Photo Credit: https://essayontime.com.au

As you begin to piece together information for your resume, it can be a lot to keep track of dates of employment, responsibilities at each position, and of course, your achievements. However, a resume shouldn’t simply be a detailed list of your work history. Here’s a list of additional information for your resume that’s critical to catch the eye of a potential employer.

1. Academic and Extracurricular Organizations
   Did your team win the engineering department’s cardboard boat race? How about competing in the math department’s integration bee? These experiences demonstrate traits like the ability to work under pressure or as a member of a team. Including these activities allows you to show, rather than tell, potential employers about your skills.
    
2. Freelance or Contract Projects
   Whether you worked as an analyst, consultant, or project manager, freelance and contract projects are important to include on your resume. Not only do they show a particular skill set within an industry, they also demonstrate your ability to jump in with an organization and provide the services they need.
    
3. Entrepreneurial Spirit
   What if you are attempting to reenter an industry that you left many years ago? An employer may wonder what you were doing in the interim. Many people have their own business on the side. Don’t forget to include your small business on your resume, even if it is your side hustle. This type of work shows a hardworking nature, the ability to schedule time, coordinate employees, and create revenue. These are all transferable skills that can be utilized in future positions.
    
4. Research Projects
   Be sure to include research projects you worked on. Whether in a professional setting or for a college course, include information about specific projects, like for a senior capstone class. This shows employers that you can manage your time on a longterm project and meet deadlines.
    
5. Professional Development
   No matter where you work, chances are that you attended a training within your organization, at the industry level, or through a national association. Adding professional development information to your resume is vital to showcase your desire to better yourself in your career. Include the names of the trainings, along with the organization that led the events.
    
6. Community Engagement
   In addition to your professional experiences, consider adding community involvement to your resume. Volunteering in your community shows that you can manage multiple priorities. Most people are involved with organizations that they are passionate about and that align with their skill sets. By outlining these experiences, a future employer will realize that you are someone who is striving to make a difference.

Remember that your resume should demonstrate what is unique about you, the skill sets that you have, and how those experiences could positively impact your future workplace.

Adapted from “4 Things You Forgot to Include on Your Resume” by Jenna Mantis on YourMembership.