How to Put Volunteering on a Resume

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and make a difference in the world. It can also help you develop new skills, meet new people, and learn about different cultures.

Best of all, including volunteer experience on your resume can make you a more attractive candidate for jobs. Employers want to see that you are well-rounded and have a commitment to public service. Volunteering also shows that you are willing to work hard without being paid.

When you are writing your resume, there are a few things you should keep in mind about how to put volunteering on a resume:

How to Put Volunteering on a Resume

Here are 8 important points to keep in mind:

• Choose relevant roles
• Quantify your impact
• Use action verbs
• Highlight transferable skills
• Include dates and location
• Be concise and specific
• Tailor to the job
• Proofread carefully

By following these tips, you can make sure that your volunteering experience is presented in the best possible light on your resume.

Choose Relevant Roles

When choosing which volunteer roles to include on your resume, it is important to select those that are relevant to the job you are applying for. This means considering the skills and experience that the job requires, and highlighting volunteer roles that have helped you develop those skills and gain that experience.

• Demonstrate transferable skills. Many of the skills you learn through volunteering are transferable to the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Choose volunteer roles that have helped you develop these skills, and emphasize them in your resume.
• Show your commitment. Volunteering long-term or in a leadership role shows that you are committed to your community and to making a difference. This is a valuable quality for employers, so be sure to highlight these experiences on your resume.
• Match the company culture. If you are applying for a job at a company with a strong focus on social responsibility, be sure to highlight volunteer roles that align with the company’s values. This shows that you are a good fit for the company culture and that you are passionate about the same things.
• Include variety. If you have a variety of volunteer experiences, this can show employers that you are well-rounded and adaptable. It can also demonstrate your commitment to giving back to your community in different ways.

By choosing relevant volunteer roles to include on your resume, you can make a strong case for why you are the best candidate for the job.

Quantify Your Impact

Whenever possible, quantify the impact of your volunteer work on your resume. This means using numbers to show how you made a difference. For example, instead of saying “I volunteered at the local soup kitchen,” you could say “I served meals to 1,000 people in need at the local soup kitchen.” This gives the employer a concrete sense of the scope of your work and the value you added.

Here are some other ways to quantify your impact:

• Number of people helped. How many people did you serve or assist through your volunteer work? This could be the number of meals you served, the number of people you tutored, or the number of animals you cared for.
• Amount of money raised. If you volunteered for a fundraiser, how much money did you help raise? This is a great way to show your ability to generate revenue and support a cause you care about.
• Hours worked. How many hours did you volunteer? This shows the employer that you are a hard worker who is willing to commit your time to a cause you believe in.
• Specific accomplishments. Did you achieve any specific accomplishments through your volunteer work? For example, did you help to launch a new program or service, or did you receive any awards or recognition for your work? Be sure to highlight these accomplishments on your resume.

By quantifying your impact, you can make your volunteer experience more meaningful and impressive to potential employers.

Remember to be honest and accurate when quantifying your impact. Do not exaggerate your accomplishments or make up numbers. Employers will be able to tell if you are being dishonest, and this will hurt your chances of getting the job.

Use Action Verbs

When describing your volunteer experience on your resume, use strong action verbs to make your accomplishments stand out. Action verbs are verbs that describe specific actions that you took, such as “organized,” “managed,” or “coordinated.” Avoid using vague or general verbs, such as “helped” or “assisted.”

• Organized. This verb shows that you are able to take charge of a project and see it through to completion. For example, you could say “Organized a team of volunteers to clean up the local park.”
• Managed. This verb shows that you have the skills to oversee and direct others. For example, you could say “Managed a team of volunteers at the local food bank.”
• Coordinated. This verb shows that you are able to work with others to achieve a common goal. For example, you could say “Coordinated a fundraiser for the local animal shelter.”
• Developed. This verb shows that you are able to create something new. For example, you could say “Developed a new curriculum for the after-school program.”

By using strong action verbs, you can make your volunteer experience more impactful and impressive to potential employers.

Highlight Transferable Skills

Many of the skills you learn through volunteering are transferable to the workplace. These skills can be used in a variety of jobs, regardless of the industry or field. When describing your volunteer experience on your resume, be sure to highlight the transferable skills that you have gained.

• Communication skills. Volunteering often involves working with others, both verbally and in writing. This can help you develop strong communication skills, which are essential for any job.
• Teamwork skills. Volunteering often requires working with others to achieve a common goal. This can help you develop teamwork skills, which are also essential for any job.
• Problem-solving skills. Volunteering often involves solving problems, both big and small. This can help you develop problem-solving skills, which are highly valued by employers.
• Leadership skills. If you have volunteered in a leadership role, you have likely developed leadership skills, such as the ability to motivate and inspire others. These skills are highly sought-after by employers.

By highlighting the transferable skills that you have gained through volunteering, you can make yourself a more attractive candidate for jobs.

Include Dates and Location

When listing your volunteer experience on your resume, be sure to include the dates that you volunteered and the location of the organization. This information is important because it helps employers to understand the scope of your experience and how it fits into your overall timeline.

To include dates and location, simply list the name of the organization, the city and state where it is located, and the dates that you volunteered. For example:

Volunteer Experience

• Soup Kitchen, San Francisco, CA (2019-2021)
• Animal Shelter, New York, NY (2017-2019)
• Food Bank, Chicago, IL (2015-2017)

If you have a lot of volunteer experience, you can list the most recent and relevant experiences first. You can also group your experiences by type of organization or by skill set.

Including dates and location on your resume shows employers that you are organized and that you have a clear understanding of your volunteer experience. It also makes it easier for employers to see how your volunteer experience fits into your overall timeline and how it relates to the job you are applying for.

Additional tips:

• If you have a long gap in your volunteer experience, you can explain this in your resume. For example, you could say that you took a break from volunteering to focus on your studies or your family.
• If you have volunteered for multiple organizations at the same time, you can list them all on your resume. Just be sure to list the most relevant and recent experiences first.
• If you have volunteered for a short period of time, you can still list it on your resume. Just be sure to highlight the skills and experience that you gained during your time there.

Be Concise and Specific

When describing your volunteer experience on your resume, be concise and specific. This means using clear and concise language to highlight your most relevant accomplishments and skills. Avoid using vague or general statements, as these will not make your experience stand out.

• Use specific examples. Instead of saying “I volunteered at the local soup kitchen,” you could say “I served meals to 100 people in need each week at the local soup kitchen.” This gives the employer a concrete sense of the scope of your work and the impact you made.
• Quantify your accomplishments. Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your accomplishments. This could include the number of people you helped, the amount of money you raised, or the number of hours you volunteered. For example, instead of saying “I helped to organize a fundraiser,” you could say “I helped to organize a fundraiser that raised $10,000 for the local animal shelter.”
• Use strong action verbs. When describing your volunteer experience, use strong action verbs to make your accomplishments stand out. For example, instead of saying “I helped to clean up the park,” you could say “I led a team of volunteers to clean up the park.” This shows the employer that you were a leader and that you took initiative.
• Tailor your experience to the job you are applying for. When describing your volunteer experience, be sure to tailor it to the job you are applying for. Highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job. For example, if you are applying for a job in marketing, you could highlight your experience in organizing and promoting events.

By being concise and specific, you can make your volunteer experience more impactful and impressive to potential employers.

Tailor to the Job

When describing your volunteer experience on your resume, it is important to tailor it to the job you are applying for. This means highlighting the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job. For example, if you are applying for a job in marketing, you could highlight your experience in organizing and promoting events. If you are applying for a job in customer service, you could highlight your experience in working with people and resolving their problems.

To tailor your volunteer experience to the job you are applying for, start by reading the job description carefully. Pay attention to the skills and experience that the employer is looking for. Then, when you are describing your volunteer experience, focus on the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job.

Here are some tips for tailoring your volunteer experience to the job you are applying for:

• Use keywords from the job description. When describing your volunteer experience, use keywords from the job description. This will help your resume get noticed by applicant tracking systems (ATS) and make it more likely that you will be called for an interview.
• Highlight transferable skills. Many of the skills you learn through volunteering are transferable to the workplace. When describing your volunteer experience, be sure to highlight the transferable skills that you have gained. For example, you could highlight your communication skills, teamwork skills, or problem-solving skills.
• Quantify your accomplishments. Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your accomplishments. This could include the number of people you helped, the amount of money you raised, or the number of hours you volunteered. For example, instead of saying “I helped to organize a fundraiser,” you could say “I helped to organize a fundraiser that raised $10,000 for the local animal shelter.”
• Use strong action verbs. When describing your volunteer experience, use strong action verbs to make your accomplishments stand out. For example, instead of saying “I helped to clean up the park,” you could say “I led a team of volunteers to clean up the park.” This shows the employer that you were a leader and that you took initiative.

By tailoring your volunteer experience to the job you are applying for, you can make yourself a more attractive candidate for the job.

Additional tips:

• If you have a lot of volunteer experience, you can tailor your resume to different jobs by highlighting different skills and experiences.
• If you are not sure how to tailor your volunteer experience to a particular job, you can ask a friend, family member, or career counselor for help.

Proofread Carefully

Once you have written your resume, it is important to proofread it carefully for any errors. This includes checking for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting errors. Even a small error can make your resume look sloppy and unprofessional, and it could cost you the job.

Here are some tips for proofreading your resume:

• Read your resume aloud. This is a great way to catch any errors that you might miss if you are just reading it silently. As you read aloud, pay attention to the flow of the language and make sure that everything sounds correct.
• Have someone else proofread your resume. Ask a friend, family member, or career counselor to proofread your resume for you. They may be able to catch errors that you missed.
• Use a grammar checker. There are many grammar checkers available online and in word processing software. These checkers can help you to catch errors that you might miss on your own.
• Check your formatting. Make sure that your resume is formatted correctly. This includes using the correct font, font size, and margins. You should also make sure that your resume is easy to read and that the information is organized in a logical way.

By proofreading your resume carefully, you can make sure that it is error-free and that it makes a good impression on potential employers.

Additional tips:

• Proofread your resume multiple times. The more times you proofread it, the more likely you are to catch any errors.
• Take a break from your resume before you proofread it. This will help you to see it with fresh eyes and catch any errors that you might have missed if you were proofreading it immediately after you wrote it.
• Print out your resume and proofread it on paper. This can help you to catch errors that you might miss on a computer screen.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about volunteering:

Question 1: What are the benefits of volunteering?
Answer: There are many benefits to volunteering, including:
– Gaining new skills and experience
– Meeting new people and making friends
– Giving back to your community
– Improving your mental and physical health
– Boosting your resume and career prospects

Question 2: How can I find volunteer opportunities?
Answer: There are many ways to find volunteer opportunities, including:
– Searching online for volunteer opportunities in your area
– Contacting local nonprofits and community organizations
– Attending volunteer fairs
– Asking friends, family, and colleagues for recommendations

Question 3: What skills do I need to volunteer?
Answer: The skills you need to volunteer will vary depending on the opportunity. However, some common skills that are helpful for volunteers include:
– Communication skills
– Teamwork skills
– Problem-solving skills
– Flexibility
– Patience
– A willingness to learn

Question 4: How much time do I need to commit to volunteering?
Answer: The amount of time you need to commit to volunteering will vary depending on the opportunity. Some volunteer opportunities require a few hours per week, while others may require a larger commitment. It is important to choose an opportunity that fits your schedule and lifestyle.

Question 5: What if I don’t have any experience?
Answer: Many volunteer opportunities do not require any prior experience. If you are interested in a volunteer opportunity but you don’t have any experience, you can ask the organization if they provide training. You can also learn new skills by volunteering in a variety of different roles.

Question 6: How can I make the most of my volunteer experience?
Answer: To make the most of your volunteer experience, you can:
– Choose an opportunity that you are passionate about
– Set realistic goals for yourself
– Be prepared to learn new things
– Be flexible and willing to help out in different ways
– Network with other volunteers and staff
– Take advantage of training and development opportunities

Question 7: How can I include my volunteer experience on my resume?
Answer: When you include your volunteer experience on your resume, be sure to:
– List the name of the organization, your role, and the dates of your service
– Describe your responsibilities and accomplishments
– Use action verbs and quantify your impact whenever possible
– Tailor your resume to the job you are applying for

Closing Paragraph:

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and make a difference in the world. It is also a great way to gain new skills, meet new people, and improve your mental and physical health.

If you are interested in volunteering, there are many resources available to help you find an opportunity that is right for you.

Tips

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your volunteer experience:

Tip 1: Choose an opportunity that you are passionate about.

When you are passionate about the cause you are volunteering for, you are more likely to be motivated and engaged. This will make your volunteer experience more enjoyable and rewarding.

Tip 2: Set realistic goals for yourself.

Don’t try to do too much too soon. Start by setting small, achievable goals for yourself. This will help you to stay motivated and avoid burnout.

Tip 3: Be prepared to learn new things.

Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills and expand your knowledge. Be open to new experiences and be willing to step outside of your comfort zone.

Tip 4: Be flexible and willing to help out in different ways.

Things don’t always go according to plan when you are volunteering. Be flexible and willing to help out in different ways. This will show the organization that you are a team player and that you are willing to go the extra mile.

Tip 5: Network with other volunteers and staff.

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and make friends. Take the time to network with other volunteers and staff. You never know when you might need their help or when they might be able to help you.

Closing Paragraph:

Volunteering is a rewarding experience that can make a difference in your life and in the lives of others. By following these tips, you can make the most of your volunteer experience and get the most out of it.

If you are thinking about volunteering, there are many resources available to help you find an opportunity that is right for you. You can also find tips and advice on how to make the most of your volunteer experience.

Conclusion

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community, make a difference in the world, and improve your own life. It is also a great way to gain new skills, meet new people, and learn new things.

If you are thinking about volunteering, there are many resources available to help you find an opportunity that is right for you. You can also find tips and advice on how to make the most of your volunteer experience.

Summary of Main Points:

• Volunteering is a rewarding experience that can make a difference in your life and in the lives of others.
• There are many benefits to volunteering, including gaining new skills, meeting new people, and improving your mental and physical health.
• You can find volunteer opportunities by searching online, contacting local nonprofits, and attending volunteer fairs.
• The skills you need to volunteer will vary depending on the opportunity, but some common skills include communication skills, teamwork skills, and problem-solving skills.
• The amount of time you need to commit to volunteering will also vary depending on the opportunity. Some opportunities require a few hours per week, while others may require a larger commitment.
• To make the most of your volunteer experience, choose an opportunity that you are passionate about, set realistic goals, be prepared to learn new things, and be flexible and willing to help out in different ways.
• You can include your volunteer experience on your resume to make yourself a more attractive candidate for jobs.

Closing Message:

I encourage you to consider volunteering. It is a great way to make a difference in the world and to improve your own life. There are many opportunities available, so you are sure to find one that is right for you.