Resume Checklist for Freshers: Things to Check Before Submitting Your Resume
August 10, 2025
Understanding the Power of Resume Keywords for Freshers
August 23, 2025
Best Extracurricular Activities in Resume to Boost Your Job Prospects
When you apply for jobs, including your extracurricular activities in your resume can make a big difference. Employers often look for traits beyond the basics, like teamwork, leadership and commitment. Extracurriculars highlight these qualities in action. For example, being on a sports team or a student committee shows you know how to work with others and take initiative. As one career guide explains, activities like volunteering, leading clubs or playing sports demonstrate valuable skills such as teamwork, leadership and time management.
Including relevant extracurriculars can also give you an edge in a competitive job market. If you have limited work experience, as many college students and recent graduates do, listing hobbies and clubs fills the gaps. Resume experts agree that if you lack formal job experience, including extracurriculars can round out your profile and prove you’re capable. For instance, creative hobbies like writing or painting signal creativity and an innovative mindset, while community service suggests you are empathetic and dedicated to helping others. Including activities that demonstrate job-relevant skills can make your resume more appealing to a hiring manager.
Some specific examples of great extracurriculars are language learning and volunteer work. Mastering a foreign language demonstrates determination and cultural awareness. Volunteering, on the other hand, often comes with real responsibility — meeting deadlines and managing tasks even without pay — which proves you’re reliable and driven. These kinds of activities add real value to your resume beyond grades or classes. They can also provide valuable insights into your character and work ethic for potential employers.
Consider adding a hobbies section to your resume to showcase relevant skills that align with the job you are applying for. Select hobbies and interests that best demonstrate your job-relevant skills and make a positive impression on the hiring manager.
Types of Extracurricular Activities
Extracurriculars come in all shapes and sizes. Think beyond studying: these include student clubs, sports, arts, languages, and even personal projects. Some common examples are student organizations (like debate teams or cultural clubs), student government, community service (such as mentoring or charity drives), sports (from team games like soccer to individual pursuits like martial arts), hobby clubs (book clubs, photography groups, etc.), independent projects (a personal blog or a programming app), and volunteering at a community center. Each type of activity showcases different strengths and tells a different story about you.
Academic Clubs and Team Sports
Academic clubs and team sports are great for developing teamwork and communication skills. When you join a science club, debate team, public speaking club, or robotics group, you usually work on problems together, just like in a job. For example, building a robot or preparing a debate argument requires collaboration and clear communication. Employers know these activities mirror real work: any extracurricular shows qualities like leadership and teamwork. Similarly, playing on a sports team (football, cricket, basketball, etc.) shows you can collaborate and strive toward a common goal. LiveCareer notes that relevant sports and hobbies often demonstrate teamwork, leadership and disciplined problem-solving. In short, having these experiences on your resume tells employers you work well with others and can handle challenges.
Creative and Artistic Hobbies
Creative pursuits on your resume highlight your imagination and attention to detail. These activities also demonstrate creative thinking, which is highly valued by employers. Painting, writing, music, dance or theatre all reflect your creative side. These hobbies imply you think outside the box and persevere with projects. For instance, practising music or drama builds patience and discipline — skills that are useful anywhere. Resumegenius points out that arts activities develop patience, diligence and a sharp eye for detail. If you list playing an instrument, painting or creative writing as a hobby, employers will see that you bring creativity and dedication, traits that can benefit tasks from marketing campaigns to product design.
Leadership and Student Government
Participation in student government or club leadership roles signals strong organisational and leadership skills. Serving as a class representative, club officer, or organising an event demonstrates that you can organise people and projects. Resume experts note that highlighting student government experience is a great way to emphasise leadership, organisational and communication skills. When you put a leadership title under your activities — for example, “Class President” or “Debate Club Secretary” — it shows you can motivate teammates, make decisions and handle responsibility. These are qualities employers look for in potential managers and coordinators.
Community Service and Volunteering
Volunteer work and community service are valuable extracurricular activities to include. Working with an NGO, participating in charity fundraisers or helping out at a shelter all demonstrate empathy and social responsibility. Volunteer projects often involve project management and teamwork. In fact, volunteering shows hiring managers that you’re willing to spend your own time to help others. This commitment builds real skills — planning events, coordinating people and fundraising. Such extracurricular activities are valuable experiences that demonstrate transferable skills to future employers. Any regular or long-term volunteer role can be listed in your resume, noting what you accomplished and learned. These experiences highlight leadership and compassion, and also give you a chance to practice communication and planning on the job.
Language and Cultural Activities
Including language learning or cultural clubs adds another dimension to your resume. If you’ve studied a foreign language or joined a language exchange, it shows adaptability and curiosity. Speaking foreign languages offers significant benefits for career development, such as improved communication skills, access to international employment opportunities, and cognitive advantages associated with multilingualism. Recruiters value multilingual candidates: speaking multiple languages demonstrates cultural awareness and empathy. Even basic proficiency implies you can connect with diverse audiences. Mention any language certifications or study programs under your skills or education.
Exposure to different cultures through travel or language study further demonstrates adaptability and personal growth, qualities highly valued by employers. This is especially appealing if the job involves international teams or clients. Showcasing language study and international experience tells employers you are open-minded and ready for global work.
Martial Arts and Discipline
Hobbies like martial arts also belong on a resume, especially for students. Training in karate, judo or similar disciplines shows discipline and perseverance. Martial arts require a lot of practice and respect for rules, which employers interpret as dedication and focus. While there aren’t specific citations for martial arts on a resume, think of it like any skill-building activity: succeeding in martial arts means you can commit to goals and learn complex skills over time. These qualities translate into a strong work ethic in any job.
Overall, having any of these extracurriculars is especially beneficial if you have limited work experience. They fill in your resume and highlight transferable skills that might not come through in a classroom. As LiveCareer explains, including activities related to your career can point to qualities such as leadership, teamwork skills and commitment. So, whether it’s a subject club, a sport or a creative hobby, make sure to list the activities that best reflect your strengths.
Benefits of Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities on your resume offer multiple benefits. First, they reveal transferable skills that employers love. Participating in clubs or teams is essentially practice in real-world skills. For example, leading a student organisation shows leadership and decision-making, while being part of a sports team demonstrates teamwork and resilience.
Second, these activities let your personality shine through. Recruiters want to know who you are beyond your grades and tech skills. For instance, joining a debate club might highlight your analytical thinking and public speaking, while volunteering indicates empathy and dedication.
Another big benefit is that extracurriculars help your resume stand out. They can be the secret ingredient that makes your application memorable. When many candidates have similar qualifications, unique hobbies or notable achievements can catch the eye.
Finally, extracurriculars can signal that you fit the company’s culture or the industry. As one career article points out, hobbies can signal that you share a company’s values and will gel with the team. Showcasing personality traits gained or demonstrated through your activities—such as adaptability, curiosity, or open-mindedness—can further illustrate how you align with company culture. In this way, carefully chosen interests help you craft a narrative that aligns with the job you want.
Education Section and Extracurricular Activities
Your education section can include more than just degrees; it’s a great place to mention relevant extracurriculars. If you held positions in campus clubs, list them under your university or college entry. For example, you might write your school name, degree, dates, and below that add a bullet like “President, Science Club” or “Vice President, Debate Society.” One resume example shows a student listing “Accounting Club Vice President” under their degree. This highlights leadership within your field and connects your club activities to your studies. Including extracurricular activities related to your academic background in the education university section can further demonstrate your skills and involvement aligned with your degree.
When adding activities to the education section, focus on what skills they show. Peer tutoring or mentorship programs are strong choices because they demonstrate communication and leadership. For example, if you helped tutor classmates in math or ran study sessions, it proves you master the material and can explain it, both of which are great academic traits.
Academic clubs and student organisations also fit here. For instance, membership in a debate team, engineering club or student council under your education line shows initiative and teamwork. These roles hone skills like problem-solving and collaboration. If you participated in fine arts-related activities or studies, such as art club or theatre, be sure to include them in the education section to highlight creativity and relevant fine arts skills.
Foreign language study and study abroad experiences belong in education as well. Resume guides explain that “studying abroad means you have lived and studied in a foreign country, which proves your adaptability, communication skills, and ability to thrive in diverse environments”. These experiences tell employers that you’re flexible and culturally aware.
Professional Experience and Extracurricular Activities
If an extracurricular activity mirrors the responsibilities of a job, place it under “Professional Experience.” For example, serving as editor of your college newspaper for two years is similar to a journalism role — managing a team, proofreading, verifying facts, and rewriting stories. List it with bullet points to highlight job-ready skills and demonstrate the job skills you developed that are attractive to employers.
Volunteer work and community service can also fit under “Experience” or “Activities.” Focus on achievements and skills gained, such as leadership, communication, and planning. For instance: “Volunteer Tutor, Local Library – Led weekly maths tutoring sessions for 20+ students.”
Include hobbies in your work descriptions if they relate to the role. Creative hobbies like photography or blogging showcase initiative and innovative thinking. Technical hobbies, such as coding projects, demonstrate valuable technical skills and specific skills relevant to the job position. Highlighting these activities can help fill skill gaps and show employers you possess the specific skills they are seeking.
Foreign language skills are another strong addition. List them under “Skills” or “Experience,” noting your fluency level. This shows cultural awareness, adaptability, and readiness for global opportunities.
Foreign Language and Career Development
Speaking a foreign language can greatly enhance your career prospects. Many industries value bilingual or multilingual skills, often rewarding them with higher starting salaries and broader opportunities. Foreign language knowledge can enhance your earning potential and demonstrate dedication, adaptability, and a willingness to invest in personal growth. Even basic proficiency shows employers you’re committed, hardworking, and open to learning.
Listing languages on your CV highlights cultural awareness, adaptability, and the ability to connect with diverse audiences. It signals problem-solving skills in cross-cultural situations. Learning a new language, whether through classes or self-study, not only boosts your qualifications but also supports personal and professional development. If you’ve taken classes, earned certifications, or lived abroad, include these details — for example, “Fluent in Spanish – DELE C1 Certified.”
Place language achievements where they fit best. Studying abroad or joining a foreign exchange program belongs under Education. Language clubs, advanced courses, or translation work can appear under Skills or Activities, proving real-world use.
Ultimately, language skills show you’re ready for a global career — adaptable, communicative, and confident in working with international teams and clients.
Hobby Examples and Job Relevance
Pick hobbies that highlight skills employers value. Playing an instrument or writing creatively shows discipline and originality. Photography, painting, or graphic design can demonstrate attention to detail and the ability to approach challenges with fresh ideas. Choosing the best hobbies or good hobbies for your resume can help you stand out from other candidates by showcasing relevant skills and qualities employers seek.
Team sports like cricket, basketball, or football signal teamwork, communication, and reliability. They also show you can work toward a shared goal. If you’ve led or coached, mention it clearly — for example, “Captain, High School Soccer Team.”
Whenever you can, connect your hobbies to the role you’re applying for. A tech position? List coding projects or hackathon experience. A writing role? Include your blog or published work. When your interests align with the job, they prove you’re already engaged in that field. Making sure your hobbies align with the job description can further strengthen your application.
A “Hobbies & Interests” section can also make you memorable in interviews. Employers often ask about them to gauge cultural fit. Share achievements or unique experiences — like organising a community project or competing in a tournament — to create a strong impression.
Community Involvement and Volunteer Work
Community involvement and volunteer work reflect empathy, responsibility, and teamwork. They tell employers you care about making a difference. Volunteering at a shelter, tutoring students, or leading a local project shows commitment and initiative. These roles often teach you to organise events, manage tasks, and work with diverse groups. Engaging in these activities helps you develop strong organisational skills, which are highly valued by employers.
Volunteer experience also gives you practical skills. Whether fundraising for charity, mentoring, or cleaning a park, you gain abilities that transfer directly to the workplace. If you’ve coordinated events, that’s proof of planning, communication, and leadership. For example, “Led a team of five volunteers to organise an annual fundraiser” demonstrates both initiative and organisation.
Charity work, especially fundraising, develops time management and problem-solving. Planning a campaign or charity run involves setting goals, managing budgets, and keeping a team on track. These experiences also build time management skills, as you learn to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
Employers value candidates who contribute to their communities. Highlight any leadership positions in charities or service groups, as they showcase interpersonal skills and proactive attitudes. In short, community activities don’t just reflect kindness — they prove you have the dedication and skills to thrive in any workplace.
How Many Extracurricular Activities to Include
List only the extracurriculars that truly strengthen your story. Aim for three to five that match the job or highlight your strongest skills. Too many can weaken your message and make your resume look scattered.
Choose activities that show both soft and hard skills. A sport can reflect teamwork, art can show creativity, and coding can prove technical ability. If you have little work experience, add a short detail to each activity to give it weight — for example, instead of “Programming,” write “Programming – Built two Android apps using Java.”
Keep the focus on what the employer values most. If something is highly relevant, you can even mention it in other sections of your resume. A handful of well-chosen activities, described clearly, will leave a stronger impression than a long, unfocused list.
To keep your application organised and highlight your personal qualities, consider creating a separate section for interests on your resume at the end of the document. This dedicated section allows you to showcase hobbies and interests that demonstrate your soft skills and cultural fit.
Academic Clubs and Teamwork
Academic clubs show employers you can collaborate and solve problems. Joining a subject-focused group like a science Olympiad or debate society builds teamwork, communication, and critical thinking. Participating in an academic club can also benefit you on a personal level, such as meeting new people and increasing enjoyment, which contributes to personal growth and social experiences. Mentioning such roles highlights your ability to work with others on challenging tasks.
Team sports strengthen this impression. Whether on the field or in a group project, you learn to plan, communicate, and rely on one another. Even non-athletic team-based activities, like hackathons or group research, teach you to listen, contribute, and work toward shared goals.
If you’ve held leadership positions—such as captain or club president—make them stand out. Organising events or leading study groups shows initiative, coordination, and the ability to guide others. These experiences directly reflect the teamwork and leadership skills employers value most.
Job-Relevant Hobbies and Interests
Pick hobbies that match your career goals to stand out. Focus on activities that build skills for the job you want. For a software role, mention personal coding projects or tech clubs to show hands-on experience. For creative or communication roles, highlight blogging or writing to signal strong content skills.
Job seekers can use this strategy to make their job application more appealing to potential employers and a prospective employer. By aligning your hobbies and interests with the requirements of the position, you demonstrate relevant abilities and a commitment to professional growth.
Even general hobbies can be made relevant. If you read, specify industry publications to show that you stay updated. If you run or play chess, connect them to discipline or strategic thinking. Frame each hobby around the skills it develops to show constant growth.
Well-chosen hobbies tell employers you’re passionate about your field. They say, “This is what I love, and it’s linked to my career.” This can be a strong talking point in interviews. Thoughtful extracurriculars make you memorable, so include them in their own section or at the bottom of your resume. Employers value personality, and these interests can set you apart.
Professional Skills and Development
Extracurriculars are real-world training grounds for career skills. Attending workshops, conferences, or seminars shows your commitment to learning. Joining a certification course or technical bootcamp adds directly to your skillset. Mention any that connect to your field to highlight your initiative.
Take leadership roles when you can. Being a mentor, coach, or club officer builds skills in delegation, motivation, and organisation. Leading a project, like managing a team in your university coding club, proves you can deliver results.
Activities such as debate clubs, theatre, or public speaking groups sharpen your communication skills and boost confidence. They show you’re comfortable presenting ideas and engaging with others — a strength for roles involving teamwork or client interaction.
Balancing studies with sports, music, or volunteering builds time management and organisation. These activities also show how you use your free time to develop valuable skills that are attractive to employers. For instance, captaining a sports team while keeping up with classes demonstrates discipline and teamwork; playing sports develops teamwork, motivation, and goal-setting. Volunteer work also strengthens planning abilities.
Every activity is a chance to grow. Highlight leadership, presentations, and project management on your resume to show employers you’ve been building workplace skills long before your first job.
