No Extracurricular Activities? Here Are 6 Tips to Boost Your Resume

Okay, let's be real: You're on the job hunt, and you're staring at that "Extracurricular Activities" section on your resume, feeling a little.. empty.

Maybe you spent all your time studying (go you!). Maybe you had other commitments. Or maybe you just didn't realise how important those extracurriculars would be until it's time to find a job.

Whatever the reason, you're not doomed.

You can still create a killer resume that showcases your skills, experiences, and that you're a total catch for any employer.

Here are 6 ways to make your resume stand out:

Relevant coursework or projects

Remember those projects you poured your heart and soul into? Those assignments that made you want to pull your hair out but also taught you a lot? They're not just for grades – they're valuable experience!

How to showcase it:

• Highlight relevant coursework: Don't just list the class names. Mention specific projects, skills you learned, and the results you achieved.

• Connect it to the job: Tailor your descriptions to match the specific requirements of the job you're applying for.

Examples:

• Instead of: "Marketing Planning"

• Write: "Developed a comprehensive marketing plan for a local business as part of my Marketing 101 coursework, including market research, target audience analysis, and a social media strategy."

Internship or part-time job

Even if you weren't the president of every club, you've probably had some real-world work experience that can showcase hands-on work experience and show that you have strong work ethics. Part-time jobs, internships - it all counts!

How to showcase it:

• Highlight transferable skills: Even if the job wasn't directly related to your field, think about the skills you learned that are transferable.

• Use the STAR method: Tell a story about a specific situation, the task you were responsible for, the action you took, and the result you achieved.

Examples:

• Instead of: Retail Sales Assistant at gaming store

• Write: "As a retail sales assistant, I consistently exceeded sales goals by 15% by implementing upselling techniques and providing excellent customer service."

Volunteer work

Volunteering not only makes a difference in the world but also shows employers that you're a well-rounded individual with a strong work ethic and a commitment to contributing to your community. For example, you could volunteer at a local shelter, hospital, or school, or participate in a community service project.

How to showcase it:

• Choose relevant experiences: Select volunteer work that aligns with your interests and the skills you want to highlight.

• Focus on transferable skills: Even if you were just walking dogs at the animal shelter, you were demonstrating responsibility, time management, and maybe even some customer service skills.

Examples:

• Instead of: "Volunteered at local animal shelter"

• Write: "As a volunteer at the local animal shelter, I managed social media accounts, created engaging content, and helped increase adoption rates by 10%."
  

Online classes or passion project

Employers love to see that you’re proactive about your own development and that you’re genuinely passionate about learning new things. Online classes show that you are proactive in acquiring new knowledge and skills, while passion projects highlight your dedication to a particular subject and show your problem-solving and project management abilities.

How to showcase it:

• Highlight relevant skills: Did you learn a new programming language? Master a design software? Showcase actual projects you worked on.

• Show your dedication: Passion projects show your initiative, creativity, and ability to complete projects independently.

Examples:

• "Completed a 12-week online course in digital marketing, learning key skills in SEO, social media advertising, and email marketing."

• "Developed a personal website from scratch using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, showcasing my web development skills and passion for design."

Leadership roles

Think about any time you've taken on a leadership role, whether it was in a student club, a volunteer organization, or even a group project.

Listing these roles on your resume can showcase your ability to motivate and work under pressure, manage time and resources, and make decisions effectively.

How to showcase it:

• Focus on results: Don't just say you were the "Leader" of the project. What did you achieve in that role?

• Highlight transferable skills: Leadership often involves communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making - all valuable skills in the workplace.
  

Examples:

• Instead of: "Led a class project"

• Write: "Led a team to complete a complex project, scheduled and led team meetings, ensured timely completion of tasks, and presented the final project to the class with a detailed report."
  

Awards or achievement

Did you win an award? Get recognized for your academic achievements? Don't be shy about including them! You can include academic awards, scholarships, professional organisation awards, or recognition from competitions or industry groups.

How to showcase it:

• Keep it relevant: Choose awards that are most recent, related to your field of study or career goals.

• Explain the significance: Don't just list the award name. Briefly describe what you achieved to earn it.

Examples:

• "Awarded the 'Dean's List' for outstanding academic performance in all four years of university."

• "Secured 1st place in a national hackathon out of 20 teams, by developing an innovative app that improves accessibility for visually impaired users."

It's okay if you don't have extracurricular activities

Your resume isn't about checking boxes; it's about showcasing your unique skills and experiences – those internships, projects, volunteer work, online courses, and even those passion projects that make you, you.

Remember, employers are looking for talented individuals, not just a list of activities.

Craft a profile that tells your story, highlights the skills that align with the jobs you want, and makes those employers eager to meet you.

Use these tips to showcase your strengths and experiences and land your first job today on Kabel.