Put Toastmasters on your Resume

I am a member of Toastmasters.

Every week my club meets at a local restaurant where we conduct a meeting focused on building skills in leadership and public speaking. We work from an established agenda and a set of manuals that focus on a methodology established to build these skills over time and with our commitment.

Recently I read a series of blog posts from multiple recruiters. The thrust of these posts informed the reader that Toastmasters is seen as a “hokey” group for inexperienced speakers. They feel that this is speaking “practice” and does not build experience. One recruiter went on to say that if you can't qualify as an expert speaker you should not put Toastmasters on your resume because it was deceptive. They all agreed that Toastmasters who are job seekers should not put their club affiliation on their resumes.

I feel VERY differently than the folks who's views I just described.

As a hiring manager, if I am interviewing someone with challenged communication skills I would welcome the information that they were involved in Toastmasters. It tells me that the person has proactively identified a weakness and has taken the necessary steps to begin to correct it. This makes a strong impression on me and may even nullify the “negative” that they would normally be given based on their current skills.

Being an active Toastmaster, I know the effort and level of preparation that my fellow members and I put into our speeches. We also work hard on learning how to deliver and receive constructive feedback. On top of all this, Toastmasters rotate meeting responsibilities and officer posts, giving all members the opportunity to build their organization and leadership skills.

One of the most poignant considerations that must be address is that public speaking is on the top of the list of fears for most people. As Seinfeld jokes, most people would rather be in the coffin than delivering the eulogy. So what does it say to you when you meet a person that consistently faces their fears in order to conquer them? To me it speaks volumes. I know I am building my confidence and that I am supporting my associates to do the same.

So I question the recruiting “professionals” that posted those negative comments. I wonder if maybe they are too immature in their position to fully understand what a Toastmaster designation implies. I would love to ask them how they spend their time away from work – I suspect probably not in meeting with a like-minded group of professionals determined to improve the most sought after skill that crosses ALL industries. When you put that Toastmaster affiliation on your resume you are stating that you are self-aware, confident and proactive. You are stating that you recognize communication as the key to any successful business and that you are committed to holding up your end while leading others in a constructive way.

I encourage all Toastmasters to proudly put this affiliation on their resumes. And if you are not yet a Toastmaster, I hope you'll run out and join your local chapter. I am sure your employer will appreciate your decision.

Go do something great for yourself.

Brian

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