This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Kenyon chapter.
In today’s job market, having an application with an edge is key. In order to get that job or internship, you need to make your resume stand out. Though many people include their collegiate Greek experience as a bullet point on their resume.
You should know, however, that your Greek experience can be so much more on your resume than just a bullet point. Here are six ways to highlight your Greek organization and give your resume some extra zest:
- Time Management: Being involved in a Greek organization is a time commitment. Most likely, you contribute more of your time to the organization than just through attending the weekly meetings. Not only are you an active member of your organization and probably multiple others, but you are also a student—and typically a good student, since many Greek organizations have a required minimum GPA for members. Show employers that you can balance many responsibilities and do it well!
- Volunteering: Volunteering shows that you are willing to go out of your way to help others without recognition or payment. Most Greek organizations require members to perform a certain amount of community service hours each semester. USE IT! Especially if you don’t have previous work experience, volunteering can emphasize certain skills you have developed. Highlighting service projects that you have participated in repeatedly will show your commitment to a cause and accentuate a certain skill set.
- Budgeting: Most Greek Organizations have a significant budget. Even if you do not directly manage the account as treasurer, you pay into it. Most likely, every member is included in deciding what is reasonable to purchase. This is budgeting. You aren’t going to let your organization buy a bouncy castle if it will wipe out the entire account. Also, to be a member of a Greek organization, you have to pay dues. If you pay them yourself, emphasize that you learned to budget your own account while maintaining your status as a member of your Greek organization.
- Team Work & Communication: Communication is key in Greek organizations in order to make sure everything gets done in a timely manner. Give your employer examples of how you communicated with your fellow members to complete tasks efficiently. These examples will not only demonstrate your communication skills, but also your ability to work well with others. Employers want people who play nice with others. Use specific instances to make it evident that you are a team player who can communicate effectively with others.
- Event Planning: If you are a member of a Greek organization, there is an extremely good chance you will help plan at least one party a year. Planning a large-scale party takes a lot of work and dedication as it incorporates time management, communication, and budgeting. You also will have to coordinate with campus officers and possibly the Student Activities Office, which means interacting with adults and college officials. Even if you are not the main event planner, show employers that you completed your assigned tasks to the best of your ability, and that you went above and beyond your responsibilities to ensure that your party or event went as smoothly as possible!
- Leadership: Greek organizations are a great way to build your leadership skills. If you hold an office, illustrate your responsibilities listing examples of projects you led right on your resume. These examples of responsibilities and skills appear more as concrete evidence of your abilities. Don’t fret if you never held a leadership position! By demonstrating how you participated in fundraising events, or helped promote certain views or organizations, you are still building your leadership skills.
As a member of a sorority, I highlighted all of the above skills when making my resume. I never thought that I would build such marketable skills from joining sorority! Being in a Greek organization is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many reasons. Go Greek!
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