Your volunteer experience can be important for job searching. This article gives you key resume tips and examples. You will learn how to list your roles and skills effectively. We will also show how to match your experiences to job requirements. By the end, you'll know how to create a strong volunteer resume for job applications.
Compiled and approved by Grace Abrams
Next update scheduled for 13 Sep 2024
At a GlanceHere's what we see in the best resumes for volunteers.
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Managed over 150 volunteers across various projects, increasing overall program engagement by 25% using a centralized volunteer management system
Organized and led a fundraising event that raised $30,000, surpassing our target by 50%, through strategic partnerships with local businesses
Developed a skills and interests database for volunteers which improved task allocation efficiency by 40%
Trained 50+ new volunteers, enhancing their onboarding experience and reducing turnover by 20%Coordinated with local schools and universities, creating volunteer opportunities that resulted in 35 new long-term volunteers
Coached.com June 2020 - December 2021 Events VolunteerDirected a team of 20 volunteers in setting up and running annual community events, increasing event attendance by 30%
Implemented a project management software that streamlined event logistics, saving 15 hours of planning time per event
Organized food drives that collected over 10,000 pounds of food, benefiting more than 500 familiesCollaborated with local artists and musicians for community events, raising cultural engagement by 40%
Habitat for Humanity September 2018 - May 2020 Volunteer TeacherDesigned and delivered educational workshops to over 100 students, improving overall test scores by 15%
Developed an online learning platform that enabled 24/7 access to educational materials, increasing student participation by 20%
Initiated a mentorship program for at-risk youth, resulting in a 25% increase in high school graduation rates
American Red Cross January 2017 - August 2018 Volunteer Coordinator Recruited and managed a team of 50 disaster response volunteers, reducing response times by 30% Implemented a volunteer recognition program that increased retention rates by 20%Orchestrated blood drives that collected over 800 units of blood, significantly surpassing the annual target
Resume Worded University June 2021 Master of Nonprofit Management Graduated with distinction Part-time while working as Events Volunteer at Coached.com Resume Worded Institute April 2018 Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA) Certification focused on volunteer management best practicesProject Management : Strategic Planning, Volunteer Coordination, Event Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Resource Allocation, Risk Management
Volunteer Management : Recruitment, Training, Scheduling, Volunteer Retention, Event Coordination, Conflict Resolution
Community Outreach : Public Speaking, Fundraising, Donor Relations, Community Engagement, Advocacy, Workshop Facilitation
Project Management : Budgeting, Strategic Planning, Risk Management, Stakeholder Communication, Resource Allocation, Performance Metrics
Digital Tools : Salesforce (Proficient), Microsoft Office Suite (Expert), Google Analytics (Intermediate), Slack (Expert), Trello (Expert), Canva (Intermediate)
Technical Skills : Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Suite, CRM Software, Volunteer Management Systems, Social Media Management, Event Planning Software
Languages : English (Native), Spanish (Conversational), Sign Language (Basic) Certifications : Emergency Management Certification (2020), Volunteer Match Engagement Leader (2019) Awards : Resume Worded Volunteer Excellence Award (2022) Certifications : First Aid and CPR Certified (American Red Cross, 2020) Awards : Presidential Volunteer Service Award (2019), Red Cross Exceptional Volunteer Award (2018) Community Involvement : Board Member, Local Volunteer Association (2021 – Present)Leadership & Volunteering : Youth Mentorship Program Coordinator (2020-Present), Disaster Response Volunteer (2017-2019)
Professional Development : Grant Writing Workshop (2021), Nonprofit Leadership Seminar (2020) Courses : Volunteer Engagement Leadership by Association for Volunteer Administration (2019)Want to know how your volunteer experience stands out to employers? Our resume scoring tool gives you a clear picture of your resume's strengths and areas for improvement. It evaluates your document based on key criteria that hiring managers in the nonprofit and community service sectors look for.
Upload your resume now for an unbiased assessment. You'll receive a score and specific feedback to help you showcase your volunteer contributions more effectively.
Supervised 200+ volunteers, improving team efficiency by 35% through motivational leadership and structured training sessions
Led a community cleanup initiative that reduced local waste by 40% and involved over 300 community members
Implemented a CRM system that boosted volunteer engagement by automating communication and task assignments
Organized monthly volunteer appreciation events, leading to a 20% increase in volunteer retentionDeveloped partnerships with local organizations to provide additional resources and support, enhancing project outcomes by 25%
Resume Worded July 2017 - February 2020 Environmental VolunteerParticipated in tree planting initiatives, contributing to the planting of over 5,000 trees and improving air quality in the area
Developed an educational program on recycling that reached over 2,000 students, increasing community recycling rates by 30%
Conducted wildlife conservation research, providing data that led to the protection of endangered species in the region
Feeding America August 2016 - June 2017 Senior Outreach VolunteerCoordinated food distribution efforts that served over 1,000 families per month, improving food security in the community by 50%
Trained and supervised teams of volunteers, enhancing the efficiency of food packaging and distribution processes
Established partnerships with local grocery stores to reduce food waste by donating surplus goods, increasing food supply by 20%
Big Brothers Big Sisters January 2015 - July 2016 Youth MentorMentored five at-risk youths, supporting them in achieving personal and academic goals, resulting in improved school attendance by 15%
Organized outdoor adventure activities that built team-building skills and strengthened peer relationships
Collaborated with schools to identify and support students in need, facilitating access to educational resources and tutoring
Resume Worded Institute February 2020 Certification in Nonprofit Management Focus on Volunteer Coordination and Fundraising Strategies Resume Worded University May 2016 Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies Cum Laude, Coursework included Environmental Policy and Community Outreach Part-time during Senior Outreach Volunteer role at Feeding AmericaFundraising : Grant Writing, Donor Management Software, Online Campaigns, Event Planning, Sponsorship Acquisition, Prospect Research
Environmental Policy : Sustainability Programs, Environmental Impact Assessment, Compliance Regulations, Policy Analysis, Advocacy, Conservation Strategies
Outreach & Engagement : Community Relations, Public Speaking, Volunteer Training, Educational Workshops, Stakeholder Communication, Social Media Outreach
Languages : English (Native), Spanish (Fluent), French (Conversational)Certifications : Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA, 2021), Project Management Professional (PMP, 2019)
Leadership & Volunteering : Board Member at Local Environmental Council, Volunteer Organizer for Annual River Clean-Up
Projects : Initiated and led 'Green City Days' campaign, resulting in 5,000+ trees plantedProfessional Affiliations : Member of the National Association of Environmental Professionals, Association of Fundraising Professionals
If you have just graduated or are still a student, place your education section at the top of your resume. This helps employers see your qualifications quickly, especially if you are just starting out. Highlight courses or relevant certifications to show your dedication. For those who have recently completed a significant continuing education program, list your education section first. This shows employers what you've been focused on and why there may be a recent gap in your work history.
Created a volunteer recognition initiative that increased overall volunteer satisfaction ratings by 30%
Facilitated monthly meetings with a diverse volunteer group, improving communication and project efficiency by 20%
Coached.com May 2019 - January 2021 Hospital Volunteer CoordinatorManaged over 100 hospital volunteers, optimizing shift schedules to enhance patient support services by 25%
Developed a patient feedback system, improving volunteer service quality ratings by 15% Coordinated hospital events that engaged over 500 participants, fostering a sense of community ASPCA July 2017 - April 2019 Animal Shelter VolunteerLed a team of volunteers in day-to-day shelter operations, resulting in a 35% increase in animal adoption rates
Developed a social media campaign that increased shelter donations by 20% Implemented a volunteer training program that increased volunteer retention rates by 15% Habitat for Humanity March 2015 - June 2017 Event Planning Volunteer Planned and executed large-scale events, drawing over 1,000 attendees and raising more than $20,000 Coordinated with vendors and sponsors, reducing event costs by 15% Developed marketing materials that improved event exposure and participation by 25% Resume Worded University May 2021 Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Nonprofit Management Thesis: Volunteer Management Strategies in Nonprofit Organizations Resume Worded Academic Center August 2019 Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA) Recognized for excellence in volunteer administrationProgram Management : Strategic Planning, Volunteer Recruitment, Stakeholder Engagement, Fundraising Techniques, Program Evaluation, Grant Writing
Volunteer Management : Volunteer Recruitment, Training, Retention, Conflict Resolution, Performance Evaluation, Event Coordination
Training & Development : Curriculum Design, Volunteer Training, Workshop Facilitation, Educational Outreach, Mentorship Programs, Leadership Development
Operational Skills : Project Management, Budgeting, Strategic Planning, Grant Writing, Fundraising, Community Outreach
Technical : Volunteer Management Systems (VMS), Microsoft Office Suite, DonorPerfect, Salesforce for Nonprofits, Constant Contact, Social Media Platforms
Tools & Software : Microsoft Office Suite, Volunteer Management Software (e.g., Volgistics), CRM Systems, Event Management Software, QuickBooks, Canva
Languages : English (Native), Spanish (Conversational), American Sign Language (Basic) Languages : English (Native), Spanish (Advanced) Certifications : CPR and First Aid Certified (June 2018)Professional Development : Annual attendee of the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, Online Fundraising Strategy Workshops
Awards : Volunteer of the Year - Habitat for Humanity (2016)Awards & Honors : Excellence in Volunteering Award 2020, Nominated for National Volunteer Coordinator of the Year 2019
Leadership & Volunteering : Chair, Volunteer Committee - National Nonprofit Network (2020-Present)Community Engagement : Organized city-wide 'Volunteer for Change' event, 2021; Partnered with local schools for community improvement projects
Projects : Organized annual fundraising gala, raising over $50,000 for local shelters (2017-2019)When applying for volunteer positions, focus on skills that are directly applicable to the role. Include examples like teamwork, empathy, and community engagement. These are just as important as technical skills, if not more. Make sure to describe your ability to work with diverse groups. This is key for volunteering roles where you might interact with various communities. Include any language skills or cultural experiences that make you a stronger candidate.
Oversaw community service initiatives, increasing volunteer participation by 35% and positively impacting 20,000 community members
Collaborated with nonprofit organizations and government agencies to secure $100,000 in funding for community projects
Developed outreach programs that raised public awareness on social issues, increasing community engagement by 25%
Managed a team of 50 volunteers, providing training and support that enhanced service delivery by 40%
Implemented outcome measurement tools to assess program effectiveness, leading to a 30% improvement in service quality
Coached.com November 2017 - March 2020 Outreach CoordinatorOrganized and led community engagement events, increasing public participation by 30% using social media and local advertising
Developed partnerships with local businesses and schools, expanding our community service reach by 20%
Instituted feedback mechanisms to receive community input, resulting in program adjustments that improved satisfaction rates by 25%
Resume Worded February 2015 - October 2017 Community Development Officer Led neighborhood improvement projects that reduced local crime rates by 15% Secured grant funding worth $75,000 to support community health and wellness programsFacilitated community forums, gathering input that shaped policy initiatives and improved community trust by 20%
Habitat for Humanity June 2012 - January 2015 Volunteer CoordinatorSupervised 80+ volunteers in various build projects, resulting in the construction of 25 homes for low-income families
Streamlined volunteer scheduling processes, increasing productivity by 20% Organized volunteer training sessions that improved skill proficiency and safety awareness by 30% Resume Worded University May 2020 Master of Social Work (MSW) Focused on Nonprofit Management and Community Development Resume Worded University May 2012 Bachelor of Arts in Sociology Completed the degree Part-time while working as Volunteer CoordinatorCrisis Intervention : Trauma-informed care, de-escalation techniques, motivational interviewing, substance abuse treatment, CPR & First Aid, suicide risk assessment
Community Programs : Needs Assessment, Program Development, Community Outreach, Volunteer Recruitment, Service Coordination, Workshop Facilitation
Program Development : Grant writing, logic models, program evaluation, data analysis, outcome measurement, strategic planning
Administrative : Grant Writing, Budget Management, Policy Implementation, Report Preparation, Data Analysis, Event Planning
Community Outreach : Volunteer management, public speaking, community resource navigation, partnership building, advocacy, fundraising
Technical : Microsoft Office Suite, Salesforce, Asana, Google Workspace, SurveyMonkey, TableauTechnical Skills : Microsoft Office Suite, Database management, SPSS, Salesforce, Social media platforms, Adobe Creative Suite
Certifications : Certified Social Worker in Health (C-SWHC), Nonprofit Leadership and Management Certificate (2021)
Certifications : Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP), Diversity and Inclusion Certification (July 2019)
Leadership & Volunteering : Board Member, Homeless Shelter Network, Event Organizer, Local Food Bank Drives
Volunteering : Monthly volunteer for Feed the Future initiative, Chairperson for the 'Run for Homes' annual charity event
Awards : United Way Community Impact Award (2019), Coached.com Outreach Excellence Award (2018)Professional Memberships : National Association of Social Workers, Association for Community Organization and Social Administration
As a hiring manager, it's important to see that you understand how to share your volunteering experience effectively. For entry-level to mid-level roles, one page is often enough. Focus on the volunteering work most relevant to the job you want. Make sure to include skills you gained and any positive outcomes from your volunteer work. These details show you can transfer your experience to a paid position. For a more senior position, two pages gives you more space to detail your extensive experience. Always start with your most recent volunteer work on the first page. Use the space to your advantage by placing the strongest and most relevant points where they are seen first. Remember that hiring managers scan quickly, so your most important volunteering roles should stand out immediately. Keep margins and fonts readable to maintain a clean and professional look.
