Each time you update your resume, you have to decide which experiences and accomplishments to include, and how to present them in the best light. For sorority or fraternity members, this can be a tricky task. Do you put your membership on your resume? If so, where? And what should you say about it?
What Is The Difference Between Sororities And Fraternities?
Let`s start with the definitions what are sorority and fraternity. The sorority is the women’s organization at the university, which has its own Greek name and rituals. The fraternity is a brotherhood of students who are united to perform certain activities inside and outside their universities. These organizations are called “Greek life.”
The main purpose of these organizations is to provide their members with academic support, social activities, and leadership opportunities. Each organization has different values that its members should follow. For example, some focus on service, while others prioritize professional development or socializing.
If you join a fraternity or sorority, you become a part of something larger than yourself – a community to which Huntley College has long been home. Men are in fraternities and women in sororities; both use letters from the Greek alphabet for their namesakes.
Because these organizations are selective, usually have chapter houses, and uphold a set of values, they differ from college clubs or simply getting an apartment with friends off-campus.
Fraternities and sororities are values-based organizations that promote academic excellence, leadership development, service to others, and lifelong friendships. The primary purpose of these organizations is to provide members with opportunities for personal growth and development.
Is a sorority considered a professional membership?
Although social fraternities and sororities mostly select members from students enrolled in particular majors or areas of study, including Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Sigma Rho, and Triangle, they are primarily social organizations rather than professional. Moreover, these organizations are not affiliated with any professional organization or field of study.
Is Phi Kappa Phi a big deal?
Phi Kappa Phi, founded in 1897 and located at the University of Maine, is not only one of the best honor societies but also the most selective. Furthermore, they accept members from all academic disciplines in the top 7.5% of their second semester and for graduate students: only those in the top 10 percent are accepted.
Why Should You Add It To The Resume?
Your Greek organization can be beneficial to list on your resume when first job hunting after college. However, once you’ve gained a year or two of professional experience, it may be best to leave this information off future resumes.
Whenever you’re considering adding any type of extracurricular activity to your resume, always ask yourself if it will help or hinder your job search. If you’re unsure whether to include Greek life on your resume, here are a few pros and cons to help you make your decision.
Membership in a sorority or fraternity can demonstrate many positive qualities, including diverse interests, advanced skills, a proactive mindset, community involvement, and being achievement-oriented. Plus, there are many ways to list sorority membership on a resume or CV. Moreover, this experience can help you develop leadership, time management, and organizational skills.
On the other hand, some employers may view Greek membership as a negative due to hazing incidents or alcohol abuse that has made headlines in recent years. If you’re applying for a job that requires a high level of responsibility, such as working with children or handling finances, your sorority or fraternity membership could count against you.
So, the answer to whether you should add the sorority or fraternity to the CV is definitely yes!
How to Put Sorority or Fraternity on Resume?
There are two ways you can include your Greek Life experience on your resume so that it looks professional and doesn’t stand out. It all comes down to how much information you want to share. Moreover, if you’re worried about how future employers might react to your affiliation with a sorority or fraternity, don’t be.
Applicants can add a sorority or fraternity in several resume sections. The first section is the Professional experience. Here, you can list your experience as a leader in your organization. If you held any positions, such as president or vice president, include these as well.
The second section is Activities. In this section people usually list their hobbies, but it’s also a great place to mention your involvement in Greek Life. Finally, the Volunteering section is another option for including your sorority or fraternity. Employers usually appreciate seeing that you’re willing to give back to the community.
OK, the next step is writing down the actual name of your sorority or fraternity. But how do you abbreviate it? The most common way is to use Greek letters, but you can also spell out the full name if you prefer. For example:
- Sigma Kappa Sorority
- Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity
- Phi Mu
- Chi Omega
If you’re not sure how to abbreviate your organization’s name, check with a staff member or look it up online. Once you have the correct abbreviation, include it after the section heading, like this:
Professional Experience
- Sigma Kappa Sorority, President (2017-2018)
- Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity, Vice President (2016-2017)
Activities
- Phi Mu, Social Chair (2015-2016)
- Chi Omega, Treasurer (2014-2015)
Volunteering
- Sigma Kappa Sorority, Philanthropy Chair (2017-2018)
- Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity, Alumni Relations Chair (2016-2017)
As you can see, there are many ways to list your sorority or fraternity on your resume. The most important thing is to be consistent and use the same format for each organization. This will make your resume look more polished and professional.
In order to make your experiences more relevant to the job application, you should first identify the most important aspects. This can include items such as GPA or community service hours, committees, leadership positions, meetings, and philanthropic events. Once these have been recorded, look for common themes and skills that you picked up along the way.
What skills to highlight?
There are a few key skills that Greek Life members often develop, which future employers will find impressive. These include:
- Leadership: As a Greek Life member, you likely held one or more leadership positions. This experience can be transferable to the workplace, where you’ll be expected to take charge and motivate others.
- Time management: Greek Life members often have to juggle multiple responsibilities at once. This experience can be helpful in the workplace, where you’ll need to be able to prioritize and stay organized.
- Communication: As a Greek Life member, you probably had to communicate with people from all different backgrounds. This skill is essential in the workplace, where you’ll need to be able to effectively communicate with co-workers, customers, and clients.
- Teamwork: Greek Life members often work in teams to plan events or raise money for philanthropy. This experience can be helpful in the workplace, where you’ll need to be able to collaborate with others.
So, there you have it! Three simple tips for listing your sorority or fraternity on your resume. By following these tips, you can be sure that future employers will see your involvement in a positive light. And who knows, they might even be impressed enough to give you an interview!