Volunteering : Your Secret Weapon To Build an Outstanding Resume

Do Employers Consider Volunteering Into Experience?

Volunteering is neither a job nor work as far as labor laws/regulations in most states and countries are concerned.

Volunteers do not have employment contracts and are not considered employees of the organization.

Volunteers don’t have official job descriptions, they are not on the payroll, and they don’t have employee benefits.

Volunteering is a willingly accepted role within an organization without the expectation of compensation. However, in most states and countries, volunteering is under the radar of the local governing bodies so there are usually some rules attached to it.

Volunteering definitely increases employability, no matter where it took place and under what circumstances.

It is a valuable experience, especially for someone who has no previous work experience.

Volunteer time is something that can be featured in a work resume, and most employers will be happy to see if it is somehow relevant to the job you are applying for.

So you can definitely take the time to explain in detail what you did during your volunteering time and how it made you a better professional.

If you want to explore more about this topic, you can also watch the video :

The Importance Of Volunteer Work Experience

How does volunteering enhance your skills?

Volunteering can enhance your soft and professional skills in multiple ways, depending on the nature of the work that you are doing.

Here are a few examples of professional skills that you can acquire or improve during volunteer work for various organizations.

• Communication and negotiation skills
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Project development and management
• Planning and time management
• Public (customer) service
• Language practice
• Research skills

Is it worth to mention volunteering exp. In your resumes & how to do it?

Pretty much any type of volunteering that you have done, be it for school or for some other organization, counts as volunteer work on your resume.

It can involve working with non-profit organizations, community service projects, mentoring programs, or even individual initiatives.

The purpose of including volunteer work on your resume, be it relevant or not, is to show your potential employer that you are a reliable person who can carry out pre-established duties within a work environment.

Also, in some cases it can be a good way to cover up your full-time employment gaps in the resume.So you can include anything that fits this category.

How to mention it in resume?

There are no special rules or requirements about volunteer experience on a resume.

Even though volunteer work is not “official work experience” it is still relevant work-related experience so you can list it under your work experiences without worries.

It all depends on the particular template that you have chosen for your resume.

Thanks to the digital advancements these days that can help you to design your resume.

So Some templates have designated sections where you can mention volunteer work or any other type of “out of work” activities.

No HR professional or manager will look at your resume and be like “Hey, this is not listed under the correct category, we can’t hire this person!”

2 key points that you need to stress on here are :

· Clearly mention the organization, your role, and the duration of your volunteering.

· Highlight specific projects, responsibilities, and achievements to demonstrate the impact you made.

Can You Use Volunteer Work as a Reference?

· Yes, you can! If you have a supervisor or coordinator at the volunteering organization who can vouch for your dedication and skills, they can serve as a reference.

· Ensure that your reference is aware of your intention to use them and provide them with relevant information about the job you’re applying for.

· You can contact the organization that you volunteered for and ask them for a written statement about the work that you did for them and your qualities.

In conclusion, volunteering is not just a noble act; it is an opportunity to gain valuable work experience and enhance your employability. It’s a chance to develop skills, make a positive impact, and stand out in a competitive job market. So, don’t underestimate the power of volunteering when it comes to building your professional profile.

Thank you for joining me on this insightful journey today.

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