Resume - Include A.A. Leadership Positions?

I'm helping out a family member with a resume who's been out of the workforce for almost a decade. She's got some decent work and volunteer experience, but she also has had quite a bit of leadership experience in Alcoholics Anonymous, such as managing finances, being a featured speaker, and was the chair of certain governing committees within the organization. She'll be applying to general positions, such as some kind of customer service job. The positions could show financial literacy and good communication and leadership skills and would fill in time that she was not employed.

Should this be included on her resume? If it was included, I'd have her use some euphemism for A.A. so it's not directly mentioned, but I'd be worried if someone would ask her exactly which organization that she volunteered with.

 

This is tough, because out of work for a decade + the A.A. extras makes me think, closet drunk who ruined professional life and then did whatever they could to seem functional.

However, that's because I'm practically a functional alcoholic. Someone else might see it as someone who sobered up, took responsibility but didn't jump back into the work force.

Why were they out for a decade? That's a long ass time.

"It is better to have a friendship based on business, than a business based on friendship." - Rockefeller. "Live fast, die hard. Leave a good looking body." - Navy SEAL
 
UTDFinanceGuy:

This is tough, because out of work for a decade + the A.A. extras makes me think, closet drunk who ruined professional life and then did whatever they could to seem functional.

However, that's because I'm practically a functional alcoholic. Someone else might see it as someone who sobered up, took responsibility but didn't jump back into the work force.

Why were they out for a decade? That's a long ass time.

She's been out of the workforce due to a physical ailment that's unrelated to her previous alcoholism. She's also been sober since '93 so that's not something that has affected her jobs. I was thinking about having her write that she was a substance abuse counselor of some sort for some volunteer organization, as she's also served as a mentor for about 10-15 years within A.A. I want to avoid putting the words "Alcoholics Anonymous" on her resume.

 
CRE:

I think it is going to depend A LOT on her as a person. Some people can own stuff like that and make it seem like not a big deal. Others...can't.

I'm sure she could own it but it's "Anonymous" for a reason. She doesn't want anyone at her workplace to know of her involvement in A.A., which is why I want to just use words like "volunteer organization" or "substance abuse counselor." If it all becomes too difficult to go around, I'll just have her get rid of it, but having that extra stuff would be nice to fill in work gaps.

 

Well, I don't think everyone helping out with the administration side of AA is necessarily a recovering alcoholic. For instance, I'm sure there are many people there who have had a close family member battling alcoholism and therefore became familiar with the organization through that avenue. They just want to help out in any way they can. My thought is it's like being a drug counselor, it doesn't mean you were a previous addict

 
realjackryan:

Wrong, go get educated.

Actually they're correct. I've been to numerous AA meetings and I'm not a recovering alcoholic but my family member is so I've gone to give support, etc. I've also helped out with some of the jobs. It's possible to just be a volunteer. So in the words of a great man: "Wrong, go get educated."

 
Best Response

3 things.

  1. if I was interviewing her, I would see AA in a positive light. That requires a lot of will power and determination and says a lot about someone's character. Obviously it wouldnt give them an edge over someone sober, but still. I would say I'm the exception rather than the rule though.

  2. I think a euphemism is a good idea and go for it. Get the story straight and be ready for 3 pressing questions. 'it says here support group, what kind of support group?', 'so how did you get involved?', 'What kind of lessons have you learned there?'. I wouldn't want to reveal that its an AA group in the answer to any of those questions.

  3. I have friends that are in AA and they have actually met some really cool people there. Alcoholism affects everyone, including people that manage companies. If she leveraged her network there (it sounds like she has a great presence among the group) she wouldn't have to worry about it at all.

I say do 3

 

I don't think I'm going to have her include it. It's become too much of a hassle. She has other work experience so I'll just have her use that and fill in the gaps with something else.

 

A lot of people will have zero issue with it. I don't think I know anyone that hasnt had alcoholism impact their lives to some degree. Ultimately her experience is what makes her who she is, however, to be safe, make two resumes so they way she is ready should the upfront one not work.

Only two sources I trust, Glenn Beck and singing woodland creatures.
 

A cum repellendus architecto qui ut. Labore et ducimus enim quia distinctio laborum quis. Repellendus repellat cum qui eos.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”