Voluntary work is when people allocate their time to help other people, animals, or other organizations for no profit or social benefit. This type of Work is good for both mental and physical health.

How do volunteers work?

  • Volunteers work by their interests without being paid.
  • Some volunteers are trained in the areas they work such as education, hospitals, emergency rescue, etc. Others serve as needed.
  • They work in the community and do social work

What should be included as volunteer work?

  • Feeding abandoned animals
  • Supporting disable people
  • Raise money for Charity
  • Contributing to community projects, etc…

This post discusses where you should mention your volunteer work experience on a resume.

Why you should include volunteer experience in your job resume? Are there any benefits to adding Volunteer Experience to a job resume?

Let’s understand and try to Clear your Mind…!

Why you should include volunteer experience in your resume?

  • According to a survey conducted by LinkedIn, 41% of employers find volunteer work Experience as beneficial as paid work.
  • Only 25% to 35% of applicants list volunteer work experience on their resume
  • Most employers prefer to see volunteer experience on resumes.
  • Resume reveals about your Personality
  • It’s not surprising if you have a volunteer Experience section on your resume; the chances of grabbing that dream job go up drastically.
  • Apart from the skills required for that particular job profile, volunteer experience on a resume brings out highly desired after qualities. And the best part is: The employers love it!

It shows that you are:

  • Prepared to get involved in your community
  • Take leadership
  • The ability to Work in a team to accomplish a common goal
  • You are intense about stuff, Hardworking
  • Self-motivation

In fact, according to various research and as per many resume distribution services providers, many candidates are hired due to volunteer experience. It would be a dreadful mistake if you forget to add your volunteer work experience. If your volunteer work is closely related to the job you are applying for list it, it will catch an eye.

Here are, Some tips for Adding Volunteer Experience to Resume

  • Remember, Volunteer work is a unique way to showcase your skills such as coordinating with a team, event planning, fundraising, or problem-solving.
  • If we include Volunteer experience shows you are intense about stuff, Hardworking.
  • It also shows that you are not at all submissive. Employers love to see this quality.
  • Volunteer experience may be beneficial for anyone applying to work in industries where such work is valued like non-profit organizations.

What to list In the Volunteer work experience?

  • Name the organization in which you volunteered.
  • Add your role to the volunteer experience and your duties
  • You should include periods of experience and also your achievements.
  • Write in detail about what you have learned through volunteering work.

How to include volunteer Experience based on Types of Resume:

  • Give detail about specific skills, the knowledge you gained from volunteer work that is related to the job you are finding.
  • These skills show you are qualified even if your experience was non-profitable.
  • Start with the most recent volunteer experience.
  • If you have already graduated with your master’s degree then don’t list volunteer
  • Experience from your school time.

When you are a New Graduate

  • As a fresher, with little or no work experience, Highlight your volunteer work experience and list your volunteering work as regular work experience.
  • As a new fresher, you can use a resume distribution service, they will help to make your resume better and forward it to relevant employers.
  • In the experience section of the resume, list the name of the organization, its location, your title, the dates you worked there, and your achievements.

For example,

When you are an experienced professional

  • If you have experience related to your job profile, add your volunteer work experiences as Extracurricular activities.
  • That will make a good impact on your Nature, culture as apart from work you are actively involved in Voluntary Work
  • That determines your willpower, work efficiency, Socially activeness

Example :

Extracurricular Activities or Additional Experience

  • Write in detail about what you have learned through volunteering work.
  • You have to mention the date range, the name of the organization, and the title under your work. It’s very important, so you shouldn’t forget to put this in your Resume.
  • It should be in chronological order.

Like this, you can write different things about what you had done for this program. Under title Extracurricular Activities or Additional.

Unrelated volunteer experiences

  • If you have volunteer experiences that are unrelated to your job description, you might consider adding as an Extra Activity apart from work as a brief volunteer work section at the bottom of your resume. If you think it will set you apart from other candidates or provide a helpful topic for employers.
  • For example,
  • Based on your research if you find that the employer’s values and support employees with a rich life outside of work, then you should mention it as an Extra Activity so that they can learn about your offering to a specific non-profit organization.
  • For this make a separate section at the end of your resume. If you don’t have a space write a shortened version.

For Each Job Application Revise your resume

  • You need to update your resume every time you apply according to the job profile, employer’s requirements, characteristics, and qualifications.
  • Don’t forget to include any Volunteer work experience you have that is relevant to the job profile.
  • In your resume, Voluntary work experience makes a good impact on the Employer’s Mind.
  • Create a resume that works for each job and matches each job posting by studying the job description.

Finally, Using the above tips in your resume will help you in creating a more effective and fruitful resume.

Still, if you’re unsure where to put your volunteer work experience, you should contact resume writing services. They can help you in creating a better resume as well as distributing it to the right employers.