Volunteering on a Resume: How to Include Volunteer Work Effectively

Volunteer work represents some of the most meaningful experiences in many people’s lives. The skills you develop, the connections you make, and the impact you create through volunteering often rival or exceed what you gain from paid employment. Yet many job seekers are unsure whether—or how—to include volunteer experience on their resumes.

The answer is clear: yes, you should include volunteer work when it demonstrates relevant skills, fills gaps in your experience, or showcases your character and values. The question is how to present it effectively so employers recognize its value.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about including volunteer work on your resume: when to include it, where to place it, how to format it, and how to describe your contributions in ways that resonate with hiring managers.

Why Volunteer Work Belongs on Your Resume

Volunteer experience offers significant resume value across multiple dimensions.

Demonstrates Transferable Skills

Volunteer work often involves skills identical to those used in paid positions:

• Project management (organizing events, coordinating volunteers)
• Leadership (leading teams, training new volunteers)
• Communication (public speaking, writing, outreach)
• Problem-solving (addressing community needs with limited resources)
• Technical skills (website management, data analysis, design work)

These skills transfer directly to employment contexts.

Shows Character and Values

Volunteer work signals qualities employers value:

• Initiative (you chose to contribute your time)
• Commitment (you showed up consistently without pay)
• Community-mindedness (you care about something beyond yourself)
• Work ethic (you worked hard even without compensation)

These soft qualities often differentiate candidates with similar technical qualifications.

Fills Experience Gaps

For certain job seekers, volunteer work provides crucial experience:

• New graduates with limited paid work history
• Career changers building experience in a new field
• People returning to work after career breaks
• Those with employment gaps they want to address

In these situations, volunteer work can demonstrate continuous skill development and engagement.

Provides Networking and References

Volunteer positions often connect you with professionals who can vouch for your abilities—providing references, recommendations, and networking connections that strengthen job applications.

Shows Passion and Initiative

Choosing to spend your free time on a cause demonstrates genuine interest and self-motivation. If your volunteer work relates to your target industry, it shows passion that goes beyond just needing a paycheck.

When to Include Volunteer Work

Not every volunteer experience belongs on every resume. Consider these factors.

Include When:

It’s relevant to the job: Volunteer experience that uses skills required for the position should definitely appear. A marketing volunteer position is highly relevant when applying for marketing roles.

It fills gaps in paid experience: If your paid work doesn’t demonstrate certain required skills but your volunteer work does, include it.

You have limited work experience: Students, recent graduates, and career changers should lean toward including more volunteer work.

It demonstrates leadership: Positions where you led teams, managed projects, or held significant responsibility are worth including regardless of relevance.

It shows industry commitment: For passion-driven fields (nonprofit, healthcare, education, environmental), relevant volunteer work demonstrates genuine interest.

It’s recent and substantial: Current volunteer work involving significant time and responsibility has more impact than brief or dated experiences.

Consider Excluding When:

Space is limited and paid experience is stronger: If you have extensive relevant paid experience, volunteer work may be less critical (though still potentially valuable).

It’s very brief or dated: A weekend volunteer event from ten years ago adds little value.

It’s completely irrelevant and you have better options: If space is tight and the volunteer work doesn’t relate to the position, prioritize other content.

It could create bias: In rare cases, volunteer work with highly political or controversial organizations might create unintended bias. Evaluate carefully.

Where to Place Volunteer Experience

Several placement options exist, each appropriate for different situations.

Integrated in Work Experience

Best for: Volunteer work that’s as substantial and relevant as paid work, or when you want to give it equal weight.

When integrating volunteer work into your main experience section, clearly label it as volunteer while presenting it alongside paid positions.

Example:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Marketing Coordinator (Volunteer)
Local Animal Shelter | June 2022 - Present
• Develop social media strategy reaching 15,000+ followers
• Create marketing materials for adoption events
• Coordinate with local media for publicity opportunities

Marketing Associate
ABC Company | January 2020 - May 2022
• Managed email marketing campaigns...

This approach works particularly well for career changers whose volunteer experience is more relevant than their paid work.

Dedicated Volunteer Section

Best for: Substantial volunteer work that you want to highlight but keep separate from paid experience.

A separate “Volunteer Experience” or “Community Involvement” section allows you to showcase volunteer work prominently without mixing it with paid employment.

Example:

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Board Member
Youth Mentorship Program | 2021 - Present
• Provide strategic direction for nonprofit serving 200+ youth
• Oversee $150,000 annual budget
• Lead fundraising committee, increasing donations by 40%

Event Coordinator
Community Food Bank | 2019 - 2021
• Organized monthly food distribution events
• Managed team of 30+ volunteers
• Streamlined logistics, reducing wait times by 25%

In Additional Information Section

Best for: Brief or less significant volunteer work that adds value but doesn’t warrant its own section.

A line item in an “Additional Information” or “Activities” section works for volunteer involvement that’s meaningful but not central to your candidacy.

Example:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Volunteer: Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor (2020-Present)
Languages: Spanish (conversational), French (basic)
Certifications: Google Analytics, HubSpot Inbound Marketing

Within Education Section

Best for: Students and recent graduates with volunteer work during their academic years.

Including volunteer work in your education section connects it to your student experience and works well when you’re still building professional experience.

Example:

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Environmental Studies
State University | May 2023

Activities & Leadership:
• President, Environmental Club (2022-2023)
• Volunteer, Local River Cleanup Program (2021-2023)
• Sustainability Office Student Ambassador (2022-2023)

How to Describe Volunteer Work Effectively

The way you describe volunteer work determines its impact. Use the same strategies you would for paid positions.

Use Action Verbs

Start each bullet point with a strong action verb:

• Organized, Coordinated, Led, Managed
• Developed, Created, Designed, Implemented
• Trained, Mentored, Supervised, Recruited
• Raised, Secured, Generated, Increased
• Researched, Analyzed, Evaluated, Reported

Quantify Your Impact

Numbers make your contributions concrete and credible:

• “Recruited and trained 25 new volunteers”
• “Organized events serving 500+ community members”
• “Increased social media engagement by 75%”
• “Raised $30,000 through annual fundraising campaign”
• “Reduced program costs by 20% through process improvements”

Highlight Transferable Skills

Frame your volunteer contributions in terms of professional skills:

Instead of: “Helped at soup kitchen” Write: “Coordinated food preparation and service for 200+ guests weekly, ensuring efficient operations and positive dining experience”

Instead of: “Volunteered at hospital” Write: “Provided patient support and administrative assistance in busy emergency department, demonstrating composure under pressure and strong interpersonal skills”

Show Progression and Commitment

If you’ve grown in your volunteer role, show that progression:

• Starting position → increased responsibilities
• Individual contributor → team leader
• Occasional volunteer → regular commitment
• Participant → board member

Connect to Target Role

When possible, explicitly connect volunteer experience to the job you’re seeking:

“Led volunteer team of 15 for community events, developing team management and coordination skills directly applicable to this project management role.”

Formatting Volunteer Experience

Proper formatting ensures volunteer work is presented professionally.

Standard Format

Position Title (Volunteer)
Organization Name | Location | Date Range
• Achievement/responsibility with specific impact
• Achievement/responsibility with specific impact
• Achievement/responsibility with specific impact

Key Formatting Elements

Position title: If you had a title, use it. If not, describe your role (e.g., “Volunteer Coordinator,” “Event Volunteer,” “Board Member”).

Organization name: Use the official name of the organization.

Location: City and state is usually sufficient.

Dates: Use the same format as other entries. Month/Year to Month/Year or just years are both acceptable.

Label clearly: Include “(Volunteer)” in the title or section header so employers understand the context.

Example Entries by Type

Leadership volunteer role:

Board Treasurer (Volunteer)
Children's Literacy Foundation | Denver, CO | 2021 - Present
• Manage $500,000 annual budget and financial reporting
• Led successful audit process with zero findings
• Implemented new financial software reducing processing time by 40%
• Present quarterly financial reports to 12-member board

Skills-based volunteer role:

Pro Bono Marketing Consultant
Homeless Services Center | Seattle, WA | 2022 - Present
• Developed comprehensive marketing strategy increasing donor base by 30%
• Created website redesign proposal adopted by organization
• Designed print and digital materials for annual fundraising campaign
• Train staff on social media best practices and content creation

Regular volunteer commitment:

Youth Mentor (Volunteer)
Big Brothers Big Sisters | Austin, TX | 2020 - Present
• Provide ongoing mentorship to high school student for 4+ years
• Facilitate academic support, career exploration, and personal development
• Coordinate with program staff and participate in volunteer training
• Named Mentor of the Year 2022 for dedication and impact

Event-based volunteering:

Event Volunteer
City Marathon | Portland, OR | 2019 - 2023
• Supported annual marathon event serving 15,000+ runners
• Managed water station operations with team of 10 volunteers
• Trained new volunteers on safety protocols and event procedures

Volunteer Work for Specific Situations

Different career situations call for different approaches.

Recent Graduates

With limited paid experience, volunteer work can fill significant resume space. Include:

• All substantial volunteer positions
• Leadership roles in student organizations
• Community service tied to your field
• Skills-based pro bono work

Create a robust volunteer section that demonstrates you’ve developed real professional skills, even without traditional employment.

Career Changers

Use volunteer work to build credibility in your new field:

• Seek volunteer opportunities in your target industry
• Highlight transferable skills from both paid and volunteer work
• Position relevant volunteer work prominently, potentially in your main experience section
• Use your cover letter to connect volunteer experience to career change goals

Returning to Work After a Gap

Volunteer work during career breaks shows continued engagement:

• Emphasize volunteer work to demonstrate you stayed active
• Highlight skills maintained or developed during your break
• Show volunteer progression to demonstrate commitment
• Connect volunteer responsibilities to the skills required for your target role

Senior Professionals

Even with extensive paid experience, volunteer work can strengthen senior resumes:

• Board positions demonstrate leadership and governance experience
• Industry-related volunteering shows continued commitment
• Mentoring and teaching show leadership development
• Community involvement demonstrates well-rounded character

Platforms like 0portfolio.com can help you organize and present both paid and volunteer experience in a cohesive professional profile that highlights your complete range of skills and contributions.

Military Veterans

Veterans often have significant volunteer and community service:

• Include military volunteer work and community engagement
• Translate military volunteer leadership to civilian terms
• Highlight team leadership and organizational skills
• Connect service orientation to target industries

Specific Types of Volunteer Work

Different volunteer experiences require different presentation approaches.

Board Service

Board positions carry significant weight—treat them accordingly:

Board Member / Finance Committee Chair
Regional Arts Council | 2020 - Present
• Provide strategic oversight for nonprofit with $2M budget
• Chair Finance Committee overseeing budgeting and audit processes
• Lead capital campaign planning for new facility project
• Mentor emerging arts administrators through board development program

Pro Bono Professional Work

Skills-based volunteering using your professional expertise:

Pro Bono Legal Counsel
Immigrant Legal Services | 2019 - Present
• Provide legal consultation for asylum seekers and immigrants
• Handle 15+ cases annually, including court representation
• Train volunteer attorneys on immigration law updates
• Contribute to policy advocacy efforts

Mentoring and Teaching

Educational volunteer work:

STEM Mentor
Girls Who Code | 2021 - Present
• Mentor high school students in coding and technology careers
• Lead weekly sessions on web development and programming fundamentals
• Guide students through portfolio projects and career exploration
• Increased program retention by developing engaging curriculum additions

Disaster Relief and Service Work

Hands-on community service:

Disaster Response Volunteer
American Red Cross | 2020 - 2022
• Deployed to three disaster sites for emergency response operations
• Provided shelter management for 200+ displaced residents
• Distributed supplies and coordinated with local emergency services
• Trained in emergency sheltering and disaster mental health support

Religious or Faith-Based Volunteering

Can be included, though consider your audience:

Youth Program Director (Volunteer)
Community Church | 2019 - 2023
• Led programming for youth group of 50+ participants
• Organized community service projects and leadership development activities
• Managed $15,000 annual program budget
• Recruited and trained team of 8 volunteer leaders

Fundraising and Development

Fundraising experience translates well:

Development Committee Member
Local Theater Company | 2020 - Present
• Lead annual fund campaign raising $250,000+ annually
• Cultivate relationships with major donors and sponsors
• Plan and execute three fundraising events per year
• Increased donor retention rate from 60% to 78%

Common Questions About Volunteer Work on Resumes

Answers to frequently asked questions.

Should I include volunteer work if I have plenty of paid experience?

Yes, if space allows and the volunteer work adds value. Even seasoned professionals benefit from showing community involvement, leadership outside of work, or passion for causes related to their field.

Can volunteer work count as work experience?

Absolutely. From a skills perspective, volunteer work can be equivalent to paid work. When applying for jobs, what matters is whether you can do the job—and skills gained through volunteering are just as valid as those from paid positions.

How far back should I go with volunteer experience?

Generally, focus on the last 10-15 years. Very old volunteer work is usually less relevant unless it was exceptional or you’ve maintained a long-term commitment.

Should I include short-term volunteer experiences?

Brief volunteer projects (single events, one-time activities) are usually not worth dedicated resume space unless they demonstrate something significant. Consider mentioning them in interviews if relevant.

What if my volunteer work isn’t related to my target job?

Unrelated volunteer work can still demonstrate positive qualities—commitment, time management, community involvement. Include it if you have space, but prioritize relevant experience.

Should I include unpaid internships?

Unpaid internships are typically listed as regular internships in your experience section, not as volunteer work. The professional development context is different from charitable volunteering.

How do I handle volunteer work for controversial organizations?

Consider your audience. Volunteer work for politically polarizing organizations might create unintended bias. You might choose to describe the skills gained without emphasizing the organization, or simply omit it if other experiences demonstrate the same skills.

Making Volunteer Work Work for You

Strategic approaches to maximizing volunteer experience.

Choose Volunteer Work Strategically

If you’re still building experience, choose volunteer opportunities that:

• Develop skills relevant to your career goals
• Offer leadership or responsibility opportunities
• Connect you with professionals in your target field
• Provide recognizable organization names or credentials

Document Your Contributions

Keep track of:

• Specific projects and responsibilities
• Quantifiable achievements
• Skills developed
• Recognition or advancement
• References and contacts

Good documentation makes writing your resume much easier.

Request References

Ask volunteer supervisors if they’d be willing to serve as references. The professional relationships you build through volunteering can be as valuable as those from paid work.

Maintain Long-Term Commitments

Sustained volunteer involvement demonstrates commitment and allows for meaningful impact. One 3-year volunteer commitment often looks better than five 6-month stints.

Seek Leadership Opportunities

As you gain experience, pursue leadership roles:

• Committee chairs
• Project leads
• Board positions
• Training new volunteers

Leadership volunteer experience carries significant weight on resumes.

Conclusion

Volunteer work represents genuine professional experience that deserves thoughtful presentation on your resume. The skills you develop, the impact you create, and the commitment you demonstrate through volunteering all contribute to your candidacy for employment.

Include volunteer work when it’s relevant to your target role, fills gaps in your paid experience, or showcases qualities employers value. Place it where it makes the most impact—integrated with paid experience, in a dedicated section, or as part of additional information depending on its significance.

Most importantly, describe your volunteer contributions the same way you’d describe paid work: with specific achievements, quantified impact, and clear connection to transferable skills. Whether you’re a recent graduate building your experience, a career changer demonstrating new capabilities, or an experienced professional showing community leadership, volunteer work can strengthen your resume when presented effectively.

Your volunteer contributions matter—to the communities you serve and to potential employers evaluating your candidacy. Present them with the pride and professionalism they deserve.