21 Volunteer Resume Examples

Do you want to gain volunteer experience or contribute to a cause you truly believe in? If recruiters are not calling back, don’t get discouraged.

Some volunteer positions require specific qualifications and a stronger approach to presenting your background. This guide will help you build a standout volunteer resume that highlights your best qualities and gets attention.

Follow this ultimate 2022 volunteer resume guide to move closer to your goals.

What you’ll learn here

• How to list volunteer work on your resume
• Where to place relevant volunteer work for the best effect
• How to describe volunteer experience with bullet points and show you are a strong fit for the role
• How to choose between a resume summary and an objective
• What other sections belong on a volunteer resume and how to build them

How to write a volunteer resume

A volunteer resume should show what you are willing to give: time, energy, and knowledge.

You may want to volunteer to add experience to your resume for college applications or other opportunities, and that is perfectly fine. Still, your resume should take a human-centered approach and show recruiters that you can help people move closer to their goals and contribute to a cause that makes the world better.

To do that, tailor every resume section to the volunteer role. Show how you can apply what you have learned through college or professional experience. Focus on strengths such as empathy and communication that directly benefit others, explain how you will support the cause you chose, and make it clear that you are self-motivated.

Below are the volunteer resume formats that can help you stand out.

Volunteer resume formats

You can use one of these three resume formats:

• Reverse-chronological resume
• Functional resume
• Hybrid resume

Your choice should depend on two main factors:

• Years of experience
• Industry experience

1. Reverse-chronological resumes are a good choice for candidates with a couple of years of experience in the niche.
2. Functional resumes are suitable for professionals changing careers or for job seekers. However, this format is not widely popular among recruiters.
3. Hybrid resumes combine the best of both worlds and work well for all types of professionals, from beginners to seniors.

Also pay attention to your style and layout. Here are some resume tips:

• Use a 12p resume font size.
• Use 10’ resume margins.
• If you have under 10 years of experience, use a one-page resume; otherwise, use a two-page resume.
• Check your grammar and spelling.
• Prefer the PDF format.

If you want to improve your chances of getting an interview call, add References and Languages.

Be mindful of regional differences in resume formats. For example, a Canadian layout might vary.

Build an attention-grabbing header

It’s unbelievable how many people get their resume header wrong. Many rush past this “no-brainer” section and focus only on the body content.

However, if you do not clearly present your personal details and contact information, you might miss an opportunity. To make a positive impression on recruiters, include the following in your header:

• Use the same name across all your social platforms. If your resume says Jonathan, avoid using “Johnny” on your LinkedIn profile.
• Always include your job title, and add relevant volunteer positions when they support the role you are applying for.
• List the phone number you use most often.
• Use a professional email address, preferably one that includes your first and last or middle name.
• Add your web portfolio address or LinkedIn profile to provide evidence of your previous volunteer experience.
• Include your accurate location. Do not lie about your address, as this can only cause trouble.

Below are two examples, one wrong and one right. Analyze them carefully and build an attention-grabbing header.

2 volunteer resume header examples

Coherent summary section & secret formula

It is scientifically proven that people tend to remember the first and last sentence of a discussion, monologue, or text. That is why the Summary section deserves special attention.

Your introduction should convey confidence, self-motivation, and empathy. Use it to describe your skills and experience, and show how they will help you contribute to your cause.

When writing your volunteer summary section, you can follow this simple but effective formula:

• Mention your years of experience and field, supported by favorable adjectives
• Use quantitative data to describe your duties and responsibilities
• Add skills you excel in, tailored to the job description
• Include achievements, awards, or similar recognition from authoritative institutions and people
• Finish with a sentence explaining what you are looking for

If you follow these steps, you can expect a return call from recruiters soon. Take notes and be careful when writing yours.

2 volunteer resume summary examples

The following sample is not terrible, but it is far from impressive.

It includes no quantitative data and nothing specific.

This approach could cost you the interview, so avoid:

• Mediocre sentences, such as those starting with “I”
• Vague, general statements without proven facts
• Skills or duties that are irrelevant to the job offer

The volunteer summary above is excellent. Keep it simple rather than trying to sound extravagant, and follow the steps we provided. You may be surprised by how effective simplicity can be.

Objective that is straight to the point

Here is the difference between a volunteer summary and an objective:

In the summary section, you can include achievements, education, skills, and an explanation of why you are the right candidate.

An objective, on the other hand, is more direct. It is a brief statement that communicates your career goals, including the job you want and the skills you hope to acquire.

It is also preferable to support your experience with facts and quantitative data.

Here is a coherent example of an objective that speaks volumes:

Volunteer experience focusing on action & contribution

Treat your volunteer experience just like a job. Avoid irrelevant details that add no value, and write bullet points that show determination and self-motivation. This helps prove to recruiters that you are on the right track.

To present your contribution effectively:

• Describe your duties with proven facts, action verbs, and numbers.
• Highlight activities and projects you personally led or organized.
• Mention the soft and hard skills you gained and how you used them.
• Use strong performance metrics, and include references or recognitions when relevant.

Following these four points will help you describe your volunteer work efficiently. Tailor every bullet point to the job description, since recruiters look for relevant expertise that can improve project outcomes.

If you need ideas, ask yourself:

• What were my responsibilities?
• How did I excel in them?
• How did I cope with stress in a dynamic environment?
• How did communication and empathy help me build trust?
• Was I recognized for my contributions?
• Did I receive positive feedback, and from whom?

Use these answers to show recruiters impressive volunteer resume experience.

Volunteer resume experience examples

One word, 8 symbols: MEDIOCRE.

Unfortunately, this applicant has no idea how to list and describe their previous experience.

Luckily, you found our volunteer guide and learned how to do it properly.

Take notes from the well-built Experience section below.

Must-have volunteer skills & strengths for a resume

The idea behind this quote should be your guiding principle.

Yes, you should balance your soft and hard skills and tailor them to the job description.

However, if your abilities do not provide value, they are useless.

Remember that volunteering is ultimately about the people you help, so offer skills that meet that essential standard.

The Strengths section is a great opportunity to stand out from the competition.

Use it to list your talents or the skills you excel at, then support them with examples or quantitative data.

Most importantly, focus on strengths that match the job description and highlight positive personality traits.

Education section in a volunteer resume

If you are a skilled professional with deep expertise, there is no need to add bullet points in the Education section.

However, if you are a freshman or a young candidate with little to no experience, you need to stand out by showing how your school or college prepares you to apply your skills in real-life situations.

Here are 4 vital steps to follow when describing your education:

• Write down what skills you acquired and how you applied them in your experience.
• Mention high-performance metrics you achieved and support them with numbers.
• Show self-motivation and positive personality traits, since volunteering focuses on helping people.
• Add GPA (higher than 3.5), references from your tutors, or other achievements.

Volunteer resume certificates worth mentioning

Below are some of the most common volunteer certifications in the USA.

While all of them may suggest self-motivation, include these certificates only if they are relevant to the job offer.

Doing so can increase your chances of getting hired by at least 50%.

Cohesive day of my life section offering authenticity

Time management is crucial when taking on serious responsibilities.

A well-structured “Day of My Life” section helps show that you are an organized and dedicated candidate.

One common mistake is leaving volunteering out of the diagram. If you do not include the time you would realistically spend on volunteering, the section loses its purpose.

Take time to decide how much of your schedule you could give to volunteering, and make sure it is included in the diagram.