Do you think being a social activist would hurt or help your resume?

Say you've been active in things like human or animal rights, the peace or environmental movements, etc.

Would you mention it? Would you mention it only on resumes sent to what you understand are socially enlightened companies and omit it from your regular resume?

The one time I applied for a corporate type job, I left on my work with unions, NARAL, the anti-apartheid movement, and other stuff, but I did not play it up as much as I usually do, and I totally left off my volunteer work with the Jerry Brown campaign.

I would never want to work for a place that I had to hide my political views. If they don't want to hire ME, they can piss off.

I would definitely include the information on resumes submitted to potential employers and personnel who are politically active or who share similiar views. But if I had reason to think that my social activism would limit my opportunities to interview with a potential employer then I would omit it from my resume. The first objective is to get the interview. The second objective is to find out as much as possible about the potential employer and to filter the potential job responibilities and employer expectations as to whether or not they are an appropriate fit for my personality and skills. If they are not able to prejudge me then it become my choice as to what - if any - sacrifice I am willing to make to take a particular position. Point is, you want to be the one to make that decision - and you won't have that opportunity if you never get the interview.

I also would consider the prevailing views within the industry and the geographic region. It probbly isn't a good thing to mention that you are an animal rights activist is you are applying to work at Tyson foods.

to share that information - partly because I live in a conservative area and I have been reported to the main office already for 'political' speech and warned to stop expressing my opinion.

job you were applying for.

job you were applying for.

I work in finance. It wouldn't be relevant and could easily be seen as a negative. I wouldn't mention it. But it depends on the type of job you're seeking...

if your activities are for Democrat groups and you live in a red state, beware! Also watch out how your name comes up under Google. Many employers are "googling" potential employees before the hire. I had signed up for meetup.com groups and coded my info as "private". However, when I search Google for my own name, ALL the groups I belonged to in Meetup.com showed up, so the employer knew I was a Dem. Needless to say, I cancelled all my meetup stuff, but the damage is done, as I'm still listed on Google.
So much for ever getting a job with the State...

of the initial person screening (and throwing out) your reseume. So I would say no.