Originally posted by StaggerLeeWhich do you think is more important?
That's not really the right question. The question is "do you include extracurricular activities on your résumé or not" - I don't think anyone would argue which category is more important.
Personally, I don't - I have a bulleted list of highlights followed by work experience, education, and references. That's it. A résumé isn't going to get you a job and it doesn't need to tell your life story - it needs to have enough information to show that you are worth interviewing. That's it.
I include extracurriculars not because I think they'll be relevant to the position I'm going for but because I think they make me look like an interesting person and/or stand out from other applicants. You never know when "korfball national champion" or "semi-pro poker player" will get you an interview. Similarly, you never know when someone at the company you're sending your resume to is ALSO a korfball or poker player.
As a Recruiter, I didn't care about the extracurriculars on a resume. I understand the theory behind them (shows you're a team player and whatnot,) but I didn't need them to make a decision.
And no to the extracurricular bit. This is especially true about the poker one because it might give the employer the impression that you gamble, which could easily be looked down upon.
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I've sat on several hiring committees in various organizations, and in none of them have we ever considered extracurriculars as a factor in whether or not the applicant received an interview.
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If you're still in the 'one page' stage, it's a matter of whether or not more important information can fill that space. If you are leaving off important facets of your education or work experience, cut out the extra-curriculars. If you need to fill space, I think it's better to include them rather than just fluffing up all the other parts with extra bullshit. You need to balance being professional and concise with having an evenly distributed page of text.
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Only ONLY if the activity involves experience or skills you want employeers to know about, and you should specify what those are. So I have put some of my video production or theater experience on a resume before but only to highlight skills (such as "Directed and Produced theater production with 40+ member cast and crew").
I will talk about extracurriculars if asked in an interview. I do not put an extracurricular section in a resume.
Originally posted by LiseOnly ONLY if the activity involves experience or skills you want employeers to know about, and you should specify what those are. So I have put some of my video production or theater experience on a resume before but only to highlight skills (such as "Directed and Produced theater production with 40+ member cast and crew").
I will talk about extracurriculars if asked in an interview. I do not put an extracurricular section in a resume.
What she said. Depends on the job. If you are in management, many expect you to be visble in the community so Lions, or Kiwanas or whatever is a big plus. But that's not really extra but community service.
Originally posted by TorchslasherWait, what is korfball?
And no to the extracurricular bit. This is especially true about the poker one because it might give the employer the impression that you gamble, which could easily be looked down upon.
I don't play korfball, I was just throwing that out there as an example. For the record, though, I think it's some sort of cross between netball, basketball, and soccer. One of my ex-girlfriends was a korfball national champ so you think I'd know more about it. But alas.
Back to the subject at hand, I don't doubt what everyone has said about his/her experience with leaving off ECs and/or ignoring extracurriculars when they were the ones reviewing resumes. However, I personally include a line or two on my resume every time for ECs, and almost every single time they get brought up towards the end of the interview. I suppose I'll never know if I lost out on getting an interview in the first place because of an EC like poker (which I did use to play semi-professionally), but in the interviews I do get, the interviewer asks about my ECs with great interest and excitement. Every time.
I think if it's somewhat relevant to the job, a non-work and education related line or two can get you noticed.
I have an "other skills" category where I put stuff like Computer Skills and Licenses or Certifications I have. In there I'll put an other interests line if it's somewhat relevant. For instance, I applied for a job at the Transit Museum and put down "have been to all 437 subway station" which they dug.
I put somewhat relevant extra curricular activities and interests onto my resume...to enhance the resume.
Case in point: I put down that I fix computers and study religion in my spare time, and that I'm also fascinated by maps. I don't write that I've been watching pro wrestling for almost 20 years, that I play DDR, or that I have a near encyclopedic knowledge of the Power Rangers universe. Nope! Just the good stuff.