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You need to add Volunteer Work in Your Resume for Job Hunt Success

volunteer work with dogs

 


We often do a lot of volunteer and unpaid work for a cause. Here, the goal is not monetary benefit but the achievement of a desired outcome. We know our efforts count to achieve something greater than ourselves.

In the process, we learn soft skills that we might not in the corporate world like managing a group of 4-year-olds at a birthday party or babysitting. My two cents? It requires the qualities of patience, tact and alertness as any parent would tell you. 

 

Why it’s important to record these skills in your resume

Well, for starters would you like to change your career?

Have you been out of work? Do you need to justify how you spent your time? Other than putting it down in your resume that you have been applying for jobs in a recessionary market?

Everyone knows how difficult it is but yet the question can be asked at an interview.

 Sometimes an opportunity comes along where it is your outside office work and interests that can make or break your being a winner. I made this point in my post on hobbies and interests in a resume.

As a successful criminal lawyer friend of mine who often does pro bono work tells me repeatedly, if you’ve done the work, put it in your resume.

Experience counts. 

 As an example, let us look at volunteer work for the local canine shelter. The skills would vary depending upon the kind of work you did but there is responsibility and teamwork.  So, you could write:

 

Volunteered my time for Bow Wow Canine Shelter for 2 years where my key role and responsibilities included:

  • Reported on time in the morning to walk the dogs/ change dressing of injured dogs
  • Planned and coordinated fund raising and pet adoption drives
  • Liaised with local authorities when abuse cases were brought to the attention of the shelter
  • Provided unpaid staff leadership in the absence of the supervisor
  • Was in charge of petitions for preventing cruelty to animals

There may be milestones you achieved.

For example, getting stray dogs vaccinated through the local municipal office’s sponsorship, more volunteer surgeon vets for serious cases, more adoptions and more awareness of kindness to animals in general.

As a starting point, make a list of all the unpaid or volunteer work you have done. Like with regular jobs, compile the dates of the beginning and ending of the volunteer/unpaid work, organization name, position held, job description and any significant achievements and contributions.  Depending on the job you are applying for; bring out the specific skill sets you used. 

Last but not least, do remember to ask the organization that you volunteered for to give you a reference.

 

Bonus Tip: Update your LinkedIn Profile for Volunteer and Unpaid Work

 

Once you’ve updated your resume, I recommend you head over to your LinkedIn Profile and update the section Volunteer Experience & Causes for the specific charity that you worked for including dates and the kind of work you did.

 

A LinkedIn survey reports that volunteer experience can give job candidates an edge with hiring managers.

41% of the professionals surveyed stated that when they are evaluating candidates, they consider volunteer work equally as valuable as paid work experience.

20% of the hiring managers surveyed have made a hiring decision based on a candidate’s volunteer work experience.

Make your profile noticeable by also adding information about the specific opportunities that you are available for. Include your favourite causes like wildlife conservation, animal shelters, autism and similar causes. Here’s how I put my important volunteer work in my profile.

 

 

 

 

Add your volunteer and pro bono work in your summary. State what motivates and drives you to offer your time and experience for noble causes. If you’re between jobs, include this in your work experience to fill the gap in your employment history.

A word of warning for your resume and LinkedIn Profile – make sure that the information is genuine and correct because potential employers will crosscheck as part of their recruitment process.

 

Have you ever had a career change because of the skills you picked up while you were unemployed or in between jobs?

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Written By: Vatsala Shukla

Updated: 27 May 2023

 

 

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I believe the world would be a better place if high achieving professionals accepted setbacks and challenges to their careers as Wake Up Calls to embark on a Journey where their empowered course correcting actions create a New World Order that encompasses achieving their career aspirations & potential with authentic life balance.

If you’re a driven, passionate, talented and ambitious professional  who’s hit a speed breaker in your business or career and want to create your desired breakthrough to reclaim control of your situation, then you’ve come to the right place because we can work together on customized strategies and tactics that deliver results.

When my clients first reach out to me, they are not in a very happy place, needing clarity about themselves, their desires, chosen vocation and what will give them peace of mind. They are drawn to me for the very reasons that I highlight in Who Is Karmic Ally Coaching.

Lack of recognition at work, inability to project themselves with confidence and frustration are just some of their professional problems that are playing havoc with other areas of their life. They know they need to take radical steps to change the status quo but they also know they need support and accountability to get them their desired result.

I really get it, because I’ve experienced that dark night of the Soul. I know firsthand the outcome of getting lost in my work rationalizing decisions that were detrimental to other aspects of my life.

Like you, I’ve struggled with and won battles of stress management, corporate politics, life balance and career decisions to emerge in a place where I can confidently say that I live my desired life according to my personal Manifesto and have created a business that provides me with a platform for my desired lifestyle and self-expression for myself. I want that for you too!

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Email: Vatsala(at)karmicallycoaching(dot)com Phone:91 9818517664
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