Highlight Volunteer Experience on a Resume: The Right Way to Get Employer Attention

Volunteer experience on a resume can be a game-changer, particularly for job seekers trying to stand out in today’s competitive market. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a career changer, or someone with employment gaps, highlighting your voluntary work effectively can showcase your capabilities, values, and dedication. But how do you ensure that this unpaid experience catches the employer’s attention? In this guide, we’ll explore the best ways to describe volunteer experience on your resume and make it resonate with hiring managers.

Why Volunteer Experience Matters

Volunteer work is more than just an extracurricular activity; it’s an opportunity to develop transferable skills, showcase leadership qualities, and demonstrate your passion for causes that matter. According to research by Deloitte, 82% of hiring managers are more likely to choose candidates with volunteering experience. This is because volunteering reflects traits like teamwork, adaptability, and initiative—qualities highly valued in any workplace.

As career coach Megan Pritchett explains:“Volunteer experience isn’t just filler—it’s a testament to your character and the value you bring to an organization.”

How to Highlight Volunteer Experience on Your Resume

1. Identify Relevant Volunteer Work

Not all volunteer experiences are created equal when it comes to resumes. To make an impact, focus on the roles that align most closely with the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a project management role, emphasize experiences where you organized events or led teams during volunteer work.Start by listing all your volunteer activities and then narrow them down based on relevance. For instance:

• If you managed a charity event or coordinated volunteers for a local non-profit, these experiences can highlight leadership and organizational skills.
• If you worked in customer-facing roles during volunteering, such as assisting at an animal shelter or food bank, these can demonstrate communication and interpersonal abilities.

By tailoring your volunteer stories to fit the job description, you show employers that you understand their needs.

2. Choose the Right Placement on Your Resume

Where you place your volunteer experience depends on its relevance and your overall professional background:

• Highly Relevant Volunteer Work: Include it in the main “Work Experience” section but label it as “Volunteer Work.” Treat it like any paid job by listing accomplishments and responsibilities.
• Additional Experience: Create a separate section titled “Volunteer Experience” or “Community Involvement” if the work is less directly related but still valuable.
• For Recent Graduates or Career Changers: If you lack significant professional experience, consider placing volunteer work near the top of your resume to highlight its importance.

For example:Community Event Coordinator (Volunteer)Local Food Bank | January 2021–Present

• Organized monthly food drives, distributing over 1,000 pounds of food per event.
• Developed a scheduling system that improved volunteer attendance by 20%.
• Coordinated with a team of 12 volunteers to streamline operations.

3. Focus on Achievements Over Responsibilities

Employers are more interested in what you accomplished than what tasks you performed. Instead of listing generic duties like “helped organize events,” quantify your achievements wherever possible. For instance:

• “Increased event participation by 25% through targeted outreach strategies.”
• “Trained 15 new volunteers in shelter procedures, improving operational efficiency.”

This approach not only highlights your impact but also aligns with employers’ preference for results-driven candidates.

4. Use Action Verbs and Keywords

To ensure your resume passes Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), use action verbs and industry-specific keywords when describing your volunteer work. Phrases like “coordinated,” “implemented,” “led,” or “developed” can make your contributions sound more dynamic and professional.

For example:“In my role as a volunteer coordinator at [Organization], I implemented a new scheduling system that reduced absenteeism by 15%, ensuring smoother operations.”

5. Showcase Transferable Skills

Volunteering often involves skills that are directly applicable to the workplace. Highlight these transferable skills in your descriptions:

• Leadership: If you led a team of volunteers or managed projects during events.
• Communication: If you worked in public-facing roles or facilitated group discussions.
• Problem-Solving: If you overcame challenges during volunteering activities, such as logistical issues or resource constraints.

As Reddit user u/gizmobizmogizmo advises:“Talk about team handling or customer interaction in volunteer work—these skill sets are universal across industries.”

Examples of Volunteer Experience Descriptions

Here are some examples of how to effectively showcase volunteer experience on your resume:

1. Animal Shelter Volunteer (Customer Service Skills)
   City Animal Shelter | June 2020–December 2022

• Assisted prospective pet adopters with inquiries, providing excellent customer service.
• Trained new volunteers in shelter procedures, enhancing team efficiency by 10%.

2. Event Coordinator (Project Management Skills)
   Local Charity Organization | March 2019–Present

• Planned and executed annual fundraising galas attended by over 500 participants each year.
• Secured sponsorships worth $50,000 annually through strategic partnerships.

Expert Tips for Success

1. Keep It Professional: Treat volunteer experience with the same level of detail as paid positions—include dates, organization names, locations, and accomplishments.
2. Be Concise: Limit descriptions to two or three bullet points per role to keep your resume clean and skimmable.
3. Tailor Each Application: Customize how you present volunteer work based on the job requirements.
4. Highlight Soft Skills: Employers value traits like empathy and adaptability that often emerge from volunteering experiences.

As HR manager PakTam Nizam Ahmad notes:“Volunteering reflects not just humility but also resilience and awareness—qualities every employer values.”

Why Volunteering Can Give You an Edge

Including volunteer experience on your resume isn’t just about filling space—it’s about telling a story of who you are beyond professional credentials. It demonstrates initiative, commitment to causes larger than yourself, and a willingness to go above and beyond—all traits that resonate deeply with employers.

Moreover, volunteering can help fill employment gaps or add depth to resumes for those transitioning careers or entering the workforce for the first time.

Conclusion

Volunteer experience on a resume is more than just an optional addition—it’s an opportunity to stand out from other candidates by showcasing unique skills and values that align with employer expectations. By strategically selecting relevant experiences, quantifying achievements, and presenting them professionally, you can turn unpaid work into one of your strongest assets.Remember: Volunteering doesn’t just show what you’ve done; it shows who you are—and that’s what employers want to see.