how to write a resume with volunteer experience

How to Write a Volunteer Resume [+Example for 2024]

You’ve found something you believe in.

You want to help as much as you can.

But first, you need a resume that highlights your best attributes. 

Well, allow us to help you with this resume guide for all volunteers!

• A job-winning volunteer resume example
• How to create a volunteer resume that hiring managers love
• Volunteer-specific tips and tricks to make your resume stand out

Now, before we move on, here’s a volunteer resume example, created with our very own resume builder :

Follow the steps in this guide to create a job-winning resume of your own! 

How to Format a Volunteer Resume

Here’s a fact for you:

Your resume isn’t the only one on the recruiter’s desk.

In fact, they have a TON to get through, which is why recruiters tend to skim-read as they go through the pile of resumes.

This means you need to make your information clear and concise. 

You can do this by using the best resume format for volunteer resumes. 

The most common resume format is “ reverse-chronological ”, so we’d recommend this format for your resume…

There are two other popular formats that you could try:

• Functional Resume – Choose this format if you have many skills, but don’t have any real experience. Essentially, this format is ideal for volunteers who are seeking a role they have never held
• Combination Resume – As the name suggests, a combination resume is a combination of “Functional” and “Reverse-Chronological”. As such, this format is perfect for volunteers who have both skills and experience

Once you’ve decided on the format, you need to get your resume layout right.

For a professional resume layout, here’s what we recommend:

Margins - the margins are set automatically according to recruiters in the editor.

Font - Pick a font that stands out, but not too much. 

• Do: Ubuntu, Roboto, etc.
• Don’t: Comic Sans

Resume Length - Don’t go over the 1-page limit. If you’re having trouble fitting everything into one page? You may want to view these one-page resume templates .

Use a Volunteer Resume Template

You have a number of options when it comes to resume writing tools.

Now, Word may be your first choice, but we invite you to reconsider.

You see, building your own resume in a text-editing tool can result in massive formatting issues. 

The alternative is to use a volunteering resume template by choosing from one of the templates here .

This will ensure your resume looks professional at all times. 

What to Include in a Volunteer Resume

The main sections in a volunteer resume are:

• Contact Information
• Resume Summary or Objective
• Work Experience/ Volunteer Experience

For a resume that stands out, even more, try adding these optional sections:

• Awards & Certification
• Personal Projects

Interests & Hobbies

It’s now time to go through each of those sections, and explain how to write them...

Not sure which sections to use for your resume? Check out our guide to What to Put on a Resume .

How to Correctly Write Your Contact Information

The tips in this guide will help with creating the best volunteer resume possible.

But those tips are worthless if mistakes are made in this section.

For your contact section, follow these rules:

• Title - Make this specific to the role you’re applying for
• Phone Number - Quadruple check this!
• Email Address - Make sure to use a professional email address ([email protected])
• Portfolio Link or personal website
• (Optional) Relevant Social Media - e.g.: LinkedIn, Twitter, Quora, etc.
• (Optional) Location - Applying for a job abroad? Mention your location.

Stephen Johnson, Volunteer. 101-358-6095. [email protected]

Stephen Johnson, Volunteering Viking. 101-358-6095. [email protected]

How to Write a Volunteer Resume Summary or Objective

The volunteer industry is just as competitive as any other employment opportunity.

In fact, most volunteering jobs have hundreds of applicants applying to become a volunteer for the greater good. 

As such, just telling the recruiter how passionate you are won’t cut it. 

So how do you catch the recruiter’s attention and stand out?

You need to show your value straight away!

You can do this with a resume summary or objective , which are attention-grabbing paragraphs that sit at the top of your resume. 

Although the two are very similar, there are a couple of differences… 

A resume summary is a 2-4 sentence summary of your professional experiences and achievements.

Experienced and passionate volunteer with 5+ years of experience in helping various foundations with their aspirations. Notable highlights include managing an event with 2,000 attendees, scoring 99.5% positive feedback rates, and raising $67,302 revenue when leading a bake sale.]

A resume objective is a 2-4 sentence snapshot of your professional goals and aspirations.

A hard-working volunteer seeks a chance to make a difference with The National Trust. Experience includes working as a temp events volunteer during the summer term. Able to handle a variety of tasks, including greeting the public, preparing activities, and operating POS systems.

So, which option should a volunteer in your situation pick? 

All volunteers have their own specific background, but generally, resume summaries are the best option for those who have a relevant job history, whereas an objective summary is the best option for those with little to no work experience. 

How to Make Your Work Experience Stand Out

Regardless of the type of charity you apply for, they all have one thing in common…

They want to see your work experience .  

Sure, your core skills are important too, but experience always wins. Start with your most recent experience, and then work backwards. Here’s a winning work experience structure…

• Position name
• Company Name
• Dates Employed
• Responsibilities & Achievements

Event Volunteer

National Trust

01/2019 – 03/2020

• Prepared for a 2,000 person event in 8 hours – this involved setting up trails, preparing craft activities, and ensuring complete information and signage
• Provided a warm and friendly welcome at all events, which resulted in a 99.5% positive feedback score
• In charge of running the cake sale, which resulted in $8.302 revenue for the foundation

As shown above, you want to show some impressive achievements, not minor tasks.

So, instead of saying:

“greeted visitors”

“Provided a warm and friendly welcome at all events, which resulted in a 99.5% positive feedback score”

So, what’s the difference between the two?

The second statement goes into more depth about how your presence had a positive impact on the event and the foundation. This clearly shows that you’re someone who should be hired immediately. 

What if You Don’t Have Experience?

Maybe you’re a recent university graduate with no job experience?

Or maybe you have worked many jobs, but never volunteered for a charity?

Don’t worry, we have the solution.

All you need are a few core skills and a desire to learn.

And this can be shown with school projects or experiences from related jobs. 

For example, if you’ve ever worked as a customer service representative, you can talk about any crossover skills and experiences. Just like a volunteer in a public-facing role, you were friendly and dealt with various concerns. 

If you’re a recent graduate , you might want to check out our guide on how to make a student resume !

Use Action Words to Make Your Volunteer Resume POP!

Flick through a bunch of volunteering resumes, and you’ll notice one thing.

They all include these same words. 

And since you want your resume to stand out, we recommend using power words instead.

Here is a list of power words to make your achievements stand out :

• Conceptualized
• Spearheaded

How to List Your Education Correctly

Welcome to the education section!

If your experience section isn’t the best, your education is where you need to shine.

Simply list out your education entries, like this:

• Degree Type & Major
• University Name
• Years Studied
• GPA, Honours, Courses, and anything else you might want to add

B.A. Nursing Management  

University of Chicago

Courses: Anatomy and Physiology, Nursing Care, Mental Health, Sociological and Psychological Aspects of Healthcare, Approaches to Research

Before we conclude this section, here are some of the most frequent questions we get from volunteers (and their answers!):

What if I haven’t finished education?

• Whether you’re still a student, or finished school years ago, you should mention the years/courses studied so far in your life

Should I include my high school education?

• Only include your high school education if you haven’t gone on to further education

What is more important, education or experience?

• Experiences always come before education

Need more answers? Check out our guide on how to list education on a resume .

Top 10 Skills for a Volunteer Resume

When the recruiter is reviewing your resume, they want to see that you’re skilled enough to complete the work they require.  

You see, the resume reviewer will have been given a brief regarding the desired job skills. 

As such, the skills section should reflect the needs of the job.

Need some inspiration?

It’ll depend on the specific volunteering job that you’re applying for, but here are some of the most common and desirable skills:

Hard Skills for Volunteers:

• Point-of-Sale Systems
• Microsoft Office
• CPR Certified 
• Phone Desk Operation

Soft Skills for Volunteers:

• Communication
• Leadership 
• Strategic thinking

Looking for a more comprehensive list? Here’s a mega-list of 100+ must-have skills .

Other Resume Sections You Can Include on a Volunteering Resume

Now, there’s a good chance that the other candidates will have similar volunteering experiences to you.

But if this is the case, won’t your resume look the same as all the others?

Well yes. That’s why we recommend adding a few of the following sections to make your resume stand out. 

Awards & Certifications

Your volunteering work will impress the recruiter.

But don’t leave things there.

Have you completed any courses to improve your skills?

Have you ever been awarded for your duties?

Be sure to mention everything that you’re proud of. Well, only if it is relevant to the volunteering position. 

• Sales Training: Building Your Sales Career – Coursera Certificate
• Best Business Pitch Award – University of Texas
•  Learning How to Learn – Coursera Certificate
• CPR Certification

Your resume shows the assets you can offer to the foundation.

Even though being bilingual may not be an essential skill, it is another asset that your future employer can call upon.  

If this relates to you, and you have space in your resume, definitely include a languages section.

Make sure to split the languages by proficiency:

• Intermediate

The recruiter should now be interested in hiring you.

But before they do, they will want to know more about your personal side. 

As such, it can be a good idea to talk about your hobbies and interests.  

If you’re not sure which hobbies & interests to mention, you can read our guide! 

Include a Cover Letter with Your Resume

You’re a volunteer because you want to make a difference.

Resumes are great for showing your skills and experiences, but you want the foundation to know WHY you want to volunteer for them. 

Cover letters show that you want to work with THIS specific charity.

As such, a cover letter can significantly boost your chances of obtaining the position.

Here’s how to get the structure right:

And here’s what to write in each section:

Contact Details

Your personal contact information, including full name, profession, email, phone number, and location.

Hiring Manager’s Contact Information

Full name, position, location, email

Opening Paragraph

Your introduction should be strong enough to hook the hiring manager, so mention:

• The volunteering position you’re applying for
• Your experience summary and top achievements as a volunteer (or most relevant)

Once you’ve got the hiring manager hooked, you can go through the rest of your background. Some of the points you can mention here are:

• Why you want to volunteer for this specific foundation
• Anything you know about the culture
• What are your top skills and how are they relevant for the job
• If you’ve ever volunteer before

Closing Paragraph

This is where you:

• Wrap up any points you missed in the body paragraph
• Thank the hiring manager for their time
• End with a call to action. Something like, “I’d love to further discuss how my experience as an X can help the company with Y”

Formal Salutations

Use a formal closing, such as “Best regards” or “Sincerely.”

View our how-to write a cover letter guide for extra guidance.

Related Resume Examples

• No Experience Resume
• Social Worker Resume
• Internship Resume
• Office Assistant Resume
• Career Change Resume

Key Takeaways

Followed the steps in this guide? Then you’re in the best position to get that role you’re applying for.

Before we finish up, let’s quickly go through everything we’ve learned:

• Select the right formatting for your resume. Try the reverse-chronological format, and then follow the best practices in regards to the layout. Remember, keep your resume needs to look professional
• Use a resume summary or objective to immediately catch the recruiter’s attention
• For the work experience section, talk more about your achievements, instead of your daily responsibilities
• Write a compelling and convincing cover letter

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Volunteer Work on a Resume: Examples and Templates

Here’s everything you need to know to effectively showcase volunteer work on a resume, including volunteer resume examples and templates.

8 months ago   •   6 min read

Volunteering isn’t just a great way to help out your community — it can also be used to build your resume. Whether you don’t have a lot of paid work experience yet or you’re trying to get experience in a specific niche, volunteer work is a great way to round out your resume, learn in-demand skills, and fill in any missing gaps.

Keep reading to learn how to effectively showcase volunteer work on your resume. In this article we will cover:

• Volunteer resume templates you can download
• Examples of volunteer resume accomplishments
• Essential volunteer-based skills to list on your resume

How to list volunteer work on a resume

• Start by creating a separate resume section. Give it a title like “Volunteer Experience” or “Community Involvement.”
• Alternatively, you can list volunteer work directly in the Work Experience section of your resume — just make sure to put “Volunteer” somewhere in your job title.
• List the organization and your dates of service (years or months).
• List your job title. If you had a specific job title, like “Fundraising Coordinator,” use that, but if not, “Volunteer” is fine.
• Choose 2-3 examples of things you accomplished during your role.
• List these in bullet points, starting with an action verb like Managed, Collaborated, or Organized.
• If possible, add some numbers to quantify each accomplishment — for example, “collected $15,000 in donations” rather than “collected donations.”
• Get instant feedback from our free resume scanner before you send it off.

Volunteer resume templates

Here’s an example of a resume you could use to show off your volunteer work for a nonprofit organization:

A template like this works well if you don’t have a lot of paid work experience, by taking your volunteer experience and letting it shine upfront.

Here’s another volunteer resume example:

This template is ideal if you have a mix of paid and volunteer experience that you want to showcase on your resume. You can download these volunteer resume templates — and more — from our ATS resume templates page.

I recommend uploading your resume to the tool below to check whether you have effectively highlighted your volunteer experience, along with any transferable skills gained from that experience.

Examples of volunteer work on a resume

Whether you start with one of the templates above or prefer to create your own resume from scratch, you’ll need some actual accomplishments to fill it out. Here are some volunteer resume examples you can copy and paste or use as a jumping-off point to write your own.

Nonprofit volunteer resume

Volunteer work looks great on a resume, whether you’re applying to work at a nonprofit organization or you just want to show off a few relevant accomplishments. Here’s an example:

XYZ Nonprofit Organization, June 2019 - Present Volunteer • Organized and executed fundraising events, resulting in over $15,000 in donations. • Coordinated with volunteers to collect and distribute donations to local families in need. • Provided support for various programs and initiatives, including outreach to underserved communities.

Community service volunteer resume

Community service isn’t just a nice thing to do — it’s also a great way to build skills and gain experience, especially if you’re just starting out. Here’s an example:

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE ABC Youth Center, September 2018 - May 2019 Volunteer Mentor • Mentored and provided support to a group of 10 at-risk youth, promoting positive behavior and academic success. • Coordinated activities and field trips, fostering teamwork and communication skills among youth participants. • Encouraged and guided youth in setting and achieving personal goals, resulting in increased self-esteem and motivation.

Student volunteer resume

If you’re a student or recent graduate, volunteer work is a valuable addition to your resume. This can include student activities and organizations. Here’s an example:

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Resume Worded Finance Society, September 2017 – May 2020 Head of Events • Founded the first ever Business Series to organize finance training for 500 students. • Organized and advertised 10+ quarterly networking events with 300+ participants in 3 universities in Boston. • Managed the launch of new booking system to improve organization of events; system now used across university.

Hospital volunteer resume

Looking to start your medical career? Adding some volunteer work alongside your studies is a great way to show that you’re committed to the field and passionate about your work.

Here’s an example:

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Resume Worded Medical Center, 2016 - 2018 Volunteer Emergency Medical Technician • Volunteered as an EMT for one night-shift weekly in one of the busiest areas in New York City. • Provided basic patient assessments to assess the severity of the patient’s condition, subsequently providing BLS to treat those conditions; 100% success rate in resuscitating emergency patients. • Worked as part of a 3-person team to treat patients & understand their medical and family histories.

Political volunteer resume

Political organizations can be contentious, but there’s a way to list them on your resume while staying professional. Instead of talking about a specific issue, keep the focus on the work you did and leave partisanship out of it. Here’s an example:

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Young Voters Society, June 2019 – April 2020 Poll Agent • Registered high school students to boost voter participation among 19-year-olds by 71%. • Partnered with a team of 12+ poll watchers to prepare election ballots within 30 minutes, establishing a 98% accuracy rate in counting votes.

Charity work resume

No volunteer work is too small for your resume. Remember to keep the focus on what you accomplished with some action verbs and metrics, like in this example:

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE XYZ Animal Shelter, August 2017 - December 2018 Volunteer • Assisted in the care and adoption of over 100 animals, including dogs, cats, and rabbits. • Coordinated with staff and other volunteers to organize successful adoption events, resulting in a 30% increase in adoptions. • Raised over $5,000 in donations through social media campaigns and community outreach efforts.

Resume-worthy skills gained through volunteer experience

Don’t have volunteer experience in the area you’re planning to work in? That doesn’t mean it isn’t relevant! When listing experience — volunteer or otherwise — on your resume that isn’t obviously related to the job you’re applying for, the key is to emphasize transferable skills. Some of the best soft skills to highlight on a volunteer resume include:

Communication

Problem solving.

• Organization
• Project management
• Customer service
• Relationship building
• Conflict resolution

But don’t rush to list these skills in your Skills section — transferable skills like these belong in your Work Experience accomplishments instead. For each skill that you want to highlight, choose an example of a time when you demonstrated that skill and turn it into a bullet point. Here are some examples:

• Collaborated with a team of volunteers to organize a successful fundraising event that raised $10,000 for a local charity.
• Worked in a team to implement a new system for tracking donations, resulting in a 25% increase in donor retention.

If you’re struggling to come up with things you accomplished, try thinking about what your whole team accomplished instead. Not only will this add some more achievements to your resume, it also shows that you’re a team player, which is something every employer wants.

• Provided excellent customer service as a volunteer at a community center, effectively communicating with diverse populations and resolving issues in a timely manner.
• Managed social media accounts for a nonprofit organization, creating engaging content and responding to inquiries from followers.

Instead of saying something vague like “communicated with members of the public,” try to focus on how you communicated — for example, working in a customer-facing position, calling donors, or managing a social media account.

• Created a system for organizing and distributing supplies to volunteers during a disaster relief effort, resulting in a more efficient and effective response.
• Identified and addressed issues with a nonprofit's website, improving user experience and increasing traffic by 30%.

If you’ve ever been in an interview, you’ve probably been asked about a time when you encountered a problem and how you solved it. That’s not just a good interview question — it’s also a great idea for a resume bullet point like the ones above.

• Led a team of volunteers in planning and executing a successful environmental conservation project, resulting in recognition from local government officials.
• Coordinated a group of volunteers for a charity event, delegating tasks and ensuring smooth operations throughout the day.

Applying for roles where leadership is a must but without formal management experience? Volunteering is a great way to help with that — any time you led a team, trained new volunteers, or spearheaded a project can be used to show your leadership skills.

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• Ask Amanda: How Do I Add...

Ask Amanda: How Do I Add Volunteer Experience to My Resume? (Examples)

5 min read · Updated on October 12, 2022

Each week, TopResume's career advice expert, Amanda Augustine, answers user questions like the one below from Quora and the Ask Amanda form. A certified professional career coach (CPCC) and resume writer (CPRW), Amanda has been helping professionals improve their careers for over 10 years. Have a question for Amanda? Submit it here .

Q: What's the right way to add volunteer experience to my resume?

Someone told me it's OK to add volunteer experience to my resume, especially since I've been unemployed. What's the right way to do that? — Gary H.

Volunteer experience is a great way to pad your resume when you find yourself in any of the following situations:

You recently graduated and don't have a lot of professional experience to share.

You're currently unemployed and looking to fill the employment gap on your resume while you job hunt.

You want to change careers and are looking for ways to demonstrate a skill set you weren't able to use during your regular 9-to-5 job.

What type of volunteer experience should you include on your resume?

The best volunteer experience you can add to your resume is skill-based volunteer (SBV) experience. These volunteer opportunities are considered very valuable for your resume because they allow you to donate your time — and more importantly, the professional skills employers care about — to a worthy cause. Take a look at VolunteerMatch , Idealist , Catchafire , and Points of Light's HandsOn Network to find the right volunteer opportunity for you.

However, you might not have to seek out a new charity in order to find a skill-based volunteer opportunity to boost your resume. If you're already involved in a networking group or other professional association, consider taking a more active role within your chapter. This could be anything from volunteering to manage the group's social media presence to becoming treasurer of the group, to heading up a new committee.

Where should you place volunteer experience on your resume?

There are a few different places where you can include volunteer experience on your resume – the placement will really depend on what the rest of your professional experience looks like and your current job goals.

Nine times out of 10, the best place to include your volunteer experience on your resume is within the “Professional Experience” section. This is especially helpful if you're trying to fill an employment gap on your resume or you're currently employed and trying to draw attention away from this fact.

Sample resume: How to add volunteer experience to mid- or senior-level resume

If you're about to graduate from college and you possess internship experience that is relevant to your job goals and employers will find attractive, you may be better off creating a section for “Relevant Work Experience” and then adding another section called “Volunteer and Leadership Experience” for your volunteer and other club activities.

Sample resume: How to add volunteer experience to an entry-level resume

If you're currently employed, you don't have any employment gaps to fill on your resume, and you're not trying to parlay your volunteer experience into a new career, then your relevant volunteer activities can be placed in a separate section toward the bottom of your resume, either right before or just after the “Education and Professional Development” section on your resume. This is the only instance where you don't necessarily need to include many details about your volunteer work; it's enough to simply state the organization and your role within the group. 

How do you list volunteer experience on a resume?

Write out your volunteer experience as you would any other position on your resume by including a blurb that describes your role within the organization and then calling attention to your main contributions and relevant achievements in a bulleted list.

If necessary, you can get a little creative when it comes to selecting a “Job Title” for your volunteer experience. Select something that reflects your responsibilities, while incorporating terms that prospective employers will be sure to understand. This is especially useful if your organization doesn't have an official title for the work you've taken on for the group. In the spirit of transparency, I recommend adding the term “Volunteer” at the end of whatever job title you decide to use. 

Can you add activism and protests to your resume? 

Your activism can take many forms, from volunteering at certain organizations and leading protests to aiding a particular politician's campaign, or fundraising for your place of worship. Whether you put it on your resume or not depends on what you're looking for.   

When you should add it to your resume

If your activism is an integral part of your identity and you can't imagine working for a company that doesn't share those values, then you should include your experiences on your resume. Whether it's championing racial justice issues, LGBTQ+ rights, or something else, including them on your resume will be a good test to see if the company is the right fit. 

Adding your activism experience is also a good idea if it shows off any relevant skills, like organizing, leading, community building, or fundraising. 

When you shouldn't 

If you don't want a recruiter or hiring manager using your activism experience against you in the job search, then it will be best to leave it off your resume. Also, if you are looking for a job to help you pay your bills, then you don't want a prospective employer deeming you unfit for the job because they don't agree with your beliefs. 

Instead let your resume focus on your skills and achievements that will impress. 

Need help positioning your volunteer experience on your resume? Let a TopResume pro help !

This article was updated in September 2020 by Danielle Elmers .

Recommended Reading:

How to Handle Gaps in Your Employment History

How to Bounce Back After Getting Laid Off

How to Successfully Change Careers

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

From Bland to Beautiful: How We Made This Professional's Resume Shine

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Volunteer Experience on Your Resume: Examples for 2024

If you are looking for a way to stand out on your resume or show that you are more than just your work experience, volunteer experience is a great place to start. In this article, we will define volunteer experience, discuss its importance in a resume, and provide examples of how to incorporate it effectively.

Volunteer experience is any work that is done willingly and without pay to help a person or organization outside of one’s family. This can include traditional volunteer work like serving at a soup kitchen or volunteering at a non-profit organization’s fundraising event, as well as other activities such as coaching a youth sports team, running a community garden, or participating in a beach cleanup.

Importance of Volunteer Experience in a Resume

While work experience is important, volunteer experience can show a potential employer that you have more to offer than just the skills required for a specific job. It can demonstrate that you are passionate about a cause, have leadership skills, are a team player, and are willing to take the initiative to make things happen. Additionally, volunteer work can help fill gaps in your work history or show that you have been actively involved in your community during times of unemployment.

Types of Volunteer Experience

When it comes to volunteering, there are multiple ways to get involved and contribute your time and skills. Here are some of the most common types of volunteer experience:

Direct Service Volunteer

Direct service volunteering involves hands-on work that directly impacts the people or cause served by the organization. Examples of direct service volunteering include serving meals at a homeless shelter, tutoring students, or providing care for animals at a shelter.

Volunteering in direct service roles allows you to see the impact of your work firsthand and gain valuable skills in working with people or tasks.

Indirect Service Volunteer

Indirect service volunteering refers to tasks that support the organization performing its mission, but do not involve direct interaction with the people or causes served. Examples of indirect service volunteering include data entry, mailings, or event planning.

Indirect service roles are crucial for the smooth operation of an organization and allow volunteers to contribute their skills and time in a way that suits their strengths.

Virtual Volunteer

Virtual volunteering allows individuals to contribute their time and skills remotely, through online platforms or digital platforms. Examples of virtual volunteering include data entry, social media management or writing.

Virtual volunteering options have increased in recent years due to technology advancements and allow volunteers to contribute their time and skills to organizations from anywhere in the world.

Volunteer Leadership

Volunteer leadership roles involve managing other volunteers and can include overseeing volunteer programs, organizing events, and coordinating efforts between volunteers and staff.

Volunteer leadership roles are crucial for the successful management of volunteers and require strong organizational and leadership skills.

Board Member

Board members provide leadership and governance for the organization, which includes making major decisions on the organization’s behalf, managing finances, and hiring staff.

Being a board member requires significant time commitment and leadership skills, and is often a high-level volunteer role for experienced professionals.

Understanding the different types of volunteer experience available can provide insights into the best way to contribute to an organization, and can also help you showcase your skills and experiences to potential employers when crafting a resume.

Incorporating Volunteer Experience on Your Resume

Volunteer experience can add depth and demonstrate your commitment to community involvement and social responsibility. Including volunteer experience on your resume is a great way to showcase your skills and interests outside of paid employment.

Where to Place Volunteer Experience on Your Resume

Volunteer experience can be included in the work experience section or in a separate section dedicated to volunteerism. If the volunteer work is relevant to the position you are applying for, it is best to include it in the work experience section. However, if the volunteer work is not directly related to the position, it can be listed separately in a Volunteer section.

How to Highlight Volunteer Experience on Your Resume

It is essential to highlight your volunteer experience effectively. When presenting your volunteer experience, include the name of the organization or group, the length of time you served, and the position you held. Use bullet points to describe the responsibilities you had and any accomplishments you achieved while volunteering. Be descriptive and quantify your achievements, linking them to concrete results.

How to Quantify Volunteer Experience on Your Resume

Quantifying your volunteer experience is crucial. It is not enough to state that you volunteered for a certain number of hours or held a specific position; you need to describe how you contributed to the organization’s progress or success. For instance, if you raised funds, specify how much you raised, and if you led a team, indicate how many team members you oversaw.

Here are some examples of quantifying volunteer experience:

Raised $5,000 for a local food bank in a month-long fundraising campaign.

Supervised and trained a team of eight volunteers, resulting in a 30% reduction in errors and increased efficiency.

Coordinated and executed 10 community outreach events, involving more than 200 volunteers and reaching over 2,000 participants.

By quantifying your volunteer experience, you are providing concrete evidence of your contribution and commitment, which will make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Incorporating volunteer experience on your resume can add value and demonstrate that you have a broader range of skills and interests. It is important to present your volunteer experience effectively by including it in the right section, describing your achievements in bullet points, and quantifying your impact.

Examples of How to Include Volunteer Experience on Your Resume

Volunteer experience is an excellent way to showcase your skills and demonstrate your commitment to giving back to the community. It can also help you stand out among other candidates when applying for a job. In this section, we will provide examples of how to include volunteer experience on your resume, tailored for different career stages.

Example 1: Entry-Level Candidate

If you are just starting your career, you may not have much work experience to showcase on your resume. However, you can highlight your volunteer work to demonstrate your transferable skills and passion for making a difference.

Here’s how to include volunteer experience on your resume as an entry-level candidate:

Include a volunteer section:  Create a separate section on your resume for your volunteer experience. This will make it easy for the hiring manager to see your involvement in the community.

Focus on transferable skills:  Highlight the skills you developed through volunteering that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you volunteered at a non-profit organization, you may have gained skills in event planning, fundraising, or social media management.

Quantify your impact:  Use numbers and figures to showcase the impact you made through your volunteer work. For instance, if you organized a fundraising event, you could mention the total amount of funds raised or the number of attendees.

Volunteer Experience

• Organized and executed a successful fundraising event that raised over $10,000 for the organization
• Managed social media accounts and increased followers by 30%
• Coordinated volunteer efforts and recruited 15 volunteers for various events

Example 2: Mid-Career Professional

As a mid-career professional, you likely have more work experience to showcase on your resume. However, you can still leverage your volunteer work to demonstrate your leadership skills and community involvement.

Here’s how to include volunteer experience on your resume as a mid-career professional:

Include a community involvement section:  Create a separate section on your resume to showcase your community involvement, including volunteer work, board membership, or pro-bono consulting.

Emphasize leadership roles:  Highlight any leadership roles you had in your volunteer work, such as serving as a board member, committee chair, or team leader.

Connect the dots:  Explain how your volunteer experience has prepared you for the job you’re applying for. Be explicit about the transferable skills you developed, such as project management, communication, or event planning. Volunteering can bring about numerous benefits that extend beyond helping others. It is a fulfilling activity that can help individuals gain a variety of skills that can be used in different areas of their lives. When it comes to adding volunteer experience to your resume, it’s essential to highlight the skills gained through such experience. Here are some of the skills you can acquire through volunteering:

Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are those abilities that can be applied to different jobs and settings. Volunteering can help individuals develop transferable skills that can be utilized in various professional and personal contexts. Some examples of transferable skills you can acquire through volunteering include:

• Time management: Volunteering requires planning to ensure that tasks are completed on time, regardless of how busy your schedule is.
• Communication skills: Volunteering provides opportunities to engage and work with people from different backgrounds and abilities, enhancing your communication skills.
• Adaptability: When volunteering, it’s crucial to be able to adapt to different situations, such as unexpected changes or challenges.
• Leadership skills: Depending on the volunteer role you take on, you may have the chance to lead group activities or manage people. Such experiences can help strengthen your leadership skills.

Niche Skills

Niche skills, also known as specialist skills, are relevant to specific professions or industries. Volunteering can afford individuals the chance to develop these skills or build on existing ones in a particular field. Here are some examples of niche skills that you can learn through volunteering:

• Event planning: Volunteering for events, such as charity galas, can provide opportunities to learn and develop event planning skills, such as managing budgets, scheduling, and coordinating with vendors.
• Fundraising skills: Volunteers in non-profit organizations can gain fundraising skills, such as donor prospecting, creating fundraising goals and strategies, and managing donor databases.
• Non-profit management skills: Volunteering in non-profit organizations can offer valuable exposure to non-profit management, including volunteer management, program development, and organizational operations.

Soft Skills

Soft skills, also known as interpersonal or emotional intelligence skills, are necessary social and emotional competencies that can help individuals interact effectively with others. Volunteering can enhance and develop soft skills, including:

• Empathy: Volunteering can help individuals build empathy and a deeper understanding of the struggles and challenges that others face, which can enhance their ability to relate to and communicate with others.
• Teamwork: Volunteering often involves working in teams, which can help develop collaborative and cooperative skills.
• Conflict resolution: Volunteering can provide opportunities to learn conflict resolution and problem-solving skills through diffusing disagreements and finding solutions that work for everyone.
• Patience: Volunteering can help cultivate patience, especially when working with individuals from different backgrounds with varying abilities or needs.

Volunteering is an enriching activity that provides immense opportunities to develop diverse skills that can boost both personal and professional growth.

Benefits of Volunteer Experience on Your Resume

Volunteer experience is not only a selfless act of giving back to the community, but it can also enhance your resume and increase your chances of being hired. Here are some benefits of including volunteer work on your resume:

Increased Employability

Volunteering shows your dedication and commitment to a cause, which translates into a positive work ethic. Employers appreciate individuals who have a track record of being dependable and passionate about what they do. Also, volunteering provides an opportunity to network with professionals in your industry or field of interest, which can lead to potential job opportunities or referrals.

Demonstrates Passion

In many cases, volunteer work is a reflection of your personal interests, values and passions. When you include it on your resume, it shows potential employers that you are more than just a set of skills and job experiences. You are a well-rounded individual who cares about things beyond the workplace. Your volunteer experience can also provide talking points during job interviews, allowing you to demonstrate your personality and character traits.

Highlights Transferable Skills

Volunteering often requires you to work with others towards a common goal, communicate effectively, manage your time, and take initiative. These are valuable transferable skills that can be applied to any job or industry. When you include your volunteer experience on your resume, you are showing employers that you possess these skills and that you are capable of working in a team-oriented environment.

Volunteering can provide many benefits when included on your resume. Not only does it show increased employability, it also demonstrates passion and highlights transferable skills. When employers see that you have volunteered, they may view you as a more well-rounded and desirable candidate. So, don’t shy away from including your volunteer experience on your resume – it could be the key to landing your dream job!

Common Questions About Volunteer Experience on a Resume

Volunteer experience can make a significant difference in your resume, especially if you have limited professional experience. However, knowing how to include it can be challenging. Here are some common questions about volunteer experience on a resume and how to make the most of it.

How to Include Volunteer Experience on a Resume with Limited Professional Experience?

If you are starting your career or changing fields, showcasing your volunteer experience can help you stand out. You can add a section called “Volunteer Experience” or “Community Involvement” to your resume and list your volunteer work. Another option is to integrate it into your work experience section by highlighting the transferable skills you gained from your volunteer experience that align with the job you are applying for.

When listing your volunteer experience, make sure to include the organization’s name, your role, dates, and a brief description of your responsibilities and accomplishments. Highlight the skills and achievements that can transfer to the job you’re applying for. Quantify your accomplishments and provide tangible examples.

Should You List Volunteer Experience Chronologically or Reverse Chronologically?

Listing your volunteer experience chronologically means listing them in the order you participated, beginning from the most recently completed volunteer activity. In contrast, reverse chronological order means listing your volunteer work starting from your earliest experience and ending with your latest.

The best way to list your volunteer experience depends on how relevant it is to the job you’re applying for. If your volunteer experience is more recent and matches the job requirements, list it in reverse chronological order. However, if your volunteer activity was several years ago, and your work experience is more relevant, list it chronologically.

Does Volunteer Experience Have to be Relevant to the Job You’re Applying For?

While it’s best to focus on experiences relevant to the job you’re applying for, volunteer experience does not always have to be directly relevant. Volunteer experience can demonstrate different soft skills, such as teamwork, leadership, and communication, which can be valuable in various industries.

However, if your volunteer experience is not directly relevant, it’s essential to highlight the transferable skills and how they relate to the job you’re applying for. By doing so, you can showcase how your volunteer experience can translate into valuable skills for the position.

Volunteer experience can enhance your resume, even with limited professional experience. Make sure to include it in a clear and concise way, highlighting your accomplishments and transferable skills. By doing so, you can demonstrate your commitment to your community and showcase the skills that make you a valuable asset to any employer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Including Volunteer Experience on Your Resume

When it comes to including volunteer experience on your resume, there are a few common mistakes you want to avoid:

Making Volunteer Experience Too Long : While it’s important to showcase your volunteer experience on your resume, it’s also important to remember that hiring managers often have limited time to review resumes. Therefore, make sure that you summarize your volunteer experience concisely.

Only Focusing on Duties and Responsibilities : When listing your volunteer experience, it’s easy to get caught up in listing out all of your duties and responsibilities. However, it’s important to also highlight the impact you made while volunteering. Use specific examples to show how your volunteer work made a difference.

Not Explaining the Impact : Your volunteer experience can be a powerful asset when it comes to standing out to potential employers. However, if you don’t explain the impact you made while volunteering, it can be difficult for hiring managers to understand the value you bring to the table.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your volunteer experience is presented in the best light possible and makes a strong impression on potential employers.

Ways to Showcase Volunteer Experience Outside of Your Resume

In today’s job market, simply listing your previous job experiences might not be enough to catch the recruiter’s attention. Employers are looking for candidates who possess qualities like leadership, team-working, problem-solving, and dedication. And what better way to demonstrate those qualities than through your volunteer experience?

However, some individuals might find it challenging to capture their volunteer work on their resume. Fortunately, there are various digital platforms that you can utilize to showcase your volunteer experience outside of your resume. Here are three ways you can do so:

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for professional networking, and it can help you create a strong online presence. Utilize LinkedIn to highlight your volunteer experience by adding it to your profile. This will make it easier for hiring managers to see your involvement and dedication to your community. Additionally, you can join groups related to your causes, which will lead to new connections and potential career opportunities.

Personal Website

Having a personal website that showcases your volunteer work can give you an edge in your job search. Use your website as a platform to tell your story, showcase pictures of your volunteering experience, and explain the impact that you’ve made in your community. Your site will not only demonstrate your dedication to contributing to society but will also give the interviewer a unique insight into who you are as a person.

Cover Letter

While your resume is your ticket to getting your foot in the door, your cover letter is where you can truly shine light on your volunteer experience. Use your cover letter to tell a story about your experiences, how it has affected you and how it integrates with the position you are applying for. In your cover letter, you can also take the chance to show your passion for the cause and how it aligns with the organization’s mission.

Volunteer work can be an indication of your willingness to go above and beyond to make a difference in your community. Using digital media platforms such as LinkedIn, your personal website and your cover letter are great ways to help you stand out and demonstrate your qualifications as a candidate. Highlighting your volunteer experience demonstrates not only your character but also sets you apart from others in a competitive job market.

Additional Tips for Incorporating Your Volunteer Experience into Your Job Search

If you’re looking to leverage your volunteer experience in your job search, there are a few additional steps you can take beyond simply listing it on your resume. Here are some tips for how to make the most of your volunteer work:

Network with Fellow Volunteers

One of the best ways to make your volunteer experience work for you in your job search is to network with other volunteers. Many of your fellow volunteers may be professionals in your industry or know people who are. By building relationships with them, you can expand your professional network and potentially find job leads.

To network effectively, be sure to attend volunteer events and functions, and make an effort to connect with other volunteers. Exchange contact information and follow up with them via email or LinkedIn after the event. Be clear about what you’re looking for and how your volunteer experience relates to your job search.

Mention Volunteer Experience During Your Interview

When you’re interviewing for a job, be sure to mention your volunteer experience. Rather than just listing it on your resume, describe it in more detail and explain how it has helped you develop skills relevant to the position you’re interviewing for. For example, if you volunteered with a nonprofit and helped organize fundraising events, you could describe how that experience developed your project management and event planning skills.

Make sure to tie your volunteer experience back to the job you’re interviewing for. This will show the interviewer that you understand the skills necessary for the position and that you are actively seeking ways to develop them.

Follow-Up and Mention Your Volunteer Experience

After the interview is over, be sure to follow-up with a thank you note. In this note, you can reiterate your interest in the position and briefly mention your volunteer experience again. This will help keep your volunteer work top-of-mind for the interviewer and show them that you are serious about incorporating it into your job search.

If you are not selected for the job, you can still keep the conversation going by mentioning your volunteer experience in your follow-up email. Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration, and reiterate your interest in the company. Mention that you would love to stay in touch and continue to learn about the organization’s efforts in the community. By doing so, you’ll maintain a positive relationship with the company and potentially open doors for future job opportunities.

Incorporating your volunteer experience into your job search can be a powerful way to demonstrate your skills and stand out from other candidates. By networking with fellow volunteers, mentioning your experience in your interview, and following up afterwards, you can make your volunteer work an integral part of your job search strategy.

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30 Examples: How To List Volunteer Work on a Resume

By Status.net Editorial Team on April 26, 2024 — 10 minutes to read

Volunteering is a great way to acquire new skills, network with professionals, and make a difference in your community. When it comes time to update your resume, incorporating your volunteer experiences may give you a competitive edge. The key is to present your volunteer experience in a manner that highlights the relevant skills you’ve gained and what you’ve accomplished.

Begin by examining the volunteer work you’ve done and identifying the skills that would be most applicable to the job you’re seeking. For example, if you volunteered at an animal shelter, you might have developed strong communication and teamwork skills while coordinating with other volunteers and shelter employees. Or, if you volunteered as a tutor, you could highlight your ability to effectively teach complex subjects and demonstrate expert problem-solving skills.

Identifying Your Volunteer Experiences

Start by making a list of all your volunteer activities, including the organization, your role and responsibilities, and the length of time you were involved. For example:

• Nonprofit Organization A – Volunteer Coordinator (6 months)
• Community Event B – Event Volunteer (one-time event)
• Local Animal Shelter C – Dog Walker (3 months)

As you review your list, consider the skills and knowledge you gained from each experience. This could be anything from project management to customer service or even special skills like event planning or social media promotion.

Next, prioritize your experiences by relevance for the job you’re applying for. This means considering which volunteer activities showcase the most important skills, expertise, and qualities that the employer is looking for. After you’ve identified the most relevant volunteer experiences, it’s time to think about how to present them on your resume. One effective approach is to include a dedicated volunteer work section, ideally located near your professional experience section. This allows you to highlight valuable skills and experiences while also demonstrating your commitment to giving back.

Where to Place Volunteer Work on Your Resume

Main experience section.

Consider placing volunteer work in your main experience section if it relates closely to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you have volunteered at an animal shelter and are applying for a position as a veterinarian assistant, it would be relevant to include this experience with your professional work history.

When listing volunteer work in the main experience section, it should be formatted similarly to your regular employment:

• Organization Name, City, State
• Your role/job title
• Duration (Month Year – Month Year)
• Key accomplishments or responsibilities (use bullet points to make these easier to read)

Separate Volunteer Section

If your volunteer work is not directly related to the job you’re applying for, or if you already have extensive relevant employment experience, it might be more appropriate to create a separate volunteer section on your resume. This section should come after your main experience section, but before the education and skills sections.

In the separate volunteer section, you can still emphasize how these experiences contributed to your personal and professional growth. List your volunteer experiences by following the same format as the main experience section.

Volunteer Work on a Resume: 30 Examples

1. Community Service Volunteer – Organized weekly community clean-up events, managing teams of 20+ volunteers – Coordinated with local businesses for resource contributions

2. Hospital Volunteer – Provided companionship and support to patients, improving their hospital experience – Assisted nurses with non-medical tasks to enhance patient care

3. Animal Shelter Volunteer – Cared for and socialized animals to prepare them for adoption – Implemented a new system for tracking animal vaccinations and health records

4. Youth Mentor – Mentored a group of 10 high school students, providing academic and personal guidance – Developed and facilitated workshops on college readiness and career exploration

5. Event Planning Volunteer – Played a key role in organizing annual charity gala, raising over $50,000 – Managed logistics, including venue selection, catering, and guest list coordination

6. Environmental Conservation Volunteer – Participated in reforestation projects, planting over 1,000 trees – Educated the public on sustainability practices through workshops and presentations

7. Disaster Relief Volunteer – Assisted in rebuilding efforts after local flooding, contributing over 200 hours of service – Distributed food and supplies to affected families

8. Volunteer Tutor – Provided weekly math tutoring to underprivileged students, resulting in a 25% average grade improvement – Created personalized lesson plans and practice exercises

9. Food Bank Volunteer – Organized food drives that collected over 3 tons of food for the local community – Streamlined the food sorting process, increasing efficiency by 30%

10. Special Olympics Volunteer – Coached a team of 15 athletes, leading them to win gold in regional competitions – Coordinated travel and accommodations for team events

11. Habitat for Humanity Volunteer – Contributed to the construction of 5 homes for low-income families – Led a team of volunteers in framing and drywall installation

12. Volunteer Fundraiser – Spearheaded a crowdfunding campaign that raised $10,000 for a local animal rescue – Developed marketing materials and social media strategies to promote the campaign

13. Library Volunteer – Managed book inventory and assisted patrons with locating resources – Organized weekly storytime sessions for children, fostering a love of reading

14. Crisis Hotline Volunteer – Provided empathetic support to individuals in crisis, contributing to a 20% increase in positive outcomes – Completed 60 hours of specialized training in crisis intervention techniques

15. ESL (English as a Second Language) Volunteer Teacher – Taught English to adult learners, helping 30+ students achieve conversational proficiency – Developed culturally sensitive teaching materials

16. Nonprofit Board Member – Served on the board of a local nonprofit focused on youth development – Participated in strategic planning and fundraising efforts

17. Volunteer Translator – Provided translation services for a community health center, improving access for non-English speakers – Translated over 200 pages of health education materials

18. Legal Aid Volunteer – Assisted in providing free legal services to low-income individuals – Conducted legal research and prepared case documents under attorney supervision

19. Volunteer Web Developer – Designed and maintained the website for a local charity, increasing online donations by 40% – Implemented SEO best practices to enhance the site’s visibility

20. Art Program Volunteer – Facilitated art workshops at a community center, inspiring creativity in 50+ participants – Curated a successful art exhibit showcasing local talent

21. Senior Center Volunteer – Organized social activities and outings for seniors, improving community engagement – Provided tech support, helping seniors connect with their families online

22. Volunteer Coach – Coached a youth soccer team, emphasizing teamwork and sportsmanship – Organized fundraising events to support team equipment and travel expenses

23. Public Health Volunteer – Supported public health campaigns by distributing educational materials and organizing community events – Conducted surveys to assess the impact of health initiatives

24. Music Therapy Volunteer – Performed weekly music sessions at a local hospital to enhance patient well-being – Collaborated with therapists to tailor sessions to individual patient needs

25. Museum Docent – Led educational tours, engaging visitors with the museum’s exhibits – Assisted in the development of new exhibit materials and interactive displays

26. International Volunteer – Taught English and basic computer skills in a rural community abroad – Assisted with the development of a local microfinance program

27. Volunteer Social Media Coordinator – Managed social media accounts for a nonprofit, growing the follower base by 500% – Created engaging content that increased audience interaction

28. Literacy Advocate Volunteer – Participated in reading programs at local schools, helping to improve literacy rates – Organized book donation drives to provide resources for underfunded libraries

29. Volunteer Research Assistant – Supported a university research project by collecting and analyzing data – Co-authored a paper on the project’s findings, which was published in a peer-reviewed journal

30. Homeless Shelter Volunteer – Assisted with daily operations at a shelter, providing meals and support to residents – Developed a job search workshop to help residents gain employment

How to Describe Your Volunteer Work

Use action verbs.

It’s important to use action verbs to describe your duties and accomplishments in your volunteer work. This helps create a strong impression on the reader and showcase your proactive nature.

Examples of strong action verbs:

• Collaborated
• Implemented
• Coordinated
• Facilitated

Quantify Your Impact

When describing your volunteer work, try to quantify your impact whenever possible. This helps provide more context and shows the impact of your contributions.

• Coordinated a team of 15 volunteers
• Raised $5,000 for a local charity
• Organized a charity event with over 200 attendees
• Contributed 120 hours of tutoring
• Assisted in the construction of three homes for low-income families
• Led a group of ten in weekly park cleanups
• Mentored 50 students in an after-school program
• Facilitated team-building exercises for 100 employees
• Developed and implemented a new training curriculum
• Served meals to over 500 people in need

Tailoring Your Volunteer Experience to the Job Description

Emphasize the relevant skills you gained during your volunteer experiences by relating them to the job you’re applying for. This helps demonstrate how your volunteer work has prepared you for the position.

• Improved interpersonal communication through tutoring sessions
• Developed leadership abilities as a team coordinator
• Strengthened problem-solving skills as a volunteer mediator
• Enhanced project management abilities by organizing events
• Acquired customer service experience through volunteer receptionist duties
• Gained public speaking skills through community outreach presentations
• Developed multitasking abilities in a busy office setting
• Improved teamwork skills through group collaborations
• Enhanced negotiation skills through sales fundraising efforts
• Strengthened event planning skills by leading committee meetings

Carefully read the job description and make note of the key requirements and skills the employer is looking for. You can then try to match these with your volunteer experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some ways to present volunteer work on my resume.

You can present volunteer work on your resume in a few different ways, depending on how closely it relates to your desired job and how much experience you have. For example,

• Create a separate Volunteer Work section: This approach is suitable if your volunteer experience is not directly related to your career goals but still demonstrates relevant skills and responsibilities.
• Include volunteer work within your Professional Experience section: If your volunteer experience aligns with your career goals or if you have minimal professional experience, present it alongside your paid positions.
• Highlight related volunteer work under your Skills section: If your volunteer experience helped you gain specific expertise, showcase those skills in your Skills section and mention the relevant volunteer work.

Can you provide a description for including volunteer experience in a resume?

When including volunteer experience in your resume, it’s important to provide details such as the organization’s name, your role or position, the dates you volunteered, and a brief description of your accomplishments and relevant responsibilities. For example:

Volunteer Work

• Provided tutoring in math and English to underprivileged high school students, resulting in improved grades of over 90% of participants.

How should a student with volunteer experience showcase it on their resume?

As a student with limited work experience, emphasizing your volunteer work can demonstrate your skills, initiative, and commitment to potential employers. You can:

• Include your volunteer work in a dedicated Volunteer Experience section, or even within your Work Experience section if it’s directly related to your career goals.
• Highlight key skills gained through your volunteer work in the Skills section, mentioning specific achievements where possible.
• If relevant, mention any leadership roles or significant responsibilities within your volunteer work.

In what manner can I detail my contributions in volunteer positions?

When detailing your contributions, focus on accomplishments and the impact you made through your volunteer work. To do this, use action verbs, quantify results, and emphasize outcomes. For example:

• Organized an annual charity event that raised over $10,000 for children’s educational resources, resulting in a 20% increase in funds compared to the previous year.

Is it beneficial to describe volunteer activities in a resume, and if so, how?

Yes, describing volunteer activities in a resume can be beneficial as it showcases your transferable skills, commitment to the community, and ability to collaborate. To describe your activities effectively:

• Focus on any tasks that demonstrate relevant skills for the position you are applying for.
• Be specific in describing your role, responsibilities, and accomplishments.
• If possible, quantify the impact of your activities, e.g., dollars raised, number of attendees, or percentage improvements.

Are there any specific words or phrases that effectively convey volunteer experiences?

To effectively convey your volunteer experiences, use action verbs and descriptive language that highlights your accomplishments and transferable skills. Examples:

These words can show potential employers that you were actively engaged in your volunteer work and achieved meaningful results.

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How to Include Volunteer Experience on a Resume [+Examples]

Including volunteering in your resume is always a great idea. But once you've decided to do it, you unavoidably arrive at the question: how to include volunteer experience on your resume exactly?

If you do it well, it can completely elevate your resume above others. If not, it can make your resume more difficult to navigate. 

Above all else, the volunteering section of your resume is one of the few places where you can demonstrate your character . 

It shows what you care about and what you find important. It can make you look proactive, invested in your community, and even selfless. 

In other words, the volunteering section of your resume can make you irresistible to employers. So how do you make it stand out?

This guide will help you with it.

 It will also answer these pressing questions:

What is the resume volunteer experience section?

• Why should you list your volunteer experience on your resume?
• Where should you put your volunteer experience section on a resume?
• How to write one if you’re a student or a fresh graduate?
• How to write one as an experienced professional?

How to include volunteer work experience on a resume (video guide)

The volunteer experience section is the place on your resume where you mention any kind of work you do voluntarily and for free.

Not only does your volunteering work benefit your community, it also has the potential to benefit your career . It’s an excellent way to showcase those skills, strengths and motivations that would otherwise not find their way onto your resume.

For instance, are you caring and enthusiastic? These are excellent personal strengths that you might find difficult to place on a resume.

Well, now you don’t have to just write about them in your cover letter, your volunteering experience will speak for itself.

However, in order to truly nail it, you also need to know  why,  how  and  where  to write about your volunteering. And that very much depends on where you are in your career.

Why should you list volunteer experience on your resume?

So why should you include volunteering experience on your resume? Isn't having a good degree and extensive work experience enough?

There are two main reasons why you should consider volunteering and placing it on your resume. 

It will impress recruiters

For some, volunteering is  as valuable as paid work . About 41% of hiring managers consider volunteer work as valuable as paid work when evaluating candidates (according to a  LinkedIn survey ). 

Moreover, about 20% of hiring managers in the U.S. hired a candidate based on their volunteer experience.

It speaks volumes about your character

In addition to skills particular to every position, volunteer experience always shows an employer that you’re willing to get involved in your community, take initiative, and make things happen. 

In other words, volunteering shows qualities that are highly sought after in every industry.

What other personal qualities do recruiters associate with volunteering?  

• Being a people person 
• Leadership skills
• A service mindset
• Ability to work within a team 
• Being passionate about a cause
• Inner drive and motivation 
• Dependability

Where should you put your volunteer experience on a resume?

As we've already mentioned, that heavily depends on where you're in your career. When it comes to the order of the resume sections, the rule of thumb is quite simple —  the most relevant things come first. 

So if you have plenty of work experience, volunteering can be placed toward the end of your resume. However, if most of your experience so far comes from volunteering, then feel free to list it at the beginning of your CV. 

• Are you a student or a fresh graduate?  In this case, you probably lack years of work experience. This means that you should treat your volunteer experience as regular work experience. Feel free to even include your volunteer work in your work experience section.
• Are you an experienced professional?  Then you should create a separate section dedicated exclusively to your volunteer work. But if you had a volunteer job that’s highly relevant to the job you’re applying for, consider mentioning it in your work experience section.

So, how to list it on your resume in both scenarios?

How to list volunteer experience if you’re a student or a fresh graduate?

Most recruiters see volunteer experience similarly to paid  work experience  anyway. Just because you didn’t get paid, it doesn’t mean you didn’t do a good job.

And since you don’t have extensive paid work experience to lean on, treat your volunteering just like a job that you got paid for doing. 

List your volunteering role/s as you would full-time paid jobs:

• Place it in the section towards the beginning of your resume , right beneath your  education section . 
• If you have more volunteering experiences,  list them in reverse-chronological order  (place the newest experience at the top). 
• Include details about each volunteering gig : place, organization, dates, relevant tasks you undertook, and skills you’ve learned. 

Pro tip:  Be specific rather than vague. Don’t only list your responsibilities, but also mention your accomplishments. Instead of writing  “Volunteered for a university magazine” , say  “Wrote 28 articles for a university magazine” . See the difference?

Below is a great example.

Student resume volunteering sample

Look at how the following student resume sample incorporates volunteering. Pay attention to how Gia, even though she was still a student, managed to fill her whole resume with valuable experiences. 

She correctly included internships in the work experience section. And as she had plenty of them, she wisely placed volunteering in a separate section for it to stand out.

The rest was easy — all she had to do is fill in the dates, location, name of the organization she volunteered for, and responsibilities she’s had. 

How to list volunteer experience if you’re a seasoned professional?

Volunteering is a great addition to your resume even if you’re a seasoned professional.

• This is true  especially if the volunteering experience is related to the job you’re applying for , it lasted for a while, or majorly shaped your personality or professional path in a major way. In this case, you may want to highlight the volunteering section or place it closer to the top of the resume. Alternatively, you can place the most prominent volunteering experience in the work section.
• On the other hand,  even if the volunteering experience wasn’t as extensive or didn’t relate to your career , it’s not a problem. In this case, you may want to consider placing it near the end of your resume. 

Either way, when describing volunteering, try to be specific and list your  key achievements  in the same way you do with your work experience. 

For instance, if you volunteer as a Blood Bank Officer, instead of writing  “Administration and control of the blood bank” , write  “Administered 7 blood drives with 350+ donors for the Red Cross and Armed Services Blood Programs.”

Alternatively, you can just briefly mention where you volunteer and what you do.

Take a look at the resume sample below to see how! 

Seasoned professional volunteering resume sample

Volunteer work: one more piece of resume advice

• Relate it to your skills.  If you gained or improved some skills through your volunteer work, include these in the description. Pay special attention to those skills that match the job description.
• Use action verbs.  Make your volunteer section even more powerful and appealing. This helps the hiring manager understand your skillset and see you as a dedicated member of the team.
• Stay positive.  Focus on how you’re helping the community rather than the negative aspects that you’d like to change.
• Use quantifiable achievements , if possible. It always makes you look more accomplished. 
• Use volunteering to fill in the gaps.  If you found yourself jobless for a while, volunteering during this period can easily cover the unwanted resume gap. 
• Be careful when writing about religious or political volunteering , you may be unfairly rejected if the recruiter isn't fond of your values.
• Put it in context. Explain the issues or challenges the community or organization you volunteered with was facing, and how your role contributed to addressing these. This gives potential employers a clearer picture of your problem-solving skills and adaptability.
• Don't underestimate soft skills. Volunteering often helps individuals develop interpersonal, communication or leadership skills. Highlight these soft skills as they are valued by employers and can set you apart.
• Personalize your experiences. Instead of simply listing your volunteer activities, share a brief story or specific instance where you made a significant impact. This humanizes your experiences and can make your resume more memorable.

Find out your resume score!

Do you have a LinkedIn profile filled with all the important details, including your academic background, skills, experience, and qualifications? You can easily  turn it into a polished resume with just one click.

Don’t include information that's too outdated. If you’re in your 30s and write about volunteering that you did during your high school years, the recruiter will know that you have no new experiences to lean on. In other words, keep your resume relevant and up to date. 

Fundraising, followed by teaching and serving food.

This topic requires some delicacy. In general, it's advised not to disclose information about your race, religion, or orientation on your resume in order to avoid being discriminated against.

This means it's better to think twice before openly disclosing your church activities. On the other hand, there's a chance that you're applying for a position that's affiliated with the church, or a position that requires volunteering experience. In that case, be the judge of the situation and include everything that you think could give you an advantage over other candidates.

It largely depends on the nature of the activity. If it was a meaningful, one-time event where you gained or demonstrated significant skills or made a notable impact, it might be worth including. However, a long-term commitment generally demonstrates dedication and sustained interest, which can impress employers.

If you have considerable volunteering experience, it's recommended to create a separate 'Volunteer Experience' section. This allows you to showcase your social responsibility, leadership, and other skills obtained from volunteering. If the volunteering experience is limited, it's acceptable to include it under 'work experience' or 'additional experience'.

Kaja Jurčišinová

Kaja Jurcisinova is a fresh graduate and a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

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How to Include Volunteer Experience on Your Resume

• Include Volunteering on Your Resume

Related Volunteer Work

Unrelated volunteer work, volunteer resume example.

• Are You Looking to Volunteer?

Is it acceptable to include volunteer work on your resume when you're applying for jobs? Adding volunteering to your resume can help you get hired—especially when you don't have a lot of paid work experience to include.

Volunteer work can be an excellent way to  showcase key skills  such as event planning, fundraising, or problem-solving and can be integrated with your other paid work experiences or listed separately.

How to Include Volunteering on Your Resume

Including volunteer work on your resume is an especially important tactic for any of these reasons:

• You're a student without much (or any) formal work experience.
• You are a recent college graduate with limited professional experience.
• You're considering a career change to a different occupation or industry.
• You have taken a significant amount of time away from the workplace to raise young children or to care for a sick family member.
• You have experienced a lengthy period of unemployment due to a depressed economy in your state or region.

The goal is to incorporate your volunteer experience into your resume to highlight the skills that help qualify you for a job. The way to accomplish this will depend, to some degree, on how related your volunteer experience is to your career target. 

Related volunteer work can be combined with related work experience under a category heading like "Related Experience." If the volunteer work demonstrates a critical skill area, then it could be placed within a category with a functional heading like "Fundraising Experience" or "Event Planning Experience." 

In either case, the volunteer experience should be  listed just like a job  with a title that captures the essence of your role and a description that highlights  skills applied  and any accomplishments.

As you list your accomplishments, it is also a good idea to quantify these contributions with tangible numbers (dollar amounts) or percentages.

Here's an example:

Example of a Related Experience Section

Fundraising Experience

Volunteer Fundraiser , The United Way, Montclair, NJ, Fall 2019 to Present

• Recruited, coordinated, and trained 14 volunteer fundraisers.
• Planned and promoted three successful fundraising events, including a silent auction, dinner, and concert, which generated over $80,000 in pledges.
• Increased contributions by 25% over the previous campaign. 

If the volunteer work is unrelated to your job goal, you can incorporate it under a separate category like "Community Service" or "Volunteer Work." Most organizations look favorably upon staff who contribute in a positive way to the surrounding community—not only does it reflect well on the company, but volunteering can also be an opportunity for staff to network with potential new clients for the organization.

Here's an example of how to include volunteer work on your resume when it isn't directly related to your career or industry: 

Example of a Volunteer Experience Section

Volunteer Experience

Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity, Birmingham, AL, Fall 2018 to Present

• Coordinated and led work parties that constructed 15 homes for low income families in need of housing.
• Conceptualized and successfully launched an initiative that collected contributions of gently used furniture and other household items to sell in the Habitat for Humanity store.
• Directed preparation of Labor Day parade float to increase community awareness of organization’s presence and contributions. 

Here's an example of a resume that includes both work and volunteer experience:

William Applicant 123 Main Street • New York, NY 10036 • (123) 456-7890 • william.applicant@email.com

WEBSITE MANAGEMENT

Building and maintaining websites that increase traffic and revenue Experienced web designer builds and maintains sites with professional and engaging content.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

TREMAINE AND MILLER COMMUNICATIONS, Sarasota, FL WEB EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE (January 2020—Present) Skillfully facilitate design and maintenance of company’s website.

Notable accomplishments:

• Within 12 months of hiring, increased daily website visits by 50%.
• Sourced third-party provider of images that lowered costs by 15%.

DOLAN ASSOCIATES, Sarasota, FL WEB ASSISTANT (June 2018—January 2020) Brought on board to optimize organization’s web presence and independently handled all website maintenance tasks, including content editing, photo editing, and publishing.

• Consistently completed web page development projects within challenging production deadlines.
• Incorporated Ad Sense program to website that triggered a 30% increase in site revenue.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

SARASOTA ROWING ASSOCIATION (January 2017—Present) Leverage professional expertise to design and maintain organization’s first-ever website.

RESCUE OUR STRAYS (July 2017—Present) Ensure quality creation and timely distribution of newsletter and email communications with staff, volunteers, and applicants; oversee and manage website.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA , Gainesville, FL Bachelor of Arts in English literature, 2018

Are You Looking to Volunteer? 

Not only is volunteering good for your community, but it also has the potential to  benefit your career . A volunteer position can be a networking opportunity, help you sharpen your skills, and serve as a low-risk way to explore a new industry.

• How to List Volunteer Experience on Resume (with examples)

The purpose of writing a resume is to show potential recruiters that you are the most suitable candidate for a particular job. Professional experience, skills, education details, and work-related achievements are some of the things you can include in your CV to make it stand out in a pile. 

While not many job seekers know this, another section you might consider including to make your application stand out is the volunteer one. With that said, you might now be wondering, “Well, but does volunteering count as work experience?” The answer is, “it does.” Especially if the experience you gained is relevant to the job you are applying to. 

However, you will increase your chances of sending a successful application only if you understand where to put volunteer work on a resume. So, take the time to learn about all that right below. 

When to Put Volunteering in Resume Experience Section

You must include your volunteer information under the Work Experience section if the following three conditions are met: 

• Your volunteer experience is relevant to the position that you’re applying
• You lack work experience
• You have employment gaps

Volunteer Resume Samples with Related Experience

If you applying for a nursing position and you have minimal paid experience, here’s how you can put your volunteer experience on resume:

Nursing Experience

Better Health Center, Baltimore, MD

• Held a volunteer nursing role at Better Health Center. Provided nursing care, health evaluations, health guidance, health education, and referral services to patients and institutions. 
• Administered prescribed drugs and emergency services to patients.
• Assessed and monitored the physical and mental states of patients. 
• Tracked the progress of care plans.
• Conducted home visits and rendered preventive solutions. 

Penning your volunteer section like so shows that you really have relevant nursing experience. As such, you can be sure that you will impress the hiring executive. 

No matter what, never write this section as below. It is wrong.

Additional Activities

• Volunteered at Better Health Center, Baltimore, MD.
• Penned nursing blog articles regularly.
• Member of a mountain climbing charity group.

So, what is the problem here? You are diluting your relevant experience by putting it together with entirely unrelated activities. As you might already have picked up, the trick here is to mention the specific experience that relates to what you want to apply for.

Note, when putting volunteer work on resume as work experience, always name it correctly. For example, in the above sample, it is “nursing experience” and not “additional activities.” Likewise, if you are applying for a manager’s position, write “managing experience.” 

When to Put Volunteering in Resume Special Section

You must write your volunteer information under a Volunteering section when it is not related to the position you are applying for. In another case – you do so when you have many paid and related work-related experiences.

Volunteer Resume Samples with Unrelated Experience

If you are applying for a receptionist job and your volunteer experience has no relation to it, here is the right way to do it.

Volunteer Experience

• Did fundraising for the protection of dolphins;
• Participated in a community service week;
• Supported team-mates and assisted in various activities.

All told, volunteering shows that you give back to the community. You can convert this noble course into something that helps with your career development by incorporating other useful strategies for improving your job-seeking efforts. One among them is  organizing your job search from scratch . 

How to Put Volunteer Work on Resume to Wow the Recruiter

The point of tweaking your resume in different ways is to please the hiring executive. When it comes to volunteering activities, writing more detailed bullet points can go a long way in impressing a recruiter. Take a look at these two volunteer resume samples.

The wrong way:

• An administrative assistant at St. James Parish.
• Volunteer at Rescue Earth.
• A frequent volunteer at Red Cross.

The proper way:

• Volunteer administrative assistant at St. James Parish. Supervised four $30,000 building projects, always achieving an 8% budget saving. 
• As a volunteer at Rescue Earth, was in charge of 15 workers to enforce a zero-plastic initiative. 
• Launched three IT solutions as a volunteer at Red Cross.

In addition to learning how to write the volunteer section correctly, you have to learn about the  things you should never put on your resume . Failure to do this can water down your overall efforts of coming up with that perfect application.  

Useful Tips for Listing Volunteer Work on a Resume

Here are some useful things to do when writing your volunteer section.

• Tailor your application

Always ensure that your volunteer skills and qualifications match the role you are applying for by examining the vacancy announcement thoroughly. Moreover, you can gather some information on the organization you want to work in to find out the qualities required for the employees. 

• Include keywords from the vacancy description

Identify essential keywords from the position’s description. Then, ponder on your volunteer work to see how you can phrase the skills you have gained from it using the keywords that are present in the description. 

We all tend to be mistaken; thus, do not forget to proofread or find someone to help you out.

When Not to Include Volunteer Work on Resume

According to LinkedIn research, 41% of recruiters prefer to hire people with volunteering experience on resume.

So never leave your volunteer information off of your resume completely. Even if it’s not related to your job, it’ll be wise to include your pro bono work under the Additional Activities section, especially if you have lots of impressive accomplishments you to add to your resume.

Check out the following example to see how to include unrelated volunteer experience on resume:

• Coordinated fundraisers for various non-profit organizations.
• Volunteered as a celebrity’s giving back team. 
• Supervised a project for feeding the homeless.

That said, note that apart from showing that you are involved in your community,  volunteering comes with tons of benefits . Best of all, it showcases some of the  soft skills  that recruiters look out for in applicants such as leadership, teamwork, compassion, and so forth. 

In conclusion, adding volunteer work to resume is sure to make your application stand out among others. However, before you go on with providing this information, take time to evaluate how your volunteering activities show the skills that the hiring company has communicated in the vacancy announcement.

Is there any other concern regarding how to include volunteering gigs in your CV? Feel free to drop in your queries or comments below. 

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Chronological resume: How and why to write one

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4 types of resumes

What is a chronological resume, pros and cons of chronological resumes, elements of a chronological resume, how to write a chronological resume: 6 tips, chronological resume example, show your true value.

In a sea of competitive candidates, a compelling resume can be one of many tools that sets you apart. 

A great resume matches the needs of the position while explaining who you are, and that balance can be hard to find. A job requiring specialized skills needs a resume that highlights them, and one with extensive education or certification prerequisites should put those at the forefront. And while you meet those needs, you have to explain your recent experience and what makes you unique.

Most recruiters and hiring managers want to see your most recent and relevant experience at the top of your application. If you want to learn how to make a job resume that puts recent experience first, the chronological resume is your best bet. It outlines your accomplishments and work history in a clear, logical order, placing your most recent achievements front and center.

While there are hundreds of chronological resume templates out there, it’s important to create one that matches your unique experience and career path . Here’s how to write a well-structured resume that gives potential employers a snapshot of your growth and tells them why you’re right for the job.

An eye-tracking study showed that recruiters spend an average of just seven seconds looking at a resume . In such a short span, your resume has to not only stand out but quickly communicate your suitability for the job. And the type of resume you choose can make all the difference. 

Depending on your work experience, career path, and the job you're applying for, one of these different resume formats can best showcase your qualifications:

• Chronological resume: This type lists work history at the top, from most recent to earliest. It’s best for those with steady employment and who work in a consistent industry or field. It can also explain how you’ve grown over the years, showing title changes and promotions.
• Functional resume: This one centers your skills, making it ideal for career changers and those with career gaps . It’s also a good choice if you aren’t sure how far back your resume should go and would rather highlight your skills instead.
• Combination resume: A mix of chronological and functional formats, this resume type is great for professionals with transferable skills and experience. It might start with a summary, then skills, then a reverse chronological work history.
• Targeted resume: If you’re applying for a specific job, this tailored approach ensures you include all the keywords and action verbs you need to match yourself to the description. It customizes every section to align with the job's demands and get through applicant tracking systems.

A chronological resume presents your work experience and history in sequential order, usually from most to least recent. It's the go-to for many job seekers because it clearly displays career progression. Employers can quickly spot your job title, years of experience, and the path you’ve taken. 

The reverse chronological resume is the most common iteration, but you could also work in chronological order, with older experiences at the top and newer ones at the bottom. Although this is an option, it’s not a good idea, especially if you’ve been working for a long time. It could prevent hiring managers and recruiters from seeing your latest achievements — the ones that best reflect your current abilities — first. If you really don’t want to do a reverse chronological resume, sorting positions by relevance is the next best thing.

Understanding the dos and don’ts of the chronological resume will help you write one that accurately showcases what you have to offer. But like every resume type, it has its highs and lows . 

Here are the pros of this format that might help you decide whether it’s the right structure for you:

• Clear and concise: One of the most significant advantages of the chronological resume format is its organized structure. By listing your work history in a clear order, hiring managers get a straightforward view of your career path.
• Easy to navigate: Many recruiters prefer this style because it's easy to trace an applicant's job history, years of experience, and career progression. They’re likely reading many resumes at a time, so you want to make yours as easy to navigate as possible.
• Demonstrates career stability: If you’ve steadily climbed the ladder in a particular field, this resume can spotlight your dedication. It highlights your stable work history and the upward trajectory of your career, painting you as a reliable and committed professional.

While the chronological resume format has its strong points, it’s not a one-size-fits-all. Here are some of the reasons why another type might be best for you:

• Spotlight on the gaps: If you’ve taken extended breaks between jobs, this format might draw unwanted attention to those employment gaps. While there are ways to navigate this — like mentioning any relevant activities during the hiatus — it’s something to consider.
• Not for recent graduates: If you’re just out of school and have little to no work experience, this format might make your resume look a tad barren. Other formats, like the functional resume , might serve you better, focusing on skills instead.
• Doesn’t suit career changers: When pivoting to a new industry or role, your previous experiences might not be relevant to the jobs you’re applying for. Instead, consider the combination resume, which melds the best of chronological and functional formats to emphasize your transferable skills.

Presenting your qualifications in a coherent and easily digestible format captures recruiters’ attention and tells them what they need to know quickly. Here are the basic elements of this resume type:

Your resume's header isn’t just a placeholder — it's your introduction. Include your name, contact information, and if relevant, a summary of your key experience and skills. Ensure this section is up-to-date and error-free so potential employers don’t end up dialing the wrong number.

Work experience section

If you’re writing a chronological resume, it’s likely because your work experience is the most important part of your background, so pay extra attention to this section. Do some self-reflection and think about which of your roles are most relevant to the role. Then, think about the skills you used in each one that also connect to the role you’re applying for. This ensures every word you write has value for the reader.

When detailing your work history, action verbs can add dynamism to your descriptions, painting a vivid picture of your professional journey. It’s also a good idea to include any metrics or key projects that exemplify your performance. 

Skills section

Below your work experience, dive deeper into some of your skills. Choose ones that relate directly to the job you’re applying for as well as some general options that demonstrate your office skills . In the digital age, proficiency in tools like Excel, Google Workspace, or other in-demand competencies is a must — especially if you’re applying for a remote position . List them and provide some context if necessary. 

Remember that no job is exclusively about your technical prowess. Soft skills , like communication and teamwork , are equally vital. These showcase your ability to collaborate and adapt in a professional setting, so list a few of your best as well.

Education section

On a chronological resume, education should go at the bottom. If you recently completed a degree that relates to your prospective job, you can put it at the top, but your work experience is usually more important. 

Your education section should be short and to the point so you have more page space for your experience section above. If relevant, mention key coursework, and if you're a recent graduate, including your GPA can be a plus.

Certifications

If you've taken the initiative to earn additional certifications, include them in their own section. Whether it's a certification in project management or coding AI, these can provide an edge in your job search and show recruiters you’re committed to professional development .

Volunteer experience

Listing volunteer experience on your resume isn’t necessary, but if you have the space, it can showcase your commitment to causes and highlight transferable skills. Whether you've managed events or spearheaded fundraising drives, it’s another facet of who you are as a potential employee. Include it if you’re reentering the workforce or passionate about your extracurriculars.

A standout chronological resume is your ticket to catching a recruiter's attention. But it’s about more than just listing your work experience. You have to organize it in an eye-catching yet professional way, make sure it’s free of errors, and emphasize the skills and experiences that make you a qualified candidate — not just for the general role, but for the specific position and company culture .

Here are some tips to help you write the best chronological resume possible:

• Think about whether it’s right for you: A chronological resume is great if you have lots of experience in the same field that you want to highlight. But if you have career gaps or a varied list of past jobs, it might not be the best format for you. This is the time to reflect on your history and decide what recruiters and hiring managers will want to see.
• Decide which jobs to include: Unless you’re still in the early stages of your career, including every single previous position will clutter your resume. Choose only the ones that relate best to the job you’re applying for. 
• Tailor each entry to the job description: When applying to many jobs at once, it’s easy to use the same resume for each. But you might be missing out on opportunities to tailor your experience to the position. Read through job descriptions carefully and look for important keywords that come up often. Then, adjust your resume to fit them. If the posting says they’re looking for a team player , try including words like “ collaboration ,” “teamwork,” and “ active listening .”
• Pay attention to detail: Consistency in your resume’s presentation is a testament to your professionalism . Using a template is a good option if you don’t want to fuss with formatting your own sections. And proofread many times before you submit, getting a friend or close colleague to pay attention to detail for you to make sure it’s error-free.
• Quantify your results: Clear action verbs are useful when it comes to explaining exactly what your roles and responsibilities were for previous positions. And metrics can drive those points home. If you have data on how your performance at work impacted your team or even the company as a whole, include it here. “Boosted sales by 25%” is much more impactful than “Helped with sales.”
• Attach other documents: A survey from Glassdoor found that over half of professionals think a cover letter is redundant . But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t write one, especially for positions where you want to show off your written communication skills . Your job application is about much more than just your resume, and a cover letter is the perfect opportunity to further explain your fit for the role. And don’t forget to include a portfolio or letter of recommendation if the job posting asks for it.

If you’re unsure what this type of resume might look like in practice, looking at examples can help. You could also use a resume builder to streamline the process.

Remember to add other relevant information, like important career accomplishments, office skills you’d need for the job you’re applying for, or past projects. Here’s what a chronological resume format might look like for a project manager:

Project Manager

New York City

Work Experience 

Project Manager — XYZ Tech Solutions, New York City

March 2023–current

• Led multiple projects, confirming they were completed on time and within budget
• Managed a team of 20+, ensuring effective collaboration and meeting project goals
• Monitored project risks, ensuring timely mitigation and response

Assistant Project Manager — ABC Corp., New York City

September 2021–March 2023

• Assisted in the coordination of project tasks, ensuring timely delivery
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams for optimal results
• Handled budget allocations for specific project phases

Project Intern — ABC Corp., New York City

May 2021–September 2021

• Shadowed an experienced senior project manager 
• Organized files, took meeting notes, and tracked schedules across the team 
• Communicated with staff to ensure timely task completion

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science — 123 University

• September 2017–May 2021
• Graduated summa cum laude

Notable Skills

• Team leadership
• Budget management
• Risk mitigation
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Stakeholder communication

The chronological resume format, when done right, is a powerful tool to showcase your experience and make a lasting impression. Whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, invest the time to craft your story and make your resume stand out . 

Remember, every detail counts. Your resume guides potential employers to recognize your unique value, so let it be the beacon that shines brightest.

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Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

Resume best practices: how far back should a resume go?

Best work accomplishments to list on your resume (with examples), the 16 best resume builders for every situation, how to create a video resume to land your dream job, functional resume: what is it & how to write one (with examples), how to put babysitting on a resume: 6 skills to highlight, resume dos and don’ts: 29 tips for writing your best resume, unique skills for resumes to attract attention, 17 best skills to put on your resume to stand out, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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10 tips to write an impressive resume

I n the highly competitive job market, a captivating resume serves as your golden ticket to leave a lasting impact on potential employers. With the evolution of more sophisticated hiring processes, it's imperative to transcend the fundamentals and compose a resume that distinguishes you from the masses. Here are 10 expert suggestions to guide you in creating an impressive resume that effectively showcases your skills and experiences:

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Customize your resume for each job

Tailoring your resume is paramount. Scrutinize the job description and align your resume with the specific prerequisites of each position you pursue. Spotlight the skills and experiences most pertinent to the job, underscoring your suitability for the role.

Commence with a robust summary or objective

Initiate your resume with a succinct and impactful summary or objective statement. This segment should offer a snapshot of your professional background, accentuating your key strengths and career objectives.

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Opt for a clean and professional format

Ensure your resume is visually appealing and easily digestible. Adopt a clean and professional format featuring consistent fonts and bullet points. Contemplate utilizing a contemporary template to impart a polished appearance to your resume.

Highlight achievements, not just responsibilities

Rather than merely cataloguing job duties, concentrate on quantifiable achievements. Illuminate specific accomplishments, employing metrics when feasible, to demonstrate your impact in prior roles.

Prioritize relevant experience

Position the most pertinent work experience prominently in your resume. Tailor the details of each job entry to underscore how your previous roles have equipped you for the specific position you are seeking.

Spotlight key skills

Devote a dedicated section to list both hard and soft skills relevant to the job. Integrate keywords from the job description to ensure your resume successfully navigates applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Integrate professional development and certifications

Manifest your commitment to continuous improvement by incorporating relevant professional development courses, certifications, or workshops. This signifies your dedication to staying abreast of developments in your field.

Quantify your achievements

Numbers carry weight. Whenever feasible, quantify your achievements to furnish tangible evidence of your impact. Whether it involves increasing sales, reducing costs, or enhancing efficiency, numerical figures bolster credibility.

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Showcase volunteer work and extracurricular activities

Infuse pertinent volunteer work and extracurricular activities to underscore your commitment to community involvement and your adeptness at managing diverse responsibilities.

Proofread and edited rigorously

A polished resume reflects your meticulous attention to detail. Scrutinize your document meticulously to catch any grammatical errors or typos. Enlist the input of peers or mentors for additional perspectives on refining your resume.

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