How to Turn Your Volunteer Work into Resume Gold: A Guide for Military Spouses

Military Spouses face unique challenges in the job market, especially with frequent relocations and gaps in traditional employment. But there's one asset you might be overlooking: your volunteer work!

This guide will show you how to transform your volunteer experience into resume gold, highlighting valuable skills and experiences that make you a standout candidate.

1. Define Your Career Path

It’s not enough to say, “I’ll do anything. I just want a job!” You need to narrow down your options before you can create an effective resume. Ask yourself:

• What are my strengths and interests?
• What kind of work fulfills me?
• Do I have long-term career goals?
• Am I open to further education or training?
• What work environment suits my lifestyle?

Take some time to look at different job boards. Read through the responsibilities and qualifications for roles that pique your interest. You can even reach out to professionals in your desired field for informational interviews (see article below). With a better understanding of your ideal role, you'll be ready to leverage your volunteer experience to create a winning resume.

- - - Learn how to leverage LinkedIn for informational interviews.

2. Showcase Your Skills

Now that you know what type of job you’re after, it's time to craft a resume that showcases the skills and accomplishments you've gained from your volunteer work.

Here are some tips to make your volunteer experience sing:

• Put it in the experience section: If your volunteer work is relevant to the job you want, include it in the work experience section, alongside any paid positions you’ve held.
• Include the details:?List the organization, location, and timeframe of your volunteer activities.
• Use action verbs:?Describe your responsibilities and skills using strong action verbs. Briefly explain how your actions addressed specific needs or challenges.
• Quantify your impact:?Numbers speak volumes. Use measurable results whenever possible to demonstrate the effectiveness of your work (e.g., "Increased volunteer participation by 20%").

Important note: A generic resume won't do. For each job application, tailor your resume to highlight the specific skills and experiences most relevant to the position you’re applying for. Our handy guide goes into greater depth to show you how:

- - - The Quick Start Guide to Writing a Targeted Resume?

3. Align Volunteer Work with Job Requirements

This is where the magic happens! Your volunteer experience can bridge the gap between your resume and your next job opportunity. Here's how:

• Study the job description: Pay close attention to the skills, qualifications, and responsibilities listed there.
• Find the match: Analyze your volunteer work and identify skills that directly align with the job requirements. Did you manage volunteers? Lead a project? Solve problems? Highlight those experiences prominently on your resume.
• Mirror the language: Use terminology and keywords from the job description when describing your volunteer experiences. This demonstrates a clear understanding of the desired skills and increases the impact of your resume.

4. See it in Action: From Volunteer to Program Manager

Sally Smith, an Army Spouse, volunteered for the Soldier and Family Readiness Group (SFRG) at two different duty stations. She performed various roles, from Key Caller to SFRG Leader.

Sally is now applying for the role of Program Manager at a local nonprofit. The organization is seeking someone with at least one year of program management experience.

Drawing from her volunteer work, Sally positions herself as a Program Manager with two years of experience developing and managing military family programs. She also translates her SFRG titles to civilian terms so employers can better understand her roles and responsibilities.

Here’s how Sally represents her volunteer work:

Volunteer Program Manager | Army Family Readiness Group: Fort Bragg, NC | June 2020 – May 2022

• Served as senior program advisor to Army leadership on family well-being and readiness issues, supporting an organization of over 200 employees.
• Created and managed operational program plans and annual budgets of $10,000.
• Established, trained, and led 25 volunteers and committee members, fostering cohesive teams serving diverse roles.
• Managed conflict resolution among volunteers and stakeholders.
• Collaborated with legal, public affairs, and marketing departments for operational management and risk mitigation.
• Recognized with Commander's Civilian Service Award for planning and executing 5 large-scale events, engaging over 300 military families.

Volunteer Events Coordinator | Army Family Readiness Group: Fort Bragg, NC | April 2018 – May 2020

• Assisted the Program Manager in coordinating, resourcing, and executing community events for military families.
• Organized monthly meetings and secured guest speakers to provide valuable information to families and service members.
• Managed event data, anticipated issues, and provided troubleshooting solutions.
• Sourced supplies and inventory for 15 community events.
• Led a 5-volunteer team as the events committee contact person.

Volunteer Outreach Specialist | Army Family Readiness Group: Fort Shafter, HI | March 2017 – March 2018

• Provided communication and pastoral support to families of deployed Soldiers.
• Drafted weekly correspondence, keeping up to 15 families informed and updated.
• Documented all family interactions and escalated relevant concerns to leadership.

Don't underestimate the value of your volunteer work! By effectively showcasing your skills and experience, you can create a compelling resume and land the job you deserve.

Are you a Military Spouse looking for your next career opportunity?

Our team understands the value of your volunteer work, and we'll do our best to match your skills to the job you want. Join our talent pool, and we'll reach out to you whenever we get new roles that meet your criteria!

?---> HireMilitary.us