April is National Volunteer Month! Giving back can have a powerful impact on your community, all while enhancing your professional credentials, too. The truth is many job seekers underestimate the value of including their volunteer experience on their resume.
Adding volunteer work to your employment history showcases your skills, dedication, and community involvement. When you are looking to leverage your volunteer experience to land your next job, connect with an employment expert at Staffing Network to learn how to highlight your skills effectively.
Why Include Volunteer Experience on a Resume
Volunteer work demonstrates essential qualities that employers value, such as leadership, teamwork, time management, and a strong work ethic. It can also fill employment gaps, making your resume more attractive to hiring managers. Even if your volunteer experience is unrelated to your target job, it still shows initiative and a commitment to personal growth.
When adding volunteer roles to your resume, treat them similarly to how you share past employment. You will want to include the position title (even if unpaid, use a title that reflects your role), the name of the organization, dates of service, and description of your responsibilities.
If your volunteer work is extensive, you can create a specific section of your resume, one that could be labeled as “Volunteer Experience” or “Community Involvement.” If that doesn’t make sense for you, simply integrate volunteering within the “Work Experience” section. This can be particularly helpful if your volunteering is relevant to your career path.
How to Connect with Meaningful Volunteer Opportunities
Finding the right volunteer experience starts with identifying your interests and career goals. Here are some ways to get started:
- Use online platforms. Websites like Idealist can connect you with opportunities in your area.
- Check with local organizations. Reach out to community centers, libraries, food banks, and shelters to see where help is needed.
- Leverage your network. Ask friends, family, or co-workers if they know of any volunteer opportunities that align with your interests.
- Social media and community resources. Many non-profits put out calls for volunteers on social media platforms and local community websites.
- Professional associations. Many industry-specific organizations have volunteer programs that can provide valuable experience and networking opportunities.
In short, volunteering is not only a way to give back but also a strategic move to enhance your career prospects. By adding volunteer experience to your work history, you can showcase transferable skills, bridge employment gaps, and demonstrate your passion for making a difference.
Whether you’re helping a non-profit with marketing efforts, mentoring students, or organizing community events, your contributions can make a meaningful impact, both on others and on your professional journey. If you’re not currently volunteering, National Volunteer Month is a great time to start.
Could a volunteer section be what your resume needs? Don’t overlook the skills you’ve gathered through unpaid work. With a rounded resume, Staffing Network, a full-service staffing and recruiting firm that specializes in light/skilled industrial, engineering, and operations professionals, can get you hired. Connect with Staffing Network today.
