From the course: Writing a Resume

The value of your volunteer work

From the course: Writing a Resume

The value of your volunteer work

- Have you ever joked that your volunteer work is like having a second job? If so, you might actually be able to treat it that way, at least on your resume. When searching for areas where you can strategically position yourself to get the job you want, this is an important one. Begin by assessing the type of organization you've spent your time with and the duties that you have fulfilled. There are professional organizations like the American Bar Association, Society for Human Resource Management, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, The National Society of Professional Engineers, National Association of Women Lawyers. There are also civic organizations like Kiwanis or Chamber of Commerce. The Red Cross, American Heart Association, and Habitat for Humanity all fall under charitable organizations. And then there are your alumni associations, usually university-related. There are thousands of others. So this is by no means meant to be an exhaustive list, but I mentioned a few just to help jog your memory. Look back at your experience within an organization. Were you one of a few thousand members, or did you actually fulfill a role that would be useful to your resume? If it's the latter, then this strategy will work for you. In your official capacity as a board member, were you responsible for the profit and loss statement? Did you help create a marketing strategy? Maybe you were responsible for an increase in membership. Treat your volunteer responsibilities like a job and include them on the resume in their own section in exactly the same way that you would if they were listed in your professional experience section. Volunteer work can also demonstrate leadership ability. It's very difficult to motivate people to complete tasks without actually paying them. Providing examples of how you manage this speaks volumes about your character, and as a bonus, your passion for an organization and commitment without pay will be admired. The volunteer work section is extremely valuable when attempting to make a career change or when starting out in a new job without any actual work experience. You can use your experience in a volunteer role as a substitute. And since there is no shortage of organizations that need skilled unpaid assistance, the sky can be the limit when adding to your resume.

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