CV for Internship—Sample & 25+ Writing Tips
A CV for internships that’ll get you into the interview. Write your internship CV fast, with expert hints, 25+ writing tips & good and bad examples.
How to Include Volunteer Experience on CV: Examples & Tips
How to put volunteer experience on CVs. When to add volunteer CV work to work experience. How to list volunteer work on a CV to make employers notice.
The volunteer experience section is an element of your CV where you list the work experiences you performed freely and voluntarily. Writing the volunteer experience section is an excellent way to showcase your key skills, interests, and motivation.
Here’s how to put volunteer work on CVs.
You’re in a pickle.
You’ve got Gandhi-level achievements. But—
They didn’t pay you.
Don’t panic.
Volunteer experience on CVs still counts as professional experience.
I’ll show you:
- How to list volunteer work on a CV.
- Where to put volunteer experience on CVs.
- Good volunteer CVs samples you can use.
- When to put volunteer work under work experience.
Save hours of work and get a CV like this. Pick a template, fill it in. Quick and easy. Choose from 21 CV templates and download your CV now.
Create your CV now
What users say about ResumeLab:
I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your CV.”
Patrick
I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Dylan
My previous CV was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
George
1. How to Put Volunteer Work on CV When It’s Major
You know this:
Volunteer experience on CVs can get you hired.
Deloitte surveyed 2,500+ hiring managers. Fully 82% said they prefer candidates with CV volunteering experience.
Why do volunteering CV achievements matter?
Just like regular work, they prove your skills.
But how to list volunteer experience on CVs? And where to put volunteer experience on CVs?
Where to put volunteer work on a CV?
Put volunteer experiences on CVs in two places:
- Put volunteer on CVs in work experience if it proves multiple skills the job ad wants.
- Put minor volunteering experience on CVs in a separate section lower down.
Can you put volunteer work under work experience?
You can put volunteer work under work experience on one condition: if it fits the job you’re applying for. Does your CV volunteer work prove valuable skills the job ad wants? Then put it in your work history like a job description.
How to describe volunteer work on CVs?
To describe major volunteer work on CVs, list it like a job.
Add bullet points stuffed with achievements that show skills. Add numbers to prove just how powerful that CV volunteer experience was.
These volunteering CV examples show how:
Volunteer Experience on CV—Example
Job ad wants skills in patient education, health screening, and patient interaction. Nursing Experience Weekly American Heart Association Volunteer Volunteer Work
Jan–Nov 2018
The first of those how to list volunteer work on CV samples sizzles. It proves you’ll get the job done.
Expert Hint: When putting volunteering CV work in work experience, call it that. Say web design experience or legal experience. Then you don’t need volunteer synonyms.
2. How to Include Volunteer Work on CV When It’s Minor
Some volunteer work isn’t central to the job.
Maybe you walked dogs for a local shelter. Maybe you helped with a bake sale.
That volunteer CV experience can still impress. But don’t list it as work experience.
How to list volunteer work on CVs when it’s minor:
- If you have lots, put it in a volunteering section below Experience.
- If you have little, put it in an Activities section.
Either way—
Show achievements tied to skills in the job ad.
See these volunteering experience on CV examples:
Minor Volunteer Experience on CV—Example
Job offer asks for skills in leadership, collaboration, and record keeping. Volunteer CV example #1 [If you have lots]: Volunteer Jobs Volunteer work on CV example #2 [if you have little]: Activities Volunteer Experience
The first of those how to list volunteer work on CV examples is Gates-Foundation-worthy.
It proves skills the employer wants.
Expert Hint: Don’t list every piece of volunteer experience on CVs. If you’ve got more impressive feats, save the CV real estate for them instead.
The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your CV in our CV builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of colour, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Use the ResumeLab builder now.
3. What Counts as Volunteer Experience on CV: Examples
Anything you do for free counts as volunteer CV experience.
That includes work for blood drives and soup kitchens. It also means pro bono work or helping an ailing parent.
The better the cause, the better the CV volunteer experience. Use it to show accomplishments that fit the job offer.
These how to list volunteer work on CVs examples show how:
Volunteer Experience Examples
Job ad wants skills in planning, training, and leadership. Stroke Rehabilitation Volunteer Work Oct–Dec 2009 Volunteer Position
Wow.
The first of those volunteer experience on CV samples is Oprah-style.
What Counts as Volunteer Work
- Pro Bono Work is when you voluntarily work in a professional sense. It uses specific job skills, so it’s great volunteer experience on CVs.
- Hospital volunteer CV work can show healthcare skills. It also proves skills all employers want, like teamwork and compassion.
- Church volunteer work on CVs can show leadership and organisation.
- Animal Shelter volunteer CV items like walking dogs shows compassion and work ethic.
- Nursing Home volunteer duties on CVs can show teamwork, record keeping skills, and more.
- Homeless Shelter volunteers are good collaborators and communicators. Both are excellent CV skills.
- Library volunteer work on CVs proves strong organisation skills.
- Helping an ailing parent can be listed on a CV as volunteer work. (See the CV volunteer experience sample above.)
- Student volunteers can be coaches, tutors, or blood drive helpers. All show skills working toward a common goal.
- Blood Drive volunteer CV items prove common skills like teamwork and compassion. They can also show phlebotomy and documentation skills.
- Child Care volunteering experiences on CVs look best for child care jobs. They also show transferable communication and collaboration skills.
- Daycare volunteer experience CV bullets work best in daycare CVs. They also prove general skills like organisation and problem-solving.
- Food Pantry volunteer experience on CVs can prove interpersonal or organisation skills.
- Goodwill volunteer on CV proves retail experience and physical fitness.
- Hospice volunteer work on CVs can show compassion and specific healthcare skills.
- Parent volunteer CV positions include assisting teachers, coaches, and organising fundraisers.
- School volunteer work builds interpersonal and collaboration skills.
- Basketball Coaches who voluntarily work have leadership and training skills.
- Habitat for Humanity volunteer work on CVs shows collaboration and construction skills.
That’s not all the volunteer experience in the universe. Any help for free makes good volunteer work on CVs.
Should you put community service on CVs? That term has a negative slant. It’s often given as a punishment. Call it volunteer experiences on CVs instead.
Expert Hint: “Should I add a cover letter?” By all means you should. Why? Over 80% of recruiters who participated in our study say cover letters matter to them.
Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Key Points:
Here’s a recap of how to include volunteer experience on CVs:
- Show volunteer CV items as work experience if they show multiple achievements. Also if they prove skills shown in the job ad.
- Put volunteer work on CVs in a volunteer section if it’s minor but you’ve got a lot. That is—if it doesn’t prove multiple skills shown in the job ad.
- Put CV volunteer experience in an activities section if it’s minor and there’s little of it.
- When listing community service on CVs, call it a volunteer position instead. That dodges the dodgy criminal connotation.
Still not sure how to put volunteer work on CVs? Need more tips for showing volunteer experience on CVs? Leave a comment. We’re happy to reply!
About ResumeLab’s Editorial Approach
At ResumeLab, excellence lies at the heart of our values, underpinning our promise to provide outstanding career resources. Our team of career experts meticulously assesses each article in line with our editorial guidelines, guaranteeing our content's high quality and dependability. We consistently engage in original research, illuminating the nuances of the job market and earning acclaim from various influential news outlets. Our commitment to delivering professional career advice draws millions of readers to our blog annually.
