Dont Forget to Add Volunteerism to Your Resume

Don’t Forget to Add Volunteerism to Your Resume It is amazing how many people give back to their communities. Whether it is volunteering with the PTA, local 4-H club, or through a homeless shelter, the people that I meet are avid volunteers in their particular geographical area. Aside from the personal gratification they receive for doing this, there is an added bonus: it offers additional information to place on their resume. Volunteering shows prospective employers that the job candidate goes “above-and-beyond” the call of duty. Those people who volunteer are those that are truly passionate about an organization or a cause. This experience shows that the person has the capacity to provide goodwill to the community and puts forth extra effort to do so. These are the type of people that employers are seeking in today’s competitive job environment. If you volunteer for any organizations, don’t be afraid to put this information on your resume. Consider an event at a local children’s park where you assisted in fundraising, organized other volunteers, and managed a city-wide picnic. This could easily translate into management experience, interpersonal communications (because of dealing with other volunteers), and organizational capabilities. These are all qualities that potential employers are seeking. So, just because an experience is not a “job,” doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be included on your resume. Think critically about ALL of your experience â€" not just the paid positions you have held. Oftentimes, it is these types of efforts that get most noted by employers.