Can You Include Eagle Scout In Resume

Should You Include Eagle Scout on Your Resume? (And How to Do It Right)

Meta Description: Wondering if you should list Eagle Scout on your resume? This guide explains when and how to include this prestigious achievement to boost your application, showcasing leadership and dedication. We'll cover formatting tips and alternative ways to highlight your skills.

Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is a significant accomplishment, demonstrating dedication, leadership, and perseverance. But should you include it on your resume? The answer is nuanced, depending on your target job and the overall tone of your application. While it won't always be a necessity, strategically incorporating this achievement can significantly enhance your resume, especially when applying for certain roles.

When to Include Eagle Scout on Your Resume

The Eagle Scout rank is a powerful signal of several key qualities employers value:

• Leadership: The Eagle Scout project inherently involves planning, organizing, and leading a team to complete a complex project. This directly translates to leadership skills applicable in many professional settings.
• Problem-solving: Overcoming obstacles during the project planning and execution phases demonstrates strong problem-solving abilities.
• Commitment: The rigorous requirements to achieve Eagle Scout status showcase dedication and commitment to long-term goals.
• Community Involvement: Many Eagle Scout projects involve community service, highlighting a commitment to social responsibility.

Therefore, including Eagle Scout on your resume is particularly advantageous when:

• Applying for leadership roles: Team lead, project manager, supervisor positions directly benefit from showcasing leadership experience gained through the Eagle Scout journey.
• Highlighting community involvement: If the job description emphasizes community engagement or volunteer work, this achievement becomes relevant.
• Lack of professional experience: For recent graduates or entry-level applicants with limited professional experience, Eagle Scout can fill the gap and demonstrate valuable skills.
• Targeting organizations valuing character: Certain companies, especially those with strong community ties or values-driven cultures, may appreciate this demonstration of character.

How to Include Eagle Scout on Your Resume

Avoid simply listing "Eagle Scout" as a bullet point. Instead, integrate it strategically:

• Within a skills section: Weave relevant skills gained through scouting into your skills section. For example, under "Leadership Skills," you could mention "Successfully led a team of [number] volunteers to complete an Eagle Scout project, resulting in [quantifiable achievement]."
• In a separate accomplishments section: If you have a dedicated section for accomplishments or projects, briefly describe your Eagle Scout project and its impact. Focus on quantifiable results whenever possible.
• In a summary/objective statement: For a concise mention, incorporate it into your summary or objective statement, highlighting the key skills developed. For example, "Highly motivated and results-oriented individual with proven leadership skills developed through achieving the Eagle Scout rank and demonstrated through successful project management."

Example:

Instead of:

• Eagle Scout

Try:

• Leadership & Project Management: Successfully planned, organized, and led a team of 10 volunteers in the construction of a community playground, resulting in a 20% increase in park usage within the first month. (Eagle Scout Project)

When to Omit Eagle Scout from Your Resume

In some cases, including Eagle Scout might not be beneficial:

• Senior-level positions: For experienced professionals, Eagle Scout might seem less relevant compared to extensive professional achievements.
• Irrelevant industries: In fields unrelated to leadership or community service, its impact might be minimal.
• Resume length: If you have a very lengthy resume, consider omitting less relevant achievements to keep it concise and focused.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to include Eagle Scout on your resume depends on the context. Consider your target job, your overall resume, and the message you want to convey to the recruiter. When used strategically, this prestigious achievement can significantly boost your application. Remember to always tailor your resume to each job application for maximum impact.