Volunteerism Boosts Resumes for Collegians & Professionals

While many collegians believe time spent volunteering could be better utilized by studying more, getting a part time job or partying, others see the benefits of volunteerism. Volunteers can receive a pat on the back or simply feel good about helping out a respectful cause. There are also long term benefits that can come from assisting others. On a resume, volunteerism suggests a strong work ethic, reliability and a commitment to something greater than oneself. It may seem trivial but anything that helps a resume stand out from the crowd is worth a little effort.

When preparing a resume, students should consider that employers may ask about anything listed and expect a well thought out response. Therefore, a volunteer tasked to serve lemonade for one day at a homeless shelter should probably omit that from the resume unless there is a long term volunteer relationship with the shelter. Volunteerism with religious, ethnic or controversial groups should be identified by task rather than by the group. This ensures that employers are not subconsciously discriminating based on the resume. On the other hand, exclusive membership groups such as Junior League or fraternal organizations should be listed as they may provide networking opportunities.

Students lacking direct work experience in a field of study can use volunteer opportunities to boost resumes by offering services or expertise the group may not have readily available. For example, a marketing student could approach small organizations that may need assistance with marketing communications or fundraising efforts. Law students can offer legal advice or research for organizations as well. Specific volunteer work relating to the field of study can be listed in the main section of the resume as a skills summary or work experience. Additional volunteer activities should be listed toward the bottom of the resume in a section titled “Volunteer Activities” or “Additional Information”. Whether gaining experience in their field of study or simply displaying a commitment to an organization, students can highlight volunteerism in an effort to move their resume to the top of the pile.