Why You Should Include Volunteer Work on Your Resume 

Listing recent and relevant volunteer experiences can enhance your resume. 

Does my volunteer work have a place on my resume? This is a common question that comes up when I talk with candidates. Here are some guiding questions to help you decide.

Was the volunteer work ongoing? And/or did it require a significant time commitment?

There is a big difference between being an integral part of the planning committee for a fundraiser and helping on just the day of the fundraiser. If you invested a lot of time in your volunteer work, it may be worth adding to your resume.

Was it recent?

Something you that you did ten years ago while in college, probably doesn’t belong on your resume. The fact that you were on the Board of Directors of a nonprofit last year, probably does.

Is your volunteer work relevant to the position you are applying for?

If you have been volunteering as a youth leader in your church’s youth group for the last 3 years and you are applying for a job that involves working with adolescents, that’s very relevant. If you’re the treasurer of your Church Council and you are applying to be a bookkeeper – very relevant!

Were you in a leadership position?

If you were nominated to or volunteered to be a leader in the group where you volunteered–that is probably worth noting. Employers are often looking for someone with that type of initiative, who will be able to grow with the company.

What is the background of the employer?

If the company that you are applying to has its roots in a particular faith background, then noting that you are an active member of a church can be an indicator that you will fit with their company culture. If the employer shows commitment to the community, showing you share in their commitment is always a plus!

The bottom line is…

There’s no hard and fast rule concerning what should be in your resume and what is best left unsaid. Just keep in mind that you want to be concise and relevant in each piece that you present to a future employer. At the very minimum, volunteer work demonstrates that you are a caring individual and that you are invested in bettering the community.

If your service work was recent, relevant, and significant, add it!

Interested in browsing our Jobs Board? We may have a job that's just the right fit for you!