Five Tips for Using Volunteering on Your Résumé

Posted by: admin on: July 31, 2012

• In: Career Services | Job Search | Tips & Advice
• 2 Comments

Your résumé is the first way a potential employer is going to get to know you and what you can do. But when you’re just starting out and don’t have much experience to show, volunteering can be a way to help fill in the gaps. You just need to do it right.

1. Make it meaningful. Don’t just say, “Volunteered at the food bank.” Describe how what you did was good experience. For example: “Organized donations and arranged distribution to needy families.”
2. Volunteer in your industry. Try to find volunteer opportunities in the field you want to work in, like at blood drives or clinics.
3. Describe achievements. Did you raise money? How much? Serve needy families? How many?
4. Ask your supervisor. Be sure to ask your volunteer supervisor what title would be most appropriate for you to list on your résumé. He or she may have some helpful ideas.
5. Separate it from work experience. Be sure to keep paid jobs under “Work Experience” and volunteering under “Volunteering.” This will help prevent confusion and make your résumé easier to read.

Be sure to check outcareer planning services at Everest, including résumé workshops, formatting help and more.

Tags: job search, resume tips, volunteering