resume examples for extracurricular activities

195+ Best Extracurricular Activities to Try Out [in 2024]

Extracurricular activities come with a number of benefits for high school and college students alike. 

As a high school student, extracurricular activities can enrich your college application and help you stand out from other applicants. 

As a university student, on the other hand, extracurricular activities can help you gain real-life skills and make your resume more impressive, helping you land your first job after college.

In this article we’ll cover everything there is to know about extracurricular activities that can help you better shape your future, including:

• What Are Extracurricular Activities? 
• 95+ Extracurricular Activities You Can Try

How to List Extracurricular Activities on a Resume

Benefits of extracurricular activities.

Let’s dive in!

What Are Extracurricular Activities?

• Extracurricular activities refer to any kind of activity not covered by a school, college, or university curriculum. They are usually voluntary, social, or philanthropic activities that involve other participants of the same age. 

Most students take up extracurricular activities to engage in a particular hobby (e.g. drama club if you’re into theater), to develop certain skills (e.g. public speaking club if you want to become more charismatic), or to gain specific experiences (e.g. marketing club to learn how to work in a team). 

However, extracurricular activities are much more than just hobbies. Studies have shown they are particularly important for teenagers and young adults because they help: 

• Develop a stronger mind. Extracurricular activities can help teens and young adults develop their brains in different ways than an academic curriculum. A student who does sports, for example, will learn resilience in the face of intense physical and mental difficulty.
• Learn professional skills. Different extracurricular activities can train students in different professional skills (e.g. student government can teach you leadership and delegation, debate club can teach you public speaking, and so on).
• Create a wider social circle. Extracurricular activities allow youths to meet other people their age that share similar interests.
• Learn time management . Balancing schoolwork with extracurricular activities can help students manage their time better, which is a highly-valuable skill later in life.
• Explore new interests. Extracurricular activities are how teenagers and young adults can identify their non-academic interests and explore other potential career paths.

That said, picking the right extracurricular activity can be a bit challenging. There are hundreds of extracurricular activities out there and, chances are, you don’t have the time or energy to try them all out and see what sticks.

To help you out, we’ve covered the most popular extracurricular activities below, organized into categories to make it easier to find the right choice for you:   

13 Types of Extracurricular Activities

#1. academic.

Academic activities are based on an academic subject and include clubs and competitive teams. 

Academic clubs discuss and practice a specific subject, whereas competitive teams usually participate in competitions on all levels, from local to national. 

• Architecture Club
• Astronomy Club
• Biology Club
• Chemistry Club
• Economics Club
• Electronics Club
• Engineering Club
• English Club
• Distributive Education Clubs of America
• History Club
• Life Sciences Club
• Literature Club
• Literary Magazine Club
• National Honor Society
• Peer Tutoring
• Poetry Club
• Physics Club
• Psychology Club
• Quill and Scroll
• Robotics Club
• Science National Honors Society
• Trivia and Quiz Clubs
• Web design/coding club
• Writing Club

Competitive Teams 

• Academic Decathlon
• Academic Triathlon
• American Mathematics Competitions
• American Regions Math League
• Caribou Mathematics Competition
• Chemistry Olympiad
• Clean Tech Competition
• Creative Communication Poetry Contest
• EconChallenge
• FIRST Robotics Competition
• High School Innovation Challenge
• Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
• Kids Philosophy Slam
• Math League
• National Academic Quiz Tournament
• National French Contest
• National History Bee
• National Spelling Bee
• Odyssey of the Mind
• Poetry Out Loud
• Questions Unlimited
• Science Bowl
• Science Olympiad

You can never know your artistic potential unless you practice your art skills extensively and get feedback from other people. These extracurricular activities let you do just that: 

• Anime/Manga Club
• Fashion design
• Graphic Design
• Jewelry Making
• Photography
• High School Theater Program
• Community Theater Program
• Video Game Development Club
• Woodworking

#3. Cultural and Language 

Cultural and language-focused extracurricular activities are some of the best ways to expand your horizon and hone your communication skills . 

On one hand, these types of activities can help you get a feel for different cultures and people. On the other, they are a great way to learn foreign languages, a skill that can definitely come in handy both in your personal and professional life. 

These are some of the most popular cultural and language-related extracurricular activities: 

• African American Student Alliances/Clubs
• American Sign Language Club
• Chinese Club
• French Club
• German Club
• International Food Club
• Pacific Islanders Club
• Russian Club
• South Asian Student Society
• Spanish Club

#4. Community 

These extracurricular activities allow you to get involved with your community.

You can, for example, help a non-government organization clean your neighborhood, bring food to homeless people, organize town festivals, and more.

Such extracurricular activities help you meet people in your community, have a positive impact on your town, and can even improve your college application. 

If you think community-focused activities are something you’d enjoy, give one of these  a try: 

• Community Festivals
• Do Something
• Habitat for Humanity
• Kids Helping Kids
• Mountaineers Club
• Sisters on the Runway

#5. Government and Leadership

Government and leadership activities can be essential in honing your interpersonal and problem-solving skills, as well as teaching you what it takes to make a difference through policy. 

If you’re considering a career in politics or are really passionate about the field, then you should definitely consider one of the following extracurricular activities:

• Community Youth Board
• Student Council
• Student Government
• Community Government
• Peer Leadership Group

Do you dream of becoming a media celebrity? Or, maybe, you’ve always wanted to become an award-winning journalist… 

Whichever the case might be, there are a ton of extracurricular activities you can do to start learning about the media industry, including: 

• School or local magazine/journal
• School or local newspaper
• School or local radio station
• School or local television channel
• School or local website
• Yearbook Committee

#7. Music & Performance Art

Is performing something you've always been passionate about? 

Then these activities are just the right ones for you. They can help you explore the world of performative art, develop your skills, and get a glimpse of what a future career in the field could look like. 

Here are only some of the many options:  

• School Chorus/Choir
• Community Chorus/Choir
• Church Chorus/Choir
• Chamber Music Group
• Concert Band
• Singing Lessons
• Marching Band
• Your own band
• Comedy Club
• Choreography
• Classic Film Club
• Film Production Club
• International Thespian Society
• Slam Poetry Club
• High School Theater Group
• Community Theater Group

#8. Social Activism 

Social activism can touch upon the many issues the world is facing today, like animal rights, women’s rights, pollution, and many more.  

Check your school and community for any of these clubs and organizations that support different social causes:

• Amnesty International
• Animal Rights Club
• Breast Cancer Awareness
• Cancer Foundation
• Environmental Club
• Fair Trade Club
• Gay-Straight Alliance
• Girls Lean International
• NOW —National Organization for Women
• SADD—Students Against Destructive Decisions

#9. Special Interest

Some extracurricular activities don’t fall under any particular category. If you have a special interest in something that you can’t find a local group or school club for, you can simply create one or join a national group. This way, you can meet other members online and attend annual meetups. 

Here are some special interest extracurricular activities you can explore:

• Equestrian Club
• Entrepreneurship Club
• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
• Girl Scouts
• Horticulture Club
• Model Railroads
• Quilt Making

#10. Speech and Political Interest

Do you want to learn more about the intricate ways politics interact with our lives? Or, maybe, you want to eventually become a politician and a skilled orator yourself. 

Well, politics can definitely be practiced, and the following extracurricular activities will give you the chance to do just that: 

• Debate Club
• Euro Challenge
• Foreign Affairs Club
• Forensics Team
• High School Democrats of America
• High School Fed Challenge
• Junior Statesmen of America
• Mock Trial Club
• Model Congress Club
• Model United Nations
• National Speech and Debate Association
• Speech Club
• Teenage Republicans
• Young Democrats of America

#11. Sports 

Nothing can help you hone your determination, work ethic, and team spirit like organized sports activities can. 

There are countless to choose from, but some of the most popular options are:

• Baseball and softball
• Bodybuilding
• Cheerleading
• Climbing Club
• Hiking Club
• Intramural Sports
• Martial Arts
• Ping Pong Club
• Quidditch Clubs
• Skate Board Club
• Track & Field
• Ultimate Frisbee Club
• Yoga Club  

#12. Technology 

Being skilled in tech comes with plenty of advantages. 

If you decide to follow a career in tech, you'll be hired for some of the highest-paying jobs in the market. Even if you don't, having tech skills can come in handy in your personal life or if you ever decide to go for a career change .

Start developing your skills early on by choosing among the following activities (or anything else that might speak to you on a personal level): 

• Personal Web Site
• Social Media
• YouTube Channel

#13. Volunteering Activities  

If you’re looking to make a difference for a cause you’re passionate about, consider volunteering. Not only can volunteering be good for your health , but it also looks great on your resume and college applications: 

• Adopt-a-Highway
• Animal Rescue
• Best Buddies International
• Church Outreach
• Hospital volunteer
• International volunteer program
• Red Cross Club
• UNICEF High School Clubs
• Volunteer Fire Department
• Work with a local charity
• Work with a local soup kitchen

If you see an extracurricular activity you like that your school doesn’t offer, you can try joining a community or an online group to explore your interest further. Alternatively, you can try starting a club yourself - not only it will allow you to do what you’re passionate about, but it will also develop your leadership and initiative skills. 

Are Extracurricular Activities Good For My Resume?

You’ve probably heard that “extracurricular activities are good for your resume.”

If you're wondering how much truth there is in that statement, the answer is a lot!  

Although not as important as your work experience or education history, extracurricular activities can be excellent additions to your resume. 

As a high school or university student or graduate, you probably have next to no work experience. Hence, you might have a big empty spot on your resume where the work experience section should be.

Extracurricular activities are a great way to fill in that gap!

They help by:

• Showcasing specific skills or experiences. If you’re looking for a job in media, for example, having worked for your school's online newspaper will definitely help you stand out.
• Proving that you have experience working in a team. Group extracurricular activities often mirror a typical office environment. You work with a team, brainstorm ideas, organize events, and so on. Hence, by including extracurricular activities in your resume, you’re proving to a potential employer that you’re no stranger to teamwork.

So, make sure to include your extracurricular activities on your resume! 

Here’s an example of how you could potentially include your volunteering experiences on your college resume :

If more than five years have passed since you graduated, you should not include extracurricular activities on your resume even if they’re super impressive.

Your work experience is a much better proof of your skills as a professional than whatever you did back during college or high school. 

6 Best Extracurricular Activities for Your Resume

Some extracurricular activities are more valuable for your resume than others.

This is simply because some activities teach you useful work skills (teamwork, empathy, and interpersonal skills ), while others are simply just a hobby.

Here’s a list of extracurricular activities that are more likely to have an impact on your career: 

• Sports. Doing sports can demonstrate a bunch of soft skills , including dedication, teamwork, and work ethic. 
• Government and leadership. Extracurricular activities like the student council, student government, or Community Youth Board can prove your leadership, organizational, and decision-making skills. 
• Cultural and language. Foreign languages are highly valued by recruiters and showing that you master one and that you’re culture-oriented can effectively set you apart from other candidates. Specifically, these types of extracurricular activities testify to your determination, hard work, and cultural awareness. 
• Volunteering activities . Volunteering activities are the extracurriculars that are closest to an actual job (without the pay, that is). On top of proving you can be passionate about a cause to devote your time to it, volunteer work typically comes with responsibilities and deadlines that can show recruiters you’ll be a reliable employee. 
• Academic. Academic activities such as peer tutoring or participation in different clubs and teams can attest to your communication skills, specific expertise in a particular area, and creative thinking skills, among other things. 
• Political interest and social activism. These types of activities, from fundraising to supporting different social causes locally or nationally, can demonstrate a variety of valuable skills (project management skills, leadership, analytical skills, etc.). 

By now, you know about all the cases when it can be helpful to list extracurricular activities on your resume and which are the ones recruiters prefer. 

But how do you do it the right way? You have 3 options: 

#1. List extracurricular activities in your professional experience section 

If your extracurricular activity had responsibilities and time commitments similar to a part-time or full-time job or if it has helped you acquire skills that are directly related to the position you are applying for, then you can list them under your professional experience . 

Say, for example, that you’re applying for your first job as a journalist and you were an editor for your college newspaper for over two years. 

Chances are, most of your responsibilities and achievements engaging in this extracurricular activity are directly related to your future position (spell-checking and looking for grammatical errors, verifying facts, rewriting articles, brainstorming, etc.). 

In such cases, listing your activities under professional experience is totally acceptable and can work in your favor by highlighting your work-related skills. 

Here’s an example of what that would look like on a resume: 

Professional Experience 

• Editor in Chief of Penn State’s independent newspaper “Daily Collegian” for over two years where I led a team of 13 journalists. 
• Extensively handled duties like spell and grammar checks, fact-checking, editing, etc. 
• Won Pacemaker Award in 2018 for the best online college newspaper.

#2. List extracurricular activities in your education section 

Your second option is to list your extracurricular activities under your education section. 

If you participated in many activities throughout your education, filter them based on how relevant they are to your major and to the position you’re applying for. 

On top of that, take into account what kind of skills the activities effectively highlight. If, for example, you’re applying for a job that requires rigorous work ethic and determination, prioritize listing your sports activities instead of your, say, social activism ones.

Here’s how you should list your extracurriculars in your education section: 

University of Pennsylvania

Master of Education in Counseling and Mental Health Services

2016 - 2018

• Career mentor for the university’s Career Centre

#3. List extracurricular activities as a separate resume section 

Last but not least, you can list your extracurricular activities in a separate resume section. Specifically, you should do so when said activities don’t relate much to your education or your professional orientation, but can add value to your resume. 

Depending on the nature of your activities, you can title the section in a way that makes sense—for example, “Volunteering” if you did a lot of volunteer work, “Projects” if your extracurricular activities consisted of technical activities, “Languages” if you worked hard on learning a foreign language, etc. 

If your extracurricular activities come with some noteworthy accomplishments, you can even list them under “Achievements” - just make sure you can back your claims with some hard facts to convince recruiters. 

Here’s a practical example of what that would look like in a resume: 

Achievements 

• Tutored over 70 students in Statistics and Algebra as a teaching assistant and student counselor, with all of them attaining more than average grades in exams. 
• Helped organize university fundraisers aimed to help science-oriented students from low-income backgrounds attend college. More than half of the fundraisers exceeded donation amounts by 10%-13%.

Different types of extracurricular activities bring different sets of advantages. Sports can develop your teamwork spirit, academic activities can help you grow your expertise in a particular field, and arts can positively influence your communication and creative thinking skills. 

Despite their specifics attributes, all extracurricular activities are shown to have some common benefits for students, including: 

• Cultivating self-esteem and confidence.
• Developing a strong sense of work ethic. 
• Encouraging superior academic and athletic performance.
• Improving a high school student’s college application portfolio. 
• Offering children and youths the opportunity to develop friendships outside of the classroom. 
• Helping children and youth develop emotional intelligence which they also bring inside the classroom. 

FAQ on Extracurricular Activities

Do you still have some questions about extracurricular activities? We try to answer them below: 

How many extracurricular activities are too many?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. This depends on how you manage your time, and how many extracurricular activities you can handle without it affecting your sleep, stress, or school work.

The thing to keep in mind here is that your extracurricular activities should be achievable without being overwhelming. If, for example, your extracurriculars cause you to fall behind with school, then that’s probably already too many of them. On the other hand, if you feel like you have too much free time that you don’t know how to fill up, then taking up a couple of more activities probably wouldn’t hurt. 

Typically, students say three to four activities are achievable, without being overwhelming.

What do colleges look for in extracurricular activities?

Colleges typically search for applicants who can prove they are well-rounded individuals who like to stay engaged outside of the classroom, too. They’re looking to discover what makes you unique beyond your academic performance, starting from your hobbies and interests to your involvement within your community.

So, the extracurricular activities that are most likely to impress colleges are as follows: academic activities, community service and volunteering activities, and activities related to your personality , including sports, hobbies, special interests, etc. 

Do hobbies count as extracurricular activities?

The answer to this depends on the hobby itself.

Most hobbies can qualify as extracurricular activities, especially when you practice them in an organized way or as part of a club or a team. For your hobby to qualify as an extracurricular, you should show that you do it regularly. If you’ve practiced, say, singing once, you can’t list “singing” or “solo music” as an extracurricular activity.

However, if you’ve sand for your school’s choir more than once over a long period of time, then your music hobby can qualify as an extracurricular activity. 

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap! By now, you have an extensive list of extracurricular activities to choose from, as well as all the knowledge to use to your advantage when applying for jobs and universities. 

Before you go, here are the main points we covered in this guide: 

• Extracurricular activities can be great additions to your resume, especially if you are a college student or recent graduate without paid work experience, or if they are directly related to the field or position you are applying for. 
• The best extracurricular activities to add to your resume fall under these categories: academic, sports, volunteering, languages, cultural, and political activism. 
• You can list extracurricular activities in your resume by adding them under your professional experience, in your education section, or as a separate resume section.

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The Power of Extracurricular Activities on Your Resume

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

Though this quote has its roots in proverbs written centuries ago, it is still relevant to the recruiters of today who want to see a resume with extracurricular activities .

Why? Participation in extracurricular activities can go a long way toward showing companies that a candidate possesses skills in leadership, teamwork , loyalty, communication, and collaboration.

Captain of your college softball team? President of a student club? Volunteering at your local food bank? These are activities that reflect the development and application of job-related skills that could directly relate to the position you are pursuing if you include them when writing your resume.

In this post, we will outline what activities you might consider listing , why you should list them, how you should format them , and what to leave off.

Remember, if you use our resume builder , putting your sections together in the right order with the right information is that bit easier too!

Why Add Extracurricular Activities to Your Resume

While adding a list of extracurricular activities is sometimes best suited for a student or graduate resume , where job experience may be and often is lacking, it is also helpful for those with an adequate work history. 

What’s more, adding different types of extracurricular activities to your resume demonstrates that you have built new skills in addition to those developed on the job . This presents you as a well-rounded individual, the kind that many companies will be interested in hiring.

In 2021, CoursesOnline General Manager Sarah-Jane McQueen told Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a global leader in higher education networking, “Certain skills and ways of operating can be learned but various traits can only be forged through life experiences, so don’t be afraid of fully embracing who you are. Remember, employers want to hire real people, not interchangeable drones .”

In other words, a recruiter sees a good list of extracurriculars and envisions a potential employee who brings an enthusiasm to learn new things , a healthy interest in diverse subjects , and the ability to multitask.

Finally, having extracurricular activities to discuss is beneficial for job interviews as well. Your experience in extracurriculars provides you with a well of details you can draw on to answer interview questions such as “Describe a time when you worked successfully in a team”, “What is your greatest accomplishment ?” or “What is the professional achievement you are most proud of?”

Take any opportunity to volunteer, join an academic club, or become a member of a professional association, and add that detail to your resume especially if you lack work experience. According to a 2018 study published by the Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, participating in one or more extracurricular activity can increase employability.

What Types of Extracurriculars Can Go on a Resume?

Basically, almost any activity outside of work that has helped to build skills in various areas, such as leadership or communication , you can and should add to a resume.

To illustrate what we mean, here are some examples of extracurricular activities you might want to add to your resume:

• Student council/clubs
• Sports involvement
• Student newspapers
• Volunteering
• Civic activities
• Philanthropic activities
• Club memberships
• Foreign language studies
• Fundraising activities
• Freelance projects
• Work-study program
• Study abroad program
• Student government involvement

In any case, you don’t necessarily need to have assumed a leadership role in any of these activities. Simply fitting these activities into your schedule displays organizational, time management , collaboration, teamwork , and interpersonal skills.

What Skills C an You Demonstrate Through Extracurricular Activities

Employers might see involvement in extracurricular activities as having been a way to develop soft skills needed for the position they are offering. Some particular extracurriculars that employers might look for and the skills these activities build include:

• Student associations: organizational and teamwork skills
• Study abroad: communication skills; learning a foreign language
• Volunteering: collaboration and leadership skills
• Freelance project development: decision-making and creative skills

What A ctivities Do Not Count As Extracurricular?

On the other hand, any task directly related to your college studies , such as writing a research paper or heading a specific student project, would not be extracurricular.

However, if your research paper was published or you led a team to complete an assigned project, you might list those in the Education section following your degree earned and school attended.

There is no need to add details such as leading a school project assignment if you have an extensive work history that demonstrates leadership.

How and Where To Put Extracurricular Activities on Resume

Now that you know what to include when it comes to a resume with extracurricular activities, exactly how do you list them? 

By and large, you can add your extracurriculars under a heading titled Extracurricular Activities following your Work History section.

Let’s see some examples. First, here is an example that lacks some details.

• Member, National Honor Society
• Vice-President, Student Council
• Third baseman, Thomas Edison High School Varsity team

The best format when listing your extracurricular activities on your resume is to:

• Firstly, name the organization
• Secondly, list your position
• Then, add the dates you served in this organization
• Lastly, add the location of the organization

Let’s see it done right.

• Student Council, Vice-President, University of Wisconsin, 10/2021 – 12/2022
• National Honor Society, President, Walter Grove High School, 2020 – 2021
• Member,  Walter Grove High School Varsity Baseball team, third baseman, co-captain 2019 – 2020

Finally, you could also use a bullet list for each entry that details your responsibilities and gives examples of which skills you developed and how you used them.

To sum up our advice with a visual example, here are extracurricular activities for a resume that provide details in each entry:

President/Member

Student Council, University of Wisconsin, 10/2021 – 12/2022

• Served as President, January 2022 – June 2022
• Ran weekly general assembly meetings
• Created and implemented council budget
• Coordinated fundraising events, exceeded fundraising goals by 30%

National Honor Society, Walter Grove High School, October 2018 – May 2021

• Elected President February 2020
• Oversaw team to promote activities and schedule events
• Conducted monthly meetings
• Maintained 4.0 GPA for all three years to remain eligible for membership

Varsity Baseball Player

Walter Grove High School, 2019 – 2021

• Played primarily third base, relief pitcher
• Elected co-captain, 2020
• Assisted in leading team to state semifinals, 20120
• Voted Most Improved Player, 2019

Check out which skills an employer looks for in the particular position you are persuing by researching the company , then, when possible, highlight those extracurricular activities.

Your Resume Format Might Affect Where You List Your Extracurricular Activities

Remember, not all resumes look the same. These days some candidates and recruiters prefer skills-based resumes, while others stick to the tried and tested reverse-chronological format which focuses more on work history.

• If you are creating a functional resume that focuses more on skills than experience, put the extracurricular activities section before your work history. 
• In a reverse chronological resume format , put the list of extracurriculars after your work history.

Whenever you’re unsure about how to put together your resume or how to format your document, you can always try out our free online resume builder . 

Our resume examples are also a great way to guide you through the resume writing process for different industries and work sectors.

When Not To List Extracurriculars on Your Resume

Some suggest that extracurriculars can be left off of a resume if there is ample job experience listed. While this may be true, the exception would be if an extracurricular activity or two directly relates to your profession. 

In that case, it could demonstrate your passion for the type of work or industry, show that you have built additional skills pertinent to the position, and let potential employers know that you are highly prepared for the responsibilities associated with the job they are offering.

Don’t Make a Hobby of Adding Hobbies As Extracurricular Activities

It’s important to remember that hobbies are not necessarily the same thing as extracurricular activities. For resume or college application purposes, the reason for listing these activities is to show that you have developed a skill set beyond your past work positions or academic studies.

A hobby doesn’t necessarily help you build usable skills. For example, if you enjoy fishing, there is nothing wrong with that, but standing on a riverbank or pier with a fishing rod does little to develop communication, leadership, or other desirable skills that you can apply in your academic or professional life.

Nevertheless, hobbies and interests can sometimes become extracurricular activities . You might love exercising so much that you’ve become a fitness instructor and manage an exercise program for a fitness club, or you enjoy painting and have become an art instructor at a local community college or community center .

These would certainly be details you could include in an extracurricular activities section of your resume.

No Extracurricular Activities? No Worries!

As you can see, listing extracurricular activities on your resume has several positive effects, but does this mean that having no extracurriculars dooms your resume and hurts any chance of landing the job you are seeking?

Of course not.  

There are other sections you can add to your resume to help you stand out if you lack extracurricular activities. Professional certifications , memberships in professional associations , publications , awards , and projects you’ve worked on are details you can add.

Key Points To Remember

To summarize the above, when you are a student or graduate looking for your first role within a professional work environment, listing extracurricular activities on your resume can boost your application. In short, you can demonstrate the skills you have not yet had the chance to prove in a job. 

Remember these important tips when adding these activities to your resume:

• Include activities that demonstrate your abilities in teamwork, communication, leadership, problem-solving , and handling responsibility.
• Don’t add your academic work or hobbies in this section , these belong in the education or hobbies and interests section of your resume.
• List the organization , your position , dates , and the location for each entry.
• Expand these entries with more detail in bullet points to prove your skills if there is space on your resume.
• Remember that where these activities are placed might be different for different resume formats.

If you are unsure about how to structure your resume, check out one of our many examples. These include many student examples and modern templates . If you follow our tips and use our samples for inspiration , you should be lining up the job interviews in no time!

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How To List Extracurricular Activites on Your Resume

Everything you ever wanted to know about how to include extracurricular activities on your resume — and whether it’s a good idea in the first place.

2 years ago   •   10 min read

Getting a job isn’t like getting into college — Hiring managers generally don’t care about your extracurricular activities. So why even bother including them on your resume?

Extracurricular activities can be a good way of showcasing your abilities when you don’t have a lot of work experience — in particular, if you’re still a student or have only just graduated. In that case, recruiters can look to your extracurriculars for evidence of transferable skills like leadership , teamwork , communication , and work ethic . This doesn’t mean that extracurricular activities are a substitute for relevant experience, but they’re a great place to start.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to determine if extracurricular activities are a good addition to your resume, which ones to include to show competitive transferable skills, and how to tailor your extracurricular activities to your particular industry and career level.

Should you put extracurricular activities on your resume?

Before we delve into how to showcase extracurricular activities, let’s decide if they’re the right fit for your resume.You should list extracurricular activities on your resume if:

• You’re a current student or recent graduate seeking an entry-level position.
• You don’t have a lot of paid work experience .
• It was through a prestigious or recognizable organization, like a law review or official charity.
• They demonstrate relevant transferable skills or noteworthy accomplishments that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

You should not list extracurricular activities on your resume if:

• You have enough paid work experience to showcase the same skills.
• The activity is more than 5+ years old.
• You’re applying for a senior position (with exceptions).
• It was a one-time activity rather than a regular, ongoing thing.

You can consider listing extracurricular activities on your resume if:

• You’re changing careers and want to include skills that are relevant to your new field.
• Your extracurricular activities are highly relevant or especially noteworthy.
• Your extracurricular activity includes a board membership or a similar position of leadership.

In these cases, you should still prioritize relevant paid work experience but can include extracurricular activities if there’s space on your resume. If you’re not sure if extracurricular activities are helping or harming your resume, upload it for free to Score My Resume , an online resume checker that will provide instant and detailed feedback on how to improve your resume.

How to list extracurricular activities on your resume

There are three ways to best showcase extracurricular activities on your resume: In a separate ‘Activities’ section, in your ‘Education’ section, and in an ‘Additional’ section at the end of your resume.

Generally, in any of these sections, you should list your activities in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. However, if older activities are more relevant to the job you're applying for, it's ok to list them first. For instance, a leadership role you had in college might be more relevant to a managerial position than more recent but less relevant activities.

In an activities section

If you were heavily involved in extracurricular activities and want to showcase that, it’s okay to have a whole section of your resume dedicated to it. Title it ‘Activities’ and include the name of the organization, the dates you were involved, your role or title, and 1-2 of your most relevant accomplishments. When deciding what to put under ‘Activities’ on your resume, consider activities that showcase your skills, interests, and professional experise.

For example:

In your education section

If your extracurricular activities were school clubs, they can go in the education section of your resume. For current students, your education section might be the most detailed section of your resume and can go at the top. You can also include other information like your major and relevant minor(s) , awards, relevant coursework, study abroad, and GPA.

If you’re a mid-level hire who graduated less than 10 years ago, you can still include extracurricular activities on your resume if they’re relevant and particularly noteworthy. In that case, you should keep it brief by listing extracurriculars on a single line in a short education section at the end of your resume, as shown in the example below.

If you don’t have a lot of work experience, you should aim to show transferable and soft skills that hiring managers and recruiters look for in your extracurricular activities. To find out if your bullet points are strong enough and have no mistakes, upload your resume to the tool below — it'll perform a quick scan and let you know if your extracurricular experiences can be improved.

In a volunteering section

If your extracurricular activities doubled as volunteer work, you can create a separate ‘Volunteering’ section on your resume. List each project or activity separately, including the dates you worked on it, and include 1-2 bullet points outlining your main accomplishments.For example:

In an additional section

If you want to include extracurricular activities on your resume without taking up a lot of space, consider including them in an additional section at the end of your resume. Include a subheading like ‘Activities’ and keep it to a single line, as shown in this resume example:

Optional resume section titles for extracurricular activities

Using appropriate section titles helps improve the readability of your resume and makes it easier for a recruiter to pick out the most useful information. Here are some additional resume section titles you can use when listing extracurricular activities:

• Extracurricular: Use this title if you have a broad range of activities outside of your academic or professional work that are relevant to your application.
• Activities: Use this title if your extracurriculars demonstrate a wide range of skills, including clubs, sports, or other group activities.
• Leadership : Choose this title when you want to emphasize leadership roles, such as president of a club or captain of a sports team. This is particularly effective if you’re applying for roles where leadership is a priority.
• Other: This title can be used to gather various parts of your resume that don’t fit into standard categories, such as extracurriculars, certificates, affiliations, etc.

Sample resume showing extracurricular experience

Here’s a good example of a resume for a student or recent graduate that showcases extracurricular activities, providing you with activities examples that easily fit into a high-performing resume:

How to highlight transferable skills through extracurricular activities

When considering what extracurricular activities to include on your resume, focus on those that demonstrate transferable skills, leadership, teamwork, or community involvement. Good activities to put on a resume can range from sports teams and clubs to volunteer work and personal projects.

Identify key transferable skills

Extracurricular activities are a great way to showcase both hard and soft skills in a professional setting. Consider the activity you took part in and identify if you can showcase any of the soft skills listed below:

• Leadership: Showcasing roles where you led a team or project.
• Teamwork: Demonstrating collaboration and collective problem-solving.
• Digital literacy: Showcasing your competence with digital tools and technology.
• Communication: Highlighting roles that required effective verbal or written communication.
• Organization: Managing events or projects efficiently.
• Problem-solving: Demonstrating your ability to identify challenges and come up with productive solutions.
• Innovation: Showing your ability to think outside the box.
• Time management: Highlighting your ability to juggle multiple responsibilities.
• Adaptability: Showing your ability to thrive in changing environments and adjust to new challenges.
• Conflict resolution: Demonstrating your skill in resolving disagreements and conflicts.
• Project management: Showcasing your ability to plan, execute, and oversee projects from start to finish.
• Analytical thinking: Showing your ability to analyze information, identify trends, and make informed decisions.

If you want to find relevant skills for the job you’re applying for, use our hard skills and keywords tool below to search for the job, and it’ll give you a list of skills relevant to the position.

Quantify your achievements

Once you have chosen an activity that showcases your desired skill, quantify your achievements with numbers and metrics . This gives a recruiter tangible proof of your skills while also explaining why your experience is relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you were involved in fundraising, specify the amount raised, or if you led a team, specify the size of the team.

Organized a charity event that raised $5,000 for environmental conservation.

Led a 15-member team to organize a college debate, attracting over 300 participants.

Use action verbs to create power phrases

Start your resume bullet points with a strong action verb , followed by a quantified metric, and end each phrase showing the positive result of your work. This formula creates eye-catching power phrases that succinctly demonstrate your skills.

Coordinated a team of 10 volunteers, leading to a 20% increase in fundraiser efficiency.

Designed and implemented a new marketing strategy for a college event, resulting in a 30% higher attendance than in previous years.

Tailor your examples to the job description

To make your extracurricular activities relevant to each application, tailor the examples you use to align with the job description. Identify key skills or responsibilities mentioned in the job description and choose extracurricular examples that best demonstrate these skills or qualities.

For instance, if the job requires strong leadership skills , highlight a time you led a team or project in your extracurricular activities.

Led a team of 20 volunteers in organizing the annual campus charity event, raising over $10,000.

Organized and directed a student-run theater production, coordinating a cast and crew of 30 people.

Align your examples with employer cultural and ethical values

When selecting which extracurriculars to highlight on your resume, consider the cultural and ethical values of the organizations you're applying to. Research each company’s history and their involvement in community and global initiatives. This will help you choose activities that resonate with their company structure and values as a whole.

For example, if a company prioritizes sustainability, describe your involvement in environmental clubs or eco-friendly initiatives. If a company values innovation and creativity, highlight your participation in tech projects or creative competitions.

What extracurricular activities to include on your resume based on your experience level

Not sure if your extracurricular activities belong on your resume? Here are some extracurricular activities that add value to your resume at every experience level.

Current students and recent graduates

For high school students and recent graduates, extracurricular activities are a major asset. On a high school activities resume, include sports, leadership roles, and any volunteer activities you’ve been involved in, such as:

• Foreign language activities — particularly study abroad
• Sports teams
• Performing arts
• Student government
• Fundraising
• Official clubs

Determining where to put clubs on a resume depends on how relevant they are to the job you’re applying for. If they are highly relevant, they can be included in the main 'Experience' section. Otherwise, they can be listed under an 'Activities' or 'Extracurricular' section.

For mid-career professionals, extracurricular activities should demonstrate continued personal growth. Include activities that highlight your leadership skills, industry involvement, or community engagement, such as:

• Volunteer work
• Publications
• Business venture and other projects — if these are significant enough, you might even want to consider including them in your regular work experience section.

Senior level

For senior-level professionals, the focus should be on activities that showcase strategic leadership and industry influence. Highlight roles that reflect your expertise and contributions at a higher level, including:

• Board memberships
• Consultancy
• Speaking engagements
• Business ventures
• High level of leadership

Tailoring extracurricular activities to your particular industry

Tailoring your extracurricular activities to the specific industry you're applying to is an important part of ensuring your resume stays relevant and impactful for each application. Below are examples of extracurricular activities that align well with different industry sectors:

Technology and IT:

• Coding clubs that demonstrate technical skills and proficiency with specific tools.
• Tech-focused volunteer work that showcases skills such as AI, machine learning, and web development.
• Personal tech projects, such as creating your own apps, websites, or software projects.

Led a team in a university hackathon, developing a mobile app that won second place for innovative use of AI in healthcare.

Finance and business:

• Leadership roles in investment clubs or business associations.
• Organizing fundraising events or managing budgets for student organizations.

As President of the campus Investment Club, grew membership by 40% and consistently outperformed market benchmarks in mock portfolios.

Education and academia:

• Tutoring or mentoring roles, showcasing teaching and coaching abilities.
• Involvement in educational clubs or academic competitions.

Tutored 30+ high school students in math and science, achieving an average student improvement rate of 25% in test scores.

Creative arts and design:

• Participation in arts clubs, creative writing courses, or performing arts groups.
• Contributions to campus publications, blogs, or design contests.
• Personal creative projects, such as films, photography, portfolio design, and art exhibitions.

Organized a campus art exhibit featuring 30+ student works, attracting over 300 attendees and promoting local artists.

Marketing and communications:

• Leading or participating in marketing or advertising clubs.
• Managing social media or publicity for student organizations or events.

Directed social media campaigns for the Campus Music Festival, increasing online engagement by 50% over previous years.

• Involvement in mock trial competitions or law student associations.
• Volunteering for legal aid societies or related community service.

Active member of the University Mock Trial team, reaching national finals and winning first place in our category.

Hospitality and tourism:

• Leadership roles in event planning or hospitality-related student organizations.
• Volunteering at local tourism events or cultural festivals.

Coordinated a local food festival, managing over 20 vendors and logistics, drawing an attendance of 5,000+ people.

Using extracurricular activities to help a career change

Extracurricular activities can be especially helpful when changing careers. When you’re moving to a new industry or field, your direct work experience may not align perfectly with your new career path. This is where extracurricular activities come into play, helping bridge the gap in your professional experience by showcasing relevant skills and interests in your new field.

• Focus on activities that demonstrate relevant skills to your new field. For example, leadership roles in community organizations can translate well into managerial positions in various sectors.
• If you're moving into a field that requires new technical skills, extracurricular activities like attending workshops, online courses, or certifications can demonstrate your commitment to learning and adapting.
• Demonstrate commitment to your new sector by showing involvement in industry-related groups. For example, someone transitioning to a career in environmental science might highlight their active role in conservation projects or environmental clubs.

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When & How to Add Extracurricular Activities to Your Resume

We've all been there—staring at a blank screen, trying to piece together the jigsaw puzzle that is your resume. And if you don’t have a ton of experience under your belt, it can be even more stressful figuring out what resume sections you need to include. 

When you’re new to the job market or returning from a long pause, you don’t want to overlook an important aspect of your resume: extracurricular activities . 

Extracurricular activities offer a unique glimpse into your character, skills, and passions; they tell a story about you that extends beyond your professional capacity and into who you are.

That’s why, in today’s post, you're going to master the art of presenting your extracurricular activities in a way that makes potential employers sit up and take notice.

Understanding extracurricular activities

Extracurricular activities are things you do outside of your regular academic curriculum or professional work. In other words, these are activities you willingly participate in during your free time. 

This could range from volunteering at a local shelter, participating in a football league, organizing cultural events, or leading a book club. But that doesn’t quite answer the big question: why (and when) should you put extracurricular activities on a resume?

While extracurricular activities might be good in some scenarios, they aren’t always needed. 

Do you need extracurricular activities on a resume?

While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, Teal recommends including these resume activities in two specific scenarios:

1. When you have no relevant work history

If you're a recent graduate or trying to break into a new industry with no relevant work experience , including extracurricular activities on your resume can be beneficial. These activities are proxies for professional accomplishments, highlighting your transferable skills and demonstrating your potential to succeed. 

In this case, having a resume section dedicated to extracurriculars can be a good move. This is especially true for students who need to create their first resume with no professional history to draw from. 

2. When the activity aligns closely with the job

In some cases, you might have a lot of work experience; still, an extracurricular activity aligns so closely with a prospective job that it becomes a powerful addition to your resume. This can be particularly true if the activity demonstrates skills or knowledge directly applicable to the position. 

In these scenarios, incorporating extracurricular activities can add depth to your resume and make you a more compelling candidate. It's not always necessary, but it can provide the extra push your resume needs to stand out in the right context.

But be judicious in your selections. 

Only include those activities that add substantial value and refrain from adding activities to fill space. Resumes are short by nature, so make every word count. 

Do you already have professional experience at the entry, mid, or senior level? If so, you might be better off with a traditional resume focusing on your achievements rather than your extracurriculars. 

For that, you should consider getting started with Teal’s AI Resume Builder . It comes with built-in tools to help you create a personalized resume for each job application you send, regardless of your experience level.

Teal’s Keyword Checker, for example, highlights hard and soft skills mentioned in the job posting: 

This allows you to craft a resume that gives you an advantage with Application Tracking Software (ATS) , as you can use that language when describing professional accomplishments. 

Even if you don’t have a lot of experience and need to add resume extracurricular activities, this feature can really help you identify the best way of describing your experiences. 

Plus, when you use Teal’s generative AI to flesh out your resume sections, many of these words will be automatically injected into your text. 

You can do the same with any section to help complete better, more impactful resumes in less time. Finally, simply use Teal to generate a cover letter that matches your resume and is perfectly tailored to the job you’re applying for. 

But why not see it in action for yourself? Sign up for Teal’s AI Resume Builder and give it a shot.

9 examples of extracurricular activities on a resume (no job experience)

The following are examples of extracurricular activities that would work well on a resume if you don’t have lots of job experience. We’ve also added a list of transferable skills that these activities may convey. 

1. Professional and industry-specific clubs

If you're a member or leader of a club or organization related to your target job or industry, this is an excellent addition to your resume. 

The transferable skills from these activities might include:

• Industry knowledge: By participating in a professional club, you likely had access to industry-specific knowledge and resources that would be a good addition to your resume. 
• Leadership: If you take on a leadership role within the club, such as becoming a board member or organizing events, you demonstrate your ability to lead a team, project manage, and coordinate with diverse individuals. 
• Networking: Networking skills can be essential in business roles (like sales), where building and maintaining professional relationships is critical.
• Communication: Whether you're presenting at a meeting, writing for a club newsletter, or simply discussing topics with fellow members, you're honing your verbal and written communication skills. 

Of all the extracurricular activities on the list, participating in professional-related clubs should be a top priority for professional resumes. 

2. Freelance projects

If you’ve undertaken freelance work or projects , especially ones relevant to your target role, these showcase initiative and practical application of skills. Taking on freelance projects can showcase your skills in many ways:

• Proof of specific skills: Freelance projects, especially those relevant to your target role, demonstrate the practical application of your skills. For instance, creating a website or mobile app shows your technical skills if you're an IT professional.
• Problem-solving: As a freelancer, you need to identify and solve problems independently, indicating strong problem-solving abilities.
• Self-management: Freelance work requires self-management, time management, and the ability to meet deadlines.

Like professional or industry-related clubs, this should be highlighted for any professional resume if you don’t have many professional accomplishments for your resume . 

3. Volunteer Work

Volunteer work demonstrates a commitment to your community and, depending on the specific role, collaboration. But it also gives you a ton of transferable skills that could appeal to various roles:

• Commitment: Regular volunteer work shows a commitment to helping others and giving back to your community. It reflects positively on your character and shows you are responsible and reliable.
• Leadership and collaboration: If your volunteer work involves leading a team or project, it showcases your leadership abilities. Even if it didn't, simply working as part of a volunteer team shows your ability to collaborate with others.
• Project management: Coordinating a large fundraising event or similar initiative requires planning and execution, both of which are key project management skills.

Listing volunteer work on your resume can be particularly appealing to companies that do charity or non-profit work. Use Teal's AI Resume Builder to create an exhaustive list of your volunteer work, and pick and choose relevant work as it relates to the job you're applying for.

4. Sports teams or athletics

Being part of a sports team can show you're a team player, dedicated, and in some cases, have leadership skills.

Participation in sports teams provides several transferable skills:

• Teamwork: Sports inherently involve working as part of a team, demonstrating your ability to cooperate and collaborate with others.
• Dedication: Regular participation in a sport shows your dedication and commitment, indicating you are someone who can be counted on.
• Leadership: If you were a captain or took on any leadership role, it showcases your ability to motivate others and lead a team to achieve a common goal.

You don’t have to be the star quarterback of your football team to add this to your resume. Any team you were a part of can give you transferable skills that any hiring manager would find desirable. 

5. Event Organization

If you've been involved in organizing events in college or in your community, it could demonstrate organizational and communication skills. These are especially relevant for roles in event planning but also for roles that require project management skills.

Organizing events can provide you with several applicable skills:

• Organizational skills: Planning an event requires coordinating many moving parts and demonstrating strong organizational and planning abilities.
• Communication: Events involve coordinating with stakeholders, showcasing your strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Project management: Managing an event from start to finish is a form of project management emphasizes your ability to oversee a project and ensure its successful completion.

Events are a great example of a project that shows you can transform an idea into something tangible. 

6. Language clubs or cultural organizations

Whether it’s for your career or a personal interest that you want to highlight , involvement in language clubs or cultural organizations can demonstrate:

• Appreciation for diversity: Participation in these groups signifies your interest and respect for different cultures and perspectives, a highly valued attribute in today's globalized workplace.
• Communication skills: By interacting with people from different backgrounds, you enhance your ability to communicate effectively with diverse individuals.
• Language proficiency: If the club or organization is focused on a particular language, it can demonstrate your proficiency or fluency in that language, which is an in-demand skill in many multinational companies.

So many positions would benefit from a bilingual or multilingual worker. If you’ve participated in language clubs and you’re missing concrete professional experience, you should consider adding this extracurricular. 

7. Certification courses or workshops

Earning additional certificates or attending relevant workshops is a strong way to show you're proactive about learning and staying up-to-date in your industry.

Completing additional certifications or attending industry-related workshops demonstrates:

• Proactive learning: Certificates and workshops show you’re committed to continuous learning and keeping your skills current in a fast-paced industry.
• Industry knowledge: It can also highlight your deep understanding of specific aspects of your industry.
• Initiative: It's a clear sign that you take the initiative to go beyond what's required and continually advance your professional development.

Managers like “go-getters,” and nothing says that you get after it, like taking the time to push your industry knowledge deeper. 

8. Public speaking or debate clubs

If you're part of a debate team or Toastmasters, it displays your communication and critical thinking skills. These skills can be particularly relevant for sales, law, or any role requiring presentations or negotiations.

Participation in public speaking or debate clubs highlights:

• Communication skills: This kind of involvement proves your ability to articulate your thoughts and engage effectively with diverse audiences.
• Persuasion skills: Debating equips you with the ability to persuade others effectively, a key skill for roles in sales, marketing, and law.
• Critical thinking: Structuring arguments and rebuttals in debates also demonstrates your critical thinking and analytical abilities.

Public speaking is a rare skill and one that many hiring managers would find appealing. 

9. Mentorship programs

Mentoring programs, especially those related to your professional field, can demonstrate a host of valuable and transferable skills:

• Leadership: Mentoring involves guiding and influencing others, which shows your ability to lead and inspire.
• Expertise: If you're mentoring in your field of study or work, it reinforces your proficiency and knowledge in that area.
• Patience and persistence: These are often necessary when helping mentees learn and grow, demonstrating your resilience and patience.

These skills are highly applicable across many industries and job roles, making mentoring a strong extracurricular activity to feature on your resume.

How to list extracurricular activities on a resume (no job experience)

The trick to including extracurricular activities on your resume when you have no job experience is less about what you include and more about how you present them . 

Here's a step-by-step guide to getting it right.

Step 1: Identify the right activities for your resume 

Choose activities that demonstrate the skills relevant to the job you're applying for. 

• Did your role as the captain of a sports team showcase your leadership skills? 
• Did organizing a charity event exhibit your project management abilities? 
• Did volunteering at the local radio station teach you about teamwork and collaboration? 

Think about the key skills needed for the prospective role, and match them with the activities that best demonstrate them.

Again, for this, there’s no better solution than Teal’s Keyword Checker:

Even if you don’t have much work experience, you can still give yourself an advantage by using the right verbiage and keywords to express your extracurriculars. 

But rather than guess what these skills are and how you should convey them, Teal pulls out all that information for you. Then, you can use that information to build a resume that lands your next interview much faster. 

Check it out by getting started with Teal’s AI Resume Builder today. 

Step 2: Create an “Extracurricular Activities” section  

Once you've identified the activities, create a separate section on your resume, typically near the end. 

Important note: Again, only add this section if you don’t have any professional experience relative to the job description or if your extracurricular activities are so well aligned with the role that it makes sense to do so. 

Step 3: Format and describe each activity  

List each activity in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. 

For each activity, provide a brief description highlighting your role, achievements, and the skills you used or developed. Remember, your description should be concise and compelling, aiming to make potential employers excited to learn more about you.

Final thoughts

Extracurricular activities on your resume are not just 'nice-to-haves.' They're valuable elements that provide a more well-rounded picture of who you are, showcasing the diverse skills and experiences that make you a compelling candidate.

But remember, it's all about choosing the right activities and presenting them in a way that aligns with your career aspirations and the job you're eyeing.

And, of course, Teal's AI Resume Builder is here to guide you every step, ensuring your resume and you stand out from the crowd.

Jumpstart your resume with Teal's AI Resume Builder today and showcase your extracurricular activities like a pro.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i choose which extracurricular activities to include on my resume, where on my resume should i list extracurricular activities, can extracurricular activities make up for a lack of work experience.

Nathan Thompson

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How To Use Extracurricular Activities In Your Resume [5 Examples]

Extracurriculars are important not only at the school or college level but help in developing personality traits and skills that help throughout your career.

While developing a resume, we often consider sections like education, summary, skills, and experience but other important sections get missed.

One among such forgotten or ignored sections is the extracurricular activities section. Though it seems trivial to many, it plays an important role in propelling a recruiter's hiring decision.

In this blog post, we decode why you need the extracurricular activities section in your resume and how you can use it to your best benefit.    

Keep reading to know:

• What are extracurricular activities?
• Extracurricular activities vs. co-curricular activities
• Why extracurricular activities help in career
• How to use extracurricular activities in your resume
• Tips to write extracurriculars in your Resume
• List of extracurricular activities for your Resume
• Skills to develop through extracurricular activities

Resume Examples with Extracurricular Activities on Resumod

What Are Extracurricular Activities?

Any activity performed beyond the course curriculum, while you are a student comes under the category of extracurricular. These activities are aimed at building a student’s intellectual, spiritual, social, physical and moral capabilities.

They broadly include engagement in:

• Student clubs
• Sports teams
• Volunteering
• Student government

Extracurricular Activities vs. Co-Curricular Activities

These two terms are often used synonymously, however, they are two different things.

Here are the key differences:

Extracurricular Activities are performed outside the scope of the course curriculum. They are meant to develop skills that are not part of the academic course, therefore usage of the word “extra”.

Co-curricular activities are conducted by the school as a part of the course curriculum, therefore the usage of the word “co”. These activities are performed to complement or aid student learning.

Why Extracurricular Activities Help in Career

The concept of extra-curricular activities is not new, and the inclination towards these is increasing every passing day. Once considered a tool to engage kids, it is now being seen as of crucial importance in both social and personal development.

• Networking: One of the most common reasons for you to engage in activities outside the classroom are developing networks that help you through your lifetime. Networking opens doors for many opportunities that might not be possible otherwise. One added advantage is that, once you learn how to build networks, it is a skill that gives fruit your entire life.
• Personality d evelopment: Your personality cannot be developed in four walls of the classroom. It is through engaging with people from various cultures and doing activities that do not focus on academics, that your true personality comes out. And employers prefer individuals with dynamic personality traits.
• Shaping thought process: Non-academic development plays a big role in developing your understanding of the world, creating perspectives, and developing beliefs, that further leads to developing a thought process. Your thought process decides how you solve problems and look through situations.
• Break the monotony: Who doesn't want a little play in life. These activities help to break the monotony of the usual life and develop creative capabilities. These creative capabilities further complement your daily tasks and help you to better focus on your core job or studies.

• Shows soft skills: Soft skills like communication, time management, empathy, decision making cannot be developed if you keep yourself engaged in course books. Extracurricular activities come in here to develop important life traits that are required besides having adequate knowledge.
• Teaches prioritization : Prioritising tasks and creating balance are underrated life skills. If you learn how to manage academics with your hobbies, it develops skills like prioritisation, time management, and attaining balance. You also learn how to plan your day to include everything and know how to make use of any free time they may have.
• Develop a sense of commitment and responsibility: If you participate in extracurricular activities, it develops a sense of commitment to whatever you are involved in, and this sense of commitment and responsibility extends to all other areas of your lives.
• Working in varied environments: It is through your involvement, outside the classroom, that you are exposed to newer environments. Continued practice to adjust in various environments through extracurriculars paves way for working in newer environments in your career.
• Covers up for no or negligible experience: If you do not have any internships or projects, extracurriculars are your way of showing your ability to work and make use of opportunities. Imagine a resume with nothing and imagine another resume with extracurriculars. Which one do you think the recruiter will pick?

How to Use Extracurricular Activities in Your Resume

Most job seekers create a different section to list down their extracurricular engagements, but that is not the only approach. There are multiple ways to showcase these

• Create a separate section: This is the most common way. Create a special section for the activities and put them in reverse chronological order along with the name of the organisation. Place this section at the bottom, so that your hard skills and job description remain the recruiter’s focus. This approach is most favourable for experienced professionals.
• Add with academics: One of the ways to organise extra-curricular activities, this saves a lot of white space. We suggest all new job seekers or freshers to use this approach. Write your extracurricular engagement alongside each of your academic degrees. It enables an easy glance and conveys that you were actively involved in developing yourself apart from learning through academics.

Tips to Write Extracurricular Activities in your Resume

Yes, extracurricular activities are engagements outside your classroom or workspace, but everything you do outside your professional space cannot be listed in your resume. Your extracurriculars should be improvising or enhancing your skillset.

Follow these tips to understand how to use extracurriculars in your Resume:

• Include only relevant activities: As kids, we’ve all been involved in some or the other activity. But that does not mean that all of it will find a place in your resume. Include activities that are recent, not more than a couple of years old. Ensure that they are helping you perform better in your present role or will help as you grow in your career

Expert Tip:

Can I use activities from my school days in my Resume?

• Focus on quality over quantity: Adding all activities just to fill up space is not a good practice. The Recruiter will make out your intent behind this exercise. Even if you’ve been a very active contributor towards the community or work hard on developing your interest area, pick the best out of them.

What should I do if I have a lot of extracurricular activities to write

• Structure the information well: Plan the extracurricular activity section. Use reverse chronological order and maintain consistency in terms of mention duration, location, description, and organisation you’ve been involved with.

List of Extracurricular Activities for Your Resume

There is no limit to extracurricular activities that you can do alongside your career or university education.

Here is a small list of activities for students, that help in skill development and job seeking. If you haven’t participated in activities yet, here is a list for you to choose from.

• Student Council
• Clubs or Societies
• Sports Teams
• Volunteer Activities/Organization
• (Non-)Academic Competitions

Skills to Develop Through Extracurricular Activities

We have seen above that extra-curricular activities play a crucial role in developing soft skills.

However, students always end up confused about what they have learnt through extracurriculars that can be put on the resume.

Check this list out to pick skills that you have developed by engaging in activities outside of your classroom:

• Organizational skills
• Working ethic
• Strong motivation
• Flexibility
• Strong adaptability
• High cultural awareness
• Good stress resistance
• Foreign language ability
• Independence
• Sportsmanship
• Time management
• Creative thinking
• Leadership skills
• Communication skills

With a rapid shift in how organizations function and movement towards remote culture, these are in demand higher than ever.

Source: Visual Paradigm Online

Resume of iOS developer

iOS developers create apps for iPhones and iPads that operate on Apple's iOS operating system. They are in charge of creating and programming the base application, as well as assuring its quality, correcting problems, maintaining the code, and implementing application upgrades.

An iOS developer's job is majorly a desk role, which does not offer much scope for networking and interaction. However, you require basic communication skills to function in a team. In Nikhil's case, he has worked volunteered at an NGO and led a team of 5. This shows his leadership as well as great communication skills.

Check full resume of iOS Developer in text format here

Resume of an Experiential Marketer

Experiential marketing, often known as engagement marketing, is a marketing technique that immerses or deeply involves customers in a product. Consumers can not only buy items or services from an experiential marketer, but they can also experience the brand.

Involvement in activities is not only appreciated at college. Even if you are a professional, you always get brownie points for engaging outside your core job. Nisha has addressed the audience as a guest speaker, which acts as a good corroboration for her public speaking abilities but also her knowledge.  

Check full resume of Experiential Marketer in text format here

Resume of Online English Teacher

Online teachers instruct and educate students of all ages all around the world using the internet, computers, and online tools. Online teachers provide instruction in every academic subject, based on the previous training and education they have already acquired.

Rashmi, besides being a teacher, is also a treasurer at the rotary club. This shows her skills in fundraising and budgeting. The involvement outside her job is also an indicator of her time management abilities. Both of these skills - budgeting and time management, complement her role as a teacher.  

Check full resume of Online English Teacher in text format here

Resume of PR Coordinator

PR Coordinators manage the public image of the companies or clients they represent, intending to increase their media presence and overall popularity. They plan and execute publicity strategies and campaigns, oversee printed, broadcasted, and online communications, and perform relevant market research.

Even before starting his career as a PR Coordinator, he won an award for representing the country and was applauded for his creative writing capabilities. These both play an important role in his career.

Check full resume of PR Coordinator in text format here

Resume of Fundraiser

Fundraisers often called Development Associates, work for the non-profit sector. They plan and organize charity, donation, and campaigns to raise funds for a specific cause. Development Associates work with various teams including research, digital media, communication, finance, and more.

A fundraiser's job requires continuous outreach, communication, and negotiation. Saumya developed these skills early on while she was the President of her college and cultural secretary before that. Both these roles required extensive networking, communication, and public speaking. Besides these, she also volunteered at various organizations, which shows her inclination towards the non-profit sector.

Check full resume of Fundraiser in text format here

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How to Look More Competent With Extracurricular Activities on a Resume

Hiring managers are looking to see if you have the key skills and knowledge for the role. Work experience isn’t the only way to show that – extracurricular activities work well too. 

It’s easy to forget about extracurricular activities when you’re focused purely on trying to come up with work experience to write about. 

Work experience is, without a doubt, one of the most important sections of a resume…

But extracurricular activities on a resume look good because they can highlight desirable job-related skills and qualities. Some of these include leadership, software proficiency, and more. 

In this guide, here’s what we’ll go through:

• Top resume examples with extracurricular activities
• The best extracurricular activities to mention
• How to list extracurricular activities on a resume
• When and when not to include extracurricular activities

Top 3 Examples of Extracurricular Activities on a Resume

Extracurricular activities are tasks, projects, or associations outside the standard academic curriculum that you’re involved in. These are the activities you do in your spare time. The main reason you’re doing them is because you choose to, not because you have to. It’s completely voluntary. 

And therefore, you’re choosing to pursue a passion or interest. The reason you’re pursuing the passion or interest? Most likely for personal growth reasons and to explore or develop new skills. This gives hiring managers a positive impression of your character.

See below some of our top resume examples with extracurricular activities. 

The Best Extracurricular Activities to Put on a Resume

The best extracurricular activities to include on a resume are those that highlight relevant experiences, skills, or achievements. Here’s a few examples:

• Associations, clubs, and societies
• Academic or work projects

Certifications

• Volunteering
• Passion projects
• Study abroad programs

Aim to list things that show you’ve accomplished or participated more than the average graduate. 

Associations, Clubs, and Societies

Associations, clubs, sports teams, societies… All of these are good to highlight because it shows that you’re the type of person to take initiative. 

Here’s a few examples:

• Business society
• Science club

Each of these indicates a commitment to personal growth since you’ve actively pursued your interests. Plus, taking part in any of these types of organizations shows that you have a level of teamwork and interpersonal skills.

Skills to Highlight From Associations, Clubs, and Societies

• Leadership skills
• Communication skills
• Organization, planning, and management skills
• Initiative and self-motivation
• Presentation skills

Academic or Work Projects

Any side projects or work-study programs are great to list on a resume because it shows that you have a level of technical expertise. It implies that you know how to take the initiative to learn, gain, and use your skills or experience to solve real-world challenges. 

Skills to Highlight From Academic and Corporate Projects

• Collaboration skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Project management skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Research and analysis skills
• Technical skills (e.g. programming languages and tools you’re proficient in)

Certifications on a resume are qualifications that highlight professional skills and knowledge. These are attractive to a prospective employer because it’s evidence of your expertise in a specific field. And the fact that you’ve completed this in your spare time shows that you’re committed and passionate when it comes to your professional growth. 

Skills to Highlight from Certifications

• Data analysis and analytics
• Language skills
• Management skills
• Software proficiency
• Technical expertise

Here’s a few reasons why hiring managers value volunteer experience :

• You’ll have gained transferable abilities that prepare you for your new role
• You’ve committed to unpaid work, which gives a positive reflection of your attitude and work ethic
• It helps you stand out since volunteer work implies that you have a genuine interest in making a positive difference 

Skills to Highlight From Volunteering

• Communication skills 
• Customer service
• Organizational skills
• Public speaking

Passion Projects

Passion projects refer to hobbies and interests or side hustles. This includes business and creative pursuits such as starting a YouTube channel or writing a book. These are effective to put on a resume because it showcases your self-motivation and discipline to manage your time to pursue your interests. 

Additionally, it makes you look more interesting as a professional. Not only are passion projects a good conversation starter for the interview, but they also help you stand out.

Skills to Highlight From Passion Projects

• Analytical skills
• Creative thinking skills
• Research skills
• Technical skills (e.g. digital marketing skills and tools you’re proficient in)
• Time management skills

Study Abroad Programs

Not everyone gets accepted into a study abroad program. This is one reason why it’s impressive to hiring managers. Another reason is that it shows your willingness to step out of your comfort zone to pursue personal growth. It also shows that you’re able to navigate through different cultural norms. 

The soft skills developed are especially transferable in a corporate environment. 

Side note: something similar you could talk about is online coursework that you completed in your spare time! 

Skills to Highlight from Study Abroad Programs

• Adaptability skills
• Cultural awareness
• Independence

How to List Extracurricular Activities on a Resume

Write the resume section title followed by a few more details:

• Organization name
• Start and end dates
• Bullet points describing what you did or learned

We’ll go through each of these in more detail below. 

1. Make the Resume Section Header Clear 

The first step is to make the title of your resume section clear. In most of our own ATS resume examples , we do this by making the section header in bold and all-caps text.  

There are other ways to phrase extracurricular activities for your resume section header: 

• Involvement

If you want this to be more general so that you can write about more things in the same section, we’d recommend using the header “involvement.” The benefit of this is that it saves space so that you can maintain a one-page resume . Plus, these headers are less generic phrases compared to just saying “extracurricular activities.”

2. Enter Your Role

Enter the title of your role. If you’re unsure, you can just say that you were an active member of the organization or association. 

Here’s a few more common examples of job titles for extracurricular activities:

• Class representative
• Social secretary
• Team member

3. Include the Name of the Organization

After entering your role, write the name of the organization you were a part of. Include this as a subheader so that it’s clear to the reader. 

4. Mention the Start and End Dates

Include the dates you started and stopped doing the extracurricular activities. Use the month and year when mentioning dates. If it’s ongoing, write “present” for the end date to let the hiring manager know it’s something you’re still doing. 

5. Include the Location

Enter the location where you did the extracurricular activity. Write the name of the university followed by the city. However, if the extracurricular activity isn’t based in a university, just mention the city when including the location. 

6. Write About the Skills You Applied or Developed

Write resume bullet points describing your role by highlighting the skills you applied or developed. And if possible, highlight the impact of your efforts. Focus on the results that you achieved and how your contributions helped make a difference. 

Start the bullet point with an action verb to highlight how you carried out your responsibilities. Then, highlight the outcome that was achieved as a result of your efforts.

Another approach is to write a bullet point describing the purpose of the program you completed. 

Here’s a few different examples:

• Learned fundamentals of real estate markets and property valuations by discussing government policy decisions, valuation equations including net present value and internal rate of return
• An intensive leadership program to help students develop and refine professional qualities through collaboration and participation in community impact projects.
• Facilitated weekly training modules to educate new members on various careers at an investment bank    

Use Rezi’s AI Resume Writer to Generate Bullet Points

Still struggling to come up with bullet points for describing your extracurricular activities? You’re not the only one. 

That’s why our users love Rezi’s AI resume writer feature . 

Here’s how it works: 

• Enter your role or job title
• Press “AI writer generate” 
• Wait for the results
• Either press “AI writer generate” to try again or press “apply suggestion” to save the bullet point 

Watch the short clip below to see our AI resume writer in action!  ‍

How to Write About Extracurricular Activities in Other Resume Sections

There are 4 other sections where you could write about extracurricular activities on a resume: 

• Work experience section
• Education section
• Skills section
• Additional section

The other option is to write about extracurricular activities in an individual section as discussed above. However, it’s worth embedding into other sections when you’re running out of space and not wanting to go over to a two-page resume . 

Work Knowledge Section

Only write about extracurricular activities in the work experience section when it’s something you carried out in a previous role. 

But, this must be relevant to the job you’re applying to. For example, if you’re applying for a management position, mention activities where you had leadership experience such as being one of the student councils or the president of a school club.

Keep the description concise. Only mention the extracurricular activity briefly. Put emphasis on what was achieved from the skills you applied in your role. 

• Developed strong leadership and teamwork skills through active participation in a local community service organization, organizing and leading a team of volunteers for various projects and events, including fundraising campaigns and social initiatives.
• Actively participated in the XYZ University Marketing Club, collaborating with a team of students to plan and execute marketing campaigns that increased event attendance by 20% and generated a 15% boost in sales.

Education Section

Under the qualification you’ve listed in the education section , add bullet points describing extracurricular activities.

For instance, after listing your bachelor’s degree, write a bullet point or two about the societies you were part of. Highlight the skills you learned or developed as well as your biggest accomplishments during your time in the societies you were part of. 

Skills Section

A common category to add in the skills section for listing extracurricular activities is “fields of interest.” Compared to other sections, however, you can’t go into detail about the responsibilities you held. 

See the example below.

Additional Section

Here’s a few examples of different additional sections where you can write about extracurricular activities:

In this instance, use the same approach as discussed earlier. Enter your role, the organization name, start and end dates, and location. Then, write bullet points describing what you did as well as the skills you learned.

Should You Put Extracurricular Activities on a Resume?

You should include extracurricular activities when you lack work experience. Although your work history and academic qualifications are the main focus of a resume, extracurricular activities can still help demonstrate valuable skills. They can also help you stand out from other candidates by highlighting unique experiences related to personal growth. 

When to Include Extracurricular Activities on a Resume

Extracurricular activities work best on a resume for students and graduates applying for an entry-level position. However, it also works well for those making a significant career change. 

On that note, we’ll go through a few instances when you should include extracurricular activities on a resume. 

You Have Limited Work Experience

You might have limited professional experience when you’re applying for your first job or when  you’re making a career change. In either case, an extracurricular activities resume section would be helpful for showcasing transferable skills and knowledge. 

It Highlights Specific Skills That Are Relevant to the Job 

Include extracurricular activities when you’re able to write about specific job skills that are directly related to the industry and job responsibilities. For example, mention how you held a leadership position in a student organization. 

Noteworthy Achievements

Here’s a few examples of notable achievements :

• Winning competitions
• Receiving awards
• Taking on management roles and applying leadership skills
• Joining reputable research projects

These types of achievements showcase your dedication and ability to excel, all of which help you stand out from other job seekers. 

Volunteering Experience

Volunteer work is impressive to hiring managers because it demonstrates a strong work ethic and commitment to making a positive difference. That’s because you’re doing unpaid work to give back to the community. Moreover, it shows that you’re familiar with working with different people and taking responsibility. 

It Shows Creativity

Here’s a few examples of creative pursuits:

• Learning a new instrument 

These can be good to mention because they imply that you have the discipline and time management skills to pursue the craft. 

Moreover, listing creative extracurricular activities adds personality to your resume. This shows hiring managers that you can contribute to a positive company culture and foster collaboration with colleagues that share similar interests.

When Not to Include Extracurricular Activities on a Resume

Don’t include extracurricular activities when it doesn’t imply that you can make an impact. You also want to keep away from extracurricular activities that don’t contribute positively to your professional image. 

Irrelevant Hobbies and Interests

Unless your personal hobby demonstrates relevant skills, it’s best to leave it out. Only include hobbies and interests when it’s related to the job responsibilities.

For instance, writing on a student resume that you enjoy binge-watching Netflix and playing video games doesn’t exactly give the best impression. Going on a night out every Friday doesn’t form the best impression either when you want to show that you’re an outgoing and sociable person that’s easy to work with. 

You Have Extensive Work Experience

Work experience is usually more important than extracurricular activities. 

Most times, if you had to choose one, you would write about a previous job on your resume instead of an extracurricular activity. 

The only exception is when the extracurricular activity highlights a bigger impact or achievement. It’s more directly relevant to the role compared to your previous job. An example could be research projects and publications from reputable organizations.

Lack of Achievements 

Leave out vague activities that lack substance. Forcing this on your resume and trying to make them look good by using random buzzwords does more harm than good. For instance, hanging out with friends or listening to pop music and being a fan of Taylor Swift. None of these provide insight to potential employers on your personal development. 

Use Extracurricular Activities to Prove You’re Ready 

Securing an interview is about highlighting the fact that you have the ability to do the job well and that you’re a good fit for the company culture. There are other resume sections, like extracurricular activities, that help you do this. 

To summarize, here’s what extracurricular activities on a resume can highlight:

• Attitude and mindset
• Personality traits
• Software proficiency 
• Technical knowledge

Aside from your work history and formal education, extracurricular activities are also proof of your ability to succeed in the role. 

Astley Cervania

Astley Cervania is a career writer and editor who has helped hundreds of thousands of job seekers build resumes and cover letters that land interviews. He is a Rezi-acknowledged expert in the field of career advice and has been delivering job success insights for 4+ years, helping readers translate their work background into a compelling job application.

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Listing Extracurricular Activities in a Resume

• Apr 21, 2024

When you're at the early stages of your career or still pursuing your education, incorporating extracurricular activities into your student resume can significantly enhance your prospects .

“When I was a teenager, I began to settle into school because I'd discovered the extracurricular activities that interested me: music and theater.” Morgan Freeman

These extracurricular pursuits offer a valuable opportunity to showcase your skills and qualifications beyond what's typically found in your academic record. They serve as tangible proof of your diverse capabilities, providing a refreshing contrast to the more conventional academic achievements listed in your educational background.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll take a deep dive into the art of integrating extracurricular activities into your resume.

Together, we'll explore:

• What extracurricular activities are;
• What types of involvement can be beneficial to include in a resume;
• How to present this information effectively;
• Which activities to prioritize depending on the situation;
• When it's most appropriate to have them on the resume.

Our aim is to help you understand the significance of these activities in the professional realm. This article will shed light on the real-world value they bring to your candidacy.

What are extracurricular activities

Extracurricular activities are things you do outside of regular school or work . They're not the required classes or job duties. Instead, these are involvements that can help you learn practical skills that are useful in your life.

When you get involved in extracurriculars, you can learn and grow in different ways. You can join clubs, volunteer, or do community service, which helps you develop yourself.

• Clubs let you meet people who like the same things as you, and you can work together on projects.
• Volunteering is about helping others and improving how you communicate, understand other people, and handle different situations.
• Community service makes you feel like you're making a difference in the world and shows how powerful it can be when people work together for a common goal.

The top 5 college organizations that will make your resume stand out are social justice clubs, student government, debate teams, academic major associations, and honor societies. (The College Post)

In simple words, extracurricular activities are like a bag full of opportunities . They're not just about school or work. They're about becoming a better, more skilled person in different parts of your life. They help you learn and improve, now and in the future.

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How to list extracurricular activities on a resume

Including extracurricular activities in your resume requires a strategic approach . Here are five essential steps to effectively integrate these activities into your resume.

1. Reflect on your involvement

Begin by creating a list of all the extracurriculars you are engaged in or have actively contributed to during your academic journey. Consider how each activity benefited you and the skills you acquired .

For instance, if you are part of a foreign language club, highlight your language skills, which can be valuable to potential employers. Focus on listing clubs or organizations where you were actively involved and developed transferable skills .

Moreover, consider mentioning activities where you held leadership roles , as these demonstrate your ability to take on responsibilities and make significant contributions. These can be being a part of student government or holding an executive role in an organization.

2. Prioritize relevant experiences

If you have participated in diverse extracurricular activities, prioritize those most relevant to your desired industry or position. Specify your level of involvement and interest in each activity.

List your clubs and organizations on your resume in the same way how you organize work experience. Include a job title, a brief description of your responsibilities, and the start and end dates of the position. (Ripple Match)

Tailor your list to align with the industry or role you are pursuing. Highlight the skills and experiences that will resonate with potential employers more easily. For example, if you are applying for a banking position , emphasize your membership in a student finance association over unrelated affiliations like knitting clubs.

3. Evaluate your qualifications

If you choose extracurricular activities for your resume , assess how your participation has enhanced your qualifications. For example, if you were on the student council, you likely developed excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Consider the following skills that extracurricular activities can help you acquire and emphasize on your resume:

Technical expertise. Academic and extracurricular activities can nurture specific technical skills relevant to your industry. Initiative. Involvement in extracurricular pursuits demonstrates ambition and the willingness to take initiative. Work ethic and dedication. Consistent effort and commitment in extracurricular activities highlight your dedication. Collaboration and communication. Working within clubs or organizations improves your soft skills , which are essential in various professions. Organization. Managing academics and extracurriculars showcases strong organizational skills. Leadership. Many activities allow you to lead and organize events, a trait highly regarded by employers. Problem-solving. Extracurriculars often involve real-world challenges, fostering critical thinking and creativity skills.

4. Organize your activities

The space you allocate to listing extracurricular activities should depend on your overall experience. If you had several internships or have substantial work experience, you may prioritize those experiences and include only your most noteworthy extracurricular activities.

However, if you lack work or internship experience, emphasize how your extracurriculars have equipped you for the position you seek. Start with your most recent or current activities and conclude with earlier involvements.

5. Use bullet points for detail

Under the name of each extracurricular activity, provide the dates of your involvement and your position or role. Follow this with a concise list of bullet points that elucidate the skills you gained and highlight your accomplishments. This format is similar to the work experience section of your resume .

It's essential to provide a comprehensive picture of your involvement. To do this effectively, you should include specific details under each activity.

Here's how to expand on the process of using bullet points for greater clarity:

• Dates of involvement. Begin by noting the period you were actively engaged in each of the extracurriculars. This shows recruiters the duration of your commitment and your ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Position or role. Next, specify your role or position within each activity. Make it clear whether you were the club president, team captain, treasurer, or another significant role. This highlights your level of responsibility and leadership within the group.
• Skills gained. Under each activity, elaborate on the skills you developed or enhanced. For example, if you were part of a debate club, you might mention that you improved your public speaking, critical thinking, and research skills. Be specific about how these skills were cultivated during your involvement.
• Highlight accomplishments. Use bullet points to showcase your accomplishments within each activity. Did you organize an event, win a competition, or lead a successful project? Mention these achievements. Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. For instance, if you raised funds for a charity event, specify the amount you gained.
• Awards and certifications. If you received any awards or certifications that are relevant to the job you're applying for, be sure to include them. Awards like "Club Member of the Year" or certifications in first aid can demonstrate your commitment and skills.
• Action verbs. To make your accomplishments more impactful, use power words when describing your role and achievements. For example, words like "led," "initiated," "organized," and "achieved" convey a sense of proactivity and accomplishment.

By providing these additional details for each extracurricular activity, you create a more precise and comprehensive picture of your experiences and skills. This helps potential employers understand the depth of your involvement and the value you can bring to their organization.

Examples of effective extracurricular activities

Sharing your involvement can be beneficial even if you are unsure which particular skills you acquired there. Recruiters will spot the activity that they know helped develop skills that are beneficial to the candidate picked for the role. (UpKey)

To offer a clearer picture, here are some examples of extracurricular activities that can be particularly impactful on your resume:

You'll create a more compelling narrative on your resume by delving deeper into these extracurricular activities. Specific experiences and achievements within each category will allow potential employers to get a better understanding of your persona.

When to include extracurriculars on a resume

In case you lack professional experience or you are still in college, adding extracurricular activities can strengthen your resume . They help showcase to potential employers that you do have the needed skills and qualifications. (Indeed)

Knowing when to incorporate your extracurricular activities in your resume is essential to presenting yourself effectively to potential employers. Here's a more detailed breakdown of when and why to include them:

In essence, the decision to include or remove extracurricular activities from your resume hinges on their relevance to your current career stage and goals . While there are general guidelines, remember that each person's journey is unique. It's essential to tailor your resume to showcase the experiences that best reflect your qualifications and aspirations.

While extracurricular activities can often enhance a resume by showcasing skills, interests, and personality traits beyond academic or professional achievements, there are certain situations when it might be appropriate not to include them .

Avoid mentioning extracurriculars:

• If they are not relevant to the job or industry you're applying for.
• If you have limited space on your resume and need to prioritize other sections.
• If you participated in extracurricular activities that could be perceived as controversial or sensitive (e.g., political activism, religious organizations).
• If you have extensive professional experience that demonstrates the skills and qualifications required for the job.
• If your extracurricular activities section is sparse or includes activities that are incomplete or unimpressive .

Examples of extracurricular activities for resume

Teacher resume.

Teachers often have a broad range of extracurricular activities they can include on their resume. Examples of activities outside the classroom that may be listed in a teacher's resume :

• Mentoring. Teachers can mentor students, either through organized programs or independently. This shows a dedication to aiding students reach their full potential.
• Coaching. Coaching sports teams is a great avenue for teachers to showcase their leadership and organizational abilities. It also shows an ability to motivate and inspire students.
• Tutoring. Tutoring students in-person or online is another way for teachers to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a particular subject area.
• Community involvement. Participating in community events or working with local nonprofits can showcase a teacher's commitment to the community while displaying leadership and communication skills.
• Professional development. Taking classes and participating in workshops show an ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement, which is always impressive to potential employers.
• Public speaking. Giving presentations at conferences or other events can demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, which is an important skill for any teacher.

Engaging in these activities can emphasize the various capabilities that teachers possess outside of the classroom, enhancing their eligibility for job openings.

Here's an example of how a teacher resume can look with the "Professional development" section:

Accountant resume

Accountants have a wide range of skills that are beneficial to employers. However, including extracurriculars on your resume can help you gain a competitive edge over other applicants.

Here are some examples of activities that demonstrate professional traits relevant to the accounting field:

• Professional societies. Participating in professional organizations, such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants or the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), shows dedication to your profession.
• Volunteering. If you volunteer with a charity or non-profit organization, it demonstrates commitment and compassion.
• Networking. Networking events are a great way to meet new contacts and build relationships within the industry.
• Conferences. Attending finance-related conferences enables you to remain abreast of the most recent developments and cultivate your abilities.
• Continuing education. Taking courses related to accounting can show that you are eager to learn and stay current in the field.

Mentioning your out-of-class activities in your resume will help employers recognize you as someone devoted to their profession and eager to exceed what's expected.

News reporter resume

News reporters need to be well-rounded individuals. In addition to their journalism degree, they should have experience and knowledge in other areas.

These are a few examples of extracurricular activities and experiences that could help any news reporter make a stand-out resume:

• Volunteering. If you helped at local media outlets, this shows initiative and a willingness to learn. It also gives reporters valuable connections in the industry.
• Public speaking. Having experience with public speaking adds an important skill to any journalist's toolkit.
• Writing or blogging. This allows a reporter to hone their writing skills and gain visibility in the industry.
• Working with nonprofits or charities. This demonstrates a commitment to helping others, something that news organizations value highly.
• Professional development. Participating in career advancement opportunities, such as seminars or workshops is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in journalism and network with peers in the field.
• Conferences. Attending conferences and conventions related to journalism and media topics. This helps keep reporters informed about new advances in the industry, as well as providing valuable networking opportunities with fellow professionals.

By having a broad selection of non-academic activities and experiences on their resume, news reporters can indicate to those considering them for employment that they are well-rounded individuals who are committed to staying up-to-date and interested in the domain of journalism.

Here's an example of how you can mention your blog in a real resume:

Logistician resume

Logisticians are often required to have various skills to perform their job duties. Besides having a good understanding of the logistics process, they should also possess strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.

To enhance a logistician's resume , consider the following extracurricular activities:

• Toastmasters international. Toastmasters is an organization that helps individuals improve their public speaking skills. Through this demonstration, employers can notice that the individual is ready to take initiative and improve their communication abilities .
• Volunteering at a local food bank. Volunteering at a food bank shows employers that the person possesses strong organizational and problem-solving capabilities.
• Professional associations. Professional associations offer members networking opportunities and access to industry news. Participating in one can help to demonstrate the individual's dedication to the logistics sector.
• Online course. Online courses provide an opportunity for individuals to learn new skills or brush up on existing ones. This activity can demonstrate to employers that the individual has a desire to keep apprised of industry trends.

By participating in extracurricular resume activities such as these, logisticians can demonstrate their commitment and dedication to the field of logistics. These endeavors can assist them to stand out from other applicants and get hired for positions they are qualified for.

Police officer's resume

Police officers are expected to possess extensive knowledge, a diverse set of abilities, and a wide array of skills. When crafting a resume, extracurricular activities can show potential employers that you have the experience and qualities necessary to be successful in law enforcement.

Examples of valuable extracurriculars to include on a law enforcement professional's resume are:

• Sports teams. Participating in physical activities such as running, weightlifting, and martial arts is a terrific demonstration of your dedication to health and fitness.
• First Aid/CPR Training. Being certified in first aid and CPR shows that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to respond quickly and appropriately in emergency situations.
• Self-defense classes. Taking self-defense classes can help you develop the skills needed to protect yourself and others in dangerous situations.
• Community service. Participating in community service can show employers that you are dedicated to serving your community.
• Volunteer work. Volunteering at local shelters or other organizations can illustrate your resolve to assist others.
• Leadership roles. Serving as a leader in a club or organization shows that you have strong communication and organizational skills.

These are just a few examples of extracurricular activities that can help make your resume stand out as a police officer. Highlighting to employers the experience and capabilities you have for the job could be a major factor in being employed.

Below is an example of using "Volunteer work" and "Self-defense classes" sections in a police officer resume:

Sharing extracurricular activities in your resume can significantly boost your employability , especially when starting your career or transitioning from academics to the professional world. These activities provide evidence of your skills, dedication, and interests outside the classroom.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you will be able to build your resume that highlights your extracurricular experiences effectively. You will surely impress potential employers and increase your chances of securing your desired job.

Amanda Baker

Certified Professional Resume Writer

Amanda Baker is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and career coach with over a decade of experience crafting compelling resumes and career marketing tools. As a black resume writer, Amanda brings a distinctive perspective to her work, guided by her commitment to nurturing the next generation of job seekers. Her ultimate goal is to equip young professionals with the skills and knowledge to confidently navigate the competitive job market.

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Extracurricular Activities in Resume 2023 [10+ Tips to 50+ List]

Is it essential to add extracurricular activities in resume?

No, but adding extracurricular activities in your resume can offer you bonus points in the recruitment process.

Currently, when humans are making machines smart, why would they want to hire someone who works like a machine?

Recruiters want to hire someone who can align with company culture apart from having suitable skills required for the job.  

Recruiters analyze this by the extracurricular activities in resume. Keeping this in mind, we are here showcasing the importance along with the whys, whats and hows related to the extracurricular activities in resume. Here you will see:

• What are extracurricular activities in resume?
• Where should you mention extracurricular activities in resume?
• What are the best extracurricular activities in resume?
• How to list extracurricular activities in resume?

You may face multiple hurdles while building a resume, as it is not a piece of cake even for experts. Hence, we recommend using HyreSnap Resume Builder , which can effectively build professional resumes in a few minutes.

For now, let us get more details about extracurricular activities in resume:

What are Extracurricular Activities in Resume?

Extracurricular activities in a resume refer to any activities or experiences you have participated in outside of your formal education or work experience. These activities include sports teams, clubs, volunteer work, hobbies, and more.  

Including extracurricular activities on your resume can be beneficial as they can demonstrate skills and qualities valuable in the workplace, such as leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.  

When including extracurricular activities on your resume, it's important to choose activities relevant to the position you are applying for and highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the job. 

For example, if you are applying for a job in marketing, you may want to highlight your experience in a marketing club or your involvement in a social media campaign .

Overall, including extracurricular activities on your resume can be a great way to showcase your skills and experiences beyond your formal education and work history.

Extracurricular Activities Vs. Co-curricular Activities

Extracurricular activities and co-curricular activities are both activities that students can participate in outside of their regular academic coursework . However, there are some differences between the two.

The main difference between these two activities is that Extracurricular activities are not directly related to a student's academic coursework. These can include clubs, sports teams, volunteer work, or hobbies.  

Whereas, Co-curricular activities are activities that are directly related to a student's academic coursework. These include field trips, science fairs, or music concerts. 

The school or the teachers usually organize co-curricular activities, and participation may be mandatory or strongly encouraged.  

In terms of including these activities on a resume, both extracurricular and co-curricular activities can be valuable to highlight.

Where Should You Mention Extracurricular Activities in Resume?

When mentioning extracurricular activities in a resume , we recommend placing them in a section highlighting your skills beyond your formal education and work history. 

Here are a few options for where to mention extracurricular activities on your resume:  

In a dedicated "Activities" or "Extracurricular Activities" section: You can create a separate section on your resume to highlight your extracurricular activities. 

This section can include clubs, volunteer work, hobbies, and other activities you have participated in outside of your formal education or work experience.  

In the "Experience" section: If your extracurricular activity involves a leadership role, you can mention it in your resume's "Experience" section, just like you would for a job or internship. 

For example, if you were the captain of a sports team or the club president, you can list this as an experience.

In the "Skills" section: Extracurricular activities can also demonstrate skills valuable in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, or leadership. 

You can highlight these skills in your resume's dedicated "Skills" section and provide examples of how you developed these skills through your extracurricular activities.  

No matter where you mention your extracurricular activities, be sure to focus on the skills and experiences most relevant to the job or educational program you are applying for. 

Use specific examples and quantify your achievements whenever possible to make your extracurricular activities stand out on your resume.

Why Should You Add Extracurricular Activities in Resume?

There are several reasons why you should consider adding extracurricular activities in your resume:

Demonstrates well-roundedness: Extracurricular activities can show that you have diverse interests and experiences beyond your formal education and work history.

Highlights skills and qualities: Extracurricular activities can demonstrate skills and qualities that are valuable in the workplace, such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and time management.

Sets you apart from other candidates: Including extracurricular activities on your resume can help you stand out from other candidates who may have similar educational backgrounds and work experiences.

Shows initiative: Participating in extracurricular activities can demonstrate that you are proactive and take the initiative to pursue your interests and develop your skills outside of the classroom or workplace.

Relevant to the position: If your extracurricular activities are relevant to the position you are applying for, they can demonstrate that you have experience in the field and are passionate about it.

Overall, including extracurricular activities in your resume can provide a complete picture of who you are as a person and a professional. 

It can also help you demonstrate the skills, qualities, and experiences most relevant to the job or educational program you are applying for.

What Are The Best Extracurricular Activities in Resume?

Extracurricular activities in your resume showcase your capabilities apart from your technical skills. Below we have mentioned some extracurricular activities that you can add to your resume to stand out of the crowd of competitors:

Foreign Languages

Knowledge of any foreign language can impress the recruiter during the interview process. Additionally, some jobs have specific language requirements. You can strengthen your shortlisting chances if you have learned that language already.

Student Council

To be a part of the student body in college or high school, you must be elegant, sharp-minded, and a quick learner.

The student body members have diverse responsibilities, which develop extraordinary skills in them. If you are or have been a part of any student body, you can add that experience in your resume to present yourself as the right fit for the job.

Showcasing your sports achievements doesn’t only present your physical capabilities but also your mental ones.

Most sports activities require coordination, teamwork, patience, dedication, and continuous improvement. This is why recruiters love to see sports achievements in a candidate’s resume.

Organizations/Clubs/Societies

You can show if you have ever been a part of any school club, society, or organization. It may include your school or college drama club, debate club, e-cell, etc.

Being a part of a bigger community means you have the expertise and skills to work in a corporate hierarchy. It means you have skills like:

Volunteering

Most people assume that volunteering is not a job. Hence it is not giving a worth.

But volunteering is a job without pay. While volunteering, you will have to devote your free time, complete tasks, and meet targets. Recruiters pay attention to the volunteering experience in a candidate’s resume.

Peer Tutoring

Peer tutoring is a way to spend your time for others' benefit.

Be it a part of school tutoring or any other educational program, peer tutoring means you have a keen knowledge of a specific subject and are comfortable sharing that knowledge to let others grow better.

Generally, professionals hesitate to share their extensive knowledge with juniors. Hence, recruits value this trait a lot.

Fundraising

As its name suggests, fundraising is a specific task given to you in an organisation to raise funds. 

It is not easy as it sounds, and it needs strong skills to be a successful fundraiser. Hence, if you have raised funds in your previous experience, you must add it to your resume.

Relevant Hobbies

You can list your hobbies as extracurricular activities if they align with your applied profile. For example, your hobby of writing can play a great part in your shortlisting for a content writer profile.

Non-Academic Competitions

You can also add the details of any non-academic competitions you participated in. It will showcase your capabilities to handle challenges.

Government Related Activities

Similar to the non-academic competitions, you can add government-related activities too in your resume. It will showcase the following:

How to List Extracurricular Activities in Resume?

Listing extracurricular activities on your resume can demonstrate your diverse range of interests and skills. Hence, we recommend making a separate section while adding extracurricular activities in resume.

Here are some tips for effectively listing extracurricular activities on your resume:

Choose relevant activities: Only include activities relevant to the job you are applying for or showcase skills important for the position. 

For example, suppose you're applying for a marketing position. In that case, you might want to list activities demonstrating your communication skills, such as being a debate team member or participating in public speaking competitions.

Be concise: Keep your descriptions of each activity brief and to the point. Employers are more interested in your skills and accomplishments than in the details of your extracurricular activities.

Highlight accomplishments: Focus on the accomplishments and skills you gained from each activity rather than simply listing the activity itself. 

For example, instead of just saying you were a school newspaper member, you might highlight that you served as an editor and learned valuable skills in editing, writing, and teamwork.

Order by importance: List your extracurricular activities in order of importance, with the most relevant or impressive activities at the top.

We recommend a separate section listing all your extracurricular activities for an organized presentation. 

Here are some examples of how to list extracurricular activities on your resume:

Remember to tailor your extracurricular activities to the specific job you are applying for and highlight the skills and accomplishments that are most relevant to the position.

HyreSnap Career Assistance

Adding extracurricular activities in resume is equally time-consuming as other parts of it. Hence we recommend you be completely focused while adding your extracurricular activities in resume.

Or, you can use HyreSnap Online Resume Builder powered with AI technology. It will help you craft a technically sound resume in easy steps. Below are some features you will encounter while using our free resume builder:

We have listed every essential step to add extracurricular activities in resume professionally.

Below you can have a quick review of everything mentioned above if you missed anything: 

Apart from this, you can contact our career experts if you need additional career assistance. We are 24X available at [email protected] to help you get your desired job in 2023.

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Adding Extracurricular Activities on Your Resume

Do extracurricular activities make a difference on your resume? The answer is  a resounding yes!

There are many reasons why dedicating some of the space on your resume to your personal interests and extracurricular activities  can be of interest to employers . In some cases, it could even tip the balance when you’re in a particularly competitive selection process.

Read on now to find out why it’s worth sharing a little information  about your non-professional activities . We also look at some of the best example pursuits to include as well as where and how you can highlight them when  building a resume .

Why to Include Extracurricular Activities on Your Resume

Space is always tight on a resume. By design, you should always be  extra selective on what you include,  make sure that the information on the page serves the job you’re targeting and gives a positive overall picture of you as a candidate.

However, it can also help to give the recruiter a brief insight into  what you’re like as a person too . After all, while 80-90% of your resume will focus exclusively on your professional capacity and experience, that doesn’t mean they don’t want to know more about you as an individual.

Extracurricular activities can provide a good idea about  how you interact with other people , your ability to handle important responsibilities, and even how committed you are to your profession. Managers always want to hire people who are a complete package by being professionally expert and active in their personal time.

Also, if you’re  just out of college or high school  and have little hands-on professional experience, including details on extracurricular activities is even more important. This can show the recruiter how dedicated you are to succeeding in your newly qualified profession and why you’re motivated to seek the job.

How to List Extracurricular Activities on Your Resume

The good news is that you don’t need to dedicate much space to your non-professional activities.  However, where and how you list them  can be very important.

There are a few sections on your resume that could be  enhanced with extracurricular pursuits . Yet, if you do choose to add this information to your resume it’s best to include a  hobbies and interests section  where the recruiter can review these details after analyzing your  work experience  and  skills . To save on room, it’s best to write your activities in bullet point list form. This will allow the recruiter to  rapidlyscan your highlights  and quickly see why you’d fit the role well.

You could, if relevant, add a  volunteering section  to your resume. If you’ve got experience  helping out in your local community or internationally , you should go into more detail by adding the dates of the placement, the organizer, and your duties.

Additionally, you could also add this to your  education section  or achievement section, to give  more detail about your college or high school experience . If you decide to add the information in this way, you can go into a little more detail by including dates and any organizations that you participated with.

What Are the Best Resume Extracurricular Activities?

There’s not a single answer to this question.  It will always depend  on what kind of profession you work in and the type of job you’re targeting.

For example, if you’re targeting  a job that requires physical strength  it could be beneficial to refer to any sporting or body-enhancement training you do. Ideally, whatever you include should be complementary to the job, although you don’t have to be limited to just that.

Nevertheless, if your activities can lend you extra strength in your eligibility or by giving some  practical evidence of soft skills  they should appear on the page. Some particularly strong examples include:

• Team sports
• Arts such as theatre or performance
• Volunteering
• Fundraising
• Playing musical instruments
• Membership of organizations

What Activities Shouldn’t You Include on Your Resume?

As mentioned before, the extracurricular activities that you do feature need to be focused on the job profile you’re targeting. Therefore it’s best to only include hobbies and pursuits that  might be relevant to your employer .

If you’ve got the space available to do so, then it’s absolutely fine to add a few interests and activities that give the recruiter a better view of you as a person. Obviously, however, you should also  never list a hobby or activity that would undermine your professionalism  or trustworthiness. Therefore, don’t include activities, societies, or hobbies that elude to excessive drinking or drug use.

If you want to experiment with adding a hobbies or interests section to your resume, you can easily do so using  ResumeCoach’s online tools . Put together a perfect document in just a few simple steps and get interviews fast.

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What are extracurricular activities in resumes?

Extracurricular activities refer to the different hobbies and interests one engages in outside academics and work. Some of these activities include but are not limited to volunteering, music, dance, sports, community service, etc.

Irrespective of whether you are a recent graduate, fresher, or seasoned professional, listing extracurricular activities in your resume allows recruiters to see you as a well-rounded candidate.

And given that 61% of employers value soft skills as much as hard skills, showcasing extracurricular activities in your resume demonstrates that you have essential soft skills like communication, leadership, teamwork, and time management.

Additionally, surveys show that 1 of 5 hiring managers in the U.S. has hired a candidate because of their volunteer work experience.

So, why not leverage your interests, hobbies, and volunteer work to help you stand out to the recruiters and increase your chances of getting shortlisted?

Read on to learn more about extracurricular activities in a resume and get clarity on the following related FAQs:

• Are extracurricular activities important in a resume?
• How to add extracurricular activities to a resume?
• What are the different types of extracurricular activities that you can list in a resume?
• What are good examples of extracurricular activities?

Why Should You Add Extracurricular Activities to a Resume?

Many job seekers undermine the value of adding extracurricular activities to their resumes and simply focus on their professional experience.

But, although professional experience is the essence of resumes, listing relevant extracurricular activities can help you showcase your soft skills, personality, and in some cases, how you are a cultural fit for the company.

For instance, if the company you’re applying to believes in sustainability, including volunteer experience or your involvement in a school club supporting the same cause can help you grab the recruiters’ attention.

Listing extracurricular activities in resumes is especially beneficial for applicants who lack professional experience or are fresh graduates.

Given below are some benefits of adding extracurricular activities to your resume:

• Show off your time management skills which are considered an asset for almost all jobs
• Extracurricular activities such as participating in debate teams or math clubs require problem-solving skills that are critical to many job profiles in industries like technology, engineering, etc.
• Shows that you have a dynamic personality

Also Read: How to list hobbies and interests on resumes?

How to Describe Extracurricular Activities in a Resume?

Given below are some tips that will help you describe extracurricular activities effectively in your resume to increase your chances of getting shortlisted:

Consider the Relevance

The best way to decide which extracurricular activities you must list on your resume is by analyzing the job description and researching the company to understand which of your volunteer experiences, hobbies, and interests are the most relevant.

Focus on listing activities that demonstrate the skills listed as a requirement in the job description.

For instance, if you are applying for a marketing role, you can highlight your participation in organizing events and campaigns.

Prioritize Quality over Quantity

Rather than listing 5-6 extracurricular activities in which you made little to no contribution, select a few in which your engagement made a significant impact or experiences through which you developed essential transferable skills.

Recruiters are more likely to be impressed by how you effectively contributed to a single activity rather than merely the number of clubs or debates you participated in.

Highlight the Achievements and Quantify Them Wherever Possible

To make your extracurricular activities more impactful and impress the recruiters, you might want to highlight and quantify the results you achieved through your participation or contribution.

For instance, if you led a sports team and won several tournaments, consider writing the number of team members you led, including the number of tournaments won.

Doing so will emphasize your ability to lead, manage, and motivate others while achieving positive results.

Consider Your Experience Level

As stated earlier, listing extracurricular activities in resumes is more beneficial for candidates who lack professional experience and are fresher.

If you are a recent graduate with internship experience, consider focusing more on the internship experience and place the section for extracurricular activities under this section.

Meanwhile, if you are a seasoned professional, the sections for your hobbies and interests can be comparatively smaller and must be limited to 1 or 2 lines.

Format it Well

If you are a fresher and the extracurricular activities in your resume is the primary medium for showcasing your skills and potential, you must format this section correctly.

When talking about your contributions to the debate team, school clubs, or volunteer experience, use bullet points instead of writing in bulky paragraphs.

Also, don’t forget to highlight the result that you achieved and quantify it.

Also Read: What are some dos and don'ts while writing a resume?

List of Extracurricular Activities in Resumes

There are various types of extracurricular activities that you can add to your resume. The following are some examples:

Student government: Your participation in student government can help demonstrate that you’ve likely developed skills like communication, people management, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

Arts club: If you are applying for a position in the creative industry, highlighting your participation in the art club will show your creativity and attention to detail.

Sports teams and ensembles: Leading or being a part of sports teams or an ensemble such as choir, debate team, drama, or band shows teamwork, dedication, and talent.

Volunteer activities: Volunteer experiences showcase your values and beliefs, which can at times be aligned with the company’s values, making you a cultural fit.

Membership in societies or programs: Highlighting your membership and involvement in professional programs, groups, or communities will demonstrate your genuine interest in the specific industry.

Hobbies and interests: Listing your hobbies and interests as extracurricular activities can help you add personality to your resume and stand out from other applicants.

Also Read: How to create an impressive entry-level resume in 2023?

Examples of Extracurricular Activities in Resumes

To give you more clarity, the following are some samples of extracurricular activities in resumes:

Also Read: What are some of the best work-from-home jobs that you can get with no experience?

Key Points from the Blog

• Extracurricular activities refer to the different hobbies and interests that one engages in outside of academics and work. Some of these activities include but are not limited to volunteering, music, dance, sports, community service, etc.
• Listing extracurricular activities in resumes is especially beneficial for applicants who lack professional experience or are fresh graduates .
• The different types of extracurricular activities that you can add to your resume include - arts clubs, debate and sports teams, ensembles, volunteer experiences, and hobbies and interests
• Analyze the job description and research the company to understand which extracurricular activities are the most relevant and can be added to your resume.

If you want to build an impressive resume without breaking a sweat, use Hiration’s AI-powered Resume Builder with round-the-clock chat support. You can also reach us at [email protected] .

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Other High School , College Admissions , Extracurriculars

How do you like to spend your time after school? Did you know that how you choose to spend this time could be one of the most important ways you shape your future?

Extracurricular activities are a critical component of your college application, and you need to impress colleges with your interests. But you might not know what good extracurricular activities look like or what you should be spending your time on.

We've got you covered here in our guide of hundreds of examples of extracurricular activities. Read on to get some inspiration for how to spend your valuable free time during high school!

What Is An Extracurricular Activity?

An extracurricular activity can be almost anything that isn't required for high school credit or paid employment that you do while you're in high school. These activities will become very important later, such as when you are applying to colleges, because they help you develop your talents, interests, and passions. They can also teach you practical skills like time management.

With so many options out there, all students should be able to find an extracurricular that they are interested in and can develop a passion for!

Remember that extracurricular activities do not have to be sponsored by your school, so you should also consider things that you do with your family or within your community as viable options.

Below I've listed many popular activities that you may not have thought of as extracurricular activities. Take a look at the list and see if your activities are already on the list, or if anything you hadn't considered before catches your eye.

Of course, this list isn't complete, because you can turn almost any interest into an extracurricular. If you are actively involved in something that you don't see here—meaning you spend a significant amount of time doing an activity that is allowing you to develop a talent or interest, be a leader, or help out your community—then you should definitely consider that an extracurricular activity, as well!

What doesn't necessarily count as an extracurricular? Any interest of yours that's very self-centered is probably not going to make the cut.

An extracurricular should be an activity that demonstrates a talent or primarily contributes value to other people. If you have to really contort to find justification for something being an extracurricular (my taking drivers ed will make the roads safer for everyone! Keeping my vaccinations up to date helps immunocompromised people!), then chances are, it won't count as an extracurricular .

There's a spectrum here, though—for example, improving your hair quality or braiding hair for fun isn't really an extracurricular. But starting a YouTube channel around beauty tips or creating a club for teen health enthusiasts definitely does.

But if you're still unsure if something counts as an extracurricular, or you need some inspiration, then read on for our complete list of extracurricular activities.

How Should You Use This Extracurricular Activities List?

Not sure how you should use this list of extracurriculars? Just follow the six steps outlined in this section, and you'll be on your way to choosing the best extracurricular for you!

Step 1: Brainstorm Extracurricular Ideas

What are your interests? Have you always wanted to try out something related to art, but weren't sure if it would be worth your time, or if it would be viewed favorably by a college admissions team? Keep in mind that colleges don't really care about what kind of activity you are doing—instead, they want to see that you are doing something that you are passionate about. So make a list of all of your interests—both things that you are already interested in and other areas that intrigue you and you'd like to learn more about.

Step 2: See Which Extracurriculars Fit Your Interests

Look through the list below and see if any of the activities match your interests. You may see some ways that you hadn't thought of before to pursue an interest! Keep in mind that there can be a lot of different outlets for each interest you have. For example, if you want to play an instrument, you can take private classes, play in your school's marching band, play in a community concert band, or work as part of the orchestra for your school's next musical.

Step 3: Research Different Extracurricular Options

Research to see if these activities are available at your high school or in your community. If there is something you are very passionate about that's not already offered, consider starting up a group of your own. But if you aren't sure that the interest will stick and you only want to try it out, it's probably best to find a different outlet for your curiosity.

Extracurriculars List by Category

This list is organized into categories to make finding an activity that matches your interests easier. However, we recommend at least skimming all the extracurricular options below, even if you think they're categories you're not interested in. You never know what might catch your eye!

Note: not all schools will offer formal clubs in all these categories. If you see something you're interested in that your school doesn't offer, try joining a community group or even a national or online group to explore the interest further! Many of these topics are available as summer camp activities, as well.

You can also consider starting a club at your school if you are looking for a way to get involved in something you are interested in while also showing leadership and initiative.

These activities are based on a certain academic subject, and include both clubs (groups to discuss and practice certain subjects) and competitive teams. Academic teams have competitions that take place at all levels, from local to national.

• Adopt-A-Physicist
• Architecture Club
• Astronomy Club
• Biology Club
• Chemistry Club
• Economics Club
• Electronics Club
• Engineering Club
• English Club
• Distributive Education Clubs of America
• History Club
• Life Sciences Club
• Literature Club
• Literary Magazine Club
• Mu Alpha Theta: Math Honor Society
• National Honor Society
• Peer Tutoring
• Poetry Club
• Physics Club
• Psychology Club
• Quill and Scroll
• Robotics Club
• Science National Honors Society
• Trivia and Quiz Clubs
• Web design/coding club
• Writing Club

Academic Competitive Teams

• Academic Decathlon
• Academic Triathlon
• American Mathematics Competitions
• American Regions Math League
• Caribou Mathematics Competition
• Chemistry Olympiad
• Clean Tech Competition
• Creative Communication Poetry Contest
• EconChallenge
• Educators Rising
• FIRST Robotics Competition
• High School Innovation Challenge
• Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
• Kids Philosophy Slam
• Math League
• National Academic Quiz Tournament
• National French Contest
• National History Bee
• National Spelling Bee
• Odyssey of the Mind
• Poetry Out Loud
• Questions Unlimited
• Science Bowl
• Science Olympiad
• Other Trivia and Quiz Competition Teams

These activities will allow you to express yourself artistically—on paper, through a lens, on stage, and through several other media. Unleash your creativity!

• Anime/Manga Club
• Art: drawing, painting
• Blacksmithing
• Fashion design
• Graphic Design
• Jewelry Making
• Photography
• High School Theater Program
• Community Theater Program
• Video Game Development Club
• Woodworking

Cultural and Language

These activities may help you reconnect with your roots, or allow you to get a taste of the world's diversity without ever leaving home. There are many other cultural and language-related activities that you can participate in. Some of the most common ones are listed below.

• African American Student Alliances/Clubs
• American Sign Language Club
• Chinese Club
• French Club
• German Club
• International Food Club
• Pacific Islanders Club
• Russian Club
• South Asian Student Society
• Spanish Club

These activities will allow you to get involved in your community.

• Community Festivals
• Do Something
• Habitat for Humanity
• Kids Helping Kids
• Mountaineers Club
• Sisters on the Runway

Interested in making a difference in your school, community, or on a larger scale, through policy? Try a government-related activity to see if this could be a career interest for you!

• Community Youth Board
• Student Council
• Student Government
• Community Government

These activities could be a fit if you're a natural leader, skilled at motivating, directing, and inspiring others.

• National Beta Club
• Peer Leadership Group

If you love writing and communicating, consider getting involved in a media activity to help bring news and information to your school or community.

• School or local magazine/journal
• School or local newspaper
• School or local radio station
• School or local television channel
• School or local web site
• Work on a movie
• Yearbook Committee

If you are interested in learning about discipline, teamwork, and leadership, then you may be interested in a military-based extracurricular activity.

• Civil Air Patrol
• Junior ROTC

If you want to try playing an instrument or singing, there are many opportunities to try music-related activities. These are usually available both in your school community and in your wider community.

• Any musical interest club
• School Chorus/Choir
• Community Chorus/Choir
• Church Chorus/Choir
• Chamber Music Group
• Concert Band
• Singing Lessons
• Marching Band
• Your own band
• Tri-M Music Honor Society

Performance Art

Love to ham it up? You'll find there are many outlets both in your school and in your community to get on a stage and make an audience laugh and cry.

• Comedy Club
• Choreography
• Classic Film Club
• Film Production Club
• International Thespian Society
• Slam Poetry Club
• High School Theater Group
• Community Theater Group

You can usually find these groups in your community.

• Church groups
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• Jewish Student Union
• Missionary work
• Youth Groups

Roleplaying/Fantasy

Did you know your love of fantasy can also be an extracurricular activity? Participating in one of these groups can show a dedication to many different creative skills.

• The Civil War Reenactors
• Dungeons and Dragons Club
• Gamers Club
• LARPing (Live Action Role Playing)
• Renaissance Faires

Social Activism

These groups may have chapters in your school or in your community. If there's a cause you're passionate about, seek out the local group that supports it.

• Amnesty International
• Animal Rights Club
• Breast Cancer Awareness
• Cancer Foundation
• Environmental Club
• Fair Trade Club
• Gay-Straight Alliance
• Girls Lean International
• NOW —National Organization for Women
• SADD —Students Against Destructive Decisions

Special Interest

You will often find these groups in your school or supported by the community. If you have a special interest in something that you can't find a local group for, consider creating one or join a national group. You can communicate with other people who have the same interest online, and attend meet-ups throughout the year.

• Equestrian Club
• Entrepreneurship Club
• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
• Girl Scouts
• Horticulture Club
• Model Railroads
• Quilt Making

Sports and Recreation

You probably already know about the sports teams at your schools, but there are also many opportunities to participate outside of those. Try doing extramural sports, join a club league in your community, or consider coaching a youth team.

• Baseball and softball
• Bodybuilding
• Cheerleading
• Climbing Club
• Hiking Club
• Intramural Sports
• Martial Arts
• Ping Pong Club
• Quidditch Clubs
• Skate Board Club
• Track & Field
• Ultimate Frisbee Club

There are a lot of ways to make a difference in your local community. Look for volunteer groups in your school, your church, or elsewhere in your neighborhood. There are many websites, such as Volunteer Match , that can help you find a local community service project that is of interest to you.

• Adopt-a-Highway
• Animal rescue
• Best Buddies International
• Church outreach
• Hospital volunteer
• International volunteer program
• Red Cross Club
• UNICEF High School Clubs
• Volunteer Fire Department
• Work with a local charity
• Work with a local soup kitchen

If none of the above activities are for you, you're still in luck. Why? You can always create your own extracurricular activity!

Did you know that almost any hobby can be turned into an extracurricular activity?

Starting a business or a website, volunteering, or any unusual hobby can be turned into something that you can write about for college. And if it's unique enough to not be on this list, you can be sure that it will be something new for the college admissions committee, as well!

What matters most is that it's an outlet for your passion, creativity, and leadership.

So instead of thinking you don't do anything interesting, take the opportunity to find a new passion, or to turn something you already love into an activity you can share with the world.

If you think there's something we left off that you want to see something added to this list, leave a comment below.

What's Next?

Now that you know what extracurriculars look like, read about how to write about extracurriculars on your college application.

Did you know that you can use community service work to help pay for college? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to win community service scholarships.

Want your extracurriculars to really stand out? Check out our guide of three amazing extracurricular examples that are sure to impress colleges.

Mary Ann holds a BA in Classics and Russian from the University of Notre Dame, and an MA from University College London. She has years of tutoring experience and is also passionate about travel and learning languages.

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