The Value of Including Volunteer Work on Your Resume

Many people enjoy volunteering with different organizations because it provides them with the opportunity to give back to their community or those in need. Even though you’re not getting paid, it can be intrinsically rewarding and simply make you feel good to help others. However, volunteer work can also have professional benefits when it comes to your job search. Don’t underestimate the value of what you have learned and achieved through working with various organizations.

Does Volunteer Work Matter?

You may be thinking, it wasn’t my full-time job, it’s not related to my career, or I was just doing it for fun, so does volunteer work really count for anything? In short, yes, it does.

A lot of businesses are putting more emphasis on social responsibility and community involvement. They want their employees to be more engaged with different causes, and your commitment to working with a nonprofit may be viewed in a positive light. It shows that you have interests outside of the workplace and are able to effectively manage your time.

Plus, it can add another layer to your experience and help you present yourself as a more well-rounded applicant and a stronger candidate for roles to which you are applying. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind.

How Can Volunteer Work Enhance Your Resume?

Volunteer work can serve multiple purposes on your resume. While not every position may be worth adding – especially if it was several years ago or you are no longer active with the organization – there are a lot of experiences that do have value.

Volunteer work can close gaps on your resume. If you have been unemployed for several months or have taken time off from your career to be a stay-at-home parent, showing how you used this time to develop your skills or give back can be beneficial. It lets employers know that you were staying actively involved.

Whether you were working at your child’s school, helping with their sports team, spending time sorting donations, serving meals to the homeless, or caring for shelter animals, these experiences have equipped you with diverse skills and training.

It can demonstrate leadership. Are you looking to move up in your career and take on more responsibility? Including different projects or initiatives you have led as a volunteer can highlight your ability to work at a higher level. Focus on your achievements and what you accomplished, as well as how many people you managed and any challenges you were able to overcome.

Also note if you served on any boards or committees, as this shows the organization’s trust in your leadership and abilities. These types of positions typically require a certain time commitment and dedication, and not just anyone is chosen or elected.

It can show transferable skills. If you are a recent graduate or are switching careers and do not have much professional experience, volunteering can be a key asset on your resume. You can show how you applied your skills in different ways, whether that was assisting with fundraising, completing administrative tasks, organizing events, or leading different projects.

Build connections between what you did at a nonprofit and what you want to do in your next role. It may have been an unpaid position, but you were still doing some of the same essential tasks, just in another capacity. This could include things such as project management, event planning, time management, organizational skills, problem solving, customer service, or communication.

Volunteer work can emphasize your interest in the field. Are you looking to apply for a job in another industry? By volunteering in that sector, you are taking the initiative to deepen your understanding, network with other professionals, and gain hands-on experience. As a result, it can reduce the learning curve as you transition into a new role and enable you to bring a unique perspective to the team.

Tips for Adding Volunteer Work to Your Resume

You want your volunteer work to complement and enhance your experience, not just serve as a space filler. Make a list of the various roles you have held and what you did in each position. Then decide which experiences are most relevant and add value to your resume.

·?????? Keep entries short and to the point, focusing on key skills and accomplishments.

·?????? Leave off volunteer roles with potentially controversial organizations to reduce risk of discrimination or unintentional bias.

·?????? Create a separate section highlighting these positions.

Creating a More Impactful Resume

The job market is highly competitive, so you want to give yourself every opportunity to stand out for the right reasons and show employers why you are a good fit for the role and should be invited for an interview. Incorporating volunteer work can help set you apart and also better align you with the job requirements.

The team at Grammar Chic can help you effectively position volunteer work on your resume and highlight the value it has provided based on your career goals. Contact us today at (803) 831-7444 or [email protected] to schedule a consultation and revamp your resume for your job search.