Vivian
Clubs and Their Significances
I realize employers often look for people that are motivated and committed and check it through their involvements in school. Due to this, I've been wondering on whether I should join clubs or not since I do very little extracurricular activities. Is it necessary or just nice resume padding? #school #job #resume
3 answers
Erin Ford
Erin’s Answer
Immediate answer: yes, you should absolutely join clubs.
I believe it’s necessary to have extracurricular activities on your resume when applying for employment. Having clubs on your resume demonstrates that you’re someone who is able to balance your academic requirements with other responsibilities.
If you feel that including clubs is just resume padding, join a club that is relevant to what you’re studying or a career you may be interested in. Example from my line of work: most colleges have a Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter. For students potentially interested in pursuing public relations or communications after graduation, having experience with this organization demonstrates prior experience and interest in the field. Many clubs have career development and learning opportunities you may not get elsewhere. Even if you join a club related to a career you’re potentially interested in and dislike it, that’s a valuable learning experience. It’s better to learn early on before you head out into the post-grad world.
Beyond the resume and employment benefits, you have the potential to meet and connect with new people. I hope this helps!
Andrea Constantinides
Andrea’s Answer
I agree with everything said above! But think about being selective to find a club that might relate to the work you want to do or careers you are interested in pursuing (or something you just plain enjoy). As a hiring manager and recruiter, I'd prefer to see someone who is one or two extracurriculars but shows progressive leadership skills along the way. Seeing someone who can lead their peers and accomplish goals is a huge leg up when applying to a job!
Jordan Whitmer
Jordan’s Answer
Absolutely, you should join clubs! As a hiring manager, I find it to be hugely important when interviewing candidates. I want to learn how they manage their schedule with multiple different activities on their plate. I also am always interested in learning more about the candidate as a person; it gives me a better understanding of who the candidate is and what special skills they can bring to the table.