Do Extracurricular Activities Still Matter for CVs?

In today’s highly competitive job market, many job seekers wonder if extracurricular activities still hold value on their CVs. Once considered a crucial part of any job application, listing your involvement in clubs, societies, or sports may now seem less important in a world focused on technical skills and work experience. However, extracurricular activities can still play a key role in helping your CV stand out and supporting your overall job application.

Enhancing Cultural Fit and Personality

Extracurricular activities allow hiring managers to assess whether you’d be a good cultural fit within their organisation. Companies often look for candidates who align with their values, and participation in activities like volunteering, sports, or cultural societies can reflect qualities that the company prioritises, such as teamwork, creativity, or social responsibility. 

For example, discussing your involvement in a rugby team and engaging in conversations about the latest rugby scores can help you connect with potential colleagues and aside from demonstrating your ability to work in team-based environments, it can be particularly relevant if you’re applying for roles at a rugby club or in sports-related industries, where understanding the sport and being part of the culture can be an asset.

Standing Out in Job Applications

In a pool of candidates with similar academic or professional backgrounds, extracurricular activities can help your CV stand out by offering a glimpse into who you are beyond your qualifications. They reflect that you are a well-rounded individual capable of balancing various commitments, and they also highlight important transferable skills that employers value.

Some specific examples include:

• Drama/Theatre Group: Develops creativity, public speaking, and the ability to work under pressure. Perfect for media, entertainment, marketing, or any role involving presentations or creative work.
• Foreign Languages: Demonstrates cultural awareness, communication, and a dedication to learning. Excellent for international relations, tourism, customer service, translation, and global business roles.
• Fundraising Activities: Highlights organisational skills, communication, and event planning. Relevant for event management, charity work, marketing, and fundraising positions.

Supporting Job Interviews

Extracurricular activities not only strengthen your CV but also provide strong talking points during job interviews. They offer practical examples to draw upon when answering competency-based questions, such as demonstrating leadership, handling conflict, or working in a team.

For instance, if you played a leadership role in a university society, you can share how you organised events, managed team dynamics, and dealt with challenges. 

Similarly, if you were part of a debate club, explaining how you navigated high-pressure debates can be a useful way to illustrate resilience, quick thinking, and decision-making in high-stakes situations.

The Future of Extracurriculars in the Workplace

While extracurricular activities may no longer hold the same universal importance they once did, they remain highly valuable when presented in the right context. 

They offer a way to showcase soft skills, make your CV stand out, and provide relevant talking points during interviews. When used effectively, extracurriculars can still play a significant role in enhancing your job application and helping you secure the position you want.