In today’s competitive job market, employers are increasingly valuing more than just professional experience — they want to see who you are as a person. That’s where volunteer work comes in. Whether you’re a student, career changer, or someone returning to the workforce, showcasing your volunteer experience can highlight leadership, empathy, initiative, and a commitment to your community — all traits employers love.
This article offers a detailed resume with volunteer work sample and explains exactly how to present it in a way that adds value, even if you lack extensive paid job experience. Whether you volunteered at a local nonprofit, organized events, or offered pro bono services, we’ll show you how to turn that into a compelling resume that grabs attention.
Resume with Volunteer Work Sample
AMY TAYLOR
123 Maple Lane, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Email: amy.taylor@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amytaylor-profile
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Motivated and service-driven professional with strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Proven ability to lead community initiatives, support diverse groups, and contribute to meaningful causes. Seeking to leverage volunteer and project coordination experience in a full-time administrative or non-profit support role.
CORE SKILLS
Community Outreach
Event Planning & Coordination
Administrative Support
Team Leadership
Fundraising Campaigns
Written & Verbal Communication
Social Media Promotion
Time Management
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Community Events Coordinator
Helping Hands Nonprofit | Boston, MA
Jan 2022 – Present
Coordinated and promoted monthly food drives, increasing donations by 35% over 12 months.
Recruited and trained 20+ volunteers for event execution and donor outreach.
Designed social media flyers and newsletters to boost engagement and participation.
Managed logistics, permits, and vendor communication for community fairs.
Administrative Assistant (Volunteer)
Women’s Resource Center | Boston, MA
Aug 2021 – Dec 2021
Supported daily office operations including scheduling, document filing, and data entry.
Helped streamline client intake forms, reducing wait time by 15%.
Answered phones, managed the front desk, and assisted visitors with inquiries.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
Graduated: May 2021
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Retail Associate
CityMart | Boston, MA
Jun 2019 – Jul 2021
Provided customer service and maintained merchandise displays in a high-traffic retail environment.
Trained 3 new hires on store procedures and point-of-sale systems.
CERTIFICATIONS
Event Planning & Fundraising Strategies – Coursera
Google Workspace for Administrative Professionals – Google
Resume Writing Tips for Including Volunteer Work
Tailor the experience to the job you're applying for. Emphasize transferable skills like project management, communication, or public outreach.
Place volunteer work in the same format as professional experience. Treat it with the same level of importance — responsibilities, achievements, and timelines matter.
Include it especially if you lack traditional work history. Students, stay-at-home parents, and career changers can greatly benefit from highlighting unpaid but relevant roles.
Quantify your impact when possible. Even as a volunteer, showing real results (like money raised, people helped, events organized) makes your contributions tangible.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I include volunteer work on my resume even if I have professional experience?
Absolutely. If it’s relevant to the job or demonstrates valuable skills, including it can strengthen your resume by showing initiative and a well-rounded background.
2. Where should I list volunteer experience on my resume?
You can include it in the main experience section or under a separate “Volunteer Experience” header, depending on how closely it aligns with the job you're targeting.
3. Can volunteer work count as work experience?
Yes — especially if you held responsibilities similar to paid roles. Many hiring managers value the experience and impact regardless of whether it was paid.
4. How do I describe volunteer work effectively?
Use bullet points to detail your responsibilities and outcomes. Treat it professionally: mention skills used, tasks completed, and results achieved.
Use your volunteer journey to tell a story of growth, dedication, and community engagement. Done right, it can be the deciding factor that helps your resume stand out from the crowd.
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