How to Write a Resume for Volunteer Work

by Nicole Vulcan, Demand Media Google
Whether it's been paid or volunteer work, it's all contributed to your experience.


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Whether you're working toward a new job or a new volunteer opportunity, your resume can help you get your foot in the door. Paired with a well-written cover letter, it should provide most of the information the employer needs to know about your past experiences. It doesn't really matter whether your past experiences have included paid or volunteer work -- they should all be included in the "Work Experience" or "Experience" section of your resume.

Step 1

Type your contact information at the top of the page, starting with your name, and then your address on the next line, phone numbers on the line following that, and your email address on the following line. Place your name in bold and slightly larger than the rest of the information. Center all of the information or justify it to the right or left of the page -- the format is really up to you.

Step 2

Create a heading titled "Objective," and put it in bold lettering that is slightly larger than the body of the resume. Under the heading, type a one- or two-sentence summary of your goals for obtaining the position to which you are applying, and a brief reason for wanting the position. It doesn't matter whether the position is a volunteer position or paid work -- apply the same level of professionalism in your summary.

Step 3

Create a heading entitled "Experience" or "Work Experience" and put it in bold, in a slightly larger font than the body of the resume.

Step 4

Include all of your work and volunteer experiences in the "Work Experience" section, starting with the most recent experience at the top of the resume, followed by the second-most recent position, and so on. For each job or volunteer experience, type its title and a brief description of the duties you completed during that job. If the job is a volunteer job, you don't need to say "Volunteer" in the job title; instead, state that the job was a volunteer position somewhere in the job description. While some people choose to create a separate "Volunteer" section for their resumes, volunteer organizers, including the Energize volunteer leadership organization, recommend including those positions with your other work experience. At the end of each job description, include the dates you started and stopped working there. Generally, you should include any volunteer or paid work from the past 10 years in this section.

Step 5

Create a section entitled "Education," and include your relevant educational experiences in that section, again in reverse chronological order.


  • Craft a cover letter to go with your resume when you are applying for paid or volunteer work. Cover letters give you a chance to elaborate further on the information you wrote in the "Objective" section of your resume, and can give you a chance to tell the organization's managers why you are committed to volunteering or working with that organization, and any personal or professional ties you may have with the organization.

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