Yes, Volunteer Work Can Go on Your Resume

If you choose to do substantive professional volunteer work or participate in a charitable action group, such as Habitat for Humanity, it’s fair game to include it on your resume. If you’ve been laid off, as time passes, your resume will show a gap that may raise questions for a hiring manager or recruiter. One way to fill that gap is with volunteer work.

Here are some ways you can leverage your experience for the benefit of others as well as your resume:

• Become a volunteer leader in a professional organization.
• Judge a competition that uses your skills and expertise.
• Teach a class at your community center or local adult education program.
• Tutor a high school or community college student.
• Teach English to non-English speaking adults.
• Get involved in planning a local event, such as an arts fair or charity auction.

Reader Janet Falk recommended the following additions to the list of volunteer sites I posted earlier in No Pay, But the Rewards Are Many:

• www.smartvolunteer.org
• www.idealist.org

She added this one for readers living in New York City: www.nycservice.org.

I invite you to suggest additional volunteer resources and activities.

Donate Your Talent When Job Loss Leaves You Short on Dollars to Give

After a layoff or other job loss, you may not be able to donate money, but there are a lot of ways to volunteer your time and talents.

Volunteering brings multiple benefits. It’s an outlet for you to think outside of yourself and do something good for others. It’s also a way to network, depending on where you focus your volunteer energy.

Here are some ways to volunteer:

• Help organize a community event, such as a park clean-up or neighborhood barbecue.
• Make your hobby the focus of your volunteer time. For instance, if you like the outdoors, join a hiking club and become active in the group’s leadership.
• Organize a group visit to a nursing home to bring cheer to the residents.
• Get politically involved in local, state or national actions or groups.
• Read to children in daycare programs or at the local library.
• Deliver meals on wheels to homebound seniors.

While you’re doing your volunteer work, get to know your fellow volunteers or coordinators. Collegially, let them know who you are, what you offer and where you want to be. Share ideas and jump in to get things done. The rewards are immeasurable.

No Pay, But the Rewards Are Many

People who are out of work after being laid off can start to lose their steam after the first rush to find a new job. One way to energize yourself, help others and build professional equity at the same time is to volunteer.

Arsha Jones writes: “…what has helped me when I wanted more experience, I volunteer(ed). It looks great on your resume and you actually can learn some stuff for free. And, keeping up to date with current trends in your profession keeps you marketable.” [Arsha is owner of Brand It! Domains - Domains & Web Hosting for Beginners]

Here are some sites that offer to help you find volunteer opportunities in the Washington, D.C. area:
http://www.volunteermatch.org/
http://www.charitablechoices.org/default.asp
http://www.dc-cares.org/
http://www.onebrick.org/index.asp
http://www.some.org/
http://www.capitolletters.org/