do this as a volunteer in your own free time. This showcases your knowledge in the specific subject and the fact that you share your knowledge to assist others in growing.
#6 Fundraising
Often, colleges have programs that need funds, and students may be asked to raise funds for them. If you have worked on a school project and needed funds and found ways to raise the money successfully, make sure to include that in your resume. Convincing others to give their money to a cause is not easy, and recruiters will be interested in knowing how your skills helped raise funds.
#7 Hobbies
Often, hobbies in a resume are considered filler content. However, it is an integral part of the resume that shows your personality to the reader. Creative hobbies like drawing, painting, crocheting, gardening, etc, inculcate many transferrable skills. It also shows employers that you are keen on learning something new.
Conclusion
When you add extracurricular activities to your profile, be truthful. Just listing activities that you have heard of is not going to help you. Only add the skills and abilities if you have actively participated in the activities and they are suitable for the application. Add these in the right part of the resume and highlight your responsibilities and prominent achievements. Focus on the quality and value that the list adds to your profile instead of the quantity.
Wondering how to build a strong CV? Check out Mindler blogs to craft the perfect resume to impress the recruiters.
