Good Activities To Put On Resume

Imagine your resume as a movie trailer – a brief but captivating glimpse into the highlights of your professional life. It needs to be more than just a list of jobs; it needs to showcase your skills, personality, and potential. One of the best ways to do this is through the "Activities" section, where you can strategically include extracurriculars, volunteer work, and personal projects that paint a fuller picture of who you are.

Think of your resume as a narrative, and the "Activities" section as the subplot that adds depth and intrigue. While your work experience details your formal responsibilities, your activities reveal your passions, your willingness to go above and beyond, and your ability to apply your skills in diverse contexts. The right activities can make your resume stand out, demonstrating not just what you can do, but what you love to do. Let’s delve into what constitutes a good activity to put on a resume and how to present them effectively.

Main Subheading

The Activities section of your resume is designed to show a more complete picture of who you are beyond your professional experiences. It demonstrates your soft skills, passions, and commitment to causes or hobbies. A well-crafted Activities section can differentiate you from other candidates with similar qualifications and make you a more memorable and appealing applicant.

Often, employers aren't just looking for someone who can perform the required tasks; they're looking for someone who will be a good fit for the company culture and bring unique perspectives to the team. Highlighting relevant activities shows that you are well-rounded, engaged, and likely to contribute positively to the workplace environment. These activities provide concrete examples of your skills in action, supplementing the claims you make in other sections of your resume.

Comprehensive Overview

What exactly counts as an activity, and why should you include it? An activity, in the context of a resume, encompasses any non-employment endeavor that showcases your skills, interests, and personal qualities. This could include volunteer work, club memberships, personal projects, hobbies, and even significant travel experiences. The key is to select activities that are relevant to the job you're applying for or that highlight transferable skills.

The history of including activities on resumes dates back to when employers began looking beyond just formal education and work experience to assess candidates' overall potential. Initially, this section was more common for recent graduates with limited work history. However, its value has expanded, and it’s now recognized as a crucial component for candidates at all career stages. It helps bridge gaps in experience, demonstrates continuous learning, and provides insight into your character and values.

At its core, the inclusion of activities on a resume is based on the psychological principle that past behavior predicts future performance. Employers look to your past actions and involvements to gauge how you will likely behave and contribute in a professional setting. If you've demonstrated leadership in a club, it suggests you have leadership potential in the workplace. If you've volunteered consistently for a cause, it indicates a strong work ethic and dedication.

To truly understand what makes an activity valuable for your resume, consider the following concepts:

1. Relevance: Does the activity align with the job requirements or industry?
2. Transferable Skills: Does it showcase skills like teamwork, leadership, communication, or problem-solving?
3. Quantifiable Results: Can you measure the impact of your involvement?
4. Personal Branding: Does it reflect your values and career aspirations?
5. Uniqueness: Does it set you apart from other candidates?

By evaluating your activities based on these criteria, you can strategically select and present them to maximize their impact on potential employers. The Activities section is your opportunity to tell a story about who you are and what you bring to the table beyond your formal job descriptions.

Trends and Latest Developments

In today's competitive job market, the Activities section is becoming increasingly important. Recent trends show that employers are placing greater emphasis on soft skills and cultural fit. LinkedIn's 2023 Global Talent Trends report highlighted that soft skills, such as communication, collaboration, and adaptability, are highly valued by employers. The Activities section provides a perfect platform to demonstrate these skills.

Data from various career surveys indicate that resumes with a well-crafted Activities section receive more attention from recruiters. Recruiters often use this section to initiate conversation during interviews, delving deeper into your experiences and motivations. A recent study by a prominent HR research firm revealed that candidates who include relevant extracurricular activities are 20% more likely to be invited for an interview.

Popular opinion among career experts is that a generic resume simply won't cut it anymore. Customization is key, and the Activities section is an excellent way to tailor your resume to each specific job application. This involves carefully selecting activities that align with the job description and highlighting the skills and achievements that are most relevant to the employer's needs.

Professional insights suggest that the rise of remote work and virtual teams has further increased the importance of showcasing soft skills. Employers need to know that you can collaborate effectively, communicate clearly, and stay motivated even when working independently. Your activities can provide compelling evidence of these capabilities.

In addition, there's a growing trend of including personal projects and hobbies that demonstrate technical skills or creativity. For example, if you're applying for a software development role, including details about a personal coding project can showcase your programming skills and passion for technology. Similarly, if you're applying for a marketing role, highlighting your involvement in managing a social media account for a non-profit can demonstrate your digital marketing abilities.

Ultimately, the trend is moving towards a more holistic view of candidates, where employers are not just assessing skills and experience but also considering personal qualities and cultural fit. The Activities section is a powerful tool for presenting this holistic view and making a lasting impression on potential employers.

Tips and Expert Advice

Crafting an effective Activities section requires careful consideration and strategic presentation. Here are some tips and expert advice to help you make the most of this section:

1. Prioritize Relevance: Not all activities are created equal. Choose activities that align with the job you're applying for or that highlight transferable skills. For example, if you're applying for a leadership position, highlight activities where you held a leadership role, such as being a club president or team captain. On the other hand, if you're applying for a creative role, showcase activities that demonstrate your creativity, such as photography, writing, or design projects.

   Relevance can also extend to the company's values and mission. If the company emphasizes community involvement, highlighting your volunteer work can show that you share their values. Tailoring your Activities section to each job application will significantly increase its impact.

2. Quantify Your Achievements: Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your activities. Instead of saying you "helped organize a fundraising event," say you "helped organize a fundraising event that raised $5,000 for a local charity." Quantifiable results provide concrete evidence of your impact and make your achievements more impressive.

   If you don't have specific numbers, try to estimate the impact of your involvement. For example, if you volunteered at a soup kitchen, you could say you "served meals to over 100 people each week." Even an estimate is better than no quantification at all.

3. Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb that describes your involvement in the activity. Instead of saying "Responsible for managing social media," say "Managed social media to increase followers by 30% in six months." Action verbs make your descriptions more dynamic and engaging.

   Some examples of effective action verbs include: led, managed, organized, coordinated, developed, implemented, achieved, improved, and mentored. Choose verbs that accurately reflect your contributions and showcase your skills.

4. Highlight Transferable Skills: Even if an activity doesn't seem directly related to the job, it can still be valuable if it highlights transferable skills. Transferable skills are skills that can be applied in various contexts, such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and leadership.

   For example, if you were involved in a debate club, you could highlight your communication skills and critical thinking abilities. If you played a team sport, you could emphasize your teamwork and leadership skills. Identifying and highlighting these transferable skills will make your activities more relevant to potential employers.

5. Provide Context: Don't just list the activity; provide context and explain your role and responsibilities. A brief description of the activity and your specific contributions will help employers understand the scope of your involvement and the impact you made.

   For example, instead of saying "Volunteer at local animal shelter," say "Volunteer at local animal shelter, providing care for animals and assisting with adoption events." This provides more context and highlights your specific responsibilities.

6. Be Honest and Accurate: It's essential to be honest and accurate when describing your activities. Exaggerating or fabricating information can damage your credibility and may even result in your application being rejected.

   Focus on highlighting your genuine accomplishments and contributions. If you're unsure about the exact details of an activity, it's better to be conservative and provide a general description rather than making false claims.

7. Consider the Length and Format: Keep your Activities section concise and easy to read. Use bullet points to highlight key information and avoid lengthy paragraphs. Aim for one to three bullet points per activity, focusing on the most relevant and impactful achievements.

   The length of your Activities section will depend on your experience and the relevance of your activities to the job. If you have limited work experience, you may want to dedicate more space to your activities. However, if you have extensive work experience, you may want to keep your Activities section shorter and focus on the most significant achievements.

By following these tips and expert advice, you can create an Activities section that effectively showcases your skills, passions, and personal qualities, making your resume stand out from the competition.

FAQ

Q: Should I include activities from high school on my resume?

A: Generally, no. Once you have college or professional experiences, high school activities become less relevant. However, if you're a recent graduate with limited experience, or if a high school activity is particularly relevant to the job, you can include it.

Q: What if I don't have many activities to include?

A: Don't worry! Focus on highlighting the activities you do have and emphasizing the skills you gained from them. You can also consider getting involved in new activities that align with your career goals. Online courses, volunteer opportunities, and personal projects are all great ways to build your resume.

Q: Can I include hobbies in the Activities section?

A: Yes, but be selective. Choose hobbies that demonstrate relevant skills or personal qualities. For example, if you're applying for a software development role, mentioning your interest in coding or game development can be beneficial. However, avoid listing generic hobbies like "reading" or "watching movies."

Q: How do I prioritize which activities to include?

A: Focus on activities that are most relevant to the job description and that showcase your most valuable skills. Also, prioritize activities where you had a significant impact or held a leadership role.

Q: Where should I place the Activities section on my resume?

A: The placement of the Activities section depends on your experience and the relevance of your activities to the job. If you're a recent graduate with limited work experience, you may want to place it higher up on your resume, after your education section. If you have extensive work experience, you can place it towards the bottom of your resume.

Conclusion

The Activities section of your resume is more than just a list; it's an opportunity to showcase your passions, skills, and personal qualities. By strategically selecting and presenting your activities, you can create a compelling narrative that sets you apart from other candidates. Remember to prioritize relevance, quantify your achievements, use action verbs, highlight transferable skills, and provide context.

Crafting a standout resume is an ongoing process, and the Activities section is an area where you can continuously improve and tailor your approach. As you gain new experiences and refine your skills, update your resume to reflect your latest achievements. Now, take the time to review your own resume and identify areas where you can enhance your Activities section. What activities can you highlight to better showcase your skills and passions? Take action today to make your resume a powerful tool that opens doors to new opportunities.