How To List Volunteer Work on Your Resume (With Example)
Including volunteer work on your resume can significantly enhance your job application by showcasing your skills, experiences, and commitment to the community.
This article provides a detailed guide on how to effectively list volunteer work on your resume, ensuring it aligns with your career objectives and appeals to potential employers.
Key Takeaways
- Relevance Matters: Include volunteer experiences that align with the job you're applying for.
- Professional Formatting: List volunteer work similarly to paid positions, detailing your role, organization, and achievements.
- Highlight Transferable Skills: Emphasize skills gained through volunteering that are applicable to the job.
- Quantify Achievements: Use numbers to demonstrate the impact of your volunteer work.
- Placement on Resume: Decide whether to integrate volunteer work into your work experience or in a separate section based on its relevance.
1. Understanding the Importance of Volunteer Work on Your Resume
Volunteer work is more than just a noble endeavour; it's a testament to your character, skills, and work ethic. Including it on your resume can:
- Demonstrate Commitment: Shows dedication to causes beyond personal gain.
- Highlight Transferable Skills: Offers evidence of skills like leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving.
- Fill Employment Gaps: Provides context during periods without paid employment.
- Showcase Diverse Experiences: Reflects adaptability and a broad perspective.
For instance, volunteering as an event coordinator can highlight organizational and leadership skills, which are valuable in many professional settings.
2. Determining When to Include Volunteer Work
Not all volunteer experiences are created equal in the eyes of potential employers. Consider including volunteer work when:
- It's Relevant to the Job: Aligns with the job description or required skills.
- Limited Professional Experience: Especially for recent graduates or career changers.
- Demonstrates Key Skills: Showcases abilities pertinent to the role.
- Reflects Long-term Commitment: Indicates dedication and reliability.
For example, if you're applying for a teaching position and have volunteered as a literacy tutor, this experience is highly relevant and should be included.
3. Where to Place Volunteer Work on Your Resume
The placement of volunteer work on your resume depends on its relevance to the desired position:
- Within Work Experience: If the volunteer role is directly related to the job.
- Separate Volunteer Section: For unrelated but significant volunteer experiences.
- Skills Section: To highlight specific skills acquired through volunteering.
For instance, if you've volunteered as a software developer for a non-profit and are applying for a software engineering role, list this experience under your work experience.
4. How to Format Volunteer Work Entries
Consistency and clarity are key when listing volunteer work. Follow this format:
- Organization Name, Location
- Your Role/Title (indicate if it was a volunteer position)
- Duration (Month Year – Month Year)
- Key Responsibilities and Achievements (use bullet points)
Example:
Community Food Bank, Austin, TX Volunteer Coordinator (Volunteer) June 2022 – Present
- Managed a team of 15 volunteers to distribute food to over 500 families weekly.
- Implemented a new inventory system, reducing waste by 20%.
George Avgenakis
5. Highlighting Transferable Skills
Volunteer work can equip you with a plethora of skills applicable in various professional settings. Emphasize skills such as:
- Leadership: Leading projects or teams.
- Communication: Interacting with diverse groups.
- Problem-Solving: Overcoming challenges with limited resources.
- Time Management: Balancing multiple responsibilities.
For example, organizing a fundraising event can demonstrate project management and communication skills.
6. Quantifying Your Impact
Numbers provide concrete evidence of your contributions. Whenever possible, quantify your achievements:
- Funds Raised: "Raised $10,000 for community outreach programs."
- People Served: "Assisted in providing meals to 300 individuals weekly."
- Efficiency Improvements: "Reduced processing time by 15% through system optimization."
Quantifying your impact makes your contributions tangible and impressive to potential employers.
7. Examples of Volunteer Work to Include
Here are some examples of volunteer experiences that can enhance your resume:
- Event Planning: Organizing community events or fundraisers.
- Tutoring/Mentoring: Providing educational support to students.
- Community Outreach: Participating in local improvement projects.
- Non-Profit Assistance: Offering professional skills pro bono.
For instance, volunteering as a mentor for underprivileged youth can showcase your leadership and compassion.
8. Tailoring Volunteer Work to the Job Description
To maximize the impact of your volunteer experience, tailor it to match the job description. This involves:
- Identifying Key Skills: Review the job posting and highlight required skills that match your volunteer experience.
- Using Industry-Specific Keywords: Incorporate relevant terminology from the job listing.
- Focusing on Achievements: Demonstrate how your volunteer work aligns with the employer’s needs.
For example, if applying for a marketing position, highlight social media management, fundraising, or content creation from volunteer experiences.
9. Addressing Volunteer Work as a Career Change
For those transitioning to a new career, volunteer work can serve as valuable experience. To effectively leverage it:
- Showcase Relevant Skills: Demonstrate how your volunteer experience aligns with your new career path.
- Position It Prominently: If applicable, list volunteer work under professional experience.
- Draw Parallels to Past Roles: Connect volunteer responsibilities with skills from your previous career.
For instance, if shifting from retail to HR, highlight volunteer work involving recruitment, team coordination, or training.
10. When Not to Include Volunteer Work on Your Resume
While volunteer experience can be beneficial, there are times when it may not be necessary:
- Irrelevant Experience: If it does not add value to your application.
- Too Many Listings: Avoid cluttering your resume with excessive details.
- Sensitive Topics: If the volunteer work involves politically or religiously sensitive organizations, consider its potential impact on hiring decisions.
If unsure, focus on volunteer experiences that demonstrate professional skills and align with the job role.
11. Should You Mention Unpaid Internships as Volunteer Work?
Unpaid internships and volunteer work share similarities but should be listed separately. Here’s why:
| Aspect | Unpaid Internship | Volunteer Work |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Career training and skill-building | Community service and support |
| Structure | Often structured like a job | May have flexible roles |
| Employer Expectations | Work responsibilities similar to paid staff | Typically more flexible and supportive |
If the internship involved professional tasks relevant to the job, list it under work experience rather than volunteer work.
12. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I put volunteer work on my resume?
A: Yes, especially if it demonstrates relevant skills or fills employment gaps.
Q: Where should I list volunteer work on my resume?
A: Depending on its relevance, place it under work experience, a separate volunteer section, or skills.
Q: How do I describe volunteer work on a resume?
A: Use a structured format including the organization, role, dates, and key achievements.
Q: Can volunteer work replace professional experience?
A: Yes, particularly for recent graduates, career changers, or those with employment gaps.
Q: How do I quantify volunteer work experience?
A: Use numbers to show impact, such as funds raised, people served, or efficiency improvements.
Q: Can I include religious or political volunteer work?
A: Yes, but consider potential employer biases and focus on transferable skills.
