How To Include Volunteer Work On Your Resume

Volunteering is not only a fulfilling way to give back to your community, but it can also enhance your resume and make you stand out to potential employers. Including volunteer work on your resume demonstrates your commitment to helping others, your willingness to go above and beyond, and your ability to work as part of a team. Whether you have extensive volunteer experience or are just starting out, here are some tips on how to effectively include volunteer work on your resume.

1. Choose the Right Format

When including volunteer work on your resume, you have a few formatting options. One option is to create a separate section for volunteer experience, where you can list the organization, your role, and the dates of your involvement. Another option is to incorporate your volunteer work into relevant sections, such as under each job experience where the skills and responsibilities align. Choose the format that best highlights your volunteer work and makes it easy for employers to see.

2. Highlight Your Skills and Accomplishments

When describing your volunteer work, focus on the skills and accomplishments that are relevant to the position you are applying for. For example, if you volunteered at a food bank and are applying for a customer service role, highlight your ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups and your experience in providing excellent customer service. By highlighting the skills and accomplishments that are transferable to the job you want, you can make your volunteer work even more impactful on your resume.

3. Quantify Your Impact

Whenever possible, quantify the impact of your volunteer work on your resume. For example, instead of simply stating that you volunteered at a homeless shelter, you could say that you served over 200 meals a day or helped secure housing for 10 families. By quantifying your impact, you can demonstrate to employers that you are results-oriented and can make a difference in their organization.

4. Include Relevant Volunteer Work

When including volunteer work on your resume, focus on the experiences that are most relevant to the position you are applying for. If you are applying for a marketing role, for example, you may want to highlight your volunteer experience with a nonprofit organization where you helped create and implement marketing campaigns. By including relevant volunteer work, you can show employers that you have practical experience in the field.

5. Use Action Verbs

When describing your volunteer work, use action verbs to make your accomplishments more impactful. Instead of saying that you “helped organize events,” for example, you could say that you “coordinated and executed fundraising events that raised $10,000.” By using action verbs, you can convey your initiative, leadership, and ability to get things done.

FAQs about How to Include Volunteer Work on Your Resume

1. Should I include all of my volunteer work on my resume?

No, you should only include volunteer work that is relevant to the position you are applying for. Focus on experiences that demonstrate skills and accomplishments that align with the job requirements.

2. How do I format my volunteer work on my resume?

You can create a separate section for volunteer experience or incorporate it into relevant sections. Choose the format that best highlights your volunteer work and makes it easy for employers to see.

3. What if I don’t have any volunteer experience?

If you don’t have any volunteer experience, consider getting involved in your community or joining a nonprofit organization. You can also highlight any relevant extracurricular activities or coursework that demonstrate your commitment to helping others.

4. Can I include volunteer work from many years ago?

Yes, you can include volunteer work from many years ago if it is still relevant to the position you are applying for. Focus on the skills and accomplishments that are transferable to the job you want.

5. Should I include volunteer work from my personal life?

If your volunteer work from your personal life is relevant to the position you are applying for and demonstrates valuable skills and accomplishments, then it can be included on your resume. However, be selective and focus on experiences that are most relevant.

6. Can I include volunteer work from outside of my country?

Yes, you can include volunteer work from outside of your country if it is relevant to the position you are applying for and demonstrates valuable skills and accomplishments. International experience can be a valuable asset.

7. Do I need to provide references for my volunteer work?

It is not necessary to provide references for your volunteer work unless specifically requested by the employer. However, it is always a good idea to have references available in case they are needed.

8. Can I include virtual volunteer work on my resume?

Yes, you can include virtual volunteer work on your resume. Virtual volunteer work, such as online mentoring or remote assistance, can demonstrate your ability to adapt to new technologies and work in a virtual environment.

9. Should I include volunteer work that is unrelated to the job?

It is generally best to focus on volunteer work that is related to the job you are applying for. However, if you have limited relevant volunteer experience, you can include unrelated volunteer work to demonstrate your commitment to helping others and your willingness to contribute to your community.

10. How do I explain my volunteer work in a job interview?

During a job interview, be prepared to discuss your volunteer work in more detail. Highlight the skills and accomplishments that are relevant to the job and explain how your volunteer experience has shaped your work ethic, values, and ability to work as part of a team.

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volunteer work, resume, job application, skills, accomplishments, format, relevant experience, action verbs, impact, transferable skills, community involvement, nonprofit organizations, customer service, marketing, initiative, leadership, international experience, virtual volunteer work, references, job interview