Should I include the volunteer work on my resume?

Why should you include volunteer work on your resume?

• Answer:

  Putting your volunteer work on your resume can demonstrate that you are active and passionate outside of work. It shows some personality in a document that can often be impersonal. I would put this information in a brief and succinct bullet in the last section ("Additional Experience/Other Experience") of my resume. Volunteer work can also help bolster a resume that is lacking in work experience, especially for recent graduates. When I was looking for my first job right out of college last year, I had listed the following volunteer work under work experience in my resume: P.R.O.V.I.D.E.S. (Global Service Organization) , Ann Arbor, MI Treasurer (May 2007-Present), Education & Social Committee Leader (May 2006-May 2007) • Successfully led a 130+ member organization committed to executing impacting philanthropy, campus fundraisers, and campus awareness events aimed at alleviating global hunger and poverty. • Effectively compiled grant and appeal requests for a cumulative funding of more than $5500 over the course of a year to surpass PROVIDES' budget restraints. • Managed operations budget of $1500, prepared Excel sheets tracking financial state of entire organization, and coordinated the flow of disbursements. • Increased fundraising donations to $700 per month and doubled membership through creative marketing strategies and successful fundraisers. U OF M PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT, Ann Arbor, MI Academic Peer Adviser • Planned and organized psychology-related academic events and forums about careers and higher education in psychology and successfully attracted over 50 students to attend each event. • Guided over 200 students to solving their academic problems and helped them design academic and career plans on a one-on-one basis. If you would like to take a peek at my current resume, please go to http://nowwhat.posterous.com/recent-college-grads-what-should-my-resume-lo I am currently a marketing assistant who graduated with a BA in political science and psychology last year from the University of Michigan.