How to Showcase Volunteer Experience on Your Resume
Including volunteer experience on your resume can be a powerful way to demonstrate skills, dedication, and values, especially if you’re a recent graduate, changing careers, or have gaps in your employment history.
Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to effectively showcase your volunteer work on your resume.
1. Create a Dedicated Section
Why It’s Important
Having a dedicated section for volunteer experience makes it easy for employers to see your contributions outside of paid work. This shows your commitment and diverse skill set.
How to Do It
Label the section clearly, such as “Volunteer Experience” or “Community Involvement.” Place it in a prominent position on your resume, such as right after your work experience or education sections.
Example:
Volunteer Experience
Animal Shelter Volunteer
Happy Tails Animal Rescue, Anytown, USA
June 2022 – Present
- Assisted with daily care of animals, including feeding, cleaning, and exercising.
- Organized fundraising events, raising over $5,000 for shelter operations.
- Developed social media content to increase community awareness and adoption rates.
2. Treat It Like Work Experience
Why It’s Important
Volunteer work is often as valuable as paid work, especially if it involves responsibilities relevant to the job you’re applying for. Treating it with the same importance shows professionalism and pride in your contributions.
How to Do It
Include your volunteer roles in the same format as your professional experience. List the organization, your role, location, and dates of involvement. Follow with bullet points highlighting your duties and achievements.
Example:
Career Counselor Volunteer
Local Community Center, Anytown, USA
March 2021 – December 2021
- Provided career counseling to over 100 community members, helping them develop resumes and prepare for interviews.
- Created and facilitated workshops on job search strategies and professional networking.
- Maintained a 95% satisfaction rate from participants through feedback surveys.
3. Highlight Transferable Skills
Why It’s Important
Transferable skills gained through volunteering can be directly applicable to the job you’re applying for. Highlighting these skills can make your resume more attractive to potential employers.
How to Do It
Identify the skills you used or developed in your volunteer roles that are relevant to the job you want. Emphasize these skills in your bullet points.
Example:
Volunteer Coordinator
Green Earth Nonprofit, Anytown, USA
January 2020 – February 2022
- Coordinated over 200 volunteers for various environmental cleanup projects.
- Developed leadership and organizational skills by managing project logistics and volunteer schedules.
- Enhanced communication skills through public speaking engagements and community outreach efforts.
4. Quantify Your Impact
Why It’s Important
Quantifying your achievements gives employers a clear picture of your impact and contributions. Numbers are compelling and make your experience more tangible.
How to Do It
Use specific metrics and achievements to highlight the results of your volunteer work. This could include money raised, people helped, events organized, or any measurable outcomes.
Example:
Fundraising Volunteer
Children’s Hospital Foundation, Anytown, USA
May 2019 – December 2020
- Organized annual charity gala, attracting over 300 attendees and raising $50,000 for pediatric care.
- Recruited and managed a team of 50 volunteers for event setup and coordination.
- Increased donor engagement by 30% through personalized outreach and follow-up communications.
5. Tailor to the Job Description
Why It’s Important
Customizing your resume for each job application ensures that the most relevant experiences and skills are highlighted.
This increases your chances of catching the employer’s eye.
How to Do It
Read the job description carefully and identify key skills and experiences that the employer is looking for.
Align your volunteer experience with these requirements.
Example:
If the job description emphasizes project management skills:
Project Manager Volunteer
Habitat for Humanity, Anytown, USA
April 2018 – October 2019
- Led construction projects, managing teams of 20+ volunteers and coordinating with contractors.
- Ensured projects were completed on time and within budget, improving housing conditions for 10 families.
- Developed project plans and schedules, demonstrating strong organizational and leadership skills.
6. Incorporate Volunteer Experience in Your Professional Summary
Why It’s Important
A professional summary at the beginning of your resume provides a snapshot of your qualifications and experiences, including volunteer work, to grab the employer’s attention right away.
How to Do It
Include a brief mention of your volunteer experience in your professional summary, especially if it’s highly relevant to the job.
Example:
Professional Summary
Results-driven marketing professional with over five years of experience in digital marketing and community outreach.
Proven track record in developing successful campaigns and managing volunteer teams for nonprofit organizations.
Passionate about leveraging creative strategies to drive engagement and growth.
7. Use Keywords from the Job Posting
Why It’s Important
Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes.
Including keywords from the job posting helps ensure your resume gets noticed by these systems.
How to Do It
Identify keywords related to skills, qualifications, and responsibilities from the job posting.
Incorporate these keywords naturally into your descriptions of volunteer experience.
Example:
If the job posting mentions “community engagement” and “event planning”:
Event Planning Volunteer
Community Outreach Program, Anytown, USA
January 2021 – Present
- Planned and executed community engagement events, drawing participation from over 500 residents.
- Developed promotional materials and social media campaigns to boost event attendance.
- Coordinated with local businesses and sponsors, securing $10,000 in donations and support.
8. Leverage LinkedIn
Why It’s Important
LinkedIn profiles are an extension of your resume and often reviewed by recruiters.
Showcasing your volunteer experience on LinkedIn can enhance your professional image.
How to Do It
Add your volunteer experience to the “Volunteer Experience” section on LinkedIn, and ensure it aligns with what you’ve listed on your resume.
You can also ask for recommendations from people you’ve worked with in your volunteer roles.
Example:
On LinkedIn:
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer Mentor
Big Brothers Big Sisters, Anytown, USA
March 2019 – Present
- Mentored three at-risk youth, providing guidance on academic and personal development.
- Organized monthly group activities to foster a sense of community and support.
- Developed strong interpersonal skills and built lasting relationships with mentees.
Conclusion
Volunteer experience is a valuable asset that can significantly enhance your resume.
By creating a dedicated section, treating it like professional experience, highlighting transferable skills, quantifying your impact, tailoring your resume to job descriptions, and leveraging LinkedIn.
You can effectively showcase your volunteer work to potential employers.
Remember, volunteer work demonstrates your commitment, skills, and values, making you a well-rounded candidate for any job.