Should You Include High School Activities on Your Resume?

Deciding whether to include high school activities on your resume can be a bit tricky, especially for recent graduates or those early in their career. This article provides guidance on when and how to include them, ensuring your resume highlights the most relevant and impactful experiences for potential employers.

Conditions for Including High School Activities

Whether to include high school activities on your resume largely depends on two key factors:

You are still in high school. The activity would be relevant to a potential employer.

Relevant Examples

Example 1: High School President of a Service Club

If you are currently in high school and hold the position of president of a school organization, such as the XYZ Service Club, it is highly beneficial to include this on your resume. Being the president of a service club demonstrates strong leadership and teamwork skills, which are highly valued by employers. Highlights such as initiating projects, organizing events, and leading a team can make this activity stand out.

Example 2: Alumni President of a Service Club

If you are 30 years old and were the president of the XYZ Service Club when you were in high school, it is not advisable to include it. This example does not meet the first condition, and including it might give the impression that you are not keeping up with your professional development.

Example 3: Participation in an Extracurricular Club

If you are currently in high school and belong to your school's Cheesy Movies Club, where you and fellow students gather periodically to watch and enjoy cheesy movies, this activity would not be relevant to most employers. Therefore, it should be omitted as it provides no substantial evidence of leadership, skills, or achievements.

General Guidelines for Resume Content

Your Quora bio indicates that you have graduated from high school and are no longer a recent graduate. Given this, the answer to your question is a clear 'no.' Including high school activities in your resume as an adult can detract from more relevant and recent accomplishments.

Here are a few additional tips to consider:

Resume Length: Your resume should typically be one page, one page. While it can sometimes be extended to two pages, ensure every piece of information included is relevant and impactful. Relevancy: Each experience or activity listed should have a clear connection to your career goals. Focusing on experiences that demonstrate transferable skills, such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving, is crucial. Recent Activities: Include more recent activities to demonstrate your ongoing commitment to professional development. This can be especially important for those further along in their careers.

Conclusion

In summary, the inclusion of high school activities on your resume should be carefully considered based on relevance and current career stage. By focusing on activities that showcase your skills and align with your career aspirations, you can craft a more compelling and effective resume.