How would you handle including volunteer work in your resume to demonstrate diverse skills and interests?

1 Relevance First

When you're including volunteer work on your resume, relevance should be your guiding principle. Analyze the job description you're applying for and identify the skills and experiences that align with the role. For example, if the job requires strong organizational skills and you've coordinated charity events, that's relevant. Tailor your volunteer work descriptions to reflect how these experiences have equipped you with the skills the employer is seeking. This not only shows that you have these skills but also that you're capable of applying them in various contexts.

2 Positioning Matters

The placement of your volunteer work on your resume can greatly impact its effectiveness. If your volunteer experiences are directly relevant to the job you're applying for, consider placing them in a prominent position, such as right after your professional experience. However, if the volunteer work is less relevant or you have extensive professional experience, it can be included in a separate section towards the end of your resume. This ensures that your most applicable qualifications are seen first but still allows you to showcase your well-roundedness and character.

3 Detailing Impact

When detailing your volunteer experiences, focus on the impact you made and the skills you developed. Use action verbs to describe your responsibilities and achievements. For instance, rather than saying "Volunteered at a local food bank," specify your role and accomplishments: "Coordinated a team of 10 volunteers in distributing food to 200 families weekly, improving the food bank's efficiency by 20%." This gives potential employers a clear picture of your capabilities and the value you could bring to their organization.

4 Skills Highlight

Volunteer work is a goldmine for demonstrating soft skills that are highly valued by employers, such as teamwork, leadership, and communication. When describing your volunteer experiences, highlight these skills explicitly. For instance, if you led a fundraising campaign, discuss how you motivated the team and communicated with stakeholders. This not only illustrates your leadership abilities but also shows that you can collaborate and communicate effectively, which are transferable skills in any job.

5 Diverse Interests

Including volunteer work in your resume also provides an opportunity to show off your diverse interests and personal values. It can make you stand out as a candidate who has more to offer than just job-specific skills. For example, volunteering for environmental clean-ups can reflect a commitment to sustainability, which may resonate with companies valuing corporate social responsibility. This can be particularly compelling if such values align with the company's culture or mission.

6 Tailoring Tips

Lastly, remember to tailor your volunteer experience just as you would with professional experience. Use keywords from the job description to make your volunteer work more relevant. If you're applying for a role in education and have volunteered as a tutor, make sure to use terms like "curriculum development" or "educational outcomes" if applicable. This helps to pass automated resume screenings and shows employers that you understand and can contribute to their specific needs.