Deciding whether to include your fraternity on a resume is a frequent challenge for students and recent graduates. It is a strategic decision that carries both potential advantages and disadvantages. The choice depends heavily on your personal experiences, the specific chapter you belonged to, and the career field you are pursuing. Understanding when and how to present this information can impact a potential employer’s perception of you.
When to Include Your Fraternity
For recent graduates with limited professional history, a fraternity experience can serve as a substitute for formal job roles. If you held a leadership position, such as president or treasurer, it provides evidence of your capabilities. These roles involve skills that are transferable to a professional environment, such as budget management, team leadership, and project coordination. Highlighting these responsibilities demonstrates a proactive mindset and community involvement.
Including your fraternity can be advantageous when the organization has a positive reputation. A well-regarded chapter, known for academic achievement or philanthropic endeavors, can reflect well on its members. The connection can also be a networking tool. Hiring managers who are alumni of the same Greek organization may view your shared affiliation favorably, creating an instant rapport that can set you apart.
This alumni network provides an advantage in your job search. Many fraternities maintain extensive networks for career opportunities and mentorship. Listing your affiliation signals to other members within a company that you are part of this community. This can open doors to informational interviews and provide an internal advocate who understands the experiences associated with your chapter.
When to Leave Your Fraternity Off
The decision to omit your fraternity from a resume often stems from the risk of negative stereotypes. Some hiring managers may hold preconceived notions about Greek life, associating it with social activities rather than professional development. If a specific chapter has a history of poor conduct or a poor reputation, including it on your resume could link you to those negative perceptions.
As you accumulate more professional experience, the relevance of your fraternity involvement diminishes. Once your resume is populated with internships and full-time positions, these experiences become more indicative of your skills and work ethic. Your collegiate activities, including Greek life, become less prominent. Keeping a fraternity on your resume for too long can suggest that you haven’t acquired more substantial accomplishments since graduation.
Unconscious bias is another factor. A hiring manager who had a negative personal experience with Greek life or simply views it unfavorably might be biased against your application. Since it is impossible to know the opinions of every reviewer, leaving the fraternity off is a safer strategy. This approach ensures that your application is judged on its professional and academic merits, removing a variable that could work against you.
How to List a Fraternity on Your Resume
When you include your fraternity, its placement and description are important. Instead of listing the fraternity’s name under a generic “Activities” heading, integrate it into a professionally framed section like “Leadership and Extracurricular Activities.” This positioning focuses the reader on the valuable aspects of the experience and frames it as a source of skills.
The description of your role should be results-oriented and use strong action verbs. Avoid passive phrases like “Member of” or “Participated in.” Instead, quantify your achievements to show your impact. For instance, a treasurer could state, “Managed a $30,000 annual budget, ensuring all financial obligations were met and records were maintained with 100% accuracy.” This method demonstrates tangible skills.
For a leadership role, detail the responsibilities like a professional job description. A philanthropy chair might write, “Organized and executed three fundraising events per semester, raising over $10,000 annually for the national charity partner and increasing event attendance by 25%.” This format provides evidence of your ability to plan, manage, and deliver results, making the experience more compelling.
Alternatives to Listing Your Fraternity
If you are concerned about the downsides of naming your fraternity but want to showcase the skills gained, you can translate those experiences into skill-based bullet points. This allows you to claim the valuable experience without introducing the risk of bias associated with the fraternity’s name. Place these points under a “Relevant Experience” or “Skills” section on your resume. This strategy focuses the hiring manager’s attention on your abilities.
For example, a recruitment chair can describe accomplishments without mentioning the Greek letters. You could write, “Developed and implemented a semester-long recruitment strategy that increased new member acquisition by 15%.” This highlights your experience in strategic planning and execution. It effectively communicates your capabilities in a professional context.
Similarly, a role managing the chapter’s house or finances can be framed as property or financial management experience. A house manager could state, “Oversaw daily operations and maintenance for a 12-resident facility, coordinating with vendors and managing a budget for repairs and supplies.” This approach allows you to leverage your practical experience, demonstrating responsibility and operational skills without naming the organization where you acquired them.