1st Year Analyst - When to Remove Extracurriculars from Resume?

Currently going through lateral recruiting after nearing the end of my first year on the desk. Should I still have my college extracurriculars (president of a couple clubs) under an extracurriculars / activities section? Or is it time to take it all out and replace it entirely with my work experience? 

Know they can be a conversation starter in interviews but I also am a year removed from college so looking for any advice for people who have done the same.

2 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's the deal: As a 1st-year analyst going through lateral recruiting, it's generally a good idea to start phasing out college extracurriculars unless they are highly relevant or impressive. Here’s how to approach it:

  1. Prioritize Professional Experience: Your resume should focus on your current role and deal experience. Highlighting your professional achievements and responsibilities is critical, as this is what lateral recruiters care about most.

  2. Keep High-Impact Extracurriculars: If your extracurriculars demonstrate leadership, unique skills, or something that sets you apart (e.g., president of a major club or organization), you can keep them in a smaller section. However, avoid cluttering your resume with less impactful activities.

  3. Tailor for Relevance: If you believe certain extracurriculars can serve as conversation starters or align with the culture of the firms you're targeting, keep them. Otherwise, it’s time to let them go and focus on showcasing your professional growth.

  4. Transition Gradually: If you’re still early in your career and don’t have a ton of deal experience yet, it’s okay to keep a small extracurriculars section. As you gain more experience, replace it entirely with professional accomplishments.

Remember, the goal is to present yourself as a polished professional, so ensure your resume reflects your current trajectory and skills.

Sources: PE Recruiting as a Lateral Analyst w/ Weak Academic Profile, Non-Target Recruiting Guide Part I: Resume and Networking, Filtering resumes - what I looked for when screening 200+ resumes, Ask mbaMission about Business School Admissions, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/consulting/5-things-i-wish-i-knew-when-i-started-consulting?customgpt=1

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

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