To survive in this fast-paced world, you have to stay on top of your game at all times. As far as the job market is concerned, the competition has risen manifolds in the last few decades. Thus, it is not surprising that you need to stand out amongst all the job applicants. This will make sure that you are the one that the interviewers like the most. You can only do this if you have a stellar resume with all the different aspects that will make you a star employee, such as good academic scores, some extracurricular activities, and, of course, volunteering badges.

Volunteering has become very important in today’s age and era because it inculcates several values in a person. The companies as well as the universities where you may apply for a job or a studentship respectively will definitely check if you have volunteered at some NGOs. This tells them some things about you such as your compassion, your dedication, and your leadership skills. All these aspects are tested during your volunteering period. 

Thus, you have to mention your volunteering experience on your resume. In this article, we will address this topic and delve into the details. We will talk about what volunteering actually means and why it will boost your CV.  So, continue reading and explore crucial ideas on how to put volunteer work on resume.

What is Meant by ‘Volunteering’?

Volunteering can be viewed as a noble and selfless activity and it is perfect for any ambitious job candidate or university student. It is the way in which you can help some non-profits in your vicinity without expecting any monetary compensation from them. Some of these organizations do give their volunteers a nominal honorarium for their work. But the most common benefits you get from volunteering include a Letter of Recommendation to help boost your CV along with several coupons and other gifts such as t-shirts and goodies.

Volunteering is a great way to contribute to society while also making sure that you earn some key experiences. Also, you can take advantage as many organizations allow remote options for students embracing virtual volunteering ideas. 

Why Do You Need to Volunteer to Boost Your CV?

Today’s job market has a thousand potential applicants claiming a single job at a well-known firm. And you need to project yourself as a unique person so that you nail your interview and get that job. Volunteering experience helps you stand out among the others. Here are the reasons why:

1. Multiple Skills: Volunteering helps you hone your skills as you can serve several roles at an NGO. You may get the work of an accountant who keeps track of the treasury or you can be a good salesperson who gets people to make donations for the NGO. These show that you are skilled at multiple roles and can be a versatile employee.
2. Personal Values: Volunteering, above all, is a truly noble pursuit. If you only enter into an NGO with the target of gaining a Letter of Recommendation, then your reasons are all wrong. Your volunteering will show your potential employers that you believe in contributing to society.
3. Communication Skills: Volunteering is all about communicating with your teammates to come up with solutions to enhance the reach of your NGO. Thus, a volunteering experience on your resume will help the interviewers understand that you are a team player–a must-have quality these days in the corporate sector.
4. Leadership Ability: If you have been assigned the role of a team leader at your NGO, then it is all the better for your job applications! It shows that you already know how to have a good command over your teammates and can take the responsibility that comes with the role of a leader.
5. Commitment: If you are a volunteer at an organization for at least 1 year, it shows that you are committed to the cause. You should be working for the NGO without or with some nominal monetary gains just to contribute to society. This shows that you can work hard for the purpose that you believe in.

Tips to incorporate Volunteer Work in your resume

To stand out amongst your competitors, you must include your volunteering experiences in your resume. You can follow these tips while doing so:

1. Keep the list clean, use bulleted points, and make sure the formatting is on point. 
2. Only include the volunteering experiences which you have actually done and never lie on your resume. Make sure you have the documents to prove that you have completed your term as a volunteer.
3. Include the date and the name of the organization alongwith the role you served as their volunteer.

Endnote

Thus, now you know why volunteering helps you contribute to the cause you believe in as well as get some CV boost. We have talked all about the things that make volunteering a great pursuit for someone ambitious who wants to stand out amongst the job applicants. Lastly, remember that you should only choose to volunteer at organizations that have a proper working structure governed by a Volunteer Management System (VMS).