How to list extracurricular activities on your CV
Finding a job when you're a student or recent grad can be tough, especially if you don't have much work experience to show. That's where adding extracurricular activities to your CV can help. In this article, we'll show you how to use extracurricular activities to showcase key skills and offer some examples of activities that can allow you to stand out from other entry-level candidates.
If you're a student or recent grad, you might feel as though you have very little to share on a professional CV. However, if you think back through your time at school, you'll quickly realise that you did more than just sit at a desk. You likely participated in a variety of activities, from sports to arts to special interest clubs. These extracurriculars can actually be a valuable asset when it comes to crafting your first CV.
Including extracurricular activities on a CV
The word ‘extracurricular’ refers to educational activities that fall outside of the scope of the school or university curriculum. Unlike hobbies, these activities are pursued with the purpose of developing skills for the job market.
While you want to primarily focus on your skills, knowledge, and work experience in your CV, your extracurricular activities can boost your application. They show employers that you’re invested in developing your skills and learning new ones – a trait that every employer values.
When to list extracurricular activities on your CV
Extracurriculars are a great option for your CV if you have little to no work experience. Getting a job can be challenging, especially if you’ve pursued a course or degree that doesn’t lead straight into a career. By including activities that demonstrate leadership, communication skills and teamwork on your CV, you increase your chances of employers viewing you as a suitable candidate.
Even if you have extensive work experience, your extracurricular activities can be a valuable addition to your CV. They’re a great way to show employers that you have a range of skills and that you’re willing to go the extra mile to develop them.
To get started creating a great CV, you can check out Jobseeker's library of CV examples for the role you're applying to or modify the templates below, which contain a section for extracurricular activities.
List of good extracurricular activities for your CV
If you choose to mention your extracurricular activities in your CV, you may be wondering which ones to include. The best answer is, list the activities that are tied to the skills mentioned in the job description. That way, employers can see how they relate to the role you’re applying for.
Here are some examples of extracurricular activities that you may want to add to your CV:
1. Sports
Participating in organised sports shows potential employers that you are dedicated, know how to work as part of a team, and care about your physical health and well-being. You might also wish to list transferable skills like perseverance, communication, strategising, and collaboration in association with your sports experience on your CV.
Additionally, if you were a team captain, that's a great way to demonstrate your leadership skills.
Key skills developed from sports: Self-motivation, teamwork, people skills, strong work ethic, dedication, reliability, strategising, collaboration, communication, quick thinking, time management, leadership
2. Arts & Theatre
Activities like theatre, music, photography, and art are also excellent extracurriculars to include on your CV. These types of pursuits can show that you are creative, have a good memory, are detail-oriented, and are dedicated to improving your skills. Many artistic ventures also involve some type of public performance or showcase, which tells employers that you can present to a group and have experience with public speaking or performing.
Whether you took part in a play, played for the school orchestra, or attended pottery classes, these activities also display a creative side to your personality in your CV as well as teamwork.
Key skills developed from arts: Creativity, strong memory, critical thinking, presentation skills, public speaking, detail-oriented, dedication, passionate
3. Volunteering
Volunteering allows you to give back to your community, and employers will certainly take note of your altruism and willingness to serve. Fundraising, delivering meal packages, or helping out in charity shops are just some examples of volunteering that demonstrate goodwill towards others, compassion, and teamwork.
Listing your volunteering activities on your CV also lets employers know which causes are close to your heart and gives them an insight into your personality.
Key skills developed from volunteering: Altruism, willingness to serve, motivation, self-starter, optimism, teamwork, passionate
4. Languages
For companies with a global customer base, your language skills can set you apart from other candidates. Learning languages demonstrates dedication as well as the willingness to learn about new cultures.
You could mention how you developed your skills in language classes, clubs, or tandems. If you’ve had the opportunity to travel or study abroad, those experiences also make for great cover letter topics.
Key skills developed from learning languages: Dedication, willingness to learn, open-mindedness, intercultural awareness, interpersonal skills, global citizenship
5. Tutoring or Mentoring
Tutoring or mentoring your peers or younger students suggests that you are a high achiever, capable of teaching or training others, and dedicated to academic excellence. One way to impress employers is to list any peer mentoring programmes you may have taken part in. Teaching allows you to further solidify your understanding of a subject, and you are demonstrating a willingness to spend your free time helping others succeed. Plus, explaining a subject in a way that someone else can understand prompts you to consider other viewpoints, thought processes, and abilities.
Key skills developed from mentoring: Communication, subject matter expertise, teamwork, creative thinking, flexibility, adaptability, altruism, patience
6. Clubs and societies
Clubs and societies are invaluable for developing a whole range of skills. Many high schools have a variety of clubs, such as math team, quiz/knowledge bowl, debate club, speech team, and so forth. It takes a lot of time and effort to actively participate in clubs and societies in addition to lectures and studying. The wide variety of responsibilities that club members usually are a great addition to CVs: club treasurer, social media manager, chairman.
Key skills developed from clubs: Subject matter expertise, teamwork, leadership, stress tolerance, intelligence, communication, collaboration, competence
Expert Tip
Extracurriculars can also be a way to reinforce your technical skills. For example, if you are a member of the coding club at school and you are seeking an internship or position in computer programming, employers will see that you have made an extra effort to hone your skills and that you enjoy the field enough to spend your free time learning and improving your craft.
Where do you put extracurricular activities on your CV?
Where to place extracurricular activities on your CV largely depends on how relevant the activities are to the job you're applying for and whether or not you have other work experience to show. Always remember that professional work experience (jobs, internships, etc.) takes precedence over extracurriculars, so add those details first and then decide how and where to place other activities.
You have a few options when it comes to adding extracurricular activities to your CV:
- Employment history section: If your activities are directly related to the job you're applying for and you don't have much work experience to show, add activities to your employment history section and create bullet points that demonstrate the skills needed for the job. This works best for types of activities with ongoing responsibilities, like volunteer work, for example.
- Education section: If you want to give more weight to your academic experience, the best place to include extracurriculars is in the Education section of your CV. You could also draw attention to any awards or certifications you were awarded whilst taking part in the activity.
- Extracurricular or interests section: If your activities are not directly related to the job or you have a solid amount of professional experience to show, you can add your extracurriculars to the bottom of your CV, either in their own section or combined with Hobbies and Interests.
Your cover letter is another great place to discuss extracurricular activities, especially if you don't have much work experience to talk about. You can get started creating the perfect cover letter by browsing Jobseeker's library of cover letter examples and cover letter templates.
Key takeaways for adding extracurricular activities to your CV
Extracurricular activities are a great way to fill your CV when you're a student or recent grad who lacks professional work experience. They help you demonstrate qualities like leadership, collaboration, or responsibility that are essential for most jobs. As you add extracurriculars to your CV, make sure to demonstrate how each one provided valuable skills that you can apply to professional roles.
For even more help creating a CV and cover letter as a student or recent grad, make sure to check out Jobseeker's resources and online tools to make finding your first job a breeze.
FAQs for extracurricular activities on CVs
Tailoring your CV to each job posting can help it pass applicant tracking system (ATS) scans, score your interviews, and ultimately get you hired for your target position. As such, it’s always a good idea to tailor your extracurriculars as well. Only include those that are relevant to the job or that have allowed you to practice skills that apply to the position.
If you have any doubts about whether the activity belongs on your CV, ask yourself the following questions:
- What skills did I gain?
- Are these skills mentioned in the job description?
- Is there any chance that the employer will look at my application unfavourably if I include the activity?
If the answer to the last question is yes, then leave it off your CV. Your CV is a marketing document to sell yourself, so it’s ultimately up to you which skills, experience and activities you mention. The key is to select the ones that present you in the best possible light. Be sure to highlight the skills that you’ve learned with bullet points under each activity.
Impress employers with your CV
Step-by-step guidance to create a professional CV in minutes.
