An Odd Sort Of Resumé Question

bsidebella

When I first started putting together a resumé last year, I listed amongst my college activities that I served on the executive board of my school's Gay-Straight Alliance (secretary, for 2 years).

My boyfriend, looking everything over, advised me to remove the position from my activities. I asked him why not? It shows I'm organized and was trustworthy enough to be voted into a position of responsibility. He said that certain companies might not hire me because I was affiliated with a GSA.

He is not a homophobe, or against gays or anything like that. But he was afraid that some companies might see that on my resumé and decide not to hire me because of it. "Some people are small-minded like that," he said.

Recently, I have re-added my GSA position to my resumé. I mean, I want to work in the entertainment industry! It shouldn't really matter, should it? But I can't help remembering what he said.

Anyone want to weigh in on this?

zaneopal

I think you should keep it. If a company is willing to reject you as a job candidate solely based upon your involvement with the GSA, is it really somewhere you want to work?

bsidebella

Well, the thing is, they don't have to tell me that that's why they rejected me. He's afraid that they'll reject me for that, but tell me something else, like I'm not qualified or some BS like that.

katanne9

It's a tricky question, but I agree with Zaneopal.

You should present yourself as who you are unless you're prepared to act like someone you're not at work. If they don't hire you because of that, you may not want to work there.

jeanacorina

I wouldn't want to work in a place where that was grounds for not hiring someone (I probably do work in a place like that, but I haven't tested the theory).

Keep it there and be proud of the experience.

PaigeMcC

I agree with PPs.  Leave it on.  It's something that adds to your resume, it's something you (I assume) are proud of and it shows a great skill set.  Anyone that would reject you for that doesn't know what they're missing.

bsidebella

Thanks, guys

jeana, Paige - I AM proud of that experience  I did a lot of great work with that club, and made a lot of great friends - plus I got to march in the gay pride parade in New York City one year, how cool is that?! 

zane, katanne - you're all completely right. I wouldn't want to work in a company that won't hire me because of my GSA affiliation

loopy82

I think it also depends on where you live and what type of job you are going for.

You said entertainment, so you are right it probably shouldn't be a big deal. If you were going for a conservative job I would think it may potentially be a hinderance. Also if you live in a small town it may be something that people would be more skeptical about than a larger city (this is just coming from me looking at the small town where my family is from and comparing it to MPLS - world of difference.)

bsidebella

Again you are right. I agree. But I live in a medium-sized town, and I'm looking for a job in an industry that shouldn't rwaise its eyebrows at a GSA affiliation!

loopy82

Good luck! I guess if you have submitted your resume to a lot of places and haven't gotten any calls, or gone on a number of interviews and haven't found a job, maybe you might try taking it off to see if it does make a difference or not. Hopefully it won't come to that.

bsidebella

That's a good point. So far, I've only submitted resumés to 5 or 6 places - one of which has called, but I don't think they're 100% interested. Dunno why, it's to be a receptionist at a freakin' hair salon. There's gotta be at least one gay guy there.

loopy82

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_odd-sort-of-resum-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:b9f87988-fb6d-48d7-bfb5-5518131552ecPost:8ebf4af4-b70c-467a-ab01-e979326db083">Re: An Odd Sort Of Resumé Question</a>:
[QUOTE]That's a good point. So far, I've only submitted resumés to 5 or 6 places - one of which has called, but I don't think they're 100% interested. Dunno why, it's to be a receptionist at a freakin' hair salon . There's gotta be at least one gay guy there.
Posted by bsidebella[/QUOTE]

Lol!! That is funny! I'm trying to think if I've gone to a salon that has had any guys working at it. Not that I can recall offhand. Maybe its not as popular for male hairdressers to work in suburban MN.

musikbx

I don't want to be a Negative Nancy here, but I think when applying for jobs it's generally best to keep your resume free of religious, political and/or sexual affiliations.  People are opinionated about such things, and while you may not *want* to work in an environment with closed-minded idiots, there are closed-minded idiots in almost every workplace.

zaneopal

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_odd-sort-of-resum-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:b9f87988-fb6d-48d7-bfb5-5518131552ecPost:5d412429-8a0d-44f3-bdd7-190bf211a019">Re: An Odd Sort Of Resumé Question</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't want to be a Negative Nancy here, but I think when applying for jobs it's generally best to keep your resume free of religious, political and/or sexual affiliations.  People are opinionated about such things, and while you may not *want* to work in an environment with closed-minded idiots, there are closed-minded idiots in almost every workplace.
Posted by musikbx[/QUOTE]

You've got a point, musikbx. However, I feel like it is an atrocious commentary on society when we have to consider wanting support and equality for all people a political issue.

musikbx

Believe me, I agree! The sad fact is that it's just not the case out there in the world, right now. In this economy especially, it may be best just to bite your tongue and do what you need to do to get the job.

I believe that it doesn't make you less of an open minded person to know when to keep your opinions to yourself. You are still entitled to your beliefs, and you can continue to be as passionate about them as you would like... at times when it is appropriate (i.e. evenings and weekends?)

BlueBoxBride

Honestly, I would keep it off because it isn't a professional achievement and is taking up valuable space on your resume. 

Unless I apply for a job in film/events/pr, I keep the fact that I was President of our Comm. Majors Society and organized a ton of field mixers with film production companies/ceos off my resume. And my mixers effectively led to Comm. majors getting internships and jobs. 

I also interned for a while for a PR firm that also managed the TNA organization and I worked on a PPV event. I sometimes list it for entertainment because there were skills used but also accountable success, i.e. "Researched fan feedback and documented feedback from social media to effectively market story lines for the PPV event. The event made $25m in international sales." 

I work in fashion now and I honestly keep off my experience as a professional makeup artist because most of my work was bridal or for on-site interviews for the Food Network. And really, I've worked up enough experience working with apparel that I rather effectively list my SKILLS than filler.  I'm sure some of the skills for your role in your university club are the exact same skills you have elsewhere in your job history, HTH!

meamolly

i agree with blueboxbride. it is not a professional achievement so it should be left off.

dwest2201

In my professional opinion (Human Resources Administrator) I would recommend taking it off for the following reason...

It is political.  Period.

Some others have made valuable points about how others will judge.  Although MOST HR Managers are trained not to judge on things like this, or the way that you dress for an interview etc. not all are as good at separating what really matters in your qualifications for the job and what just matters to their personal preferences.   That being  said a lot of companies will have you interview with a department manager or someone else who has not completed the training that HR personnel has and will be more judgemental.

I would have recommended that you left it on if the position were directly related the type of job you are applying for.  (Treasurer if you are applying to work in a financial area, Social Chair if your applying for a party planner etc.)

One other option is to have 2 copies of your resume.  One with one without and carry both with you... go with your gut and give the one that you feel is right for each company.  (I usually do this myself because I'm indecisive).

P.S. GOOD LUCK!!

bsidebella

Sorry it's taken me so long to respond - I had a long night last night, got home so late! You all make excellent points. Really and truly. And I agree with all of you, which makes it harder.

zane - it is a terrible reflection on society that a GSA affiliation would keep me from a job.

musikbx - excellent point, and the exact point my boyfriend was trying to make when he first advised me to extract it from my resumé.

blueboxbride - no, it isn't a professional achievement. But I'm not a professional yet. I'm graduating college next month. I don't have much to add in terms of professional experience, and I was encouraged by my advisor to list my college activities on my resumé, and my role within those activities - which is how it ended up on my resumé in the first place.

dwest - thanks for the luck. But as an HR person, can I ask you something? And please, I'm not trying to start a fight or an argument or accuse anyone of anything, I am just honestly curious: what if it wasn't a GSA? What if I was an e-board member for the Young Democratic Socialists? Or the Young Republicans, the Campus Ministry, Hill-el or the Feminist Collective? They are political/religious affiliations, yes, but they seem to be a lot more widely regarded clubs, aren't they? Do you think it makes a difference, since LGBTQ rights are so widely debated nowadays? Or would you advise any and all "controversial" activities to be removed from a resumé?

dwest2201

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_odd-sort-of-resum-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:b9f87988-fb6d-48d7-bfb5-5518131552ecPost:e58137af-79ce-46b4-87dc-cace7c2f8b6f">Re: An Odd Sort Of Resumé Question</a>:
[QUOTE] dwest - thanks for the luck. But as an HR person, can I ask you something? And please, I'm not trying to start a fight or an argument or accuse anyone of anything, I am just honestly curious: what if it wasn't a GSA? What if I was an e-board member for the Young Democratic Socialists? Or the Young Republicans, the Campus Ministry, Hill-el or the Feminist Collective? They are political/religious affiliations, yes, but they seem to be a lot more widely regarded clubs, aren't they? Do you think it makes a difference, since LGBTQ rights are so widely debated nowadays? Or would you advise any and all "controversial" activities to be removed from a resumé?
Posted by bsidebella[/QUOTE]

Honestly I would from a professional standpoint recommend leaving out any and all political religious affiliations or contributions... unless you feel that the actual work that you did in that role is relevant experience to the work that you are trying to get into. 

If there is a way to include it without mentioning the organization I would try that.  For example I am a team leader of a volunteer project through my church and we are working with an inner city public school.  I would list that but not include that it is through my church just list the school that we volunteered at and what we did.  If they would ask I would tell them of course.

However, IF you are very passionate about your work with the GLBT community and your work with them by all means keep in on there... just know that although it is obviously wrong some people may make assumptions about you and it could affect whether you are offered a position or not.

I'm all for the dual resume thing... I've used that in the past (geared each toward types of businesses that I was interested in) and I think it has been benificial.

bsidebella

Thanks. I see what you mean. I do like the idea of a dual resume. I think I'm going to do that, too. Thanks again!