Extracurricular Activities that Mean the Most

Your Reputation Precedes You…NetClarify Can Help!

Your resume is often one of the most important representations of yourself when applying for jobs. I have heard stories of companies sorting resumes based on GPA, GMAT score and institution.

Often following an interview, your resume is the embodiment of you when an employer is making a decision, so you need to ensure that your resume is going to stand out. One way to stand out among competitors for a job who all have similar GPAs, majors and school strengths is to have a stellar “extracurricular activities section.” 

Your activities on and off campus are very important to employers as soft skills and leadership abilities become more important today than the ability to crunch numbers really well. The following are some pointers on activities that I was told were really valuable in the employment decision for my full-time job.

Leadership Roles

When you first get on campus, pick an organization that interests you and that has some prestige. Getting in early will enable you to rise to a prominent position in an organization just through sheer tenure. Strive to obtain a leadership position that is applicable to what you want to do:

• Business major – Treasurer
• Public relations or Advertising majors – Director of community Affairs or Sponsorship for a charitable organization either on or off campus. 

I was the Risk Management officer of my Fraternity in undergrad and that particular position has been a great point of interest on my resume that was often asked about in interviews. Having a position like that will enable you to tell a good story about how you shined in that particular role and will leave the interviewer with a valuable takeaway.

Student Government

The importance of involvement in student government cannot be stressed enough. Even minimal involvement, such as being a student senator for a term or becoming a member of the cabinet for the student body, will demonstrate to potential employers that you have valuable qualities like drive, sociability, responsibility and emotional intelligence. My stint as an Undersecretary for Finance and Fees in Student Government showed my employer that I was driven to become involved in roles that were applicable to my accounting concentration.

Charitable Organizations

I was the Vice President for an IRS approved charitable organization that was started by undergraduate students at the University of Florida. That experience has impressed many employers who I interviewed with, particularly since I obtained a valuable recommendation from the founder of the charity and completed over 700 hours of community service.

Putting a line on your resume that quantifies hundreds of hours of community service is sure to make you stand out, and the many experiences I took away from my time there have given me great points to make in an interview. I cannot stress enough the importance of civic and charitable involvement to demonstrate to potential employers that you are a well-rounded candidate.

Professional Organizations

Early membership or involvement in professional organizations shows that you are already connected to your profession even as a student. I joined both the Florida and American Institutes of CPAs when I was interviewing with accounting firms as an undergrad. The e-mail updates I received from those organizations gave me key talking points for interviews and my involvement showed the firms that I was committed to staying and involved with the profession. Student-level memberships are affordable in most organizations and the resources and connections provided are worthwhile.

Do some research on associations for your field and join the preeminent associations that are affordable for you. Additionally, if it is possible to join such organizations on a local level on the city you are targeting, it is another great way to demonstrate a commitment and connections to a particular area, which will make employers more comfortable with giving you an offer.

It is important to set yourself apart from the rest of the pack in today’s competitive job market. Good luck in pursuing activities and involvement that interests you and builds a stronger resume.
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