If you have time to spare, volunteering for local charities or community projects can be a fulfilling activity. An effective CV for volunteering roles presents your skills in a concise, easy to read design. The format not only highlights your key capabilities such as customer service and communication but also showcases why you should be chosen, including experience in similar roles or those where you have transferable experience.

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    Show recruiters why you’d make a great volunteer with the top tips

    Our example CV for volunteering can demonstrate exactly what charities, non-profits, and community organisations will be keeping an eye out for:

    • A short professional summary

      Volunteering might see you performing many different tasks so be sure to introduce your flexible nature and career highlights in your personal statement. Start with a concise overview of your experience and skills. Emphasise your soft and personal skills, such as ‘compassion’ and ‘motivation’.

    • Information on responsibilities

      For every position you’ve held, show a detailed list of your responsibilities. From simple tasks such as ‘cleaning kennels’ to more authoritative positions such as ‘educating families’ or ‘project management’, reference everything to show your scope of experience.

    • Transferable skills

      In the key skills section, add skills that are relevant to the role of a volunteer. ‘Self-motivated’, ‘trustworthy and reliable’, and a ‘high level of organisation’ are all skills that will set you apart for popular volunteer roles.

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    Important skills for your volunteer CV

    With volunteer positions spanning multiple roles and industries, they can require a wide range of skills. There are many transferable skills that are very useful and you should be sure to include:

    Must-have skills for volunteer positions

    • Self-motivated
    • Upbeat and energetic
    • Trustworthy and reliable
    • High-level of organisation
    • Team player

    Additional skills to help your volunteer CV stand out

    • Time management
    • Strong written and verbal communication
    • Computer savvy
    • Proficient in Microsoft programmes
    • Driver’s license
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    Frequently asked questions about volunteer CVs

    Do I need a certification to be a volunteer?

    In short – not necessarily. Whether or not your role requires certification depends on what it is. If you’re planning on supporting an animal shelter it may not necessarily be required, but a Diploma in Animal Care will definitely help. For some volunteer roles, a certification is required, particularly with healthcare charities. They may need first aid or CPR certification.

    Where does volunteer work go on a CV?

    If you’re applying for a volunteer role we recommend that your volunteer work goes just after your personal statement. This is where organisations will be looking for relevant skills and knowledge. But if you’re supplementing your standard CV with previous volunteer positions, keep them in reverse chronological order along with other roles.

    How can I make my volunteer CV stand out?

    The best way to do this is to make it as concise as possible, make sure every word you use adds value to the organisation. Avoid ‘fluffy’ language and edit your sentences to be as impactful as possible. Another way is to always include measurable results from previous roles. For example: “Built a primary school in Uganda, helping 150 local children access an education”.

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    Put yourself forward in the best possible way

    Whether it’s charity work, invaluable experience, or just a role to keep you active, myPerfectCV can help you take your next step as a volunteer. Our easy to use CV builder is perfect for volunteers, with tailored content and professional templates allowing you to showcase your skills to charities, non-profits, or businesses in no time.

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