Adding Volunteer Work to Resume

Here are the answers to all your questions about including volunteer work on your resume.

Should I include volunteer work on my resume?

Yes, absolutely.

According to a Deloitte Impact Survey, 82% of employers are more likely to choose a candidate with volunteer experience.

Including volunteer work on your resume has several benefits.

The first is that you can use your volunteer work to demonstrate your employability and technical skills. Particularly helpful if you have limited work experience or are seeking a career change.

Second, including your volunteer work on your resume allows you to give a potential employer insight into your drive, motivation, and values.

Listing your volunteer work also provides another opportunity to connect with a potential employer. We want to build a connection, and the more an employer gets to know you, the more likely this is to occur.

Should I still include my Volunteer Work if the experience is unrelated?

Most volunteer experience will be relevant.

At the very least, it communicates to the employer that you are prepared to share your skills and expertise with others.

But also, in almost all volunteer work, you will draw on a core set of employability skills; teamwork, communication, problem-solving, planning and organisation, leadership, resilience.

These skills are transferable and apply to any work situation.

When should I leave Volunteer Work off my Resume?

If including your volunteer may put you at risk of discrimination, Leave it off or modify your description of the organisation to protect yourself.

Unfortunately, discrimination does occur. Think carefully about providing information that reveals your age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual identity, or disability status.

What is the difference between Volunteer Work and Community Involvement?

Volunteer work is work you willingly perform for the common good and without financial payment. Unpaid community service performed voluntarily would be considered volunteer work. 

Volunteer work doesn’t need to be for a non-profit or charity organisation.  For example, volunteer work could include unpaid work you perform to assist a local school, support a community event, or help senior citizens.

All community involvement, however, may not meet these criteria. For example, playing for your local sporting club, sponsoring a community event, or participating in a community networking group. These activities you would list as Community Involvement. 

How do I List Volunteer Work on my Resume?

So often, the volunteer section of a resume is underutilised!

Dedicate a whole section of your resume to your ‘Volunteer Work’. The heading doesn’t have to be volunteer work; use a title that fits with the type of work you have performed. Alternatives include: Community Work, Community Participation, Volunteer Positions, Charity Work

Under the heading, list the role your performed, the organisation and the dates you participated.

Include a brief overview of your role (if relevant to the position you are applying for). Then highlight any significant contributions or achievements.

You will need to make a judgement about the level of detail you provide. This will depend on the significance of the volunteer work to your targeted role.

For example, you are applying to be an Optical Dispenser for OPSM. You are a Field & Boundary Umpire for the local footy league.

Include it – this says something about you. 

However, this is not your most compelling evidence of why you’re the best person to interpret optical prescriptions and fit spectacle frames and lenses.

So, you should simply list it. Don’t waste valuable space on your resume, letting the hiring manager know that you kept a record of all the goals and behinds scored in the match.

Volunteer Section Example 1

On the other hand, if, for example, you are an Accountant, have just finished your Teaching Diploma Education and applying for a career change., and have been a Volunteer Teaching Assistant at the local TAFE.

Include all the details!

Volunteer Section Example 2

Here is one last example of how to include volunteer work on your resume.

Volunteer Section Example 3

Where do I put my volunteer work on my resume?

Volunteer work does not need to be relegated to the end of your resume.

How you approach the placement of your volunteer work will depend on your circumstances and goals. 

Just like deciding how much detail to provide, you will need to judge based on how much the volunteer work helps to demonstrate your relevant skills.

For example, you are an Environmental Science Graduate, with a part-time Cashier role at Woolworths, who has been volunteering for Wildlife Victoria one day a week for three years. You should include your volunteer experience ahead of their experience at Woolworths.

Another example is a parent returning to the workforce after several years of extended family leave, who has held the role of Committee President for the local primary school for the past three years. Again, the experience as Committee President should be included ahead of past work experience.

On the other hand, when your volunteer work complements your work experience rather than filling in a gap, you should include it after your work experience section.

I don’t have any volunteer work? How do I find some?

Volunteering provides many benefits – not just helping you write a stronger resume.

For your career, it can assist in building new skills, help you to expand your professional network, or provide a pathway into a job or new career. On a personal level, you can gain great satisfaction helping others and form new social connections

If you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer and located in Australia, you could start with these resources:

Seek Volunteer https://www.volunteer.com.au/
GoVolunteer https://govolunteer.com.au