Would you put Mensa on a resume
I guess I'm a little paranoid about it to even ask, but: I'm writing a resume for the first time since college (18 years ago) I've been involved in my own businesses since that time--no need for a resume there--but now there is an open department head job at an organization I'd like to be a part of. I'm doing the "other activities" part of my resume. I used to be a member of Mensa, but I let it lapse years ago. Is that membership something that is good to have on a resume. Does it say "I am also smart" Or does it say "I like to brag that I'm smart" If it should be included, can I get away with just listing, after the bullet, "---Mensa Membership" Or do I have to go look up my local chapter and try to figure out how much I need to pay to get current. Thanks! I am actually torn over that myself. Not because I belong, or even come close to belonging, to Mensa, but because I had a resume come across my desk by a candidate for a Legal Assistant position who listed as being a member of Mensa. Initially, I rolled my eyes and thought, "great, all I need is a know-it-all trying to undermine my authority with her I'm smarter than yoiu are bull puckey". But, you know what? I called her, invited her in for an interview and then we started talking about her dogs. (Yeah, I know, weird, but I heard her dogs barking and they sounded like mine so I asked her if she had a terrier or terrior mix). She is very nice and sweet and I did not detect one iota of an "I'm smarter than you are persona". Now, given the type of job (s) you are currently considering, I think it would be in your best interest to include this. Your other post mentioned high level managerial positions and your Mensa membership would probably suit the position (both of them) very well. Definately contact your local chapter and find out what you need to do to get you back on their member's roll. then in your resume under the Other Activities section, you can bullet point, like this:
If you don't intend to reactivate your membership, don't list it. If you want to list it, then reaffiliate with the local chapter, and list "Mensa membership, chapter whatever, whatever." Specifying the chapter to which you belong will lend credibility--I suppose anyone could list "Mensa membership," without being a member, and I doubt an employer would check on it! And, sure, go for it. When I was a hiring manager, I'd love to have had Mensa candidates! Not that it "makes" them qualified for the job, but being in the communications field, I would always assume that such a person would have a superior grasp of language skills!
Mensa says, "I like to brag that I'm smart." Let your experience and achievements speak for you and for themselves. If your membership has lapsed, you're no longer a member. I wouldn't put that on a resume unless the application or employer specifically asks for outside interests.
I don't think it adds any value and it may put some people off. Why go there? If you go in for an interview and see that they have a plaque from Mensa on their desk, you can say something about it. Otherwise, leave it off. For that matter, most of your "other activities" probably shouldn't be there either. Unless you do something "other" that specifically ties to the job, don't go there. For example, let's say you make quilts. If you're applying for the editor in chief of a line of magazines that deal with crafts, sewing and quilts, then yes, include that. If you're applying for a position related to art, you might tie that together for them in your cover letter (as you can see on my resume, I've been a quilt artist and collector for several years and can appreciate the subtle nuances of...). If you're applying for the manager of an insurance claims department, who cares? I have to say that most of the time, the "other" stuff that I see listed on people's resumes definitely puts me off that candidate. It is rarely relevant and it usually makes me wonder what the heck they're thinking and how good their judgement is. For the last opening I had, I seriously had someone specifically list that they did weekend plus sized modeling as an "other" activity. Needless to say, that has nothing to do with the corporate position I'm trying to fill. Tess
Not only that, but if your membership is lapsed you are not a current member, so you shouldn't include it on your resume even if it were relevant. That definitely looks like (and is) resume padding. | |
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