How to Write a Strong Resume with Volunteer Work Experience
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When you don’t have much paid work experience, or you're switching industries, volunteer work can become one of your most powerful resume tools. Whether you’ve helped out at a local nonprofit, organized a community event, or supported a school program, these experiences speak volumes about your skills, character, and drive.
Many job seekers overlook how impactful volunteer experience can be on a resume. But recruiters value initiative, responsibility, and real-world application of soft and hard skills—and that’s exactly what good volunteer work demonstrates. In this guide, you’ll see a complete volunteer work resume sample and learn how to write one that resonates with hiring managers.
Complete Volunteer Work Resume Sample
Name: Jordan Taylor
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Email: jordan.taylor@email.com
Location: Chicago, IL
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jordantaylor
Professional Summary
Dedicated and community-driven individual with 3+ years of hands-on volunteer experience supporting local nonprofit and youth development programs. Proven skills in event coordination, public speaking, team collaboration, and administrative support. Eager to leverage volunteer experience to secure a full-time role in program coordination or community outreach.
Core Skills
Event Planning & Coordination
Community Outreach
Youth Mentoring
Team Leadership
Administrative Support
Fundraising & Donations
Social Media Management
Microsoft Office Suite
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer Program Coordinator
Hope for Youth Foundation – Chicago, IL
March 2022 – Present
Planned and executed monthly mentorship events for underserved teens, averaging 40+ attendees
Recruited and trained 15+ new volunteers, increasing program reach by 30%
Developed and distributed promotional content via social media and email newsletters
Collaborated with local schools to coordinate student participation and feedback
Administrative Volunteer
Second Chances Animal Shelter – Chicago, IL
January 2021 – February 2022
Managed appointment scheduling and intake paperwork for new animal arrivals
Answered phone and email inquiries, assisting with pet adoption process
Assisted with organizing adoption events and coordinating volunteer schedules
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
University of Illinois at Chicago, IL
Graduated: May 2020
Certifications
CPR/First Aid Certified
Nonprofit Management Fundamentals – Coursera (2023)
Resume Writing Tips for Showcasing Volunteer Work
Treat Volunteer Work Like Real Experience:
List your volunteer roles just like paid jobs—include your title, organization, dates, and bullet points describing what you accomplished.
Focus on Transferable Skills:
Skills like leadership, communication, event planning, and problem-solving are valued across industries. Make sure these are clearly visible.
Quantify Your Impact:
Whenever possible, add numbers—like how many people you served or how much money you helped raise.
Use the Right Resume Format:
If your volunteer experience is stronger than your work history, use a functional or hybrid format to highlight your strengths upfront.
Tailor It to the Job:
Align your volunteer tasks with the requirements of the job you’re applying for. Use similar language to reflect the employer’s values and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include volunteer work on my resume if I have paid experience?
Yes, especially if it’s relevant to the role or highlights soft skills. Volunteer work shows commitment and a well-rounded background.
Where should volunteer work go on a resume?
If it's highly relevant, include it under your Experience section. Otherwise, list it under a separate Volunteer Experience heading.
Can I use a volunteer title that better reflects my responsibilities?
Yes, just be honest and transparent. For example, if you led projects, “Volunteer Project Manager” is appropriate as long as it reflects your role accurately.
Does volunteer work count as professional experience?
Absolutely. Hiring managers value unpaid experience if it demonstrates applicable skills, leadership, or career-related contributions.
This guide on volunteer work resume samples aims to help you turn your unpaid experience into a professional asset. With the right approach, your time as a volunteer can open doors to full-time career opportunities.
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