resume example for volunteer work

30 Examples: How To List Volunteer Work on a Resume

By Status.net Editorial Team on April 26, 2024 — 10 minutes to read

Volunteering is a great way to acquire new skills, network with professionals, and make a difference in your community. When it comes time to update your resume, incorporating your volunteer experiences may give you a competitive edge. The key is to present your volunteer experience in a manner that highlights the relevant skills you’ve gained and what you’ve accomplished.

Begin by examining the volunteer work you’ve done and identifying the skills that would be most applicable to the job you’re seeking. For example, if you volunteered at an animal shelter, you might have developed strong communication and teamwork skills while coordinating with other volunteers and shelter employees. Or, if you volunteered as a tutor, you could highlight your ability to effectively teach complex subjects and demonstrate expert problem-solving skills.

Identifying Your Volunteer Experiences

Start by making a list of all your volunteer activities, including the organization, your role and responsibilities, and the length of time you were involved. For example:

• Nonprofit Organization A – Volunteer Coordinator (6 months)
• Community Event B – Event Volunteer (one-time event)
• Local Animal Shelter C – Dog Walker (3 months)

As you review your list, consider the skills and knowledge you gained from each experience. This could be anything from project management to customer service or even special skills like event planning or social media promotion.

Next, prioritize your experiences by relevance for the job you’re applying for. This means considering which volunteer activities showcase the most important skills, expertise, and qualities that the employer is looking for. After you’ve identified the most relevant volunteer experiences, it’s time to think about how to present them on your resume. One effective approach is to include a dedicated volunteer work section, ideally located near your professional experience section. This allows you to highlight valuable skills and experiences while also demonstrating your commitment to giving back.

Where to Place Volunteer Work on Your Resume

Main experience section.

Consider placing volunteer work in your main experience section if it relates closely to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you have volunteered at an animal shelter and are applying for a position as a veterinarian assistant, it would be relevant to include this experience with your professional work history.

When listing volunteer work in the main experience section, it should be formatted similarly to your regular employment:

• Organization Name, City, State
• Your role/job title
• Duration (Month Year – Month Year)
• Key accomplishments or responsibilities (use bullet points to make these easier to read)

Separate Volunteer Section

If your volunteer work is not directly related to the job you’re applying for, or if you already have extensive relevant employment experience, it might be more appropriate to create a separate volunteer section on your resume. This section should come after your main experience section, but before the education and skills sections.

In the separate volunteer section, you can still emphasize how these experiences contributed to your personal and professional growth. List your volunteer experiences by following the same format as the main experience section.

Volunteer Work on a Resume: 30 Examples

1. Community Service Volunteer – Organized weekly community clean-up events, managing teams of 20+ volunteers – Coordinated with local businesses for resource contributions

2. Hospital Volunteer – Provided companionship and support to patients, improving their hospital experience – Assisted nurses with non-medical tasks to enhance patient care

3. Animal Shelter Volunteer – Cared for and socialized animals to prepare them for adoption – Implemented a new system for tracking animal vaccinations and health records

4. Youth Mentor – Mentored a group of 10 high school students, providing academic and personal guidance – Developed and facilitated workshops on college readiness and career exploration

5. Event Planning Volunteer – Played a key role in organizing annual charity gala, raising over $50,000 – Managed logistics, including venue selection, catering, and guest list coordination

6. Environmental Conservation Volunteer – Participated in reforestation projects, planting over 1,000 trees – Educated the public on sustainability practices through workshops and presentations

7. Disaster Relief Volunteer – Assisted in rebuilding efforts after local flooding, contributing over 200 hours of service – Distributed food and supplies to affected families

8. Volunteer Tutor – Provided weekly math tutoring to underprivileged students, resulting in a 25% average grade improvement – Created personalized lesson plans and practice exercises

9. Food Bank Volunteer – Organized food drives that collected over 3 tons of food for the local community – Streamlined the food sorting process, increasing efficiency by 30%

10. Special Olympics Volunteer – Coached a team of 15 athletes, leading them to win gold in regional competitions – Coordinated travel and accommodations for team events

11. Habitat for Humanity Volunteer – Contributed to the construction of 5 homes for low-income families – Led a team of volunteers in framing and drywall installation

12. Volunteer Fundraiser – Spearheaded a crowdfunding campaign that raised $10,000 for a local animal rescue – Developed marketing materials and social media strategies to promote the campaign

13. Library Volunteer – Managed book inventory and assisted patrons with locating resources – Organized weekly storytime sessions for children, fostering a love of reading

14. Crisis Hotline Volunteer – Provided empathetic support to individuals in crisis, contributing to a 20% increase in positive outcomes – Completed 60 hours of specialized training in crisis intervention techniques

15. ESL (English as a Second Language) Volunteer Teacher – Taught English to adult learners, helping 30+ students achieve conversational proficiency – Developed culturally sensitive teaching materials

16. Nonprofit Board Member – Served on the board of a local nonprofit focused on youth development – Participated in strategic planning and fundraising efforts

17. Volunteer Translator – Provided translation services for a community health center, improving access for non-English speakers – Translated over 200 pages of health education materials

18. Legal Aid Volunteer – Assisted in providing free legal services to low-income individuals – Conducted legal research and prepared case documents under attorney supervision

19. Volunteer Web Developer – Designed and maintained the website for a local charity, increasing online donations by 40% – Implemented SEO best practices to enhance the site’s visibility

20. Art Program Volunteer – Facilitated art workshops at a community center, inspiring creativity in 50+ participants – Curated a successful art exhibit showcasing local talent

21. Senior Center Volunteer – Organized social activities and outings for seniors, improving community engagement – Provided tech support, helping seniors connect with their families online

22. Volunteer Coach – Coached a youth soccer team, emphasizing teamwork and sportsmanship – Organized fundraising events to support team equipment and travel expenses

23. Public Health Volunteer – Supported public health campaigns by distributing educational materials and organizing community events – Conducted surveys to assess the impact of health initiatives

24. Music Therapy Volunteer – Performed weekly music sessions at a local hospital to enhance patient well-being – Collaborated with therapists to tailor sessions to individual patient needs

25. Museum Docent – Led educational tours, engaging visitors with the museum’s exhibits – Assisted in the development of new exhibit materials and interactive displays

26. International Volunteer – Taught English and basic computer skills in a rural community abroad – Assisted with the development of a local microfinance program

27. Volunteer Social Media Coordinator – Managed social media accounts for a nonprofit, growing the follower base by 500% – Created engaging content that increased audience interaction

28. Literacy Advocate Volunteer – Participated in reading programs at local schools, helping to improve literacy rates – Organized book donation drives to provide resources for underfunded libraries

29. Volunteer Research Assistant – Supported a university research project by collecting and analyzing data – Co-authored a paper on the project’s findings, which was published in a peer-reviewed journal

30. Homeless Shelter Volunteer – Assisted with daily operations at a shelter, providing meals and support to residents – Developed a job search workshop to help residents gain employment

How to Describe Your Volunteer Work

Use action verbs.

It’s important to use action verbs to describe your duties and accomplishments in your volunteer work. This helps create a strong impression on the reader and showcase your proactive nature.

Examples of strong action verbs:

• Collaborated
• Implemented
• Coordinated
• Facilitated

Quantify Your Impact

When describing your volunteer work, try to quantify your impact whenever possible. This helps provide more context and shows the impact of your contributions.

• Coordinated a team of 15 volunteers
• Raised $5,000 for a local charity
• Organized a charity event with over 200 attendees
• Contributed 120 hours of tutoring
• Assisted in the construction of three homes for low-income families
• Led a group of ten in weekly park cleanups
• Mentored 50 students in an after-school program
• Facilitated team-building exercises for 100 employees
• Developed and implemented a new training curriculum
• Served meals to over 500 people in need

Tailoring Your Volunteer Experience to the Job Description

Emphasize the relevant skills you gained during your volunteer experiences by relating them to the job you’re applying for. This helps demonstrate how your volunteer work has prepared you for the position.

• Improved interpersonal communication through tutoring sessions
• Developed leadership abilities as a team coordinator
• Strengthened problem-solving skills as a volunteer mediator
• Enhanced project management abilities by organizing events
• Acquired customer service experience through volunteer receptionist duties
• Gained public speaking skills through community outreach presentations
• Developed multitasking abilities in a busy office setting
• Improved teamwork skills through group collaborations
• Enhanced negotiation skills through sales fundraising efforts
• Strengthened event planning skills by leading committee meetings

Carefully read the job description and make note of the key requirements and skills the employer is looking for. You can then try to match these with your volunteer experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some ways to present volunteer work on my resume.

You can present volunteer work on your resume in a few different ways, depending on how closely it relates to your desired job and how much experience you have. For example,

• Create a separate Volunteer Work section: This approach is suitable if your volunteer experience is not directly related to your career goals but still demonstrates relevant skills and responsibilities.
• Include volunteer work within your Professional Experience section: If your volunteer experience aligns with your career goals or if you have minimal professional experience, present it alongside your paid positions.
• Highlight related volunteer work under your Skills section: If your volunteer experience helped you gain specific expertise, showcase those skills in your Skills section and mention the relevant volunteer work.

Can you provide a description for including volunteer experience in a resume?

When including volunteer experience in your resume, it’s important to provide details such as the organization’s name, your role or position, the dates you volunteered, and a brief description of your accomplishments and relevant responsibilities. For example:

Volunteer Work

• Provided tutoring in math and English to underprivileged high school students, resulting in improved grades of over 90% of participants.

How should a student with volunteer experience showcase it on their resume?

As a student with limited work experience, emphasizing your volunteer work can demonstrate your skills, initiative, and commitment to potential employers. You can:

• Include your volunteer work in a dedicated Volunteer Experience section, or even within your Work Experience section if it’s directly related to your career goals.
• Highlight key skills gained through your volunteer work in the Skills section, mentioning specific achievements where possible.
• If relevant, mention any leadership roles or significant responsibilities within your volunteer work.

In what manner can I detail my contributions in volunteer positions?

When detailing your contributions, focus on accomplishments and the impact you made through your volunteer work. To do this, use action verbs, quantify results, and emphasize outcomes. For example:

• Organized an annual charity event that raised over $10,000 for children’s educational resources, resulting in a 20% increase in funds compared to the previous year.

Is it beneficial to describe volunteer activities in a resume, and if so, how?

Yes, describing volunteer activities in a resume can be beneficial as it showcases your transferable skills, commitment to the community, and ability to collaborate. To describe your activities effectively:

• Focus on any tasks that demonstrate relevant skills for the position you are applying for.
• Be specific in describing your role, responsibilities, and accomplishments.
• If possible, quantify the impact of your activities, e.g., dollars raised, number of attendees, or percentage improvements.

Are there any specific words or phrases that effectively convey volunteer experiences?

To effectively convey your volunteer experiences, use action verbs and descriptive language that highlights your accomplishments and transferable skills. Examples:

These words can show potential employers that you were actively engaged in your volunteer work and achieved meaningful results.

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Volunteer Work on a Resume: Examples and Templates

Here’s everything you need to know to effectively showcase volunteer work on a resume, including volunteer resume examples and templates.

a year ago   •   6 min read

Volunteering isn’t just a great way to help out your community — it can also be used to build your resume. Whether you don’t have a lot of paid work experience yet or you’re trying to get experience in a specific niche, volunteer work is a great way to round out your resume, learn in-demand skills, and fill in any missing gaps.

Keep reading to learn how to effectively showcase volunteer work on your resume. In this article we will cover:

• Volunteer resume templates you can download
• Examples of volunteer resume accomplishments
• Essential volunteer-based skills to list on your resume

How to list volunteer work on a resume

• Start by creating a separate resume section. Give it a title like “Volunteer Experience” or “Community Involvement.”
• Alternatively, you can list volunteer work directly in the Work Experience section of your resume — just make sure to put “Volunteer” somewhere in your job title.
• List the organization and your dates of service (years or months).
• List your job title. If you had a specific job title, like “Fundraising Coordinator,” use that, but if not, “Volunteer” is fine.
• Choose 2-3 examples of things you accomplished during your role.
• List these in bullet points, starting with an action verb like Managed, Collaborated, or Organized.
• If possible, add some numbers to quantify each accomplishment — for example, “collected $15,000 in donations” rather than “collected donations.”
• Get instant feedback from our free resume scanner before you send it off.

Volunteer resume templates

Here’s an example of a resume you could use to show off your volunteer work for a nonprofit organization:

A template like this works well if you don’t have a lot of paid work experience, by taking your volunteer experience and letting it shine upfront.

Here’s another volunteer resume example:

This template is ideal if you have a mix of paid and volunteer experience that you want to showcase on your resume. You can download these volunteer resume templates — and more — from our ATS resume templates page.

I recommend uploading your resume to the tool below to check whether you have effectively highlighted your volunteer experience, along with any transferable skills gained from that experience.

Examples of volunteer work on a resume

Whether you start with one of the templates above or prefer to create your own resume from scratch, you’ll need some actual accomplishments to fill it out. Here are some volunteer resume examples you can copy and paste or use as a jumping-off point to write your own.

Nonprofit volunteer resume

Volunteer work looks great on a resume, whether you’re applying to work at a nonprofit organization or you just want to show off a few relevant accomplishments. Here’s an example:

XYZ Nonprofit Organization, June 2019 - Present Volunteer • Organized and executed fundraising events, resulting in over $15,000 in donations. • Coordinated with volunteers to collect and distribute donations to local families in need. • Provided support for various programs and initiatives, including outreach to underserved communities.

Community service volunteer resume

Community service isn’t just a nice thing to do — it’s also a great way to build skills and gain experience, especially if you’re just starting out. Here’s an example:

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE ABC Youth Center, September 2018 - May 2019 Volunteer Mentor • Mentored and provided support to a group of 10 at-risk youth, promoting positive behavior and academic success. • Coordinated activities and field trips, fostering teamwork and communication skills among youth participants. • Encouraged and guided youth in setting and achieving personal goals, resulting in increased self-esteem and motivation.

Student volunteer resume

If you’re a student or recent graduate, volunteer work is a valuable addition to your resume. This can include student activities and organizations. Here’s an example:

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Resume Worded Finance Society, September 2017 – May 2020 Head of Events • Founded the first ever Business Series to organize finance training for 500 students. • Organized and advertised 10+ quarterly networking events with 300+ participants in 3 universities in Boston. • Managed the launch of new booking system to improve organization of events; system now used across university.

Hospital volunteer resume

Looking to start your medical career? Adding some volunteer work alongside your studies is a great way to show that you’re committed to the field and passionate about your work.

Here’s an example:

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Resume Worded Medical Center, 2016 - 2018 Volunteer Emergency Medical Technician • Volunteered as an EMT for one night-shift weekly in one of the busiest areas in New York City. • Provided basic patient assessments to assess the severity of the patient’s condition, subsequently providing BLS to treat those conditions; 100% success rate in resuscitating emergency patients. • Worked as part of a 3-person team to treat patients & understand their medical and family histories.

Political volunteer resume

Political organizations can be contentious, but there’s a way to list them on your resume while staying professional. Instead of talking about a specific issue, keep the focus on the work you did and leave partisanship out of it. Here’s an example:

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Young Voters Society, June 2019 – April 2020 Poll Agent • Registered high school students to boost voter participation among 19-year-olds by 71%. • Partnered with a team of 12+ poll watchers to prepare election ballots within 30 minutes, establishing a 98% accuracy rate in counting votes.

Charity work resume

No volunteer work is too small for your resume. Remember to keep the focus on what you accomplished with some action verbs and metrics, like in this example:

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE XYZ Animal Shelter, August 2017 - December 2018 Volunteer • Assisted in the care and adoption of over 100 animals, including dogs, cats, and rabbits. • Coordinated with staff and other volunteers to organize successful adoption events, resulting in a 30% increase in adoptions. • Raised over $5,000 in donations through social media campaigns and community outreach efforts.

Resume-worthy skills gained through volunteer experience

Don’t have volunteer experience in the area you’re planning to work in? That doesn’t mean it isn’t relevant! When listing experience — volunteer or otherwise — on your resume that isn’t obviously related to the job you’re applying for, the key is to emphasize transferable skills. Some of the best soft skills to highlight on a volunteer resume include:

Communication

Problem solving.

• Organization
• Project management
• Customer service
• Relationship building
• Conflict resolution

But don’t rush to list these skills in your Skills section — transferable skills like these belong in your Work Experience accomplishments instead. For each skill that you want to highlight, choose an example of a time when you demonstrated that skill and turn it into a bullet point. Here are some examples:

• Collaborated with a team of volunteers to organize a successful fundraising event that raised $10,000 for a local charity.
• Worked in a team to implement a new system for tracking donations, resulting in a 25% increase in donor retention.

If you’re struggling to come up with things you accomplished, try thinking about what your whole team accomplished instead. Not only will this add some more achievements to your resume, it also shows that you’re a team player, which is something every employer wants.

• Provided excellent customer service as a volunteer at a community center, effectively communicating with diverse populations and resolving issues in a timely manner.
• Managed social media accounts for a nonprofit organization, creating engaging content and responding to inquiries from followers.

Instead of saying something vague like “communicated with members of the public,” try to focus on how you communicated — for example, working in a customer-facing position, calling donors, or managing a social media account.

• Created a system for organizing and distributing supplies to volunteers during a disaster relief effort, resulting in a more efficient and effective response.
• Identified and addressed issues with a nonprofit's website, improving user experience and increasing traffic by 30%.

If you’ve ever been in an interview, you’ve probably been asked about a time when you encountered a problem and how you solved it. That’s not just a good interview question — it’s also a great idea for a resume bullet point like the ones above.

• Led a team of volunteers in planning and executing a successful environmental conservation project, resulting in recognition from local government officials.
• Coordinated a group of volunteers for a charity event, delegating tasks and ensuring smooth operations throughout the day.

Applying for roles where leadership is a must but without formal management experience? Volunteering is a great way to help with that — any time you led a team, trained new volunteers, or spearheaded a project can be used to show your leadership skills.

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How to List Volunteer Experience On a Resume [W/ Examples]

Let’s face it - first impressions matter. And when it comes to job search, your resume will be the first impression a potential employer will have of you. 

This begs the question: how do you make your resume stand out in a pile of job applications? 

You try to make every section count. And a particularly beneficial one to have in this regard is volunteer experience.

A volunteer experience section can be a great way to showcase your skills if you’re just starting on your career, or even if you have a work experience gap on your CV. It is also an indicator that you are not just any other money-driven applicant, but also someone who cares about giving back to the community. 

But what is the best way - and time - to include volunteer experience in your resume? That’s exactly what this article will show you.

Read on to find out: 

What is a Resume Volunteer Experience Section?

• When to Include Volunteer Experience in Your Resume?
• How to Include Volunteer Experience in Your Resume?
• How to Get Your Volunteer Experience Section Right?

The volunteer experience section of a resume includes any unpaid work you’ve done that could be relevant to your application. In addition to being an effective way to showcase your professional skills, it also shows that you are a purpose-driven person. The studies speak for themselves - volunteering can open a new path to employment. 

You can list volunteer experience either under the work experience section or as a separate section entirely. Below, we’re going to explain how, exactly, you can do both.

But first, here’s an example of how volunteer experience (as a separate resume section) looks like: 

When to Include Volunteer Experience in Your Resume? 

While having a volunteer experience section in your resume can be an asset, it’s not always going to be useful. There’s value in knowing when volunteering can be relevant in improving your chances to get hired and when it can be dead-weight.  

Here’s our cheat sheet on when to and when not to include volunteer experience in your resume. 

• The company you are applying for emphasizes ‘giving’ as part of its identity. Employees at VMware, for example, are given volunteer hours which they can use instead of doing standard work.  
• You have recently graduated and have no work experience . 
• You have extra space on your resume or an employment gap. 
• You are applying for an NGO, non-profit, or charity organization . 
• The volunteer work is outdated. Volunteer work is awesome, yes, but you want it to be as time-relevant for the recruiter reviewing your application as possible. And experience from a decade ago rarely cuts it.
• You can fill up your resume with more relevant sections, such as paid work and education . As a rule of thumb, the first thing a recruiter notices in a resume is paid experience and education - volunteering experience is just a nice-to-have extra. This means you shouldn’t squeeze in volunteer experience if it means cutting out more important sections from your resume. 

How to Include Volunteer Experience In Your Resume

Now that we went over the whens, let’s go over the most important part - how to include volunteer experience in your resume in a way that highlights your skills and emphasizes your achievements. 

As we mentioned before, volunteer experience can be a section of its own or can count as work experience in some specific cases. 

DO include it as part of the work experience section if: 

• The experience is super relevant to the job you are applying for.
• You have otherwise little paid experience. 

For example, let’s say you’re applying for a job in Journalism, but you’ve never worked as a professional in the field. However, you have plenty of journalism experience from years of volunteering at your university’s newspaper. 

Journalism Experience 

Reading Owl Daily

2017 - 2019

• Volunteering experience as Reporter for the University’s daily newspaper. Covered the News section, as well as handled copy editing. 
• Kept track of the newspaper’s online presence and updated its WordPress site daily. 
• Wrote a total of 50 interviews for two years. 

Now, when your volunteering experience isn’t specifically related to the job you’re applying for, you’re better off creating a separate volunteer experience section and formatting it just like the work experience section:

• Volunteering Position
• Organization You Volunteered For
• Responsibilities & Achievements

If you want your unrelated volunteering experience to stand out, however, simply listing your responsibilities and achievements won’t do. Instead, you want to show how the volunteer experience ties you to the job you are currently applying for.   

Confused? Let us cover an example: 

Say that you have been helping at the local animal rescue center for a year, but now you’re applying for a marketing company. Your volunteer experience is not marketing-relevant, but it can be tailored as such.

Volunteer Experience 

• Helped develop an online platform for stray animals’ adoption that saved 100+ dogs and cats, on behalf of the Animal Rescue Center.
• Wrote copy for the online platform and created banners and brochures to advertise it.  

Keep in mind, though, that tailoring is not something that you have to do all the time - volunteering experience is going to help whether or not it’s related to your field.

If you can tailor it to the job, though, that is, for sure, a big plus.

Volunteer Experience Section Example

Looking for some inspiration? Look no further!

Here’s what a well-crafted volunteer experience section looks like on a resume: 

International Federation Red Cross, France

5/2016 - 5/2017

• Provided presentations about Red Cross programs in the community. 
• Assisted the fundraising team with writing grant proposals. 

Now, if you’re listing your volunteering experience as part of the work experience section, here’s how it could look like if you were applying for a job in the communications field:

Team London Volunteer 

Mayor of London Office

09/2018 - 08/2019

• Supported the implementation of a new external communications strategy.
• Created a new e-newsletter to share with a variety of stakeholders to keep them up to date with internal news and to gain new supporters.  
• Generated visual content for the organization’s social media platform. 

How to Get Your Volunteer Experience Section Right 

There’s more to creating a compelling volunteer experience section than just writing it out. Here are our top 3 tips on including volunteering in your resume the right way:

Tip #1: Follow the Format. 

As we mentioned before, there is a pretty straightforward format one can follow to list volunteering experiences.

Here’s what it looks like:

• Your position and/or title 
• Company/Organization name
• Achievements/Responsibilities 
• Volunteering timeframe 

Tip #2: List Achievements Over Responsibilities. 

When possible, you want to focus more on achievements as opposed to responsibilities in your resume (and this applies to volunteer experience, too).

Here’s what we mean by that:

Let’s assume that you have volunteer experience as a research assistant. The responsibilities are pretty obvious - i.e. compiling and distributing questionnaires, collecting and analyzing relevant data, doing statistical and analytical work, etc. 

The HR knows all this - they’re reviewed hundreds of similar resumes, all of which mention the same responsibilities.

If you, however, focus on showing how you concretely contributed to the research, by say, pointing out that 50% of the data analyzed by you was used to advance it, you’d have told the recruiter something completely new and compelling that makes you stand out. 

Focusing on your achievements, when relevant, is your best chance at giving your resume the upper hand. 

To give you a more concrete example, though, here’s a comparison of achievements done right: 

• Compiled and distributed qualitative questionnaires with a 90% response rate. 
• Completed 50% of the data analysis later used to advance the project’s research. 

However, in some industries, you might have fewer achievements to list than in others. If you volunteered at your local homeless shelter, your day-to-day goal probably wasn’t to distinguish yourself but help others. If that’s the case, listing responsibilities is OK. 

Here’s how that would look like in your resume: 

• Registering homeless people into the shelter.
• Unpacking and distributing food aids. 
• Oversee opening and closing of the shelter 2 times/week. 

Tip #3: Keep It Relevant

Only mention your volunteering experience if they’re recent and relevant .

For example, if you volunteered 5 years back, and since then you have worked several professional roles in your field, you don’t need to go back in time and mention that volunteering experience (even if it was an amazing learning experience).

In such a case, your volunteering experience is neither recent (it happened 5 years ago), nor relevant (you probably learned a lot more from your recent positions).

Key takeaways 

And we’re done! By now, you should know everything on how to include volunteering experience in a resume.

Now, let’s recap all the main points we’ve covered:

• Volunteer experience can be a huge plus to your job application, especially if you are a recent graduate, have a gap in your resume, or are applying to an NGO.  
• List volunteer experience either as a separate section or as work-related experience (if your volunteering experience is related to the job you’re applying for). 
• When listing your volunteering experiences, when possible, include achievements over responsibilities. Responsibilities are what put you on the same plate as all other applicants - your achievements are what set you apart! 

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5 Volunteer Resume Examples That Got the Job in 2024

Volunteer Resume

• Volunteer Resumes by Role
• Write Your Volunteer Resume

You’re compassionate, determined, and dedicated. As a volunteer, you offer up your skills and your time to improve other people’s lives, be it by assisting them during a difficult time or by helping nonprofits change the world.

Volunteering can be a fulfilling experience and a great way to learn if you’re new to a particular job or industry. However, to improve your chances of being picked, you’ll still need an effective resume.

We’ve analyzed hundreds of listings and applications to craft our secret recipe for the perfect resume. Check out our volunteer resume examples and resume tips to accurately highlight your many qualities. While you’re at it, try our AI cover letter generator for a complete application.

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• In this volunteer resume, John proves his compassion for serving the homeless and the hungry. You also want to take this path and prove how much you have participated in helping the vulnerable in society.

Hospital Volunteer Resume

• For example, Emily’s hospital volunteer resume shows how involved she was in the physical and mental well-being of patients: helping in their fitness journeys, offering companionship, educating them on medical conditions, and contributing to their holistic healing. Follow this example; it is a sure way to stand out as an applicant.

Volunteer Coordinator Resume

• For instance, this volunteer coordinator resume revealed how the applicant conducted satisfaction surveys to ensure both parties were satisfied. Be sure to prove how well you can manage both groups to enhance contentment from everyone involved.

Church Volunteer Resume

• Clever accentuations in your church volunteer resume ensure recruiters don’t miss those feats that loudly speak for your prowess. As for the how, bold and underline a phrase per bullet point group. If underlining doesn’t tickle your fancy, italicizing fits the bill.

Community Volunteer Resume

• Suppose you’ve served as a tutor and a volunteer. Let your career objective enlighten how these stints equipped you for the community volunteer role. You must also affirm your aspirations for the role, but not without exploring the job ad or the hiring company’s website to learn the employer’s needs.

Related resume examples

• Production Assistant
• Research Assistant
• Administrative Assistant
• Office Assistant
• Virtual Assistant

Adjust Your Volunteer Resume to Impress the Target Audience

Volunteering comes in many shapes and forms, but the one universal thing that unites all volunteers is empathy. In a busy world filled with problems, you’re willing to dedicate your time and care to the benefit of others, free of charge, and that’s impressive. However, simply listing “empathy” on your resume will not do the trick—we need to go deeper than that.

Make sure to tailor your application to each job description . For instance, if you’re a healthcare administrator applying to volunteer at a hospital, you might want to emphasize skills like knowledge of various EMR systems or database management. 

On the other hand, if you want to volunteer at an animal shelter, skills like sanitation protocols or dog training techniques will come in handy. 

Need some inspiration?

15 popular volunteer skills

• Cultural Awareness
• Ethical Decision-Making
• Microsoft Office
• Google Workspace
• Fundraising
• Problem-Solving
• Volunteer Management
• Event Coordination
• Data Management
• Social Media

Your volunteer work experience bullet points

Approaching the “ work experience ” section can be done in two ways if you’re applying for a volunteer position. 

First, focus on relevant experience in the field you’re applying to. For instance, if you want to volunteer as a paralegal, talk about your background in law. Second, if the position is less specialized, it’s a great idea to mention instances of volunteering or working with people regardless of the industry.

Regardless of the type of volunteering you’re applying for, make sure to add some metrics to this section to quantify your impact. This is especially impressive in a volunteer position because everything you do serves a great purpose.

• Express your ability to help others by discussing things like satisfaction ratings or the number of people under your care.
• Emphasize your effective fundraising efforts by mentioning campaigns and donation drives, the amount of money raised, or improved audience engagement.
• Include metrics that are relevant to your industry; for instance, if you’re a psychologist working with people with substance abuse disorders, include the number of patients who are in recovery.
• Discuss the overall success of your efforts with metrics such as raising awareness, improving inventory tracking, or streamlining volunteer coordination.

See what we mean?

• Developed and maintained a database of homeless individuals using Salesforce, improving tracking of services provided and outcomes achieved by 48%
• Conducted Zoom video calls for patient consultations and achieved a 97% satisfaction rate from patients
• Offered compassionate support to hospital patients, enhancing the quality of their stay by 78%
• Recruited, trained, and managed a team of 16 volunteers, ensuring consistent and reliable support for senior companionship

9 active verbs to start your volunteer work experience bullet points

• Coordinated
• Spearheaded

3 Tips for Writing a Volunteer Resume With No Prior Experience

• Volunteering almost always involves working with people to some extent, and sometimes, all you may need is a smile on your face. Discuss any and all instances of working with people to prove that you’re a joy to be around.
• Even the most minor experiences in volunteer work can be helpful when applying for a new volunteer placement. Perhaps you used to visit the local shelter to walk the dogs, or you’ve helped a senior neighbor with groceries every week? Include these work experiences to emphasize your empathy.
• Certain volunteer jobs may have legal requirements, and if you’re able to meet them right off the bat, you’ll be one step ahead of other candidates. As an example, working in a soup kitchen will call for ServSafe certification. Do some research and check whether the job needs any certification, and if you have it, display it in your resume.

3 Tips for Writing a Volunteer Resume if You Have an Extensive Background

• Lending your specialized skills and knowledge to an organization can often be life-changing, so don’t be afraid to discuss your professional background in a relevant field. For example, if you’re applying to volunteer as a caregiver to people with dementia, discuss how you used to care for patients with Alzheimer’s in the past.
• Volunteering often involves some form of fundraising or getting the community fired up to join and help. If you’re an experienced volunteer, talk about times when you organized successful donation events, charity auctions, or donations of services and goods to help the cause.
• If you have a background as a volunteer coordinator, make sure to include it in your resume. Similarly, if you’ve previously worked in managerial roles, this is a great thing to mention, as coordinating groups of volunteers is an invaluable skill for many nonprofits.

Keep your resume concise—a single page will suffice. Focus on past work experiences and job skills that are most relevant to the job and volunteering in general, such as customer service or caregiving.

That’s alright—everyone has to start somewhere. Fill your resume with instances of working with people, be that at school, at a part-time gig, or a full-time job. 

Including a career objective can be a good way to do this. It lets you mention the organization, foundation, or company by name and express why you’re a good fit for this particular volunteer opportunity.

This Is Exactly How to List Volunteer Work on Your Resume

When it comes to writing or updating your resume, you know you should include your relevant work history, education , and technical skills .

But what about your volunteer experience? Will hiring managers even care about the time you spent building homes in Central America or organizing that charity walk?

I’ll make this one easy for you: yes!

You should absolutely include volunteer experience on your resume. It’ll help you stand out, make you seem like a real-life, three-dimensional person, and give the hiring manager a better idea of what makes you tick. Plus, as more and more companies begin to embrace social responsibility, job seekers with demonstrated interest and experience in community involvement are even more valuable.

Here’s the right way to add volunteer experience on your resume, in three easy steps.

1. Choose the Right Format

You’ll usually want to feature your most relevant professional experience at the top of your resume, which means your volunteer experience should go toward the bottom (after your professional experience, but before your education and skills section). Don’t worry too much about your volunteer work getting missed—most recruiters scan resumes, looking at section headers, job titles, employers, and tenure first, so they’ll likely notice a clearly-labeled volunteer experience section.

If it’s directly relevant to the job you’re applying for or you have limited professional experience, you can include your volunteer work with your paid positions. Just be sure that you’re labeling it clearly by including “volunteer” in the job title (for example, “Volunteer Social Media Manager”) or in the job description (for example, “Managed social media for an emerging nonprofit as an experienced volunteer”).

2. Keep it Concise (But Make it Count!)

Space will likely be limited in this section of your resume, so be selective with your content. Think about what’ll be the most impactful and relevant to the role or company you’re targeting. If you don’t have a lot of room to spare, you can summarize your work for each organization you’ve volunteered for in a single sentence:

Fundraising Volunteer | Non-Profit Organization | San Francisco, CA | March 2017

Sourced $2K in donations in a single month through a cold calling, door knocking, and email campaign.

Volunteer Pet Pal | Animal Shelter | New York, NY | November 2016-July 2017

Cared for 100+ shelter animals awaiting adoption, including dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and a lizard.

If you have a little more room to work with, you can break your experience down into two to three bullet points , similar to the way you’d highlight a paid position.

3. Note the Exceptions

One minor, but important caveat: Volunteering for certain organizations may give away more personal information than you’re ready to share with a prospective employer.

For example, if you’re the vice president of the PTA, a recruiter will likely assume that you have children, while volunteering for a religious or political organization may reveal your spiritual or partisan beliefs. This could make you more vulnerable to unfair bias.

I know, it totally sucks. But, it is a reality (albeit a largely illegal one). So, you may want to consider leaving potentially-revealing volunteer work out.

Most recruiters only spend a few seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to read on in more detail. Including an impactful volunteer experience section will help you to grab (and hold) a prospective employer’s attention.

Plus, chances are you really care about the organizations you’ve given your time to. So why not give them a little love?

Tips for Adding Volunteer Work on Your Resume (With Examples)

Posted on 15 jan 2024, updated on 15 jan 2024.

Understanding how to put volunteer work on a resume can transform your job application from standard to standout. It's a strategic approach to showcase your skills and dedication beyond the workplace. Whether you're a fresh graduate or a seasoned professional, adding volunteer work is an excellent way to differentiate yourself from other applicants. It speaks volumes about your character and values, providing a fuller picture of who you are as a candidate.

In the competitive job market, the goal is to get your resume notice d. Embrace the opportunity to highlight these volunteer experiences, and watch as they open doors to new and exciting career possibilities! In this guide, we offer insights on how to effectively incorporate this experience and outline the do's and don'ts to make sure your resume makes a strong impression.

How to Add Volunteer Experience to Your Resume

Integrating volunteer work into your resume requires a thoughtful approach to ensure it complements your professional experiences and skills. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to add this valuable experience:

1. Identify the Relevant Volunteer Work

Start by reviewing your volunteer experiences and identifying those most relevant to the job you're applying for. This relevance could be in terms of the skills used or developed, the industry, or the role’s similarities to your target job.

Example: If you're applying for a marketing position and you've managed social media campaigns for a non-profit, this experience is highly relevant.

Sample Resume Entry:

Volunteer Literacy Tutor, Community Center, Sep 2019 - Jun 2021Volunteer Social Media Manager, Local Animal Shelter, Jan 2020 - Dec 2020 Developed and implemented social media strategy, increasing Facebook and Instagram followers by 40%

2. Decide Where to Place It on Your Resume

Deciding the optimal place for your volunteer work on your resume is crucial. If it's closely related to your career goals, include it in the work experience section, formatted similarly to your other professional experiences. For less-related volunteer work, a separate volunteer experience section towards the end of your resume is more suitable.

If you're unsure how to include community service on your resume, considering resume writing services can be of great help. These services have expertise in resume structuring and can guide you in highlighting your volunteer work to complement your professional narrative.

Example if Related to Career Goals: Applying for a teaching position and you've volunteered as a literacy tutor

Conducted weekly one-on-one reading sessions, improving students' reading levels by an average of two grades

Example for Unrelated Volunteer Work: Volunteer work at a food bank, while applying for a tech job

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE May 2018 - Aug 2019 | Volunteer City Food Bank Coordinated food distribution to 200+ families weekly, enhancing organizational and teamwork skills

3. Format Your Volunteer Experience

Whether you're including it in the work experience section or as a separate entity, format your volunteer experience like any other job. Include the position title (adding 'Volunteer' before the title if necessary), the organization's name, the dates of your involvement, and a few bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements.

Example: Volunteer event coordinator for a local charity

Volunteer Event Coordinator, Health Charity, Mar 2019 - Present Managed annual fundraising events, raising over $50,000 and increasing attendance by 25%

4. Highlight Your Achievements and Skills

How do you write about charity work on your resume? Rather than just listing duties, focus on what you’ve accomplished in your volunteer role. Did you organize events, raise funds, or lead a team? These achievements demonstrate your initiative and leadership skills. Use action verbs and quantify your accomplishments where possible, such as the number of event attendees or the amount of funds raised.

Example: Led a team of volunteers in a community clean-up project

Team Leader, Neighborhood Clean-Up, Jul 2019 Spearheaded a team of 15 volunteers, collecting over 500 pounds of litter, demonstrating leadership and organizational skills

5. Provide Context Where Necessary

Sometimes, a brief explanation of your volunteer work can enhance its impact. For instance, if you volunteered abroad, a sentence about the skills and cultural understanding you gained can be very insightful.

Example: Volunteered abroad to teach English

English Teacher Volunteer, Thailand, Oct 2018 - Dec 2018 Taught English to a class of 30 students, enhancing cross-cultural communication and adaptability skills

Do’s and Don’ts When Adding Volunteer Experience To Your Resume

Now that you know how to put charity work on a resume, let's focus on key do's and don'ts. These are crucial for fine-tuning your resume's volunteer section, polishing your presentation, and making your volunteer experience stand out effectively.

● DO Connect Volunteer Work to Job Relevance. Always tie any volunteer experience to the job you're applying for by emphasizing the skills and experiences gained that align with the role.

● DO Quantify Your Achievements. Whenever possible, use numbers and data to quantify your impact.

● DO Format Correctly. Follow the same format as your work experience, with clear titles, organization names, dates, and concise descriptions of your roles and achievements.

● DON’T Overload Your Resume with Irrelevant Volunteer Work. If the volunteer experience doesn’t add any value or skills to the job you're applying for, it's better to leave it out.

● DON’T Misrepresent Your Role. Honesty is crucial. Overstating your role can lead to credibility issues if cross-checked by employers.

● DON’T Include Volunteering That Conflicts with the Job's Values. Align your volunteer work with the company's culture, since incompatible volunteer experiences can raise concerns about fit. That being said, consider applying only to organizations that align with your values.

Why Should You List Volunteer Work on Your Resume?

Volunteer work isn't just a noble pursuit; it's a treasure trove of experiences that can significantly enrich your resume. When considering whether to include volunteer work on your resume, look at the benefits it offers. Volunteer experiences show potential employers that you're community-minded and possess a range of transferable skills.

For individuals with limited work experience, learning how to include community service on a resume is an opportunity to demonstrate your involvement in organizational goals. It reassures hiring managers of your practical capabilities, such as punctuality and reliability, even without an extensive formal work history.

Moreover, volunteer work can effectively bridge employment gaps, showcasing continuous engagement and skill development even during periods of formal unemployment. It's also an opportunity to highlight skills that are not evident from your paid employment. For instance, an accountant known for working with numbers might demonstrate excellent writing skills through volunteer activities, such as drafting donation thank-you letters.

The bottom line is that including volunteer work on your resume can significantly boost your chances of landing an interview by presenting a well-rounded, skill-diverse, and socially responsible profile.

Enhance Your Resume with Volunteer Experiences

Learning how to put volunteer work on your resume can be a powerful tool for showcasing your skills, values, and commitment to potential employers. By thoughtfully selecting, formatting, and tailoring your volunteer experiences, you create a resume that not only reflects your professional qualifications but also your character and societal contributions. Remember, a well-rounded resume opens doors to new opportunities and helps you stand out in a competitive job market.

For more practical resume-boosting advice, continue exploring career tips that help you navigate your professional path with confidence!

• 7 seconds: this is how long your resume has either to impress or be ignored by the recruiter
• 300+: average number of applications one corporate job opening posted online receives
• 3%: number of sent resumes that result in interviews

Transform your career and beat the odds!

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Volunteer resume examples & templates

You may think that volunteering shouldn’t require a resume, after all, you are offering free work. The truth is that volunteering jobs can be just as difficult to get as paid work. That’s why you need a volunteer resume that stands out from the crowd.

Whether you are volunteering as a sideline or because you hope it will lead to permanent employment, you have to think like a job-hunter. That means making the best case you can for YOU. Organizations that use volunteers want to ensure you are committed to the work you are offering to provide. 

Using Resume.io and its powerful tools for job seekers is a great way to get going. We offer resume guides and resume examples for 300+ professions. That means that no matter what area you want to volunteer in, you will have guidance to get you there. We back up our guides with an easy-to-use resume builder, so let us help you get where you want to go.

This guide, along with the corresponding volunteer resume example, will cover the following topics:

• What does a volunteer do?
• How to write a volunteer resume (tips and tricks)
• The best format for a volunteer resume
• Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
• Professional resume layout and design hints.

What does a volunteer do? 

Volunteers can do anything within an organization. Sometimes volunteers work only on special events, but in other cases they perform vital tasks and make a commitment to either work on a longer-term special project or on regular, daily work.

Many nonprofits use volunteers to supplement their paid workforce so that more resources go to the cause for which they labor. That means you have a chance to broaden your skill set while working on a cause you are passionate about. 

There are 1.54 million non-profits in the United States. In 2017, the last year for which statistics are available, 64.4 million Americans, or about 25% of the population, gave their time. That’s up from 61.8 million in 2008, according to Statistica . 

The pandemic seems to have increased volunteering efforts. LinkedIn data shows that in 2020, members added 110,000 volunteer experiences to their profiles. That’s about 2.5 times the monthly average in 2017. 

Millennials are most likely to volunteer and women volunteer at higher rates than men, according to the U.S. Labor Bureau . 

If you are wondering whether volunteers are worth the training time to nonprofits, the answer is yes. The Independent Sector values volunteer hours at $28.54.

Because volunteers may be doing any type of work in any industry, you may find inspiration in any number of our resume examples. How to choose volunteer opportunities

Deciding where to volunteer can be as challenging as deciding on a career path. Here are some basic questions to ask yourself that can help you guide your decision and how you craft your resume:

• What am I passionate about?
• Do I want to gain new skills?
• Do I want to network?
• Do I want to bolster my resume?
• Do I want to fill a gap while I look for full-time paid employment?
• What skills or knowledge can I offer?
• How much time can I commit to?

How to find volunteer opportunities

If you aren’t sure how to go about finding volunteer opportunities, you can start with VolunteerMatch , a volunteer aggregator that will send you listings based on the criteria you set, or Volunteer.gov , in which you can search for jobs in the U.S. government in places such as national parks. 

You can also look at specific organizations that are typically in need of volunteers. They include:

• Animal shelters
• Food pantries
• Homeless shelters
• Tutoring centers

Of course, you may also decide what you want to do and where you want to work and then contact either the volunteer coordinator or the human resources department and offer your services unsolicited.

How to write a volunteer resume

Take as much care with your volunteer resume as you would if you were applying for your dream job . The first step is understanding exactly what sections comprise a resume. Your document should include the following elements:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

Onboarding volunteers takes time and effort, so volunteer coordinators and hiring managers may handle this process in the same way they handle hiring full-time employees. In fact, the Fundraising Authority recommends three times of training for volunteers: basic non-profit training, organization-specific training, and job-specific training. Before investing that time, organizations want to make sure you are the right person for the job. 

How do you show that? Do your research! Find out what the organization needs. Investigate their style. Are they casual or formal? Do they use a lot of volunteers or will you be one of a few? What is their mission and how do you fit into it? Then, target your resume to the nonprofit or other organization mimicking their style and values.

A successful volunteer resume lets the hiring manager know that you understand the organization and its goals AND explains why you want to help out by giving your time. 

Another hurdle: The Applicant Tracking System

Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, are software programs that scan, sort and assess resumes for human resources departments. There are dozens of these designed specifically for non-profits. The organizations you apply to are likely to use one of these systems to narrow the range of candidates to a manageable few.

There’s no guaranteed method of leaping this hurdle, but there are ways to improve your chances. This is where your research will help you. Review the listing, if there is one, or the nonprofit's website looking for the volunteer job requirements. Organically incorporate as many of the same nouns, verbs and modifiers in your resume text as possible. Make sure you use your own language and context. You want the text of your volunteer resume to flow naturally and to have your voice.

Choosing the best resume format for volunteering

A typical resume for a person whose career has taken a mostly linear path, we recommend a reverse chronological order resume format . That means that when you compile your employment history section, you start with your most recent position and move backwards in time.

This may work for you in your volunteer resume, however, if you are looking to take on new skills or are just starting out and want to use the volunteer opportunity as a stepping stone, you should consider a hybrid format. If you’re looking to make a lateral move, check out our other resume examples such as the career change resume sample. 

A functional resume format is another option. Although this type of format is usually employed by specialists and technical professionals, it may suit your needs as a volunteer who wants to stretch but has the skills to do the job.

Resume summary example: Your value and passion

Your resume summary is your big chance to show off your passion and explain why you want to volunteer at the particular organization you are targeting. It is within your profile that you answer the questions Why do you care? and What can you do to help us? Don’t be afraid to say that you have a personal connection to, for instance, cancer care, and that is what drives your desire to help.

Offer your vision for how you fit into the organization, give examples that highlight your skills and convince the volunteer coordinator that you are the right person for the job. Don’t make the assumption that nonprofits are desperate for volunteers and will take anyway. The truth is that while volunteers are a valuable asset for organizations, you still need to prove that you will stick it out and bring value to the team. 

Offer a personal story about why the cause is close to your heart.

Give a generic explanation about the value of volunteering.

Your goal here is to get hiring managers excited about your potential to help the organization. Balance your enthusiasm by clearly stating that you understand that you are applying for a job that comes with responsibility. You can find a volunteer resume example summary below.

Dedicated and enthusiastic Volunteer, hoping to utilize my most valuable skills to achieve goals. A creative thinker and complex problem-solver, bringing forth a commitment to others and the greater good.

Employment history resume sample: Proof of commitment

A volunteer resume sample needs to show the same dedication to the career as your career-oriented resume. You should approach your employment history section in the same way for both. Make a list of all your jobs and the dates you were employed. Include your titles and brainstorm your job responsibilities -- no need to go back more than 10 or 15 years. This phase is simply a reminder for you.

Then, think of your key achievements at each position. Review the volunteer listing and decide which accomplishments best fit the job you seek now. 

The CAR system for explaining your achievements makes writing your resume bullet points easier. Here’s how it works:

• Describe your Challenge
• Tell what Action you took
• Detail your Results.

Be as specific as possible. Use data and dollar amounts whenever possible.

If you are looking to start your career by getting volunteer experience , you may want to beef up your education section and move it above your employment history section.

You can find a volunteer employment history resume sample below.

Volunteer, Children's Corner, Concord  March 2021 - Present

• Served as a caring and considerate volunteer in one of the busiest children's centers in New Hampshire.
• Followed instructions and adhered to company policies.
• Worked well independently and also with others.
• Strived to make children feel welcomed, safe, and motivated.
• Modeled leadership skills and independent thinking.    

Craft Fair Volunteer, Concord Community Council, Concord  June 2019 - December 2019 

• Assisted with the unloading and set-up of craft fair goods.
• Distributed fair handbooks and materials to vendors and customers.
• Provided guests with information and answered any questions to the best of my ability.
• Assisted with the clean-up and disassembly of booths.

Resume skills example: What do you bring to the table?

Hiring managers are busy people, and volunteers may not be their first priority. Your resume skills section gives them the chance to see at a glance if your abilities match what they need. That means again reviewing the volunteer listing and matching your skills to the job.

Quite often, volunteers are looking to gain new skills or to simply get job experience. Hiring managers know this. So what can you do if you are in that situation? Play up your soft skills on your resume. These are the qualities you need to be a good overall employee. They include time management, communication, and organization.

Emotional Intelligence

Another area you can play up is your emotional intelligence. If you are targeting non-profits for your volunteer work, you may be dealing with sensitive issues, so the ability to handle your emotions and those of others can elevate your candidacy.

Daniel Goleman’s book, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, breaks emotional intelligence into five categories:

• Self-awareness: Understanding your strengths and weaknesses
• Self-regulation: Keeping calm under pressure and expressing your emotions appropriately
• Motivation: Setting clear goals and following through
• Empathy: Recognizing how other’s feel
• Social skills: Functioning within different group settings.

Consider adding one or two of these to your skills section.

You will find a skills section volunteer resume sample below.

• Fast Learner
• Ability to Work in a Team
• Effective Time Management
• Computer Skills
• Communication Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Adaptability

Volunteer resume education example

Your education could be the key to netting the perfect volunteer job. Perhaps you have a skill you haven’t used in your career or a hobby that you earned credits in. Include those in your education section.

Especially if you are new to the job market or trying to enhance basic skills, you may consider listing specific courses you have taken that are relevant to the volunteer position you seek. If you are an experienced worker, you may simply list your education here. 

No need to include your GPA unless you have just graduated and it is stellar. You may also omit your high school diploma if you have a master’s degree or higher.

Other items to call attention to are any awards or accolades you have received or any certificates for coursework or seminars that pertain to your prospective volunteer work.

Below is an education section resume sample you may adapt for formatting.

High School Diploma, Concord High School, Concord  September 2018 - Present Abbott- Downing School, Concord  September 2014 - May 2018

Resume layout and design: Your visual image

The idea behind your volunteer resume is to get the interview, and this guide is all about helping you do so. That means addressing the way your resume looks. First impressions matter, so make a good one with these helpful hints for designing your resume.

Think easy-to-read. While you want to capture attention, your real goal is to get your document read. Keep your margins at one inch and use a clear, legible font. Leave ample white space.

Straddle the line between eye-catching and glaring. Minimize the use of color and avoid graphics and images. Even visual artists should err on the side of conservatism since your goal is for hiring managers to read your text. If you are in a design field, take a look at our illustrator resume example or our graphic designer resume example for ideas. Offer a portfolio of your work along with your resume to show off your talents.

The key components of your resume are your contact information and your most recent job and title. This is where hiring managers look first, so make sure these items are easy to find.

Finally, make sure your resume text and formatting are free of typos and errors. Using an online builder tool such as the one from resume.io and one of our resume templates will smooth the path to a great volunteer opportunity.

Key takeaways for a volunteer resume

• Think of your volunteer resume the same way you would a resume for a paying job: You have to prove you’re the right person for the work.
• When you volunteer, you are making a commitment, so consider what you want to do and where your passion lies before you apply.
• Targeting your volunteer resume for each position is the best way to make sure your application is seen by a person.
• Use our online resume maker to make your life easier and the job application process faster!

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates

• Career Blog

Volunteer Resume: Top Examples & Tips for 2024

A volunteer resume is a document that outlines an individual’s volunteer experience, skills, achievements, and qualifications related to their volunteer work. It serves as a tool for individuals who want to volunteer their services and for organizations that require volunteers for specific projects or roles.

Importance of a Volunteer Resume

A volunteer resume is important for several reasons. First, it helps an individual to showcase their skills and experiences to potential volunteer organizations. Second, it highlights an individual’s commitment to volunteering and their ability to make a positive impact in their community. Finally, it can serve as a basis for future career opportunities or further education.

How to Make a Volunteer Resume Stand Out

To make a volunteer resume stand out, an individual should highlight their volunteer experience, specifically emphasizing their roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments. They should also include any relevant skills, such as project management or communication skills, and provide concrete examples of how they have demonstrated these skills.

Volunteer Resume Examples

A strong and well-crafted volunteer resume can greatly enhance your chances of securing volunteer opportunities that align with your interests and skills. Here are three sample volunteer resumes that showcase effective layouts, formats, and content:

A. Sample Volunteer Resume 1

Summary statement:.

Dedicated and compassionate volunteer with 5+ years of experience in community outreach programs, event planning, and fundraising. Skilled at building and maintaining relationships with diverse individuals and groups, and passionate about supporting organizations that promote education and youth development.

Experience:

• Community Outreach Volunteer, ABC Education Program (2016-present)
• Event Planning Volunteer, XYZ Youth Development Program (2014-2016)
• Fundraising Volunteer, LMN Non-profit (2013-2014)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and project management abilities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and social media platforms
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently

B. Sample Volunteer Resume 2

Experienced volunteer committed to supporting the needs of underserved populations and advancing social justice causes. Skilled in community organizing, advocacy, and coalition building, and passionate about promoting equity, inclusion, and access to resources.

• Community Organizer, ABC Coalition for Immigrant Rights (2018-present)
• Advocacy Volunteer, XYZ Women’s Center (2017-2018)
• Research Assistant, LMN Institute for Social Justice (2015-2017)
• Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities
• Knowledge of legal and policy frameworks related to social justice issues
• Experience with community outreach, engagement, and mobilization
• Proficiency in data analysis, research methods, and information management

C. Sample Volunteer Resume 3

Goal-driven volunteer with a passion for environmental conservation and sustainability. Experienced in organizing and leading volunteer teams, managing projects, and implementing eco-friendly initiatives. Committed to creating positive social and environmental impact through education, advocacy, and action.

• Volunteer Coordinator, ABC Eco-Action Network (2019-present)
• Project Manager, XYZ Community Garden (2018-2019)
• Outreach Specialist, LMN Environmental Education Center (2016-2018)
• Excellent leadership and team management abilities
• Strong knowledge of sustainable practices and green technologies
• Experience with grant writing, fundraising, and budget management
• Ability to collaborate with diverse groups and stakeholders

These sample volunteer resumes demonstrate effective strategies for highlighting relevant skills, experience, and passion for a given cause or organization. By tailoring your resume to the specific requirements and values of the volunteer opportunity, you can increase your chances of standing out and making a positive impact.

Volunteer Resume Writing Tips

When looking for a volunteer position, it is important to have a well-crafted resume that showcases your experience and skills. Here are a few tips to help you create a strong volunteer resume:

A. Tailor Your Resume to the Volunteer Position

Just like with a paid job, it is important to tailor your resume to the volunteer position you are applying for. Research the organization and position to get an understanding of what they are looking for, and then highlight your relevant experience and skills.

B. Highlight Your Volunteer Experience

Volunteer experience may be the most important aspect of your resume, so make sure to highlight it prominently. Include detailed descriptions of your volunteer roles and the impact you made on the organization and community.

C. Showcase Your Skills

In addition to your volunteer experience, make sure to showcase the skills that you gained from your volunteer work. These may include communication skills, leadership abilities, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrate how these skills can be applied to the volunteer position you are applying for.

D. Use Strong Action Words

To make your resume stand out, use strong action words to describe your experience and skills. Words like “initiated,” “orchestrated,” and “collaborated” demonstrate your abilities and accomplishments.

E. Keep it Simple and Clean

A clean and simple resume layout is important for readability. Use bullet points and clear headings to make it easy for the reader to navigate.

F. Include a Cover Letter

A cover letter is an opportunity to showcase your personality and passion for the volunteer position. Use it to explain why you are interested in the position, and how you believe your skills and experience can contribute to the organization.

By following these tips, you can create a strong and effective volunteer resume that will help you make a positive impact in your community.

Volunteer Resume Sections

When it comes to crafting a volunteer resume, there are certain sections that should be included to make it stand out to potential organizations. Here are the top sections you should consider including in your volunteer resume:

A. Contact Information

The first section of your volunteer resume should include your contact information. This should include your full name, email address, phone number, and mailing address. It is important to use a professional email address and phone number that you check frequently.

B. Objective Statement

The objective statement should be a brief statement that describes your career goals and what you hope to achieve through volunteering. This statement should be tailored to the specific organization that you are applying to volunteer with.

C. Summary Statement

The summary statement should give a brief overview of your skills and experiences, and how they relate to the volunteer position you are applying for. This section should highlight your strengths and accomplishments, and showcase why you are a good fit for the position.

D. Relevant Skills

The relevant skills section should include any skills that are relevant to the volunteer position you are applying for. This may include communication skills, leadership skills, organizational skills, or any other skills that are necessary for the position.

E. Volunteer Experience

The volunteer experience section should list any relevant volunteer experience that you have. This may include volunteering for a non-profit organization, volunteering at a community event, or any other volunteer experience that is relevant to the position you are applying for.

F. Education

The education section should list any relevant education that you have received. This may include a degree or certification from a recognized institution.

G. Relevant Certifications or Training

The relevant certifications or training section should include any certifications or training that you have received that are relevant to the volunteer position you are applying for. This may include CPR certifications, training in specific software or equipment, or any other relevant certifications or training.

H. Relevant Professional Experience

The relevant professional experience section should include any professional experience that is relevant to the volunteer position you are applying for. This may include work experience, internships, or any other relevant experience.

I. Achievements and Awards

The achievements and awards section should list any achievements or awards that you have received. This may include academic awards, volunteer awards, or any other relevant awards.

J. References

The references section should include at least three professional references. These references should be people that you have worked with in the past and can vouch for your skills and experience. It is important to ask these individuals before including them as a reference in your resume.

Including these sections in your volunteer resume can help you stand out to potential organizations and showcase your skills and experiences. Remember to tailor your resume to the specific organization you are applying for, and highlight how your skills and experiences relate to the position.

Tailoring Your Volunteer Resume

When applying for volunteer positions, it’s important to tailor your resume to the specific organization and job posting. Here are some tips to help you highlight your fit for the position:

A. Research the Organization

Before submitting your volunteer resume, take some time to research the organization. Look at their website, social media pages, mission statement and values, and recent news or events. This will not only show your interest in the organization, but also help you tailor your resume accordingly.

B. Analyze the Job Posting

When analyzing the job posting, pay attention to the required and preferred qualifications, responsibilities, and desired outcomes. This will help you identify what skills and experience the organization is looking for and allow you to highlight your relevant achievements and experiences.

C. Identify Relevant Skills and Experience

After analyzing the job posting, identify the skills and experience relevant to the position. Consider past volunteer experiences, leadership roles, and any transferable skills from non-volunteer experiences that can demonstrate your fit for the position. Focus on providing specific examples of how you demonstrated these skills in previous roles.

D. Highlight Your Fit

Finally, highlight your fit for the position in your resume. Use specific examples from your research and experience to demonstrate how you align with the organization’s mission, values, and goals. Emphasize your transferable skills and how they can be applied to the position. Use the job posting’s language and keywords to show that you understand the position and have the qualifications they are looking for.

By tailoring your resume to the organization and job posting, you increase your chances of standing out as a potential volunteer candidate. Follow these tips and showcase your fit for the position with confidence!

How to Showcase Your Volunteer Experience

Volunteering is a great way to grow your professional network, expand your skillset, and give back to society. Adding volunteer experience to your resume can make you stand out from other job candidates. Here are some tips to showcase your volunteer experience effectively.

A. Quantify Your Accomplishments

To make your volunteer experience stand out, quantify your accomplishments as much as possible. Instead of just listing your volunteer roles and responsibilities, highlight the impact you made. Did you help raise funds for a non-profit organization? How much did you raise? Did you recruit and train volunteers for a community project? How many people did you train? Including numbers will show your achievements more concretely.

B. Use Strong Action Words

Using strong action words will make your volunteer experience more engaging and showcase your leadership and organizational skills. Use words like “coordinated,” “managed,” “organized,” “trained,” “mentored,” etc. Avoid using generic words like “helped,” “contributed,” or “assisted.” Strong action words will make your experience more impactful and show your value.

C. Emphasize Transferable Skills

Volunteering is an excellent opportunity to develop transferable skills that you can apply in your professional life. Volunteer roles provide many learning opportunities that can translate into skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. When highlighting your volunteer experience on your resume, emphasize the skills you gained that can be transferred to a professional work environment.

D. Highlight Relevant Commercial Achievements

Volunteer experience can be valuable in many industries. If you have volunteered in a specific field, highlight the skills and accomplishments that relate to that area. For instance, if you volunteered in an animal shelter, you can emphasize skills such as animal handling, health care, and administration. Including relevant commercial achievements will demonstrate your expertise and proficiency.

Showcasing your volunteer experience is an excellent way to impress potential employers. When added correctly, volunteer experience can help you stand out from other candidates and show your value in a professional setting. By quantifying your accomplishments, using strong action words, emphasizing transferable skills, and highlighting relevant commercial achievements, you can create a compelling resume that showcases your volunteer experience effectively.

Volunteer Resume Common Mistakes

As a volunteer, your resume is the key to showing potential organizations that you have what it takes to make a difference in their cause. However, there are common mistakes that can hinder your chances of being selected.

A. Typos and Grammatical Errors

Grammatical errors and typos in your resume can turn off prospective organizations. Remember that your resume is a reflection of your skills and attention to detail. Make sure to proofread your resume multiple times, and even consider having a friend or family member review it as well.

B. Focusing on Unrelated Work Experience

Don’t make the mistake of including unrelated work experience in your volunteer resume. Instead, highlight any volunteer experience, skills, and accomplishments that relate directly to the job you are applying for. If you lack volunteer experience, consider including relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, and personal projects.

C. Irrelevant or Outdated Information

Avoid including information in your resume that is irrelevant or outdated. This includes things such as high school achievements, outdated software skills, or irrelevant work experience. Instead, focus on showcasing your most recent and relevant experience.

D. Template-Based Resumes

Using a template for your volunteer resume can be a tempting shortcut, but it can also make your application look generic and lackluster. Customize your resume to fit the specific organization and role you are applying for, and consider using a design that showcases your personality and creativity.

E. Lacking Tailoring for Desired Volunteer Position

Another common mistake is failing to tailor your resume to the specific volunteer position you are applying for. Take the time to research the organization and their goals, and then highlight how your experience and skills align with their mission. This will show the organization that you are genuinely interested in their cause and are a good fit for their team.

Avoid common mistakes in your volunteer resume by proofreading for typos, focusing on relevant experience, omitting outdated information, customizing your resume design, and tailoring your resume to the desired position. By following these tips, you can make your volunteer resume stand out to potential organizations and increase your chances of getting selected for your dream volunteer position.

Volunteer Resume Formats

When creating a resume for a volunteer position, it is important to choose a format that highlights your relevant skills and experiences. Here are three commonly used formats for volunteer resumes:

A. Chronological Resume

A chronological resume is the most traditional format and lists your work experiences in reverse chronological order. This format is useful for volunteers who have a solid work history and want to showcase their volunteer experiences in addition to their professional experiences.

When crafting a chronological volunteer resume, make sure to include the following points:

• List your volunteer experiences in reverse chronological order
• Include the name of the organization, the role you played, and the dates you volunteered
• Highlight specific achievements or accomplishments during your time with each organization
• Use active verbs to describe your tasks and responsibilities

B. Functional Resume

A functional resume focuses on your skills and abilities rather than your work history. This format highlights your transferable skills that are relevant to the volunteer position you are applying for. This format is useful for volunteers who have gaps in their work history or who are transitioning to a new career.

When crafting a functional volunteer resume, make sure to include the following points:

• Highlight your key transferable skills, such as communication, leadership, and teamwork
• Provide specific examples of how you have used these skills in past volunteer or work experiences
• Emphasize your achievements and accomplishments rather than just listing tasks and responsibilities
• Include any relevant certifications or training that demonstrate your expertise in a particular area

C. Combination Resume

A combination resume combines elements of both the chronological and functional formats. This format focuses on both your work history and your skills and abilities. This format is useful for volunteers who have a solid work history and want to highlight their transferable skills that are relevant to the volunteer position.

When crafting a combination volunteer resume, make sure to include the following points:

• Start with a summary statement that highlights your skills, experiences, and accomplishments
• List your work experiences in reverse chronological order
• Include specific achievements and accomplishments for each role
• Group your skills and abilities into relevant categories, such as communication or leadership

Choosing the right format for your volunteer resume is crucial to showcasing your skills and experiences. Whether you opt for a traditional chronological format or the functional or combination format, make sure to tailor your resume to the volunteer position you are applying for and highlight your key achievements and accomplishments.

Volunteer Resume Summary

As a passionate and dedicated volunteer, your resume serves as your ticket to making a difference in the world. It’s crucial to have a well-written and optimized volunteer resume that not only showcases your skills and experiences but also highlights your commitment to the cause you’re passionate about.

To ensure that your volunteer resume stands out from the crowd, here are some key tips and examples to keep in mind:

A. Reiterating the Importance of a Well-Written Volunteer Resume

First and foremost, the importance of a well-written volunteer resume cannot be overstated. As a volunteer, you may not have a professional background in the field you wish to contribute to, but your passion, enthusiasm, and commitment can more than make up for it. Therefore, your resume should showcase your volunteer experience, relevant skills, and achievements, and convey your commitment to the cause you care about.

A well-written volunteer resume can help you stand out from other candidates, make a great first impression, and demonstrate your potential as an asset to the organization.

B. Highlighting Key Tips and Examples

Now that you understand the importance of a well-written volunteer resume, let’s dive into some key tips and examples that can help you create an impressive and eye-catching one:

Start with a strong summary statement that highlights your mission, values, and experience in brief. Make sure it’s tailored to the specific organization or cause you’re applying for.

Emphasize your volunteer experience and showcase your key achievements in previous roles. Use clear and concise language to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments.

Highlight your relevant skills and qualifications, including any special certifications, training, or educational background.

Use bullet points to break down your resume into easy-to-read sections, with clear headings and subheadings. This will make it easier for the recruiter to scan your resume quickly and pick out key points.

Include any relevant projects, campaigns, or events that you participated in, with a focus on your contributions and the impact of your work.

C. Emphasis on Personalization and Relevance

Finally, when crafting your volunteer resume, it’s essential to make it personal and relevant to the organization or cause you’re applying for. This means researching the organization and tailoring your resume to the specific role you’re interested in. Highlight your relevant experience and skills, and showcase your passion for the cause.

Remember that each volunteer role is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to crafting a volunteer resume. However, by keeping these key tips and examples in mind, you can create a well-written, personalized, and relevant resume that sets you apart from the competition.

As a volunteer, your resume is a reflection of your passion, dedication, and commitment. By following these key tips and examples, you can create a winning volunteer resume that highlights your unique strengths and experiences and demonstrates your potential as an excellent volunteer.

Volunteer Resume Review Checklist

As a volunteer, your resume is your first introduction to potential organizations and causes. To make a strong first impression, it is important to review your resume for typos, grammatical errors, and proper formatting. Remember to also highlight relevant experience and skills, tailor your resume to the specific volunteer position, and include a cover letter and references.

A. Review Your Resume for Typos and Grammatical Errors

Before submitting your resume, make sure to carefully proofread it for any typos and grammatical errors. These small mistakes can often leave a negative impression on potential organizations and may cause them to overlook your qualifications. A well-written and error-free resume shows attention to detail and strong communication skills.

B. Ensure Resume is Properly Formatted

To make your resume easy to read, ensure that it is properly formatted. Use headings, bullets, and bolded text to highlight important information. Your layout should be clean and professional. Avoid using images, funky fonts, or excessive styling that can be distracting.

C. Highlight Relevant Experience and Skills

Highlighting relevant experience and skills is essential to show the organization that you are a good fit for their volunteer team. Tailor your resume to the specific position you are applying for, and focus on your most relevant experience and skills. Use action verbs to showcase your achievements and quantify your accomplishments where possible.

D. Tailor Your Resume to the Specific Volunteer Position

One size does not fit all. Tailor your resume to the specific volunteer position you are applying for. Review the job description and highlight the skills and experiences that align with the organization’s goals. This shows the organization that you have taken the time to understand their needs and have made an effort to tailor your application for their specific requirements.

E. Include Cover Letter and References

A cover letter is an opportunity to introduce yourself and expand on your qualifications. It should be brief, personal, and highlight your enthusiasm for the cause. References should be individuals who can vouch for your skills and experience. Include their name, relationship to you, and contact information.

A strong volunteer resume can help you stand out from the competition and demonstrates your commitment to the cause. By following this checklist and focusing on your most relevant skills and experiences, your resume will showcase your unique qualifications and increase your chances of being selected for your desired volunteer position.

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• • Provided counseling and support for about 50% of the displaced persons
• • Assessed the food security situation and daily dietary intake of 100+ refugee households
• • Collaborated and coordinated a group of 10 volunteers in organizing 3 events, raising a total of $20,000

4 Volunteer Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Volunteers play a crucial role in supporting various community initiatives and assisting organizations in achieving their goals. Highlight your experience in teamwork, leadership roles, and any specific projects you've contributed to on your resume. Consider incorporating skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability to demonstrate your versatility. Additionally, mentioning your commitment to community service and any measurable impact you've had can significantly enhance your appeal to potential organizations.

Resume Guide

What you’ll learn here, how to write a volunteer resume, volunteer resume formats, build an attention-grabbing header, coherent summary section & secret formula, objective that is straight to the point, volunteer experience focusing on action & contribution, must-have volunteer skills & strengths for a resume, education section in a volunteer resume, volunteer resume certificates worth mentioning, cohesive day of my life section offering authenticity, key takeaways, community organizer, hospital volunteer.

Do you want to gain volunteer experience? Or maybe you found something you believe in and desire to contribute to a cause?

Despite your selfless intentions, recruiters do not return the calls?

Don’t get upset!

Some positions require specific qualifications and an extraordinary approach. That’s why we are here to help you in your journey! Here you will learn to build a top-notch resume that highlights your best attributes and catches attention.

Follow this ultimate 2022 volunteer resume guide and achieve your goals!

• how to list volunteer work on your resume
• where to put related volunteer work for the best effect
• how to include volunteer experience using bullet points and prove to be perfect for the job
• how to choose between resume summary or objective
• what other sections will fit the volunteer resume, and how to build them

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”

William Shakespeare

Remember this quote because it’s the basis of what we are about to discuss here.

The idea of the volunteer resume is to show how you can give away your:

Yes, you might want to volunteer to add experience to your resume when applying for college or else. And that’s okay!

However, you should take a human-centered approach and prove to the recruiters that you can indeed:

• help people be one step closer to their dreams
• contribute to a specific cause that will make the world a better place

How are you going to do it? 

Firstly, you have better tailor all resume sections to the volunteer position.

That’s a must!

Secondly, you should prove to recruiters that you could apply all you’ve learned from college or professional experience.

Focus on skills and strengths like empathy and communication that directly benefit people.

Describe how you will contribute to the cause you chose.

It’s needless to point out that self motivation is crucial. 

After all, your desire to leave your mark on someone’s life is a driving force!

Continue reading and learn what volunteer resume formats will earn you extra points!

You can use these three resume formats:

• Reverse-chronological resume
• Functional resume
• Hybrid resume

The following two factors will define your choice of a resume format:

• Years of experience
• Industry experience
• Reverse-chronological resumes are a good option for candidates with a couple of years in the niche.
• Functional resumes match professionals that change careers or job seekers. However, this format is not widely popular among recruiters
• Hybrid resumes combine the best of both worlds, as they are suitable for all types of professionals-beginners and seniors.

Pay attention to the style and layout ! Here are some resume tips:

• Utilize the 12p resume font size
• Use 10’ resume margins
• If you have under 10 years of experience-use one-page resume , otherwise- two-page resume
• Check your grammar and spelling
• Focus on the PDF format

If you want to get the interview call, you should add References and Languages !

Top resume sections:

• The Summary section introduces you as an individual, lists your qualities and skills and reveals the cause you believe in
• Your expertise is a clear sign of whether you will fit a specific volunteer position
• Skills and strengths show how you could contribute to the volunteer program
• Decent education is a bonus
• References from reputable figures also add more credibility to your resume

What recruiters want to see:

• What do you believe in? How can you make the world a better place?
• How could you put your knowledge acquired from school/college into practice?
• What are your personality traits? Does helping people give you pleasure?
• What are your goals? Do you apply to be a volunteer to add experience to your resume? Or do you have other motives?
• Are you a self-motivated person? How do you act in difficult situations? Are you capable of working in a team?

It’s unbelievable how many people build their resume header wrong.

They rush to skip the “no brainer” section and focus on the content.

However, if you do not introduce personal information and contacts, you might miss the train to success.

Here are some tips on what to include in your header to make a positive impression on recruiters:

• Try to use the same name on all your social platforms: if you put Jonathan in your resume, avoid writing “Johnny” in your LinkedIn profile
• Always write down your job title: try to add volunteer positions that are relevant to the one you are applying for
• List the phone number that you use most
• Include a professional email address: it’s preferable to contain your first and last/middle name
• Web portfolio address or LinkedIn profile that will provide evidence of your previous volunteer experience
• Accurate location: do not lie about your address because this might cause only troubles

These are two examples: one wrong and one right. Analyze them carefully and build an attention-grabbing header!

2 Volunteer resume header examples

It is scientifically proven that people always remember the first and the last sentence of each discussion, monologue, or text.

Therefore, the Summary section is worth your attention.

Your introduction should convey the feeling of confidence, self motivation and empathy.

Thus, you can describe your skills and experience and outline how they will help you contribute to your cause.

You can follow this simple but quite effective formula when building your volunteer summary section:

• Mention the years and field of experience supported with favorable adjectives
• Use quantitative data to describe your duties and responsibilities
• Add skills that you excelled in, tailored to the job description
• Include achievements, awards, or similar recognitions from authoritative institutions and people
• Finish the summary with a sentence saying what you are looking for

If you follow these steps, you can expect a return call from recruiters soon!

Take notes and be careful when writing yours!

2 Volunteer resume summary examples

The following sample is not that bad, but it’s far from impressive.

There is no quantitative data and nothing specific at all.

Such a wrong approach might cost you the job interview, so avoid:

• Mediocre sentences like starting with “I”
• Vague and general information without proven facts
• Adding skills or duties irrelevant to the job offer

The volunteer summary above is 10 out of 10! Nothing short of success! Don’t try to be “extravagant” and follow the steps we provided for you! You will be mesmerized by what simplicity might do for you!

Let’s set the difference between volunteer summary and objective:

In the summary section, you can include achievements, education, skills and an explanation of why you are the right candidate.

On the other hand, the objective is more straight to the point.

It is a brief statement that communicates your career goals: the job and the skills you want to acquire.

It’s preferable also to add your experience backed up with facts and quantitative data.

Here is a coherent example of an objective that speaks volumes:

Believe it or not, you should treat the volunteer experience just like a job!

You don’t have the right to describe irrelevant details that offer no value.

Your bullet point should show determination and self motivation.

That’s how you will prove to recruiters that you are on the right track.

To take the right approach and prove your contribution, you should:

• Describe your duties using proven facts, action verbs and numbers
• Emphasize activities and projects that you personally led and organized
• Mention what soft/hard skills you acquired and how you utilized them
• Use high-performance metrics and do not hesitate to add references or recognitions

It’s essential to follow these 4 to describe your volunteering efficiently.

Do not forget to tailor all the bullet points to the job description!

Recruiters search for candidates with relevant expertise to maximize the project outcomes.

If you lack creativity now, ask yourself questions and answer them:

What were my responsibilities? How did I excel in them?

How did I manage to cope with stress in the dynamic environment?

How did communication and empathy help me build trust in people?

Was I recognized for my contributions? Did I get positive feedback? By whom?

Follow this advice and show to recruiters admirable volunteer resume experience!

Volunteer resume experience examples

• • Provided patient education
• • Received positive feedback and praises
• • Participated in fundraisers and organized events
• • Monitored a lot of patients

One word, 8 symbols:

Unfortunately, this applicant has no idea how to list and describe their previous experience.

Thank God you ran into our volunteer guide and learned how to write it!

Prove us right and take notes from the following well-built Experience section!

• • Provided patient education sessions twice per week
• • Received 98% positive feedback from patients and was highly praised by the hospital manager
• • Participated in 3 fundraisers and organized 3 events to raise funds to support hospital’s innovative cancer treatment program
• • Monitored 60+ patients and ensured all medications were administered on time

Attention! If your volunteer experience is relevant to the position you are applying for, include it in the Experience section. Otherwise, if you mention it to fill the resume gaps, use it as a separate Volunteering section.

Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.

H. Jackson Brown Jr., American Author

The meaning behind this quote should be your maxim.

Yes, you should balance your soft and hard skills and tailor them to the job description.

Nevertheless, if your abilities do not correspond to giving value, they are useless.

Remember that volunteering is all about the people you help.

Then, you should offer skills that match these vital criteria.

5 Volunteer Hard Skills:

• Microsoft Office
• Physical Fitness
• Good Memory
• Foreign Languages
• Basic Computer Skills

5 Volunteer Soft Skills:

• Interpersonal Skills
• Self-Motivation
• Customer Service

The Strengths section is an amazing opportunity to stand out from the competition .

Here you could list your talents or the skills you excelled.

Then, you can back them up with examples or quantitative data.

Of course, it’s crucial to focus on strengths related to the job description and focus on positive personality traits.

If you are a skilled professional with deep expertise, there is no need to add bullet points in the Education section .

However, if you are a freshman or a youngster with little to no experience, you need to stand out.

You must show how your school/college prepares you to apply your skills in a real-life situation.

Here are 4 vital steps to follow when describing your education:

• Write down what skills you acquired and how you applied them in your experience
• Mention some high-performance metrics you achieved and back them up with numbers
• Show self motivation and positive personality traits: volunteering focuses on helping people
• Add GPA (higher than 3.5), references from your tutors, or other achievements 

Below are listed the most common volunteer certifications in the USA.

It’s easy to declare that all of them indicate self motivation.

However, try to include these certificates only if relevant to the job offer.

Thus, you increase your chances of getting hired by at least 50%.

Top volunteer certificates for your resume:

• ManageFirst
• Learn2Serve
• Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE)
• Certified Healthcare Administrative Professional (cHAP)

Time management is crucial when it comes to taking serious responsibilities.

The “Day of My Life” section is a cohesive way to prove you are an organized and dedicated candidate.

However, many applicants repeat the same mistake.

They build the diagram without including the time they would spend on volunteering.

Such action would make the whole section pointless.

Take your time, decide how much of your time you could give away on volunteering and add it to the diagram.

• Use action verbs and quantitative data to support every section of your resume, especially your experience
• Focus on positive personality traits and describe how you want to contribute to the cause you believe in
• Tailor your soft and hard skills to the volunteer position. Emphasize self motivation, communication and organization
• Add a Day of My Life section, References, or Strengths to build trust in recruiters

Volunteer resume examples

Explore additional volunteer resume samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Looking to build your own Volunteer resume?

• Resume Examples

Creating a Professional Development Plan – a Guide Based on Experience

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How to list volunteer work on resume (25 examples)

Published on:

• June 2, 2023

How to Put Volunteer Experience on Resume: Examples & 25+ Tips

A resume is usually a one-page sales document selling yourself to potential employers. It details your key skills, work experiences, and best achievements.

Writing a resume can be tedious and stressful.  

Still, there are probably burning questions like these:

“What should you include in your resume if you are a recent graduate with no work experience yet?”

“How can your resume stand out when you don’t have any previous work experience to show?”

‘How can you attract a hiring manager’s attention in just 6 seconds without being dismissed due to inexperience?’”

Good thing a resume sample or resume template is there to the rescue. It would also be helpful to look for a resume format to take inspiration from. This way you can easily follow an outline or framework to help you craft your own.

However, it can be a bit of a challenge if you don’t have any experience to show.

Don’t worry, you can include other resume sections that will help you stand out.

Often, people list published works, training courses, and relevant volunteer experience on their resumes instead of the work experience section.

A volunteer experience section on your resume is where you list the work experiences you have done voluntarily and free of charge. It is a great way to demonstrate your core strengths, key skills, interests, and motivation.

We’ll explain how volunteer experience can still be considered professional experience on a resume.

Learn what qualities recruiters look for in a volunteer experience and how to include it on your resume.

In this guide, we’ll show you:

• How to put volunteer experience on your resume.
• Where to place or put volunteer experience on resumes.
• Resumes samples with volunteer experience you can use.
• When to add volunteer work under work experience.

Why you should include volunteer experience on a resume

Just like regular employment, volunteer work shows your skills. Here are several reasons why you may want to include volunteer work on a resume:

• Conveys transferable skills when shifting careers or industries.
• Explains employment gaps in your resume for a lengthy absence from the workforce
• Boost your chances of getting hired even if you have no professional experience (important for recent high school or college grads)
• Ensures your resume is competitive
• Indicates your passion for helping your community.
• Demonstrates your interests in something besides earning money and also highlights your non-work-related interests.
• Shows your dedication to an organization, and advances you in leadership roles within those organizations.

Who should include volunteer work experience on a resume

Volunteer work may make or break your job application for certain types of job-seekers, but may also be valuable:

• If you are applying to non-profit organizations or academic positions, where such work is highly valued.
• If you are a recent graduate or have little professional experience.
• If you are currently unemployed, volunteering can help you fill gaps on your resume. Volunteer work proves your commitment even when you’re between jobs.
• If you’re between jobs or hoping to boost your resume, consider volunteer work opportunities.
• Volunteer at one place consistently for a long time— it is better than jumping from one organization to another.
• Choose to volunteer within your industry to make your volunteer experience effective.

Not sure how to list volunteer work on resumes and cover letters? Where exactly to put volunteer work on a resume? 

Read on for more detailed steps, tips, and examples.

1. How to List Volunteer Work on a Resume When It’s Major

Myth: recruiters and hiring managers often hire candidates with work experience only..

Experience in volunteer work on a resume can help you get hired.

How? Let’s find out:

A  recent survey of the impact of volunteerism in employment shows that:

• 81% of HR executives said that skilled volunteering will be taken into consideration.
• 76% of respondents believe volunteer experience makes a job candidate more desirable.
• 81% of hiring managers said that volunteer work would make a college graduate more desirable.

 Myth…busted!

When to put volunteer work under the work Experience Section

  If the volunteer experience matches the job you are applying for, then it can count under work experience.

Does your volunteer experience demonstrate valuable skills the job posting seeks?

If yes, then you should list them like a job description on your resume. You can include it when your volunteer experience demonstrates multiple skills the job description wants.

You may add volunteer experiences to your work history section if you have considerable career gaps or sparse employment history. It will help fill in gaps and strengthen that section.

• List volunteer experience like a job using bulleted points.
• Choose carefully which volunteer activities you list in your work history section.
• Put volunteer experience relevant to your industry in the work history section.
• In the work history section, list volunteer activities as you would any other official position. Add “volunteer” before the job title you would have if you worked there formally.
• List unrelated volunteer experiences in a separate section at the bottom.
• Quantify your achievements and highlight the skills you developed while volunteering.
• Use keywords relevant to the job description when summarizing your volunteer experience to ensure your resume will pass ATS scans.

Example #1:

WORK EXPERIENCE

Rescue Paw Patrol | January 2020 – present

Volunteer Coordinator

• Aid veterinarians in administering medication to animals without owners
• Receive, stock, and arrange two shipments of equipment and medicine each week, worth $12,000
• Manage Rescue Paw Patrol’s social media accounts, increasing the user base by 27% in 5 months period.

Example #2:

ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Feeding California | Feb. 2018 – Feb 2020

Volunteer Administrator

•  Prepared and served food for about 100-200 pax on weekends
• Managed a spreadsheet listing charitable donations over $65,000.
• Recruited at high schools, colleges, and churches to achieve 20 more weekly volunteers

2. How to Add Volunteer Experience to a Resume When it is Minor

In some cases, the volunteer experience section is not an essential part of a resume for a specific job. Perhaps you’ve done work for free and voluntarily for someone and that doesn’t relate to the job you’re currently applying for. For instance, you walked dogs for a local shelter or a neighbor or organized a bake sale for a friend.

Your volunteer experience may be irrelevant, but it still has value. Just don’t include them as part of the professional experience section. And remember to show activities tied to skills in the job ad.

So, do you put volunteer work on your resume when it’s minor? Yes!

• Put it in a volunteering section below Experience if you have heaps of them.
• Put it in an Activities section if you don’t have much.
• Put Minor Volunteer Experience in a separate resume section lower down .
• Keep the list as brief as possible when you want to put your volunteer experience in a separate section at the bottom.
• Consider listing your position and which organization you volunteered for if the role isn’t directly related to your job or job skills at all. You don’t have to write every detail.
• Use the volunteer section as a separate work experience section, especially if you have held multiple positions.
• Mention the name of the organization, the dates you volunteered, and 2-3 bullet points detailing what you did there.

Volunteer Experience Section

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Safe Haven Elder Care | June 2020-Present

• Assist nursing home residents in making the transition to assisted living;
• Help elders cope with memory loss, loneliness, and depression through stress relief therapies in arts, music, gardening, and low-stress exercise activities.

Example #2: Minor Volunteer Experience on Resume (if you have lots)

Volunteer Job

• Church volunteer. Led fundraising efforts to raise $5,300 for charity.
• Elder Care/Nursing Home volunteer. Managed recordkeeping on 115 patients for 1.5 years with 100% HIPAA compliance.

Example #3: Minor Volunteer Experience on Resume (if you have little)

 Activities

•  Dog walker volunteer. Walked dogs at a rescue center every Sunday.
• [Insert minor volunteer activity #2]

3. Examples of volunteer work on your resume that counts

Volunteer work can be considered a resume experience, as long as it shows your skills, accomplishments, and winning attributes in line with the job you’re seeking.

Volunteering for a worthy cause will enhance your resume. This means any activity that is free of charge or pro-bono work counts as experience.

What Counts as Volunteer Work: Examples

• When you volunteer your services in a professional capacity, this is known as pro bono work. This is ideal and is widely accepted by recruiters. For example, you volunteered to have a BCS (business case study) to prove your skills to an actual job and provide a quick win to a potential employer.
• Volunteer work in hospitals can show healthcare expertise. Additionally, it shows skills employers desire, such as teamwork and compassion.
• Volunteering at a nursing home can demonstrate teamwork, record-keeping skills, compassion, and more.
• Volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity can highlight collaboration and construction skills.
• Volunteering at a daycare proves organizational discipline and problem-solving skills.
• Church volunteer experience shows strong leadership, persuasion, and organizational skills.
• Volunteer activities in animal rescue centers show compassion and work ethic.
• Students can volunteer as coaches and tutors. This shows motivational skills and goal-driven attributes.
• Volunteers from the Homeless Shelter are excellent collaborators and communicators.
• Volunteering at a food bank can demonstrate interpersonal or organizational skills.
• Blood Drive volunteers demonstrate desirable skills such as teamwork and compassion.
• Leadership and training skills are common among basketball coaches who volunteer.
• Child care volunteer work is typically preferred for child care jobs. They show people skills in communication and collaboration.
• Providing care for an ailing parent can be listed as volunteer work on a resume.
• Volunteer opportunities for parents include helping teachers and coaches and organizing fundraisers.

Key Points:

• Include volunteer experiences on your resume if you have limited professional experience. This can help employers to learn about your interests and accomplishments.
• Put major volunteer experience under the work experience section of your resume if it shows multiple accomplishments that match the skills listed in the job ad.
• Include it in the activities section if you have minor experience or not enough to show on your resume.
• List a community service experience as a volunteer position on a resume. It avoids any suggestive criminal connotation.
• Incorporate volunteer experience into your experience section, skill section, or separate volunteer section.
• Ensure your volunteer experience relates to the job description using relevant keywords to optimize your resume for ATS scans.
• Create a personalized resume for each job application that matches the employer’s required skills, traits, and qualifications.
• Understand the employer’s ideal candidate. It can help you decide whether or not to include a volunteer section and where to position it.
• You should only include volunteer work on your resume if it will make your resume more credible when you lack valuable job experience. Otherwise, leave it off.

Marissa Letendre, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Marissa Letendre is a senior HR leader and resume expert with over 12 years of experience. She has worked for both startups and Fortune 50 corporations and has helped thousands land jobs at top companies. Marissa has written on a wide range of topics, including employee engagement, career development, resumes, job searching, recruiting, and organizational effectiveness and has been featured on sites such as Slack and The Undercover Recruiter.

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