resume for college clubs

How to Add Extracurricular Activities to Your Resume—So They Actually Help Your Job Search

When you’re writing a resume, your education and past jobs are far from the only things that matter. The truth is, the past experiences and skills that employers care about can come from a number of places. And particularly when you’re a current student or an entry-level candidate , extracurricular activities can be a great addition to your resume.

Extracurriculars are any structured, ongoing activity you took part in during school, but not as an academic requirement. They are often (but not always) affiliated with or run by the school you attended. And your participation in these activities (especially in a leadership role) can set you up to succeed in your future jobs.

When You Should List Extracurriculars on a Resume

According to Muse career coach and founder of Flourish Careers Jennifer Smith , who has recruited, coached, and hired early-career candidates across a number of industries and jobs, there are two main situations when you should include extracurriculars on your resume:

• When you’re a current student or recent graduate and the extracurricular (or your role in the organization) showcases leadership or is specifically relevant to the job or industry you’re applying to
• When you’re a current student or recent graduate and you don’t have a lot of internship or paid work experience

Once you’re more than five years past graduation, your extracurriculars probably don’t belong on your resume anymore—unless they’re especially relevant to the industry or role you’re applying to and you don’t have more recent, relevant experience, Smith says. This would most likely come up if you’re looking to make a career change or pivot.

Why You Should List Extracurriculars on a Resume

Early in your career, particularly when you don’t have much or any professional experience, employers want to see that you have transferable skills . These are abilities and knowledge that can be applied in multiple contexts—for instance, both an extracurricular activity and an office environment. In other words, extracurriculars can prove you’re a great candidate for a job even if you haven’t already held a similar—or any!—job.

If you held a leadership position within an extracurricular—whether you were the president of a student group, programming chair for your sorority chapter, or treasurer for your intramural sports club—that experience is especially valuable on an early-career resume. Smith, who used to lead a team that hired university students for internships and entry-level jobs, has often seen companies seek out students who had led clubs and societies, knowing they would bring valuable traits and transferable skills to the workplace.

For example, if you ran large club meetings, you likely have some communication and presentation skills. Or maybe you were responsible for advertising or outreach and you gained some marketing skills. These roles also show that you’ve taken on responsibilities—a core requirement for any job.

If you didn’t hold an official position in an activity, but you were in charge of an event, campaign, or some other aspect of the organization’s management, that can also go on your resume as relevant experience. Maybe you designed the club’s website and want to get a design role, or you put together a charity event and want to go into fundraising.

Even without a formal or informal leadership role within your extracurricular, you still likely picked up some transferable skills, such as teamwork and collaboration, organizational skills, time management, communication, and project management, Smith says. If you were a highly active member, especially over a longer period of time, this shows dedication and work ethic as well.

Your extracurricular activity might also show that you are passionate about the industry you’re trying to join and may be more knowledgeable and prepared than your peers. “For example, a member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) who is applying for an entry-level engineering role” should include that membership on their resume, Smith says, as evidence that you’ve put time into preparing for this career path, possibly attending industry conferences or taking part in other career development activities.

What Types of Extracurriculars Can Go on a Resume (Examples)

Not sure what type of extracurriculars might go on your resume? Here are some examples to get you started:

• Academic clubs or societies related to a specific discipline (for example, the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA))
• Arts organizations (such as a drama club, marching band, or a cappella group)
• Community and civic activities (for example, Students for Environmental Action)
• Greek life (as long as your sorority or fraternity hasn’t been in trouble for inappropriate behavior)
• Media or publications (such as the student newspaper or campus radio station)
• Multicultural organizations (such as a Black student association, Muslim student group, or Pride group)
• Political groups (but use your discretion here—if it’s especially controversial or you know the company you’re applying to holds opposing views, these activities might be best left off)
• Sports teams
• Student government
• Volunteer activities or organizations (such as Habitat for Humanity)
• Other clubs (even if you joined a group “just for fun” you might’ve still picked up skills doing it!)

Which Extracurriculars Belong on Your Resume

Before deciding to add extracurriculars to your resume, identify the skills you need for the job you want, Smith says. You can do this by reviewing the job description or setting up an informational interview with someone who works in a role or industry you want to work in—or even at the specific company you have your eye on. For each application, take into account the company you’re applying to, as well. What values do they have? Are they all about teamwork? Do they value creativity? Do they want people who will take initiative to solve any problems they spot?

Then think about what you’ve done in your extracurriculars and what skills and qualities you developed or demonstrated. “Pinpoint the skills [you gained] that will serve you best in your new path,” Smith says. These skills, the circumstances in which you used them, and extracurriculars attached are what belong on your resume.

Let’s say you want to go into sales. The juggling skills you gained from three years of Circus Club might not be very helpful in landing your first full-time job, but the time you sold 50 tickets to the “Circus Skills Expo”—more than anyone else—might catch a recruiter’s eye.

Similarly, if you played a sport, the number of goals you scored probably matters less to a prospective employer than how well you work with a team, the time management skills you gained balancing your practice schedule with classes and studying, or your work ethic—unless you’re going into a sports-related role.

Doing some research on the specific companies you’re applying to can help you highlight the right aspects of your extracurricular experiences. For instance, Smith says, “I often saw big-name companies specifically seek out student athletes because they know the competitive spirit will be a good fit with their company.”

Where to List Your Extracurriculars on a Resume

Where your extracurriculars go on your resume depends on what your role and scope of responsibility was in the organization, how relevant it is to the job you want, and whether you have other work experience to include on your resume, Smith says.

These are three common options:

• Your experience section: An extracurricular belongs in your experience section when you either had responsibilities and a time commitment similar to that of a part- or full-time job, or when your achievements showcase skills and experience that are directly relevant to the role you’re applying to. A stage manager for a drama ensemble play might spend 20+ hours a week coordinating multiple teams and making sure everything needed is ready by opening night. Or perhaps a video editor for a film club edited multiple student films using the same or similar software and technical skills to the ones that the content creation role they’re applying for uses.
• Your education section: Smith suggests including an extracurricular within your education section when you had minor responsibilities but it’s related to the industry you want to work in. For example, maybe you were a member of a business honor society and want to work in finance.
• A dedicated section: If you have multiple extracurriculars that are relevant to the job you’re applying for, you might consider including an “Extracurricular Activities” section to highlight them a bit more than your education section might. Or a “Leadership Experience” section might be appropriate for someone who held leadership positions in multiple organizations, Smith says.

How to List Your Extracurriculars on a Resume

Regardless of where you choose to list your extracurriculars, you should generally include the name of the organization, your role within it (“member” or any positions held), and the dates you participated. Particularly when you want to use your extracurriculars to demonstrate your skills and experiences, you should also include major responsibilities, accomplishments, or any awards won in the form of bullet points .

How would this look in practice? In your experience section or within a dedicated section, an extracurricular activity entry can be listed just like a job or internship. In this example, the person wants to demonstrate leadership and management skills as well as their ability to adapt to changing circumstances:

Vice President , Young Educators of America at Duke University | Fall 2019–Spring 2020 Chapter Secretary, Fall 2018–Spring 2019 Member, Fall 2016–Spring 2018

• Ran twice-weekly tutoring program with an average of 30 tutors and 80 local high school students, advertising program at three area schools, booking rooms, matching students with tutors for appropriate subjects ahead of time, overseeing sessions, managing conflicts, and collecting feedback on tutor performance
• Pivoted program to operate entirely online during COVID-19 pandemic, adjusting tutoring practices for remote sessions and increasing session availability to help students struggling with remote learning

Even without a leadership position, you still want to show what you did as a member with strong, quantified bullet points that highlight the skills you want an employer to see. A college musician who wants to highlight their time-management and teamwork skills might say something like:

Member , Lehigh University Jazz Ensemble | 2017–2020

• Attended two-hour practices four times weekly and played up to eight shows a month on campus and across the state
• Organized weekly rehearsals for 10-person trumpet section to help one another with new pieces, give feedback on individual performances, and identify any problems with our group’s playing

Within your education section, an extracurricular could be a single bullet point that might look like this:

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics | University of Connecticut | 2015–2019 Major Track: Applied Mathematics

• Member of Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society | 2017–2019 : Participated in weekly meetings, listened to monthly talks by researchers, and attended national conferences to learn more about new mathematical theories and speak with applied mathematics professionals

• 40 Activities To Put On Your Activities Resume For College

By: Author Kelly Clark

Posted on Last updated: September 11, 2023

Categories College

As you get ready to start thinking of college , you may be wondering what else you can put on your resume to impress the admissions offices on your college applications.

A big answer to that question would be school clubs. If you’ve never joined a school club or after school activity before, don’t worry, there is still time. This year can be the year that all changes for you. 

I know it can seem daunting, especially if you go to a big school with a ton of different club options. That’s why I’ll be breaking it all down for you in this post. We’ll talk about what a college resume is and why college admissions like seeing clubs, activities, and experience on your resume.

Why Should You Have a College Resume?

Creating a college resume (also known as a curriculum vitae or CV) is a great way to showcase your achievements, skills, and experiences to potential colleges or employers.

It’s very similar to a traditional resume. It gives college admissions officers an overview of your experience and skills but also highlights your passions and interests.

As a caveat, do not feel like you have to go over the top for this! Stick to your interests, what you know, love, and are most passionate about. Use a personal story to connect with a college representative – this is typically more powerful than professional experience.

Here are some key sections and tips to consider when putting together your college resume:

• Phone number (make sure it has a professional voicemail message)
• Email address (use a professional one, not a nickname or informal address)
• LinkedIn profile (if applicable and professional)
• A brief statement about your career or educational goals.
• List your high school name, location, and graduation date (or expected graduation date).
• Include your GPA if it’s strong (above 3.0).
• Class rank if it is high (in the top 10).
• Any perfect or strong test scores.
• Mention any honors, awards, or relevant coursework.
• Scholarships, academic awards, honors, or any special recognition.
• Clubs, sports teams, student government, volunteer work, or any other activities outside of regular coursework.
• Highlight leadership roles and responsibilities.
• Paid jobs, part-time jobs, internships, or volunteer work.
• Include the organization, your role, and dates of employment.
• Highlight specific accomplishments or responsibilities.
• Technical skills (e.g., programming languages, software proficiency).
• Language proficiency.
• Soft skills (e.g., communication, leadership skills and roles, teamwork).
• Any significant academic or personal projects, research work, or independent studies.
• Relevant certifications or courses completed (e.g., First Aid, CPR, programming courses).
• Any recognition you’ve received that is relevant to your application.
• If you have written articles, presented research, or participated in any public speaking events.
• This can provide insight into your personality and interests outside of academics and extracurriculars.
• Optionally, you can include references or mention that they are available upon request. Be sure to ask permission from your references first.

Use the bullet points above as a resume template/resume example on how to start your own resume.

If you in your freshman year, a good tip is for high school students to write down everything they participate in. Keep a journal too, as you can draw on these experiences as a rising college student to enrich your school applications and even scholarship applications.

Why Are Activities Good For Your Resume

Admission Sight discusses multiple reasons why college admissions like seeing extracurricular activities on your resume. Here are a few of those reasons.

• Shows your personality: Clubs give you a chance to express yourself and colleges like to see how you are going to fit on their campus. By showing off your personality on your resume you are showing them that you’ll make the most of your college experience.
• Shows initiative: Many activities and school clubs require initiative when it comes to things that you’ll do while in the club. From planning events, accepting leadership positions, or speaking up in meetings, these clubs give you those opportunities. Colleges like to hear about those.
• Shows consistency: The majority of these clubs meet on certain days, or a certain amount of times, Joining these gives you practice with consistency. That is a trait that colleges look for because they want to know that you will be consistent with your classes.
• Proves you know how to manage your time wisely: Juggling classes, extracurricular activities, social life, and more is what college is all about. Showing that you can do that in high school will go a long way for admissions officers.

Why does an activities resume for college strengthen your application?

Creating an activities resume for college can be highly beneficial for several reasons:

• Comprehensive Overview : An activities resume provides a concise and organized snapshot of your achievements, skills, and experiences outside of academics. It complements your academic transcript and gives admissions officers a more well-rounded view of who you are.
• Highlighting Strengths and Accomplishments : It allows you to showcase your accomplishments, leadership roles, and involvement in extracurricular activities. This can be particularly important if you have excelled in areas beyond academics.
• Demonstrating Commitment : It shows your dedication and commitment to various pursuits. Long-term involvement in clubs, organizations, or community service projects can demonstrate a strong work ethic and passion for certain interests.
• Differentiation : It helps you stand out from other applicants. A well-crafted activities resume can help distinguish you in a competitive pool of applicants, especially if you have unique or notable accomplishments.
• Illustrating Skills and Talents : Your activities may have helped you develop valuable skills like leadership, teamwork, time management, communication, and problem-solving. These are qualities that colleges value in their students.
• Providing Context for Achievements : Sometimes, accomplishments need context to be fully appreciated. An activities resume allows you to explain the significance of certain achievements or experiences.
• Showcasing Diversity : It allows you to demonstrate a diverse range of interests and talents. This can be important for colleges that value a well-rounded student body.
• Helping with Scholarships and Financial Aid : Some scholarships or financial aid opportunities may require you to submit a resume along with your application. Having one ready can streamline the application process for these opportunities.
• Preparing for Interviews : If you’re asked for an interview as part of the application process, your activities resume can serve as a useful reference point for discussing your accomplishments and experiences.
• Setting Goals and Planning Ahead : The process of creating an activities resume encourages you to reflect on your high school experiences and think about your goals and aspirations. It can be a useful exercise for personal development and future planning.
• Networking and Job Applications : Beyond college applications, having a well-organized activities resume can be useful for internships, job applications, and even scholarship applications in the future.

Overall, an activities resume is a powerful tool that helps you present a holistic picture of yourself as a candidate, showcasing your strengths, interests, and contributions beyond just academic achievements.

What Types Of Activities Are Available To You

There are a multitude of different options when it comes to clubs and activities that you can join. These are the broader categories and down below you’ll find the whole list.

If you don’t see something that you are interested in offered at your school, don’t give up. Talk to an administrator or teacher and see if there is a way to bring your idea to the school you attend.

Here are some types of activities you might list:

• Sports: Different schools have different types of sport offerings. If you enjoy a certain one, see if your school offers it then check out when tryouts are.
• Vocational Clubs: These clubs are focused on different types of careers. They’ll get you started in learning about that field. Then you can determine if that is a career path you want to go down.
• Academic Clubs: If you enjoy a certain subject in school, there may be a club dedicated to it. Talk with your teacher to see if there is, or if it’s possible to start one.
• Service Activities: These clubs are great for you if you enjoy helping others and would like to do it more often.
• Hobbies: This is where clubs can really vary from school to school. Hobby clubs are fun because you know everyone there loves the same thing as you do. For these clubs you’ll definitely want to check to see what’s available, but also don’t be afraid to start your own club. Talk with a teacher or school administrator to get started.

40+ Activities To Put On Your Resume For College

We’ve arrived at the list of activities to put on your resume for college. This is by no means a complete list. However, I did try to put as much variety as I could on here.

If you have other clubs at your school feel free to comment them down below! Any extracurricular activity and relevant experience could be worth adding to your resume.

• Cheerleading

Vocational Clubs

• DECA (a marketing club)
• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
• Future Farmers of America (FFA)
• Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
• Photography Club
• Newspaper Club
• Architecture Club

Academic Clubs

• National Honor Society
• Mathletes 
• Debate Club
• History Club
• Spelling Bee
• Science Club
• Foreign Language Clubs

Service Activities

• Tutoring Club
• Habitat for Humanity
• Recycling Club
• Community service
• Volunteer experience
• Yearbook Club
• Robotics Club
• Knitting Club
• Fashion Club
• Gaming Club
• Running Club
• Dancing Club
• Cooking Club
• American Sign Language Club
• Gay-Straight Alliance Club
• Model UN Club
• Student Government Association (SGA)
• List any special skills
• Language skills

If you can tie these activities or a specific accomplishment to your field of study, it will strengthen your resume even further.

What You Can Learn From After School Activities That Will Prepare You For College

To really drive this point home, I wanted to share some of the benefits of clubs and how they will prepare you for your college experience.  

What You’re Passionate About

Joining clubs in high school will help you discover what your passions are. You could find a new hobby, a cause that speaks to your soul, and maybe even what you want to major in when you go to college. That’s some big things that you can miss out on by not joining in.

The Importance Of Keeping Up Your Grades

In high school, just like college, your grades obviously come first. If you start failing classes you won’t be able to participate in after-school activities. Therefore, these clubs teach you the importance of keeping up your grades. 

School Isn’t The Whole Experience

Don’t get me wrong, school is extremely important, but the lessons you learn outside of school hold about the same weight as well. There are so many things I learned from getting involved in after-school activities that made my school experience that much better. 

In my opinion, I feel like you are missing out on half of your high school experience by not joining in on clubs and activities. Which is why I’m a huge believer in joining them and putting them on your resume for college. It will make your experience more well-rounded.

Letters of Recommendation

When you participate in extra clubs that interest you, you can build relationships with other adults. These relationships can help open doors for you but they are also additional people to ask for letters of recommendation when you need them.

My Personal Experience With Clubs In High School

When I was in high school I was the girl that couldn’t get enough of the extracurricular activities. I joined academic clubs, vocational clubs, and a few in between.

A lot of the memories I have from high school are from the clubs that I joined. These organizations brought me out of my shell and got me ready for my college experience. They can do that for you too.

Final Thoughts on Creating an Activities Resume For College

Showcasing your activities and how those skills and experience translate to your professional goals and connecting to the college admissions office through personal experience will surely strengthen your college application.

Will you be joining any clubs this year? If so, which ones?

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About the Author

Kelly graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. Even though it took her a little while to find her career path, she was always meant to be in Communications. She remembers writing poems and songs when she was a little girl and pitching to my parents the reasons why I should have a cell phone when I was a teenager. She currently has a blog (budding-joy.com) where she talks about her weight-loss journey, mental health and personal development. Her hope is to encourage and inspire readers and let them know they are not alone. Reading blog posts like that are what helped her in tough times and she wants to pay it forward. She loves dance fitness, listening to music, and creating layouts in her bullet journal. She's a big fan of planning, especially when cute notebooks and pens are involved. Her dream job has changed so much over the years; right now she'd love to co-own a dance studio.

Website: budding-joy.com

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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.

2 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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Top Extracurricular Activities to Add to Your Resume (Samples)

Customers Interviewed by:

When you’re a new grad entering the workforce, extracurricular activities on your resume can help you stand out to hiring managers. But what types of activities should you include?

In this article, you’ll learn:

• The best types of extracurricular activities to include in your resume writing . 
• How activities can add value to your resume.
• Where to add your extracurricular activities on your resume for maximum impact. 

The best extracurricular activities for a resume

Extracurriculars are any activities that aren’t required for your college credit. Depending on the jobs you’re applying for, certain activities will look more appealing to hiring managers.

Some of the most popular activities to add to your resume include:

• Student council
• Clubs or societies
• Volunteering
• Study abroad programs
• Additional languages
• Sororities or fraternities

Your role in extracurriculars can help you build transferable skills . These are skills you take with you from job to job. Transferable skills on your resume can make you a stronger candidate in your job search. 

Use Jobscan’s resume scanner to ensure your resume includes the transferable skills you need to secure the interview. Below is a screenshot of the match report generated by our tool. It illustrates exactly which keywords from the job description you need to integrate to be competitive.

Resume activities: student council or union

Members of a student council or students’ union are often elected by their peers. They collaborate on student-led initiatives, address school issues affecting students, and organize school activities or events. 

If you take part in student council, you develop some essential soft skills, including:

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Organization
• Decision making
• Time management

Participation in student council builds practical skills you can relate to your post grad job hunt. 

Resume activities: team sports

Playing team sports isn’t just a fun hobby. Sports can help you grow valuable skills you need in any workplace, including:

• Strategic thinking
• Problem solving

Even if you don’t play on a competitive team, recreational sports helps you establish key transferable skills to add to your resume.

Resume activities: clubs or societies

There’s a club for almost any interest. And if they help you cultivate transferable skills, they can enhance your resume. 

Examples of popular clubs include:

• School newspaper
• Choir or chorus
• Orchestra, jazz band, or concert band
• Girl or boy scouts
• Debate club
• Mock trial club
• Literature club
• Photography club

Clubs are a great place to build a network and hone skills like:

• Relationship building
• Creative thinking
• Adaptability

Resume activities: volunteering

Volunteering positions are like unpaid jobs. You gain practical experience you can add to your resume with desirable skills to back it up.

Helping out your community has the added benefit of boosting your resume. You can volunteer your time to organizations that match your interests and are relevant to your dream job.

Skills you show by volunteering include:

• Customer service

Don’t add every activity you’ve participated in. Instead, be strategic and choose the activities that can help in the role you’re applying for. 

Resume activities: tutoring

Helping a peer or younger student learn tough concepts can help you build desirable skills for your resume. Some skills include:

• Flexibility
• Active listening

A proven ability to mentor others is a valuable skill and can stand out to hiring managers. This is especially true if you’re looking for a teaching or management role. 

Resume activities: study abroad experience

If you have the opportunity to study abroad, it can be life changing. You make friends, see new places, and experience unique cultures. 

It also lets you develop unique skills that attract potential employers, including:

• Cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Independence
• Foreign languages
• Interpersonal skills

Resume activities: additional languages

Bilingualism or multilingualism is becoming more common. But even if you’re not fluent, speaking a second language can improve your starting salary in some industries.

Some of the most common and valuable languages to learn include:

Even less common languages, like American Sign Language, shows skills like:

• Cultural awareness
• interpersonal skills

Resume activities: sorority or fraternity

Sororities and fraternities are social organizations that can broaden your network. Experiences in a sorority or fraternity vary, but members often participate in:

• Regular meetings
• Philanthropic activities
• Special events

These organizations help you develop skills like:

• Project management

Why should you add extracurricular activities to your resume?

Extracurricular activities on your resume, when added correctly, can make your resume stronger. The key is to use your activities to highlight important resume skills relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Skills are either hard or soft. Hard skills are specific skills you need to do a particular job. Soft skills are transferable skills that you can develop and use in any job. 

Extracurricular skills for your ATS resume

All job descriptions are full of skills that hiring managers want in a candidate. Those skills determine whether your resume will reach the hiring manager at all.

When you apply for a job, your resume goes into the applicant tracking system , or ATS. It acts as an internal search engine for the hiring manager.

They can search for specific keywords and the ATS will parse resumes for those terms. It then pulls out the strongest resumes for the hiring manager. It’s crucial to include the right keywords to get your resume in front of the hiring team.

Here’s a sample job description with keywords and soft skills underlined. These are among some of the critical skills you should add to your resume when applying for this job. Extracurriculars can help you hone them.

Never forget to include keywords again with Jobscan’s resume scanner to support you. The match report will give you a resume score to measure the strength of your resume and show you which keywords are missing. It’ll also catch any formatting issues that will affect your resume’s readability by the ATS.

Take it further and make your resume optimization easier with Jobscan’s premium Power Edit . It will show you which skills you’re missing and also provide suggestions on how to integrate them into your resume.

Below is an image of the match report generated for transferable skills or soft skills . The highlighted skills need to be added to the resume to increase your chances of the hiring manager finding your resume.

Extracurricular activities can be a great way to integrate skills and keywords into your resume.

How to put extracurricular activities on resume

You can incorporate your extracurricular activities in your resume in a few different ways.

• In your work experience section.
• In your volunteer section.
• In your education section.
• In an achievements or awards section.
• In your interests or extracurriculars section.

How to add activities to your work experience

For new grads, work experience can be a short section. But you can add volunteer positions in your work experience section if they’re relevant to the job you’re applying for. Highlight the skills you used in your volunteer role to draw connections to the proficiencies the hiring manager will be searching for. 

Sample resume extracurricular activities: work experience section

Below is an example of how to add volunteer extracurricular activities to your resume. Achievements are quantified and skills are integrated into the summary.

How to add activities to your volunteer section

Your volunteer section can show off your skills while keeping it separate from paid work experience. Format the dates and position descriptions in the same layout and emphasize the skills that helped you excel in your position. 

Sample resume extracurricular activities: volunteer section

This volunteer experience section highlights the soft skills gained in the role, from collaboration to creative thinking.

How to add activities to your education section

When your extracurricular activities are related to school, adding them to your education section makes sense. Add details to include clubs and organizations, and the skills you developed while there. 

Sample resume extracurricular activities: education section

Below is an example of extracurricular activities in the resume under the education section. The sorority is affiliated with the school, so keeping it with your education maintains organization. The summary demonstrates transferable skills like organization and planning.

Another example of extracurriculars in the education section includes a student-run news organization on campus. Including the role and the skills developed can help illustrate experience when work history is limited.

How to add activities to your achievements and awards

If your extracurricular activities earned you recognition, an achievements section can highlight it. When you excel at your activities, you’re demonstrating to the hiring manager that your skill set is exceptional. 

Sample resume extracurricular activities: achievements or awards section

Below is an example of adding an extracurricular to an awards section of your resume. Not only does this example have the achievement listed, but it includes a summary of the skills they used to win the award.

How to add activities to their own section

Another option is to include your extracurriculars in their own section of interests and activities. This can be the place to include activities that don’t quite fit into other resume sections. A a separate heading can organize the resume layout . 

Sample resume extracurricular activities: interests or activities section

In this example, the extracurricular activity has its own resume subheading. While it’s not affiliated to education, volunteering, or awards, it can still demonstrate valuable soft skills employers seek, like teamwork.

Tips for including activities on your resume

Here are some quick tips to including activities on your resume.

The activities on your resume should be relevant to the job

You may have varied interests and pastimes you enjoy, but they don’t all have a place on your resume. Keep the activities hyper relevant to the job description you’re applying for. Otherwise, the overflow of information can distract from the valuable information you include. 

Include details about the activity in your resume for credibility

Try to be as specific as possible about your volunteer roles, participation in official organizations, and achievements. Details can provide credibility to your experience and skills.

Take advantage of soft skills gained from activities

Soft skills are not less valuable than hard skills. Many hiring managers see the value of soft skills. They’re increasingly seeking candidates who prove those skills.

Wherever you’re putting your soft skills in your resume, leverage the ones that align with the job description. 

To ensure your resume is as strong as possible, use Jobscan’s resume scanner tool to generate a match report. This report can tell you what key skills you’re missing from your resume and your overall resume match score. It will also detect any parts of your resume that aren’t ATS-friendly.

Make your resume stand out and get noticed

Upload your resume to see what’s missing and get a free match rate.

View full results and optimize your resume

When your extracurricular activities highlight relevant skills to the job, hiring managers take notice. If you include irrelevant activities, your resume can look overcrowded and take attention away from critical skills.

Extracurriculars can help develop skills you need to make your resume stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. If you lack practical work experience or your activities developed critical skills you’d need for your new role, adding resume activities can benefit your job application.

Activities for your resume come in a range of types to suit every interest and ability. Some of the most common include: • Student council • Sports • Clubs or societies • Volunteering • Tutoring • Study abroad programs • Additional languages • Sororities or fraternities

Hobbies can count as extracurricular activities as long as you can demonstrate valuable skills relevant to your the job description you’re applying for.

You won’t be punished for not including extracurricular activities on your resume. It’s an extra way to incorporate skills and keywords to your resume, but it’s not essential. You can also develop skills from other jobs, your education, and certifications.

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Kelsey is a Content Writer with a background in content creation, bouncing between industries to educate readers everywhere.

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How to Build a Resume Using College Involvement as Experience

4 min read · Updated on October 21, 2021

Think your college involvement isn't applicable to your job search? Think again.

Entering the workforce as a professional is one of the most exciting moments after graduation. You've worked hard for your degree and are now ready to put those skills to the test. However, you may find yourself feeling as though those daunting job ads appear to seek more qualified team members. No need to pass the job over; when deciding how to build a resume, look to your college activities for unexpected experience.

Internships and fellowships

Most academic advisors tell their students to seek internships early in their academic career. While this is sound advice, if you must choose between a freshman internship and a senior internship, go for the latter. Employers are looking for candidates who recently used their skills. They will often choose a candidate who just completed their internship rather than one who earned an early placement, regardless of participation and achievements.

When adding internships to the resume writing, place the information under your other employment history, in chronological order. When choosing the title or position, clearly indicate this was an internship. However, choose an additional title that is closest to your actual involvement. For example, if you built websites for the company, your title would be “Computer Graphics Artist, Internship” or “Web Designer, Internship.” Never imply this was not an internship.

Clubs and organizations

Clubs and organizations are an excellent way to earn skills and job experience. This also can be tricky. The general rule of thumb is to not list organizations and clubs unless you are an officer or major team member (i.e. president, vice president, event coordinator, etc.), the organization is a chapter for the national division (i.e. national Greek organizations and honor societies), student sector of a larger professional organization (PRSSA/PRSA, SPJ, Veterinarian Association, etc.) or you participated in a large-scale event.

Try to stay away from listing religious, political or social organizations unless you know the employer supports these topics or you held a position equivalent of what you are applying for. Also be careful about listing Greek organizations. Some of these entities have bad reputations for partying. When deciding how to build a resume, don't list anything that appears controversial or non-important.

Entry-level and minimum wage jobs

We all know college students have to work low paying jobs during their academic career. It's just a part of life and paying your dues. Many students question whether they should list the cashier job at Walmart or dishwasher at Applebee's. The short answer is yes, list any employment experience that is not over ten years old. Instead of listing those menial job duties, try to find ways to word the information so it fits with your career aspirations. Cashiers have client retention and communication skills. Shift supervisors can mentor and train team members. Re-wording your job description with your resume writing helps to keep the positions relevant.

Volunteer activities

Volunteerism is one of the fastest methods to learn new skills, earn valuable experience and give back to the community. Employers look for students who are a part of something bigger and want to help their fellow brothers and sisters. However, there are a few simple rules when listing volunteer ventures while building a resume. First, never call yourself a volunteer. Instead, come up with a position that closely fits the job you volunteered for. For example, if you are helping design posters for the Red Cross, you can call yourself a Graphic Designer. But do clarify in the job description this was a volunteer project. List all volunteer activities separate from job experience, unless the volunteer opportunity is directly applicable to your career path.

Putting it all together

Now that you have all the necessary experience and skills in hand needed to build a resume, what do you do next? Create a resume of course. It is advisable to hire a professional resume writer to organize, design and write your first-time resume. This prevents you from making fatal errors or misrepresenting some of your information. If you want to do your own resume writing, place education first, followed by experience, engagement, and development. Recent graduate resumes should never exceed one page, and focusing on skills and abilities is more advisable than focusing on experience.

Bringing college activities into your resume is hard to do. Learn more about working with the professional resumes writers who can help you make the most of your experience.

Recommended Reading:

• 14 Reasons This is a Perfect Recent College Grad Resume
• Top Job-Search Tips for Recent College Grads
• 11 Things to Do During College to Help You Land a Job After College

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See how your resume stacks up.

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11 Extracurricular Activities That Make a Resume Stand Out

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Wondering how to make your resume stand out so you stop getting rejection letters from jobs? One hiring expert shares 11 smart extracurricular activities that will make your resume stand out from the rest when trying to land that dream job.

Our mission at DollarSprout is to help readers improve their financial lives, and we regularly partner with companies that share that same vision. If a purchase or signup is made through one of our Partners’ links, we may receive compensation for the referral. Learn more here .

Choosing the right extracurricular activities prior to entering the workforce really can make your resume stand out (with no experience).

With 1.8 million people graduating from college with bachelor’s degrees each year, it’s pretty important to distinguish yourself from those that have little-to-no real-world work experience.

From corporate positions and full-time work from home gigs, to second jobs and side hustles, a unique resume is your foot in the door to landing the job you want.

Show prospective employers you’re not just a degree — that you’ve got the skills they’re looking for.

How To Make Your Resume Stand Out With No Experience

Impress your future employer with a fantastic extracurricular activities resume. Including extracurricular activities on a resume is exactly how you can make your resume stand out among the crowd of prospects.

Here’s a list of 11 extracurricular activities that’ll help highlight your strengths, and make your resume stand out.

1. Career-related internships

One of the best things you can do to make your resume stand out is to include an internship — especially if you can land one that is in your chosen field.

Beyond providing the obvious benefit of relevant work experience, they also show hiring managers that you’re looking to take your career seriously. An internship also indicates that you’ll know the basics of what it means to work for a company – being punctual, following company policies, and getting along with coworkers, to name a few.

Another solid benefit? You may actually get paid. While some internships pay very little — or nothing at all — others can pay quite generously. Plus, you may even get class credit for your internship.

Better yet, these opportunities are usually pretty easy to come by. Your local university’s career services center will have a list of positions available where companies are actively seeking to fill needed positions.

If you can’t find anything there, consider speaking with local professors to see if they have any leads. A lot of companies will go directly to a professor that they know and trust, and ask for promising pupils.

You may also be able to find internship positions listed on Craigslist.

Related: 10 Resume Mistakes to Avoid (and What to Do Instead)

2. Leadership roles

If you’re involved in any clubs, fraternities, or sororities, consider running for a leadership position. If you previously held one such position, and you’ve recently graduated, include those on your resume too.

Not only does this prove to hiring managers that you possess the leadership qualities necessary to lead and manage people, but you’re also showing that you take initiative, can handle responsibility, and appreciated by your peers.

It’s even better if you can secure a leadership position that is relevant to your field. For example, being a treasurer is beneficial for careers in accounting or finance; president and vice president positions are advantageous for students who want to demonstrate management and leadership skills; secretary roles are ideal for project management.

3. Volunteer work

Those weekends you spent building houses for Habitat for Humanity or volunteering at a food bank give your resume an immediate upgrade .

Volunteering shows hiring managers that you value making a difference and that you’re committed to living your best life. And, you value it enough to give up your free time.

Huge bonus points are given if you organized an activity like a food drive, walkathon, or other charitable events.

Related: How to Stand Out at Work (in the Best Way Possible)

4. Clubs and organizations

If running for office doesn’t appeal to you, simply being in a club that’s related to your major can be just as good. It shows that you’re passionate about the field you’re entering and you’re interested in it, even after hours.

Even clubs that aren’t related to a degree can be great conversation starters to show another side of your personality.

5. Resident assistant

The benefits of being an RA (Resident Assistant) during your college years are twofold: you get free or reduced housing and you get a fantastic resume-builder.

Most hiring managers know exactly how much work and responsibility go into being an RA. Being an RA teaches you skills such as counseling, conflict management, and leadership. A day in the life of an RA can be quite unpredictable, and being able to adapt and handle difficult situations is a skill that hiring managers look for.

Related: What to Do When You Hate Your Job and Want to Quit

6. School newspaper

Even if you’re not seeking a career in journalism and have no prior experience, writing for your school’s newspaper helps in a variety of ways. You’ll sharpen your writing skills, show you can meet deadlines, get experience in conducting research and interviews, and learn a lot of information you would never have known otherwise.

But here is the number one benefit to writing for the school newspaper: the articles you write become part of a portfolio you can use when you apply for jobs.

You’ll get to show how well you write, and if you’re able to cover topics related to your major, you can demonstrate your knowledge on a subject and how well you can communicate that expertise.

If you look at most job descriptions, they all require “excellent written and verbal communication skills.” You’ll be able to prove you’re a top-notch communicator by including a couple of links on your resume or in your cover letter, pointing hire managers to your best articles.

Related: How to Write a Cover Letter That Sets You Apart

7. Tutoring

By tutoring other students , you demonstrate that you’re a subject matter expert. This helps make your resume stand out because while other candidates will claim knowledge and experience on a topic, you’ll actually be able to prove it.

Teaching also shows off other valuable skill sets and qualities like communication, patience, and intelligence. It will help your resume if you can include your students’ measured results, like “increased test scores by 30%,” for example.

8. Team sports

Being a team player is especially valuable in the modern workplace.

If you play sports, you’ve proven that you can work with others to achieve a common goal. It also shows that you thrive on healthy competition, which is also a desirable trait.

9. Special Skills

Including special skills that employers look for can help your resume stand out.

Perhaps you enjoy writing, coding, or painting. Try putting those skills to use on freelance projects. You’ll make some extra cash and maybe even get some glowing references.

Related: How to Prepare for a Job Interview

10. Foreign languages

Taking a foreign language class can be a huge differentiator on your resume. Not all colleges require students to take one, so by enrolling in a class to learn a new language, you get to show that you’re motivated, and you learn something valuable.

A lot of companies are multi-national, and being able to speak a foreign language helps your resume stand out, while also opening you up to international travel opportunities.

11. Semesters abroad

Perhaps you’d rather learn another language outside of the classroom. If so, then a semester traveling abroad helps you do that while also allowing you to add another impressive bullet point to your resume.

Traveling abroad shows that you’re mature and can handle new experiences. Both are important qualities that hiring managers look for in recent college grads.

Related: Should You Take a Pay Cut for a New Job?

Creating Your Amazing Extracurricular Activities Resume

Adding the right extracurricular activities can make your resume stand out with no experience and help you land your dream job.

So many people go after a four-year degree these days that it’s no longer enough to have that piece of paper. Employers want to see what unique skills you have to offer.

Stay ahead of the crowd of people with no experience by seizing opportunities to develop your skills. When those job applications roll around, the choice will be obvious. The best way to show employers your potential is to make your extracurricular activities resume stand out.

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• Campus Life

There’s no doubt about it, college clubs are a must for your resume. Why? Because these activities show potential employers that you’re practicing the skills you boast about in your resume and job interviews.

If you want to gain an edge over your competition, all you have to do is choose the right college clubs to join. That’s why we’ve listed the best college clubs that will give your resume a huge boost! 🚀

1. Social Justice Clubs

Ever dreamed of sparking change in society? Think about attending a social justice club in college. It provides a platform for students to learn about social injustice cases around the world, letting you explore problems of disadvantaged communities and finding possible solutions.

For example, the University of San Francisco has clubs committed to fighting food and healthcare insecurity within the community. Purdue University Northwest also has a social justice club that aims to “make the world a more humane place.” 

Apart from the practical skills you will gain from this experience, empathy, compassion, and good moral standing are great qualities employers look for in future talent. 

🗂 Category: Community Service 🔨 Resume Skills: Leadership and governance, critical thinking, communication, project management, budgeting, emotional intelligence, initiative, and active citizenship

2. Student Government and Political Clubs

No matter how controversial politics can be, joining a political club or running for student council in college can help you appear more attractive to recruiters. You’re exposed to healthy debates and are given opportunities to hone your communication and analytical skills, as well as your leadership tendencies.

Plus, the learnings that come with organizing voter registration efforts, debate parties, and forums could be considered work experience, especially if you’re opting for a public office position. Some student groups under this category are the College Republican National Committee and the College Democrats of America . 

🗂 Category: Political and Student Government  🔨 Resume Skills: Leadership and governance, strong work ethic, event planning, decision-making, critical thinking, time management, business acumen, problem-solving, active listening, teamwork, and interpersonal skills

3. Debate Clubs

You get more than just the ability to argue when you become part of a debate club. This activity is a rewarding pursuit that trains you to research and fact-check information, form a supported argument, organize your thoughts under pressure, and learn more about the world you live in ​​— all of which are valuable assets.

Some champion debate teams you can aspire to join are the Harvard College Debating Union , Emory’s Barkley Forum for Debate, Deliberation, and Dialogue , Boston College’s Fulton Debating Society , Wake Forest’s Wake Debate , and Baylor’s Glenn R. Capp Debate Forum .

🗂 Category: Academic  🔨 Resume Skills: Oral and written communication skills, public speaking, research, crisis management, reasoning, and organizational skills

4. Academic Major Association

Another good go-to option is academic clubs focused on your major . Not only do you expand your network with like-minded peers and professionals in the industry, but you gain unique opportunities to put your degree to work. 

Whether it’s getting you hard-to-reach internships or premium mentorship opportunities, these clubs come with valuable work experience that’ll impress your future employers. Make sure you also have the grades to back this experience up!

🗂 Category: Academic  🔨 Resume Skills: Teamwork and collaboration, subject expertise, strong work ethic, event planning, and time management

5. Honor Societies 

Being part of an honor society convinces employers that you’re a consistent achiever — an attractive quality most companies want in recruits. But unlike other college clubs, you have to be invited into an honor society, and you can expect the selection process to be rigorous. 

You must meet GPA requirements, show leadership qualities, and shine in your interview to make the cut. But once you’re in, you’re provided with a broad network that can be useful for networking and character references!

🗂 Category: Academic  🔨 Resume Skills: Leadership, learning and adaptability skills, strong work ethic, time management, and initiative

6. Foreign Language Clubs

Often, the applicant who gets the job isn’t the one with the highest GPA. When a role specifically asks for a person fluent in Spanish, French, or Japanese, the time you invested in learning that language could very well be the thing that makes you the perfect candidate for that position. 

Test out your college’s foreign language clubs and be exposed to cultural activities that connect you to native speakers or fellow learners who can help you achieve your linguistic goals. Remember, speaking another language fluently can put you in a position to receive better pay, and it opens more doors for career pursuits abroad.

🗂 Category: Academic and Cultural 🔨 Resume Skills: Oral communication skills, time management, focus, personal drive, cultural awareness, and interest in self-development

7. Resident Hall Associations

You may be wondering, how can being a college resident assistant possibly look good on your resume? It turns out that day-to-day responsibilities of enforcing dorm rules and policies, conducting floor meetings, mediating conflicts, and working with school administrators make fresh graduate RAs more appealing to companies. 

Plus, having your housing costs lowered (or even free of charge) is a perk that no student can resist! 

🗂 Category: Student Government  🔨 Resume Skills: Leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and crisis management

8. Community Service Clubs

No matter what industry you’re going into after graduating , spending time with clubs that give back to the community can help you impress potential bosses. Whether you focus on teaching children or building houses for the homeless, your selflessness and desire to create a difference have the added bonus of boosting your resume.

Peer tutoring is also a good choice as it shows HR teams that you have substantial knowledge about a particular subject and are willing to spend resources, such as time and effort, to help others improve.

🗂 Category: Community Service  🔨 Resume Skills: Interpersonal skills, creative thinking skills, flexibility, subject expertise, and communication skills

9. Media and Publication Clubs

Many businesses are realizing the need for digitally literate teams, and this is where joining media and publications clubs can pay off. You can be tasked with publishing the student newspaper, running the school’s website, or producing other forms of content, such as photographs and news releases.

You’ll become familiar with working under pressure and meeting urgent deadlines, which are skills many companies seek in their employees. This experience will also teach you to be driven, committed, and collaborative. 

🗂 Category: Arts and Academic  🔨 Resume Skills: Teamwork and collaboration, communication skills, copy or content writing, research, creative thinking, and time management

Involving yourself in relevant college clubs can be the extra kick that sets your resume apart from other applicants. Don’t be afraid to really sell your experience. This will let future employers know that you’re more than just your promises, you act on them too!

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How to Showcase the Skills You’ve Gained from Campus Clubs

Get some extra credit for those extracurriculars.

Sarah Felbin

College students spend countless hours each week devoting their energy to extracurricular activities. These organizations can provide students with valuable skills they will use in the workplace for years to come – and shouldn’t you be recognized for all your hard, out-of-class work? By listing these groups on your resume or LinkedIn profile, you will show employers that you are a dedicated individual with different interests who can bring relevant skills and experiences to the position.

Even if your club or organization isn’t directly related to your major, you can still include it on your resume or LinkedIn profile. Showing that you can take on responsibility in many aspects of your college career proves that you can do it in the workplace, too. Some common college clubs to consider listing on your resume include: Greek life, professional societies, student government, sports, drama clubs, speech or debate clubs, and campus media, such as college newspapers, radio stations, or TV stations.

If you are a part of multiple on-campus organizations, then it’s a good idea to list them in their own separate section of your resume. A good title to use is Activities, which applies no matter what kind of groups you’re involved in. If you are a part of one or two clubs and you think they provided experience that is relevant to your major, you can list them in your Experience section instead. On your LinkedIn page, you can list a few relevant positions in “Work Experience,” or you can add them to your “Accomplishments” section if you don’t quite consider it work experience. Once you have an idea of what you want to include, follow these tips to talk about your experiences effectively:

Be Specific

Clubs and organizations should be listed on your resume or LinkedIn the same way any other type of experience is: Include a job title, a brief description of your responsibilities, and the start date and end date of the position.

Be as specific as possible. Employers are particularly attracted to numbers because they make it easier to quantify exactly how much work you did.

• How much money did your fundraiser raise?
• How many new people followed your club’s Instagram page after you took over their social media?
• How many people came to the event you organized? (This can include a panel, a lecture, a networking event, or other similar programs.)
• How many articles a week did you write for the newspaper?
• Did your radio or TV program air weekly or daily?

Including these tiny details can make a big difference.

In addition, make sure you’re selling yourself and your talents in the best way possible by using the right vocabulary for your industry. For example, saying that you “made a website” for an organization is not nearly as descriptive as saying that you “built a website using WordPress.” Use better adjectives and verbs to get your point across clearly and concisely.

All Experience is Good Experience

A common myth is that you can only list an organization on your resume or LinkedIn if you held a leadership position in it. Even if you weren’t the president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer of your organization, your experience is still valuable! Instead, write that you were a “member” of the club and then list your responsibilities the same way you would for any other position. Your responsibilities can include fundraisers, service projects, or any other large group efforts you were a part of. These show an ability to work in a team and cooperate with others – both very valuable skills in the workplace.

Show Progression

Progression signals to employers that you’re a dedicated individual who can put in the time and the work necessary to rise within the ranks of an organization. If you went from being a general member to being an Assistant Director to being the president of the drama club, then tell them that! Showing progression is an easy way to impress an employer who’s looking for someone who will stay with the company for years to come.

To get full recognition for your efforts, make sure to list each change in position as its own separate entry. Treat each new position as an entirely new job: List your official title, change the start and end dates accordingly, and upgrade your responsibilities to accurately reflect the new role you’ve taken on within the organization.

Remember Your References

On-campus activities can also provide you with great references! Did your faculty advisor witness your leadership skills first hand? Maybe your recently-graduated editor-in-chief would be willing to defend your superior writing skills firsthand? Whatever the case, don’t forget that many people you meet through your clubs can become valuable references later. Don’t be afraid to contact them when you need them, and also remember to reach out to alumni whenever possible.

Whether you’re president of your campus’ Society of Women Engineers chapter, or a general member of a fraternity or sorority, your experience is valuable to employers in all fields. Adding these organizations to your resume and LinkedIn profile is an easy way to give yourself a boost during the hiring process that other students might not take advantage of. So get involved and get hired!

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How to List Academic Clubs on a Resume

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The clubs you joined in high school and college tell employers a lot about you. Your membership in specific clubs demonstrates your work ethic, ability to get along with others and your willingness to serve your community. Make your club memberships prominent when your experiences match the job requirements of the position you seek.

Community Service Clubs

Remember the gumball machines that used to be everywhere you went that said Kiwanis International on them? If you are old enough, you know that the gumballs used to cost a penny. Kiwanis International used those machines to raise money for charity. One of those charities, Key Club, is the oldest U.S. high school academic club. Key Club was founded in California in 1925 to teach students leadership and engage them in community service. The name stands for Kiwanis Empowering Youth. If your career goals include municipal or state government service or a leadership role in a nonprofit organization, put your Key Club membership in your cover letter or list it as unpaid work experience.

Other community service clubs include Interact, Exchange, Lions International, Red Cross and the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, which used to be known as Future Homemakers of America and New Homemakers of America.

Fundraising Clubs

In addition to teaching leadership and community service, clubs such as Kiwanis Key, Lions Club Leos, Red Cross and UNICEF High School clubs engage in fundraising. Lions Club provides glasses to underprivileged children and adults in the United States and around the globe. The high school version of Lions Club is called Leo. Baseball coach Jim Graver and fellow Lion, William Ernst founded the first high school Leo club December 5, 1957, in Pennsylvania. Leos help raise money for children's diabetes camps, eyeglasses, hunger relief, pediatric cancer services and environmental concerns. If you seek a career in medicine or nursing services, highlight your Leo fundraising efforts.

Kiwanis Key Club funds clean water projects in Swaziland through a 30-day fundraising challenge called Thirsty 30. Your participation makes you valuable to nonprofits and startup companies. UNICEF and Red Cross fundraising makes you a valuable asset to any company with global reach.

Career Interest Clubs

You learned many industry-specific skills when you participated in clubs such as Vex Robotics, 4-H, National FFA Organization, Future Business Leaders of America, Junior State of America, Model United Nations or Health Occupation Students of America.

Any tech-oriented employer will leap at the chance to hire you when you feature Vex Robotics on your resume. Your time in 4-H, Junior State of America or Model United Nations makes you a great organizer, executive or diplomat. If you have any interest in food safety inspections, world health or global hunger relief, your Health Occupation Students of America, FFA and 4-H experiences prepare you to make tough decisions.

Interpersonal Dynamics Clubs

Foreign language clubs, heritage groups, hobbies and athletic clubs all teach interpersonal dynamics such as team spirit, inclusivity, leisure skills and life balance. If activism excites you, your membership in your high school or college Black Student Union, Gay-Straight Alliance, MECHa or Commuter and Off-Campus Student Organization tells your employer that you dedicate yourself to a cause and pursue it until you instigate positive change.

Key Club: As a Key Club member for the four years that I spent at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, I helped raise over $3,500 to build wells in Swaziland. Managing the four-year fundraising campaign required persuasion, endurance and persistence. Three of the five wells that we funded are still in use 10-years later. Seventy-nine families have clean water. All 232 children attend school every day instead of spending half-a-day traveling 3 miles each way to carry polluted water for their families.

Black Student Union: My membership in the Black Student Union gave me hope that I could graduate with honors and begin working to heal my community. Too many deaths in our community make it easy to see life as too short for long-term goals. I entered college with a ready-made support system and now I want to return the favor by becoming a teacher here at Walter C. Crenshaw Junior High School.

Vex Robotics: We spent a year working on a prototype for a robot arm for returning soldiers who had lost theirs. We finally created one that adapts to three different soldiers. I believe this experience makes me an excellent candidate for your research and development team here at Algorithm Technical Solutions.

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Jane Smith parlayed her B. S. Ed. degree into working on everything from job and housing services to selling water treatment systems. Wading into an underperforming position as a program manager, Smith recruited staff and inspected and approved enough provider homes to reduce wait times from two years to two months and increase service utilization by 30 percent per quarter. She helped her team sell over $350,000 in water treatment systems and security equipment in 2017, and currently partners with her daughter as an independent Avon Representative at Avon Beauty by Laura.

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Should You Include College Clubs On Your Resume?

Introduction .

Everyone wants to create the perfect resume. Right from the time we’re in high school we start thinking about it. No one can forget the extra competition and leagues as well as the committees we participate in just to fill in our resumes. But does it count? Right from the template to the font and even the size of the text, we make everything count on our resume. What’s the real deal though? So to know should you include college clubs on your resume…Read on!

College isn’t just meant for participating to fill out resumes in the future. Sure, a few achievements can count for a potential impression on your resume however, there is a catch. You can’t go around adding everything you did in college, can you? This article will help you understand what makes a good resume and how you can figure out which college clubs to include for the same and make them count! Also, read about understanding which college club is relevant and not. 

College clubs on resumes

So now you participated and got all the certificates. Now what? How do you know which clubs to include or leave out? No doubt you can list several college clubs but what you need to remember is the interviewer’s point of view and what you’re trying to convey. What are you trying to tell the interviewers in the context of your application by mentioning a particular club? The interviewers should be able to connect the mentioned club to you as a potential applicant or to the job skills in some way. Here are a few basic college clubs to include in your resume : 

Be sure to realize that though the above-mentioned clubs mark for a majority of job positions, you have to consider if their skills are relevant for your job. If you’re going for creative job positions like a coach, dancer, teacher, and so on, you may not want to add these to your resume. In such cases, your art clubs, dance clubs, sports, and so on will be much more accountable than the others. 

What makes a good resume and how to pick college clubs for it

Conclusion .

There you have it! All the information you need to list just the right college clubs on your resume! Keep in mind that skills matter more than quantity. Pay attention to the post and the skill requirement and you should be good to go! If you still wish to add a favorite club, be sure to frame it in a relevant manner. You can always impress the interviewers and win half your game with just the right resume! 

Yes! Volunteering clubs can be a great addition to show the company that you love to help and are hard working. However, be sure to mention some concrete points like communication, team coordination, and so on

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How to Build a Resume Using College Involvement as Experience

4 min read · Updated on October 21, 2021

Think your college involvement isn't applicable to your job search? Think again.

Entering the workforce as a professional is one of the most exciting moments after graduation. You've worked hard for your degree and are now ready to put those skills to the test. However, you may find yourself feeling as though those daunting job ads appear to seek more qualified team members. No need to pass the job over; when deciding how to build a resume, look to your college activities for unexpected experience.

Internships and fellowships

Most academic advisors tell their students to seek internships early in their academic career. While this is sound advice, if you must choose between a freshman internship and a senior internship, go for the latter. Employers are looking for candidates who recently used their skills. They will often choose a candidate who just completed their internship rather than one who earned an early placement, regardless of participation and achievements.

When adding internships to the resume writing, place the information under your other employment history, in chronological order. When choosing the title or position, clearly indicate this was an internship. However, choose an additional title that is closest to your actual involvement. For example, if you built websites for the company, your title would be “Computer Graphics Artist, Internship” or “Web Designer, Internship.” Never imply this was not an internship.

Clubs and organizations

Clubs and organizations are an excellent way to earn skills and job experience. This also can be tricky. The general rule of thumb is to not list organizations and clubs unless you are an officer or major team member (i.e. president, vice president, event coordinator, etc.), the organization is a chapter for the national division (i.e. national Greek organizations and honor societies), student sector of a larger professional organization (PRSSA/PRSA, SPJ, Veterinarian Association, etc.) or you participated in a large-scale event.

Try to stay away from listing religious, political or social organizations unless you know the employer supports these topics or you held a position equivalent of what you are applying for. Also be careful about listing Greek organizations. Some of these entities have bad reputations for partying. When deciding how to build a resume, don't list anything that appears controversial or non-important.

Entry-level and minimum wage jobs

We all know college students have to work low paying jobs during their academic career. It's just a part of life and paying your dues. Many students question whether they should list the cashier job at Walmart or dishwasher at Applebee's. The short answer is yes, list any employment experience that is not over ten years old. Instead of listing those menial job duties, try to find ways to word the information so it fits with your career aspirations. Cashiers have client retention and communication skills. Shift supervisors can mentor and train team members. Re-wording your job description with your resume writing helps to keep the positions relevant.

Volunteer activities

Volunteerism is one of the fastest methods to learn new skills, earn valuable experience and give back to the community. Employers look for students who are a part of something bigger and want to help their fellow brothers and sisters. However, there are a few simple rules when listing volunteer ventures while building a resume. First, never call yourself a volunteer. Instead, come up with a position that closely fits the job you volunteered for. For example, if you are helping design posters for the Red Cross, you can call yourself a Graphic Designer. But do clarify in the job description this was a volunteer project. List all volunteer activities separate from job experience, unless the volunteer opportunity is directly applicable to your career path.

Putting it all together

Now that you have all the necessary experience and skills in hand needed to build a resume, what do you do next? Create a resume of course. It is advisable to hire a professional resume writer to organize, design and write your first-time resume. This prevents you from making fatal errors or misrepresenting some of your information. If you want to do your own resume writing, place education first, followed by experience, engagement, and development. Recent graduate resumes should never exceed one page, and focusing on skills and abilities is more advisable than focusing on experience.

Bringing college activities into your resume is hard to do. Learn more about working with the professional resumes writers who can help you make the most of your experience.

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See how your resume stacks up.

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Resume Writing Guide

A resume is typically an employer’s first introduction to you. First impressions are crucial to establish yourself as professional, capable, and motivated. A strong resume demonstrates your transferrable skills, communication abilities, and achievements. A consistent, detailed, and concise resume can help your resume get noticed by recruiters. By formatting your resume professionally, you increase your chances of earning the interview.

Resume Components

Contact information, phone number.

Use a phone number you can answer readily, such as your cell phone. If you have a voice mail set-up, make sure it sounds professional with your name and the best times to contact you.

Your e-mail address should be professional. While you are enrolled at UMass Amherst, your UMass e-mail will work well. After graduation, consider creating a new e-mail address that contains your name. 

Always include phone and email, but consider if listing your address is helpful or harmful. Employers may give preference to people who are closer geographically - if you are applying from far away, they may be unsure whether you are serious about moving.

Additionally, while your city and state are helpful to list, you do not necessarily need to include your street address. Employers will need it to hire you, but it is not required to provide during the job application process.

Objective/Summary

This section is most useful when you hand your paper resume out at a career or networking event - unless you have something specific to highlight, consider leaving it off your resume. A cover letter will do a better job conveying your why, as well as your key abilities. When you submit electronically, many Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) will often skip the summary section and look for those key words to be in the body of your document instead.

For currently enrolled students, you will list your current degree first, and then work backwards in reverse chronological order. During your first few years of college, consider including your high school until you run out of space.

In addition to your college education, you may also highlight   study abroad or domestic exchange programs . When discussing these programs, think about including the following experiences to highlight your transferable skills: 

Class projects

Volunteering/internships/research applicable to your field

Independent travel

Learning to work with a more diverse group of people than you had previously been exposed to

Resolving conflicts based on misunderstandings of cultural differences

Learn new activities, languages, hobbies, or skills

Education Section Example 

University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Fall 2024 - Present)

Bachelor of Arts, Major: English

GPA (if over 3.0 and you feel comfortable sharing)

Relevant Coursework: 3-5 courses max

Awards (when including awards, include the reason for receiving it. Example: "21st Century Leadership Award for high academic achievement in first year")

Senior Project: (optional)

Portfolio of work (optional)

There are many types of experiences: volunteer, paid, unpaid, work study. If the experience is relevant and taught you transferrable skills, find a way to include it.

• For each experience, include name of organization, your title or role, location, and dates
• Action verbs (samples below) to help you write accomplishment statements, which prove you have the skills you say by leaning into outcomes and successes
• Consider using multiple experience headings, such as: research experience, industry experience, or relevant experience. This can be a good way to move more relevant experiences up higher on your resume, even if they happened further in the past.
• Quantifying your work can demonstrate your aptitude. Answering questions such as "How many?",   "How much?", and "How often?" will help recruiters understand the extent of your skills.  
• Avoid “responsibilities included" and writing in a passive voice - using action verbs will make this easier.

Experience Example

Leverage, Incorporated: Boston, MA (September 2025 - Present)

Computer Science Intern

• Developed an algorithm that identified patterns in white collar crime in the financial industries across the United States. Implementation of this program reduced company losses by 17% compared to the previous quarter.
• Collaborated with supply chain division to design new packaging based on reduction of carbon footprint, leading to increased production distribution while reducing energy usage.
• Established a training program to help connect interns with mentors at the organization and was awarded the Innovative Intern of Quarter for these efforts

This section is typically for "hard" skills, which are skills that can easily be measured. Soft skills (such as interpersonal skills) are better described in bullet points of your experience section so they can have the context they require. For a skills section, depending on your targeted field, you may add computer, language, laboratory skills, or performances. For languages, put your level of fluency (e.g., proficient, advanced, fluent, native).

Skills Example

Computer: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), Adobe Suite (Photoshop, InDesign), Data Analysis (R-Studio, SPSS)

Resume Formatting and Layout

The average reading only spends 20 seconds reading a resume. Before that, an applicant tracking system may be utilized to select which resumes get reviewed by a human being.  Make sure your resume is easy to read and stands out. 

No single format works for everyone: the only rule is that you need to be honest, factual, and relevant

One page is ideal (especially for internships) and for students ages 18-25

Keep a longer master resume for future opportunities

List everything in reserve chronological order; start with your most recent experience work backwards

Use a legible sans serif  font size, keep it readable, 11 is a good place to start

1 column is better than 2; when you have two columns the reader may jump around and miss key information

No icons or images as they cannot be read by applicant tracking software

How Many Resume Versions Do I Need?

There is a big difference between customizing your resume for a specific position/industry versus creating different documents for each application.

• If you are applying to jobs in drastically different industries, you will want to customize resumes for each industry. For example, a psychology major applying to jobs in Human Services as well as Human Resources will want to highlight different experiences and skills for each, and potentially format their resumes different as a business setting holds different expectations for job criteria compared to a mental health setting.
• If you're pursuing a few different roles, but they're all related to one discipline or field, then you will not need multiple versions of your resume. However, you will still want to tweak each resume you send out based on the specific job description. 

Specialized Resumes/Sections

While resumes may follow the same general format, depending on your experience and industry, there may be other considerations to help your resume stand out.

Design Resumes

Design resumes can differ from traditional resumes in several tangible ways, reflecting the unique skills and creative nature of design professions.

Your document is an indication of your style aesthetic and may not need to conform to the same rules and standards as other professions.

Visual Layout

Design resumes often incorporate creative layouts that display the designer's skills in typography, layout, and visual communication.

• Infographics: Use of icons, graphs, and other visual elements can represent skills, experience, and achievements.
• Color and Typography: Thoughtful use of color and font choices creates an aesthetically pleasing document that aligns with your personal brand.

Content Presentation and Customization

Direct links to online portfolios or examples of work, are often included as part of the resume. Incorporation of personal logos, custom icons, and other branding elements that reflect a designer's style may be added here.

File Format and Compatibility

Designers create their resumes in online spaces varying from Latec to Adobe to Canva. While many resumes are shared as PDFs, design resumes especially should be shared in this format to preserve visual integrity across different devices.

Unique Layouts

Non-traditional formats such as infographics, timelines, or modular layouts may be acceptable.

Interactivity

For digital resumes, elements of interactivity can be incorporated, such as clickable links, hover effects, and embedded multimedia.

The most important rules still apply to ALL resumes; clean neat formatting, with consistency in where the reader will access key information continues to be your driving force.

Designers should contact their career centers to discuss what resume style might best suit their professional goals.

Digital Resumes

A digital resume is an electronic version of a traditional resume that highlights an individual's professional experience, skills, and achievements using digital formats.

Either shared as a PDF or hosted on a personal website, this format allows for enhanced interactivity and multimedia integration. Digital resumes often feature creative layouts, embedded links to portfolios, and interactive elements such as hover effects or animations.

They enable candidates to visually demonstrate their technical and design skills, making them particularly popular in creative and tech industries. The goal of a digital resume is to highlight qualifications, but also provide a dynamic and engaging avenue for potential employers to assess a candidate’s capabilities.

Student Athletes

As a UMass athlete, you learn incredible transferable skills in areas such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. You also spend more time at your activity than most, so make sure they see all your greatness in action.

“Effectively managed communications between 24 team members, served as liaison connecting team and coaching staff, and effectively resolved intra-group conflicts.”

“Excellent time management skills. Balanced a 30+ hour practice, training, competition, and travel schedule while balancing full academic course load.