Volunteering can be a valuable addition to any CV, especially when pursuing a role in the charity sector. When presented effectively, it can set you apart from other candidates by demonstrating dedication, passion and a range of competencies that charity employers value. But how do you approach adding it to your paid experience? Here’s how to include volunteering on your CV.
Why put volunteering on your CV?
Volunteer work reflects more than just your willingness to give back; it highlights skills that are highly relevant for working at a charity. It shows initiative, commitment, and the ability to work towards goals without financial incentives. If you’re looking for a role in the charity sector, it can help to demonstrate a genuine connection to causes similar to those championed by the organisation. Volunteering can evidence leadership, teamwork, problem-solving and project management abilities, all of which are attractive to charity employers.
Volunteer work can also fill employment gaps on your CV, offering evidence of continuous personal and professional development. It provides a platform to showcase soft skills like empathy, adaptability, and resilience, qualities that are again highly valued in the charity job market. Additionally, volunteer experiences can reflect your passion for social impact, highlighting your dedication to making a difference—a key attribute that resonates with charity recruiters.
Where to include volunteering on your CV
The placement of your volunteer experience depends on its relevance to the charity role you’re applying for. If the volunteering role is closely aligned with the position, it can be listed alongside professional roles in your work experience section. This approach allows you to highlight responsibilities, achievements, and the skills gained, just as you would with paid employment. However, if the volunteer work is less directly related, consider creating a separate section titled ‘Volunteering Experience’ or ‘Additional Experience.’ The key is to ensure that your volunteering is presented with the same level of detail and professionalism as your work history.
If you’ve held significant volunteer leadership roles, such as coordinating large events, managing teams, or overseeing projects, these can even be prioritised above less relevant paid roles. This helps to draw attention to experiences that demonstrate your ability to take initiative and achieve meaningful outcomes.
How to describe your volunteer experience effectively
When detailing your volunteering on your CV, focus on the impact you made and the skills you developed. Start with the role title, the organisation’s name, and the dates you volunteered. Follow this with a concise description of your responsibilities and achievements. Use action verbs to convey your contributions, such as ’organised,’ ‘led,’ ‘coordinated,’ or ‘facilitated.’ Where possible, quantify your impact to provide context—for example, ‘Managed a team of 10 volunteers to deliver a community outreach project, increasing participation by 30%.’
Consider the relevance of each volunteering role to the charity job you’re applying for. Tailor your descriptions to highlight the most pertinent experiences and achievements. For example, if applying for a project management role in a charity, emphasise experiences where you planned events, coordinated teams, or managed budgets. Be specific about the outcomes you achieved, such as successfully raising funds, increasing awareness for a cause, or expanding the reach of a community initiative.
Emphasising transferable skills from volunteering
Volunteer roles often develop skills that are highly transferable within the charity sector. These might include leadership, communication, event planning, fundraising, project management and teamwork. Reflect on your volunteer experiences and identify the skills that align with the charity job you’re applying for. For instance, if you organised a fundraising event, highlight your abilities in planning, budgeting and stakeholder engagement.
In addition to hard skills, volunteer work can help develop critical soft skills. Roles that involve mentoring, coaching, or community outreach often enhance emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and cultural awareness. These skills are highly valued in charity environments, where working with diverse communities and managing sensitive situations is common.
Demonstrating these transferable skills not only showcases your suitability for charity roles but also reflects your ability to adapt to different challenges. Highlight examples of problem-solving in resource-limited settings, managing volunteers with diverse backgrounds, or leading initiatives that required creativity and strategic thinking.
Should you include one-off volunteering on your CV?
While ongoing volunteer commitments showcase sustained dedication, one-off volunteering events can also be valuable if they involved significant responsibilities. For example, ‘Volunteered at a one-day charity fundraiser, coordinating logistics for over 200 attendees.’ However, only include one-off events if they add meaningful value to your CV. Focus on experiences where you made a measurable impact or took on a leadership role, even if for a short duration.
Volunteer work can be a powerful asset on your CV, showcasing skills and experiences that appeal to charity employers. By thoughtfully positioning your volunteer roles, describing your contributions effectively, and highlighting transferable skills, you can demonstrate your value beyond traditional employment. Presenting your volunteer work strategically can help your CV stand out and support your charity career goals. Ultimately, your volunteer experience tells a story about your values, passions, and commitment to making a difference.
