To measure the impact of your volunteer work, focus on quantifiable results. Track metrics such as the number of people helped, funds raised, or hours volunteered. Highlight outcomes, like increased program participation or community benefits. If applicable, showcase skills gained or leadership roles undertaken, emphasizing alignment with your professional goals. Use action-oriented language, such as “led,” “organized,” or “achieved,” to clearly communicate your contributions. Demonstrating measurable impact makes your volunteer work stand out and provides tangible evidence of your value.

When highlighting volunteer work on my resume, I focus on measurable outcomes to show impact. For example, I mention how many people benefited from the initiative, funds raised, or specific goals achieved. Sharing stories of challenges overcome and skills I developed adds depth. I also connect these experiences to workplace skills like leadership, collaboration, or problem-solving. By framing my contributions with numbers and real-life results, I ensure the impact is clear and relatable.

One time at work, I highlighted my volunteer efforts to mentor underprivileged students. In my experience, measuring impact starts with setting clear goals for initiatives, such as the number of people helped or skills imparted. One thing I have found helpful is tracking metrics like hours contributed, funds raised, or community outreach achieved. Gathering feedback from beneficiaries and team members offers qualitative insights into success. By showcasing tangible results—like increased literacy rates or improved community resources—volunteer work becomes a powerful addition to your resume, demonstrating leadership, empathy, and a commitment to making a difference.

Volunteer work on your resume should be personalised, accurate, and well-articulated. Clearly state the project, the time spent, the nature of your work, and its impact. Highlight the value added to the organisation or community, as well as the skills gained from the experience. Quantify your contributions wherever possible—mention funds raised, people helped, or tangible results achieved. At the same time, emphasise the intrinsic value of your efforts, as it reflects your personality, values, and commitment. Properly presenting your volunteer work demonstrates not only your skills but also your character and willingness to contribute beyond professional responsibilities.

While we used to always include volunteer work on a resume, now it's on an as-needed basis. Reasons you'd want to include it are if you haven't worked in a bit and this covers a gap, if your volunteer work shows significant accomplishments, and/or you've volunteered in an organization that the company at which you're applying supports. If you are including volunteer work, list your accomplishments as you would for any other experience. I like the CAR formula: challenge, action, result. On your resume, you'll bullet these statements and use them in the format of result + action. Quantitative are best, but qualitative are just as impactful—as long as you remember to frontload with results!