How to Write a Resume with Volunteer Experience

Write a Volunteer Resume

If your experience is mainly in the role of a volunteer, you can still create an impressive resume for potential employers. Because the work you've performed was unpaid, does not diminish the fact that you possess a set of skills and a level of experience within your field.

Things You'll Need

• Resume paper

Instructions

1. Use one inch margins for your resume. At the center top, type your name in bold, followed by your address, phone number and email address on the following lines. Ensure your email address reflects professionalism by using one that contains your name.

2. List your educational accomplishments under a section titled, Education. List the name of the school along with degrees earned. If degrees were not earned, consider listing courses and training that relate directly to the position for which you are applying with this resume. Include certifications that pertain directly to volunteerism such as fundraising and management training.

3. Detail your volunteer experience under a section titled, Experience. Indicate the name of the organization, your title and your responsibilities as a volunteer. Wherever possible, list your responsibilities in a way that highlight your skills as they would apply to the potential position. Use action verbs for this section and quantify results when possible to show examples of your abilities.

   For volunteer positions, detail the tasks that you have performed in previous positions that could relate to the new position. For example, if you have successfully raised money for previous organizations, list the amount of money raised and how it was raised under your guidance. Highlight skills that would be useful to volunteer organizations such as volunteer management, event management, accounting and marketing.

4. Highlight awards and recognitions you have received from your previous volunteer positions. List the name of the award, a brief explanation if it is not self explanatory and when it was received. This shows your next potential position that you excel in your efforts.

5. Complete your resume with special skills such as additional languages spoken and computer skills. If you have skills that could be helpful for this organization, such as newsletter production or web design, be sure to list it here along with the computer programs used. These skills should be listed under a heading that corresponds to the skills that are detailed.