Thread: Worth it?

It has been mentioned several times now, but what on earth do Student government, political activity, charity work and community activities have to do with a job interview?

I'm not sure I understand your question, but . . . everything, if you put it in your resume.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I'm not sure I understand your question, but . . . everything, if you put it in your resume.

Ok l should phrase it differently.
Why would any of those things matter on a resume?

Basicly I've only read resumes from the bottom of the barrel (retail/retail managment)

But even for thes possitions the things learned in student government, and charity work would come in handy. People skills, compromise, dedication, self-motivated, that little stuff you really need to have. I will teach you the job skills you gotta show up with the other stuff.

Originally Posted by Bruno

It has been mentioned several times now, but what on earth do Student government, political activity, charity work and community activities have to do with a job interview?

These extra activities show that the person is more than just a student. Employers want to hire well-rounded people as well, that will build a good work environment. I have worked with people who have minimal interest outside their job skills...while they may produce quality work, when it comes to working with other people, participating in a project, etc., they are abysmal. Other activities which show you have leadership skills, organizational skills, planning skills, logistics skills, etc. will make you more appealing to an employer. Getting a resume from someone that basically reads "I was born, went to school, got a degree and came here for this interview" makes the interview more difficult and longer. The interviewer has to go on a fishing expedition to get info.

Also, don't forget, continental European schools are a lot different than US schools.

Greg

Damn! That totally ruins this coming year. I was invited to be a mentor for incoming students, and I thought it wouldn't help much and may not be very helpful so I shrugged it off. Oh well, if I maintain or raise my gpa, I should get the invite again. Next time around I'll be sure to jump right on the horse.

While in high school, I was an intern for my dsitrict's representative. He sort of knows me personally and when he sees me he'll say hi. Even though I haven't done anything for him recently - on a business level - could I still put it on my resume? Or should I include things only while in college?

I suppose I have to rethink the activities I'm doing this coming year.

To WireBeard's post about having interests outside of my field. My working experience only covered by being a temporary assistant at Liberty Mutual Institute of Research, which has to do more with mechanical engineering than electrical engineering (my major). I only want to join one club so I don't stretched out too thinly (of course I'll be aiming to become president of the club). Joining an engineering club and going to a third world country, such as some country in Africa, to put my own design to work would provide a greater working experience, but it only shows interest in my field. But I do have other interests such as bboying (aka breakdancing) or rather dancing in general (I'm giving salsa a try since a friend I'd be a great partner and I've done some hip-hop), flying, singing, playing the piano and guitar, and fighting. Would joining a club with any of those be better than the engineering club because it would show I'm well rounded?

Originally Posted by WireBeard

These extra activities show that the person is more than just a student. Employers want to hire well-rounded people as well, that will build a good work environment. I have worked with people who have minimal interest outside their job skills...while they may produce quality work, when it comes to working with other people, participating in a project, etc., they are abysmal. Other activities which show you have leadership skills, organizational skills, planning skills, logistics skills, etc. will make you more appealing to an employer. Getting a resume from someone that basically reads "I was born, went to school, got a degree and came here for this interview" makes the interview more difficult and longer. The interviewer has to go on a fishing expedition to get info.

Also, don't forget, continental European schools are a lot different than US schools.

Greg

Well, I see your point, but if you want to have people with people skills, a hobby such as debating, playing darts or writing articles or whatever is just as valid.
As for leadership: how many leaders do you need in a company?

In europe (at least in Belgium, and several other countries) it is standard procedure for medium to large sized companies to have all applicants take a personality test to determine your if you have the required profile for a job.

My test results were a good match to how I would describe myself.
For example, in my role stress resistance, confidence and the ability to work on my own were very important.
For a HR person, you'd have to be a team player, and have excellent people skills.
And so on. Apart from the fact that they need to be technically qualified, pople need to fit in the environment in which they'll work.

The tests are made to make is near impossible to game them, and they have a very high level of reliability.
Is this done in the US as well?

To Berticus:

You could list your general interest in a hobby section of your resume....and what do you mean by fighting? Kickboxing, etc.? As for listing that you know a politician, no good...you want to concentrate on things you have done that have contributed to your experience. That you were part of a mech engineering group would be valid, as it is related to the work environment (i.e. dancing versus engineering...pick the one related to your job. Working an internship in a foreign country shows dedication to your job, a desire for additional learning, that you view experience as important as scholarship, and that you are willing to do work outside what most Americans would consider their comfort zone...so you would already be ahead of other candidates.

To Bruno:

Such tests are not usually used for hiring outside the government...they are too expensive and can be viewed as unrelated to the person's ability. They are used with employees to help them better understand their abilities and direct their careers, but I have never seen anyone hired/promoted based on a test score. Part of the interview process is to see if the person will fit in to the work environment. Most jobs require 2-3 interviews before an offer is made. Also, for the "well rounded person" activities I mentioned to Berticus, foreign travel, esp. if work related will aslo make his resume stand out. Sadly, only about 21% of Americans own passports and the percentage of Americans that have been outside the US for anything other than tourism/resort/cruises is probably much lower. So a candiadate with overseas expereince related to study or work (as opposed to lying on a beach in Cancun) will grab my attention. Why? It shows that they have expanded their mind and may be open to new ideas...this leads to innovation and progress. This is onyl one part of the interview....they could still be a lazy slacker who doesn't recall anything about being overseas as they were drunk most of the time. It all comes down to experience.

As for my travels, fate never landed me in Belgium unfortunately. The closest I got was the Netherlands....where I becames addicted to pommes with mayo or curry ketchup.....and let's not discuss the chocolate...the darker, the better.

When I was in the Army and assign in Germany (6+ years) I was amazed at the soldiers and their families who left Europe, complaining about how boring it was...well, yes, becasue they never ventured out of the "Little Americas" the Army created to support the "culturally challenged". I can't count the times I had to help a soldier communicate with a German because he refused to learn even basic German...apparently speaking loud will make people understand you. I had to clarify that the gentleman is German, not deaf.

I still get oooos and aaahs from people when they find out I have lived and worked overseas...it is still exotic in the US...which is a whole other conversation.

Berticus, if you would like me to look at your resume, PM me. I'd be happy to. It will be from an Information Technology standpoint.

Greg

Well, I thought I said that I interned for him about 4 years ago... So it's not that I know him, I've done work for him and got volunteer hours from it.

Thanks for the offer. I don't really know where my resume is at the moment, but once I get it together, I'll send it over. Thanks a bunch! This has really been informative and helpful. Gets past all the hype generated by societies and clubs.

Sorry, missed that. If you interned, esp. in High School, put it on the resume. It will make you stand out from the crowd.

Greg