When you're crafting your resume, every section counts—even extracurricular activities. These often-overlooked experiences can set you apart from other candidates and give hiring managers a deeper understanding of who you are.
Think about it: You've probably spent time volunteering, leading clubs, or participating in sports or creative projects, all of which demonstrate valuable skills like teamwork, leadership, and time management. But what makes these activities truly impactful on your resume? It's all about how you present them.
In this article, we’ll explore the definition of extracurricular activities, why they matter in the job market, and how to include them in your resume. From giving examples of extracurricular activities to answering common questions, we’ll cover everything.
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What are extracurricular activities?
Extracurricular activities are organized pursuits that fall outside your regular academic or professional responsibilities. These activities range from volunteering at a local shelter to playing on a soccer team or running a campus sustainability project. They provide opportunities to develop skills, explore interests, and contribute to communities in ways that go beyond traditional coursework or job roles.
Here are some of the most common examples:
- Student organizations: Such as debate teams, cultural clubs, or student government
- Volunteering: Participating in community service, organizing fundraisers, or mentoring
- Sports: From competitive team sports like basketball to individual pursuits like martial arts
- Clubs and hobbies: Book clubs, art collectives, gaming groups, or even cooking
- Independent projects: Starting a blog, coding apps, or crafting handmade products to sell online
Extracurricular vs. co-curricular activities
It’s easy to confuse extracurricular activities with co-curricular ones, but the distinction is simple. Extracurriculars occur outside of formal work or academic obligations, often focusing on personal development, interests, or passions.
Co-curricular activities, on the other hand, are directly tied to your work or educational program. For instance, if you're involved in professional development workshops, company-sponsored mentorships, or industry conferences, these would be co-curricular activities as they complement your primary job responsibilities or studies.
While co-curricular activities are designed to align with your professional or academic goals, extracurriculars stand alone. They're not required by your job or studies, but are just as impactful when showcasing your diverse skills and experiences, being a very interesting addition to your resume.
Why list extracurricular activities on your resume?
Extracurricular activities might not seem as formal as internships or part-time jobs, but they hold immense value when presented on your resume.
“If you’re starting out and haven't had the opportunity to experience an internship yet, leverage what you have!” says Raisa Ramos, Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) certified professional and HR director. “Never miss out on an opportunity that gives you the chance to practice business skills.”
They demonstrate your transferable skills
Extracurricular activities are rich with opportunities to develop and showcase essential transferable skills. For instance, leading a student organization highlights leadership and decision-making abilities, while participating in a sports team demonstrates teamwork, discipline, and resilience. Even activities like volunteering or running a personal project can illustrate your ability to manage time, communicate clearly, and handle responsibilities.
They reveal more about your personality
Recruiters look beyond technical expertise—they want to understand who you are as a person. Extracurriculars offer insights into your interests, passions, and motivation, and show that you’ve taken initiative by exploring these interests and gained valuable experiences, even outside formal employment.
For example, being involved in a debate club might indicate strong analytical and communication skills, while consistent volunteering could demonstrate empathy and dedication to causes.
They often align with your career goals
When chosen strategically, extracurricular activities can directly support your career objectives. For instance, a role in a finance club can signal an interest in the business world, while organizing campus events might indicate strong project management skills. These connections can help you craft a narrative that aligns your personal growth with the job you’re applying for.
What are the best extracurricular activities for a resume?
Extracurricular activities can be the secret ingredient to making your resume stand out—especially if you’re early in your career or transitioning into a new field.
Whether you’re involved in student leadership, community service, or specialized clubs, these activities can highlight transferable skills like leadership, teamwork, or time management. Below are some extracurricular activities examples that can help you shine on your resume and what makes them stand out to recruiters.
1. Student government or leadership roles
Leadership roles, such as serving as a student government representative or leading a campus committee, can show your ability to take charge, make decisions, and represent others’ interests. These experiences highlight skills like conflict resolution, organization, and accountability, which are especially relevant for roles in management or administration.
For instance, being a class president or committee chair means you’ve taken on responsibility beyond the classroom, managing schedules, collaborating with peers, and addressing challenges. Such positions show recruiters you’re proactive, capable of handling pressure, and ready to lead in a professional setting. These skills can serve as a foundation for careers in public administration, human resources, or project management.
2. Volunteering and community service
Volunteer work goes beyond showcasing your willingness to help others—it reflects teamwork, reliability, and empathy.
“Recruiters are interested in volunteer work or community service that connects the candidate to the position they’re looking to fill,” Ramos says. “Volunteer work related to a professional organization is a key experience that stands out to recruiters; it shows you’re vested in your industry and want to learn as much as possible before becoming a practitioner.”
Whether you’ve organized donation drives, worked as a volunteer coordinator at an NGO, or supported community projects during the summer, these activities can leave a strong impression on recruiters and pave the way for careers in healthcare, social services, or education.
3. Clubs, societies, and organizations related to your major or career path
Joining academic or professional clubs related to your field of interest demonstrates a commitment to personal and professional growth. For example, being a member of a marketing club, debate society, or Women in STEM organization shows you’re not just interested in your career path but also actively seeking to build relevant skills and connections.
These activities are also a great way to develop soft skills such as public speaking, problem-solving, and teamwork. Organizing events, managing budgets, or mentoring junior members are all experiences that can help recruiters see you as a motivated candidate who knows how to network and contribute to a team.
4. Individual or team sports
Participating in sports—whether as a college soccer player, track and field athlete, or recreational team member—highlights qualities like perseverance, time management, and a healthy competitive spirit. Team sports, in particular, showcase your ability to collaborate with others toward a common goal, while individual sports emphasize self-discipline and focus.
These qualities translate well into the workplace, especially for roles requiring resilience, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills. A sports background can also reflect a candidate's commitment to balancing responsibilities—something that recruiters highly value.
5. Tutoring and peer mentoring
If you’ve worked as a tutor or peer mentor, you’ve likely honed your teaching abilities, communication skills, and patience. These experiences show that you can break down complex topics, guide others toward success, and invest in the growth of your peers.
For example, serving as a math tutor for younger students or mentoring first-year college students demonstrates a commitment to helping others while sharpening your interpersonal and organizational skills. These roles are particularly relevant for careers in education, training, or counseling, where guiding others is a central component.
6. Study abroad programs or international projects
Studying abroad or participating in international volunteer programs reflects adaptability, cross-cultural communication, and a willingness to embrace new experiences.
Employers appreciate candidates who show initiative in gaining unique experiences, even beyond traditional internships or part-time roles. Whether you’ve spent a semester studying in Europe or contributed to a community development project in Asia, these activities can make your resume stand out in industries that value global perspectives, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability.
7. Learning a new language
Learning a new language shows dedication, adaptability, and cross-cultural awareness and highlights your commitment to personal growth. Multilingualism is a skill that can set you apart in many industries, particularly in roles involving communication, customer service, or international business.
It reflects your ability to learn complex concepts, adapt to new situations, and engage with diverse groups of people. It also demonstrates strong cognitive skills, as learning a language requires discipline, memory, and patience. Careers in international relations, translation, customer service, marketing, and sales often require or benefit from language proficiency.
8. Hobbies that showcase skills relevant to the role
Not all extracurriculars need to come from formal organizations. Passion projects or hobbies that align with your career goals—such as blogging, photography, coding, or graphic design—can also impress recruiters. These activities highlight your self-motivation and initiative, especially when they demonstrate specialized skills.
For instance, having a personal finance blog or pursuing digital design as a hobby shows not only creativity but also a dedication to growing your knowledge outside formal education. Employers value candidates who take the initiative to deepen their expertise, especially when those skills directly apply to their industry.
How to list extracurricular activities on your resume
Your extracurricular activities can be a powerful addition to your resume—if you list them in the right way. To maximize their impact, focus on relevance, clarity, and showcasing transferable skills that align with the job you're applying for.
How to choose the right extracurriculars
Start by identifying the extracurriculars that best highlight your strengths and align with the role you’re applying for. For instance, leadership roles or team-based activities are excellent for managerial positions, while participation in technical competitions or industry-related clubs can enhance applications for specialized fields like engineering or IT.
Where to put extracurricular activities on a resume
The placement of extracurricular activities on your resume depends on their relevance to the job you're applying for. If the activities are highly relevant—such as leadership roles, technical clubs, or volunteer work in your desired field—they can be included in the “Experience” or “Relevant experience” section. This approach integrates them seamlessly with professional roles, emphasizing their value.
For other activities that demonstrate transferable skills or personal development but are less directly related to the job you’re applying for, consider creating a dedicated section titled “Extracurricular activities.” This allows you to showcase these experiences without overshadowing professional roles.
How to write each entry
When listing an extracurricular activity, structure it similarly to a professional experience entry. Include:
- The role or title you held
- The organization or group associated with the activity
- A few bullet points (or concise statements) summarizing your responsibilities, achievements, and skills used
Focus on measurable achievements or specific examples that show your impact. For instance, if you organized an event, mention the scale, budget, or participation numbers to make it tangible. (Here’s how to quantify your resume bullets.) Also, highlight skills like project management, teamwork, or communication where applicable.
Some examples:
Volunteer Tutor, local NGO
- Provided weekly math tutoring sessions to 15 middle school students, improving class performance by an average of 10%.
- Developed a tailored curriculum to address individual learning needs.
Event Coordinator, Marketing Club
- Organized a campus-wide marketing competition with over 200 participants, securing sponsorships from local businesses.
- Led a team of five to manage logistics, promotions, and event-day execution.
Bottom line
Extracurricular activities can significantly enhance your resume, especially if you're just starting your career or have limited job experience. These activities showcase your transferable skills, such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and time management, and help paint a fuller picture of your character and potential beyond academic achievements.
By highlighting these activities, you show employers that you’ve developed relevant skills, are eager to learn, and can contribute positively to a workplace. Don't underestimate the value of these experiences—they could be the key to landing your next job opportunity.
FAQs
Is it good to put extracurricular activities on a resume?
Yes, extracurricular activities are great to include on your resume, especially if you're early in your career or don't have a lot of work experience. They show you’ve developed important skills like leadership, teamwork, and time management, which are valuable to potential employers.
What are good extracurriculars for a resume?
Good extracurricular activities for a resume include leadership roles in student government, volunteering, participation in clubs or societies related to your field, sports teams, and personal projects like blogging or coding. Any activity that showcases transferable skills and passion for a specific area is worth mentioning.
How many extracurriculars should I list?
You should list two to four extracurricular activities that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. It's better to focus on quality over quantity. Choose those that best highlight your skills, interests, and dedication.
Does cooking count as an extracurricular activity?
Yes, cooking can be considered an extracurricular activity, particularly if you’ve taken it to a higher level—such as organizing cooking classes, participating in cooking competitions, or running a food-related blog. It shows creativity, time management, and a strong work ethic.
Is volunteering an extracurricular activity in the summer?
Absolutely! Volunteering during the summer is a great extracurricular activity to include on your resume. It demonstrates a commitment to helping others, community involvement, and transferable skills like communication and problem-solving.