Volunteer resume example
What makes this resume great
This resume stands out because it highlights a clear progression of volunteer roles with increasing responsibility, culminating in a leadership position as a Volunteer Coordinator. The candidate showcases a strong mix of relevant skills such as event planning, fundraising, and community outreach, which are essential for volunteer work. The experience section demonstrates commitment to service and adaptability across different organizations. The inclusion of metrics and specific achievements would further strengthen the impact. The resume is well-organized and tailored for roles in nonprofit or community-focused organizations.
Resume summary examples for Volunteer
Example #1
Strong Summary
Dedicated volunteer with over 5 years of experience coordinating and supporting community outreach, disaster relief, and food distribution programs. Proven ability to lead teams, organize large-scale events, and drive successful fundraising initiatives. Passionate about making a positive impact through effective communication and collaboration.
Weak Summary
I have volunteered at a few places and like helping people. I am good at working with others and want to do more volunteer work.
Example #2
Strong Summary
Experienced Volunteer Coordinator skilled in event planning, volunteer training, and logistics management, with a track record of increasing volunteer engagement and program efficiency.
Weak Summary
I have done some volunteer coordinating and can help with events.
Example #3
Strong Summary
Sociology graduate with hands-on experience in nonprofit environments, excelling in client services, public speaking, and inventory management to support organizational goals.
Weak Summary
I studied sociology and have volunteered before, so I know a bit about helping out.
Resume achievement examples for Volunteer
Example #1
Strong Achievement
Coordinated over 200 volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, resulting in the successful completion of 15 housing projects within two years.
Weak Achievement
Helped coordinate volunteers for building projects.
Example #2
Strong Achievement
Organized and led fundraising events that raised $50,000 for local food banks, increasing annual donations by 30%.
Weak Achievement
Helped with fundraising events for food banks.
Example #3
Strong Achievement
Trained and onboarded 100+ new volunteers at the Red Cross, improving volunteer retention rates by 20%.
Weak Achievement
Trained new volunteers at the Red Cross.
Essential skills for a Volunteer
- Event Planning
- Fundraising
- Community Outreach
- Volunteer Training
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Logistics Coordination
- Inventory Management
- Client Services
- Public Speaking
Resume best practices
Tailor Your Resume for a Volunteer
Customize your resume for the specific position you're applying for. Use keywords from the job description and highlight the most relevant experience.
Keep It Concise and Focused
Ideally, your resume should be one page (two if you have extensive experience). Focus on achievements and essential information and avoid fluff.
Use a Clean, Professional Format
Stick to a simple layout with consistent font, spacing, and section headings. Use bullet points for readability. Avoid overly decorative fonts or colors.
Start with a Strong Summary
Write a compelling summary or objective at the top that briefly outlines your background, key skills, and what you bring to being a Volunteer.
Emphasize Achievements Over Duties
Use bullet points to describe what you accomplished as a Volunteer, not just what you were responsible for. Include measurable results when possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 25% in six months").
Use Action Verbs
Start bullet points with strong action verbs like "Led," "Developed," "Improved," "Streamlined," to convey impact and ownership.
Highlight Skills and Tools
Create a dedicated skills section that includes technical tools, software, or soft skills relevant to being a Volunteer (e.g., Excel, Python, CRM systems, leadership, communication).
Include Education and Certifications
List your educational background and any relevant certifications or ongoing courses. Mention GPA if it’s strong (generally above 3.5) and you're early in your career.
Proofread Carefully
Avoid spelling or grammatical errors since they can be deal-breakers. Ask someone else to review your resume or use tools like Grammarly.