When building a CV that stands out, one often overlooked gem is volunteer work. Volunteering can be an incredible asset to your career journey, and when presented right, it shows more than just your skills; it showcases your values, commitment, and willingness to go above and beyond.
Whether you’re a recent graduate with limited work experience or a seasoned professional wanting to display well-rounded skills, volunteer work adds weight to your CV.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to showcase volunteer work effectively in your CV. From formatting to common questions, this guide covers it all.
Why Is Volunteer Work Important on a CV?
Volunteer work can say a lot about you as a candidate. It’s not just about filling space; it provides tangible benefits that recruiters value. Here are a few reasons why it’s valuable to include volunteer work on your CV:
- Displays Transferable Skills: Many volunteer roles involve transferable skills that apply across industries, like leadership, teamwork, communication, and project management.
- Shows Passion and Dedication: Volunteering implies commitment, especially if you’ve dedicated much time.
- Adds Depth to Your Profile: If you need more professional experience, showcasing volunteer work fills gaps in your CV and highlights your willingness to gain experience wherever possible.
Step-by-Step Guide to Showcasing Volunteer Work in Your CV
Step 1: Decide Where to Place It
There are multiple places where you can feature volunteer work, depending on its relevance to your career goals and the specific job you’re applying for.
- Dedicated “Volunteer Experience” Section: If you have done significant volunteer work that aligns with the role, consider adding a separate section labelled Volunteer Experience. This can follow or precede your Professional Experience section.
- Include It in Work Experience: If your volunteer role was similar to a job (especially if it was full-time or required a large commitment), place it under your Work Experience section. Be sure to label it as “Volunteer” to avoid any confusion.
- Education Section: For students or recent graduates, volunteer roles can be listed under the Education section, especially if the experience was tied to school activities or societies.
- Skills Section: If the volunteer work was short-term or focused on a single skill, consider mentioning it briefly in your Skills section to show how you’ve applied specific abilities.
Step 2: Use Professional Language to Describe Volunteer Roles
When listing volunteer roles, treat them just like paid work. This means:
- Using action verbs to describe responsibilities.
- Quantifying achievements when possible.
- Highlighting skills gained or enhanced.
Here’s an example:
Community Outreach Volunteer, Bayelsa Youth Development Project
January 2022 – April 2022
- Organized weekly health workshops, reaching over 200 youth in rural areas.
- They coordinate with local health professionals to facilitate informative disease prevention and general health sessions.
- We achieved a 30% increase in local youth participation in health programs within three months.
Step 3: Focus on Transferable Skills
Identify skills from your volunteer work that are valuable for the job you’re applying for. Some common skills that can be highlighted include:
- Leadership: If you managed a team or project.
- Communication: If you worked in public outreach, customer service, or made presentations.
- Project Management: For roles where you organize events, campaigns, or activities.
Step 4: Quantify Your Achievements
Use metrics whenever possible. For instance:
- “Raised $10,000 for community initiatives through organized fundraising events.”
- “Recruited and trained 50 new volunteers for a community clean-up campaign.”
Step 5: Tailor the Content to Each Job Application
Customize your CV based on the job you’re applying for. If a volunteer role aligns with the responsibilities in the job description, emphasize it. Tailoring shows you’re a serious applicant who understands the employer’s needs.
Sample Volunteer Experience Entries
Here are a few examples of how to write volunteer experience entries:
- Health Awareness Volunteer, Nigerian Medical Association, Bayelsa
June 2023 – September 2023- Educated rural communities on basic health practices and distributed free health pamphlets.
- We conducted surveys to assess health awareness levels, improving local health outreach efforts.
- She assisted in organizing a medical outreach that provided free check-ups to over 300 residents.
- Content Writer, Health Outreach Blog
September 2022 – December 2022- Wrote informative articles on health and wellness, reaching an audience of over 2,000 readers monthly.
- Researched health topics specific to underserved regions and wrote articles to increase awareness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not Labeling It as “Volunteer”: If you place volunteer experience in the Work Experience section, label it as “Volunteer” to avoid misunderstandings.
- Listing Unrelated Experience: Avoid listing volunteer work that doesn’t contribute value to your CV. Always choose roles that show transferable skills or are relevant to your career goals.
- Overloading on Details: Keep your descriptions concise and to the point. Focus on skills and achievements, not an exhaustive list of tasks.
FAQs about Showcasing Volunteer Work on a CV
1. Can I List Volunteer Work If I Don’t Have Paid Experience?
Absolutely! If you’re a student, recent graduate, or transitioning careers, volunteer work fills experience gaps and shows employers that you’re proactive and gaining skills.
2. Should I Include All Volunteer Roles I’ve Had?
No, you should only include volunteer roles relevant to the job you’re applying for or showcase valuable skills—quality over quantity matters.
3. What if I Need More Volunteer Experience?
Choose the most impactful and relevant volunteer roles for your CV. If you have several long-term volunteer roles, you could select a few major roles or create a summary to avoid making your CV too lengthy.
4. Is Volunteer Work Important for Experienced Professionals?
Yes, volunteer work can still be relevant for seasoned professionals. It shows personal values, community involvement, and a well-rounded character, all attractive to employers.
5. Can Volunteer Work Compensate for Gaps in Employment?
Yes, volunteer work can fill in employment gaps effectively. Make sure to focus on the skills and achievements in each role to show you used the time constructively.
Final Tips
- Be Honest: Avoid exaggerating or fabricating volunteer experiences. Be genuine about what you’ve done.
- Highlight Soft Skills: Volunteering often develops skills like empathy, resilience, and patience. If these align with the job, don’t hesitate to mention them.
- Be Ready to Discuss: Be prepared to discuss your volunteer experience during interviews. Employers may ask about your role, challenges, and what you learned from the experience.
Conclusion
Including volunteer work in your CV can set you apart from other candidates. It provides a fuller picture of who you are, what you value, and what skills you bring.
Follow this guide to present your volunteer work in the best light, ensuring it aligns with your career goals.
Whether a fresh graduate or a seasoned professional, showcasing volunteer work might just be the edge you need in today’s competitive job market.