Activities, Memberships, and Professional Affiliations
OPTIONAL SECTION
ACTIVITIES, MEMBERSHIPS, AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
You can add this as a single section, or you can make separate sections for each heading (as shown in the example below). If you have any relevant memberships, affiliations, or have undertaken any activities that may be noteworthy in a professional capacity to the industry or role for which you are applying, by listing them in a section like this, you can significantly bolster your chances of convincing the employer you have the necessary qualities and character needed for the role. This section is a great way to convey things like leadership skills, organisational skills, and other job specific or transferrable skills and qualities that are desired or necessary for the role in question. It is also a great way to convey the overall enthusiasm and passion you have for that given field as well. For instance, if you were a team captain, if you were involved in a student body, if you performed support functions on behalf of a local sports club or other community organisation, you could note it here, (simply ensure the heading you give provides an adequate description of the function you performed – as seen in the example below)
The same as with other sections, the standard format is to list the dates, starting with the most recent, in reverse chronological order
There is a degree of flexibility in how additional sections are composed. If you can think of previous activities you’ve participated in, but don’t have anything in the way of relevant memberships or professional affiliations, simply compose this section under the heading of an Activities section
Likewise, if you can think of memberships and professional affiliations, but not activities, simply list this section under the heading of a Memberships and Affiliations section
If you find it easier or think it’s more beneficial, you can include these as individual sections, (as shown below) or compile them under one heading, (as shown in the example above). It all comes down to your personal preference as to what you think works best, along with the practical consideration of the space you have available, (which will depend on the layout of your C.V/ resume design your using)
When composing this section, remember that your examples don’t have to be earthshattering ones. Most people will have some sort of experience that is relevant to the role they are applying for even if they need to think about it at first. Just keep in mind though that relevance here is key. If you are applying for a seasonal hospitality role where no formal qualifications are required, the types of activities that are relevant to an employer will be vastly different than, for example, if you are applying for a position like a district manager where a lot more authority and responsibility is involved
Volunteer Experience
If you have volunteer experience on top of other types of affiliations, memberships, and activities experience, it’s best to list them all under the same section. However, if volunteer experience is the only type of experience you have, it’s best to omit this section and list this under a volunteer section instead
Remember that nothing is set in stone when it comes to how you compile a C.V or resume, and you will find many versions and variations in these documents – for that reason, don’t be afraid to add and name the sections on it in a way that is most relevant for the experience you have…
Where should I include Activities, Memberships, Professional Affiliations on a C.V or Resume?
The placement of optional sections can vary depending on the section in question. In this case the optional sections covered here consist of Activities, Memberships (also sometimes titled as professional memberships), and Professional Affiliations. Regardless of whether you have elected to list these under one section, or have listed them each under separate headings, the guidance is to place this in the following area on a C.V or resume
Contact Details
Profile State – Career statement, personal statement, or resume objective
OPTIONAL SECTION – You can include an Activities, Memberships, and Professional Affiliations section here
Employment History
Education
OPTIONAL SECTION – Relevant courses
OPTIONAL SECTION – Honors and Awards
OPTIONAL SECTION – Certifications/ Qualifications
Skills
Or, like so…
Contact Details
Profile Statement – Career statement, personal statement, or resume objective
OPTIONAL SECTION – You can include an Activities section here
OPTIONAL SECTION – You can include a Memberships section here
OPTIONAL SECTION – You can include a Professional Affiliations section here
Employment History
Education
OPTIONAL SECTION – Relevant courses
OPTIONAL SECTION – Honors and Awards
OPTIONAL SECTION – Certifications/ Qualifications
Skills