Volunteer positions are a great way to get experience in the field of your choice and give back to the community. It is important to build an effective resume that showcases your skills and experience so that you can stand out and be an attractive candidate for volunteer positions. In this article, we will discuss how to create an effective resume and leverage your experience to make you a standout candidate for volunteer positions.

What is

A volunteer position is an unpaid position in which an individual works in a professional or non-professional capacity. The individual is not compensated financially for the work they do, but instead, is rewarded with the satisfaction of contributing to a good cause or the opportunity to gain experience in a particular field.

Why Leverage Your Experience

Having relevant experience is essential for any job, including volunteer positions. Leveraging your experience on your resume can make you stand out from other applicants and demonstrate that you are the right person for the job. Additionally, it can help to ensure that you are engaged in meaningful work and can demonstrate your commitment to the cause.

What Should Be Included

Your resume should include the following information:

Personal Information

Your resume should include your name, address, phone number, and email address.

Objective

Your objective should be a brief statement of your goals and what you hope to accomplish in the volunteer position.

Education

Your educational background should be included, including the degree you received and any institutions you attended.

Work Experience

Your relevant work experience should be included, including the positions you held, your dates of employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities.

Skills

Your resume should also include any relevant skills that you possess that would be applicable to the volunteer position.

Formatting

Font and Margins

The font and margins of your resume should be professional and easy to read. You should avoid using overly large fonts or using too many colors as this can be distracting.

Organizing

Your resume should be organized in a logical manner, with the most relevant information at the top and your education and work experience in reverse chronological order.

Length

Your resume should be concise and to the point, no longer than two pages.

Proofreading

Proofreading your resume is essential to ensure that there are no errors and that your resume is free of typos and grammatical errors.

Emphasizing Your Strengths

Your resume should emphasize your strengths, such as your skills, education, and work experience.

Skills

Your skills should be highlighted, including any technical or soft skills that you possess that would be applicable to the volunteer position.

Education

Your educational background should be highlighted, including your degree and any other relevant training or certifications.

Work Experience

Your work experience should be highlighted, including the positions you held and the responsibilities associated with those positions.

Identifying Your Accomplishments

Your accomplishments should be identified and highlighted, such as awards you have received or projects you have completed.

Explaining Your Motivation

Your resume should explain your motivation for wanting to volunteer, such as your desire to give back to the community or your interest in gaining experience in a particular field.

Using the STAR Method

The STAR method can be used to provide examples of your accomplishments. This method involves providing a Situation, Task, Action, and Result for each example.

Situation

Explain the situation that you were in and what the challenge was.

Task

Explain the task that you were assigned to do.

Action

Explain the action that you took to complete the task.

Result

Explain the result of the action that you took.

Using Metrics

Using metrics to quantify your accomplishments can provide a more compelling example of your experience. For example, if you created a website, you could explain the number of visitors it received or the amount of money it generated.

Checking for Errors

You should thoroughly check your resume for errors before submitting it. This includes checking for typos and grammatical errors as well as making sure that all of the information is accurate and up-to-date.

Contact Information

Your contact information should be included at the top of your resume and should include your name, address, phone number, and email address.

References

You should include references at the bottom of your resume. You should include at least two references and their contact information, including their name, title, company, and email address.

Submitting Your Resume

Once your resume is complete, you can submit it to volunteer organizations or employers who are looking for volunteers.

Networking

Networking is an important way to find volunteer opportunities. You should reach out to organizations you are interested in and introduce yourself and explain why you would be a good candidate for the position.

Interviewing

If you are selected for an interview, it is important to be prepared. You should research the organization, practice your responses to common interview questions, and dress professionally.

In conclusion, having a well-crafted resume is essential for any job, including volunteer positions. Creating a resume that highlights your experience and accomplishments can help you stand out from other applicants and demonstrate that you are the right person for the job. Additionally, leveraging your experience and using examples to provide evidence of your accomplishments can help you make a strong case for why you should be selected for the position.

References:

“Volunteer Job Description,” Indeed, https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/volunteer-job-description.

“Resume Writing Tips,” The Balance Careers, https://www.thebalancecareers.com/resume-writing-tips-2063519.

“How to Use the STAR Interview Response Technique,” The Balance Careers, https://www.thebalancecareers.com/star-interview-technique-2061676.

Other Frequently asked questions

How can I include volunteer experience on my resume?

Including volunteer experience on your resume is a great way to showcase your skills and dedication. You can add it to the “Work Experience” section if it’s very relevant to the job, if you have limited paid experience, or if you have a resume gap.

How can I enhance my volunteer experience?

10 Ways to Enhance the Volunteer Experience

1. Supply Adequate Training. …
2. Be Well-Organized. …
3. Ensure a Positive First Day. …
4. Link Tasks to the Cause and Offer Meaning. …
5. Acknowledge Outstanding Efforts. …
6. Communicate Effectively. …
7. Request Feedback. …
8. Supply Mentorship.

What special qualities do you have that make you an excellent volunteer?

I possess a variety of skills and experiences that make me an excellent volunteer:

• A passion for helping others.
• Compassion for those I come into contact with.
• A strong work ethic and dedication to the task.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Excellent time management skills.
• A positive attitude and willingness to help out.