Preparing Your Application

Preparing Your Application

Including Volunteer Work On Your Résumé

A good résumé helps you get your foot in the door. In order to capture the employer's attention, your résumé needs to stand out from all the others. One way to do this is to show employers that you are an involved member of society - someone who is committed to making the community a better place to live. Make sure your volunteer work appears on your résumé.

One approach is to add a section to your résumé called 'Volunteer Work' or 'Community Service'. This can be particularly appropriate if the position you are applying for is in the social service industry and where perhaps work experience in the community would be an advantage, if not a requirement.

Another approach is to integrate your volunteer work under the 'Work Experience' section. Even though you were not paid a salary, volunteer work is productive work and counts as valuable experience. Instead of using 'volunteer' as a title, use titles that better reflect the work you have actually done, for example, 'Tutor' if you did tutoring, 'Team Support' or 'Administration Assistant' for clerical/administrative work, 'Project Coordinator' if you coordinated a project, 'Team Leader' if you organised other volunteers.

Think carefully about all the things you have done and highlight the skills you developed in your volunteer work. Did you write reports, media releases, contribute to newsletters? Did you plan projects, coordinate committees or working parties, train or supervise other volunteers? Were you responsible for any cash handling or accounts work? Did you do any public speaking, help to raise funds, contribute ideas to marketing plans? Did you help produce flyers, posters or other work requiring computer layout skills or design skills? Did you develop good customer relation skills which could include anticipating their needs, influencing their decisions, handling a difficult customer, learning to negotiate a resolution? Be honest. Don't overstate what you did, but be sure to give yourself the credit you deserve.

If you are a student or graduate seeking your first job, volunteer work demonstrates that you have other skills in addition to your academic knowledge. If you are returning to the work force after some time away, volunteer work illustrates that you have remained active and continued to develop your skills. If you are wanting to change your present career, volunteer work done in the career field you would like to move into could prove invaluable in helping you make the change.