NCEPR volunteer work on a resume

[origami]

Does anyone any thoughts on putting volunteer work on a resume? Is that a good idea, for someone who would otherwise have an employment gap? Or is it pointless? Depends on the work?

I'm trying to decide how much time to commit to my volunteer job this year. I could do a very part-time job that is related to my previous work. Or I could do a lot of work in something more challenging and important, but completely unrelated to my previous work. Or screw it, watch Netflix all day and take the resume gap. If volunteer work looks dumb regardless, I'll take Netflix. If it's only usable if it's relevant to past or future work then I'll do the light job. If it's useful even if it's unrelated - because the work is challenging, I'll do the big job. I want to do something because as much as I love Netflix I'd go crazy being that unproductive. So the resume isn't the only reason I'm doing this, but it's a big part of it.

[orangeblossom]

I think if it relates to what you do work wise, it can be worthwhile to put on there.

[wise_rita]

Of course it's not "dumb" to put it on there.

But I don't think you'll be fooling anyone about an employment gap.

[origami]

Mar 5, 2015 6:26:43 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Of course it's not "dumb" to put it on there.

But I don't think you'll be fooling anyone about an employment gap.

I'm not trying to pretend it's paid work, if that's how it came off. I'm more asking how much people think volunteer work makes up for not having a real job, in the eyes of a potential employer. I know it depends on a lot of factors, but I'm curious what others think.

[wise_rita]

Mar 5, 2015 6:32:02 GMT -5 origami said:

Mar 5, 2015 6:26:43 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Of course it's not "dumb" to put it on there.

But I don't think you'll be fooling anyone about an employment gap.

I'm not trying to pretend it's paid work, if that's how it came off. I'm more asking how much people think volunteer work makes up for not having a real job, in the eyes of a potential employer. I know it depends on a lot of factors, but I'm curious what others think.

Volunteer work > Netflix

[IIOY]

Mar 5, 2015 6:26:43 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Of course it's not "dumb" to put it on there.

But I don't think you'll be fooling anyone about an employment gap.

LOL I'm pretty sure origami doesn't think she is sneaking one by with this, although I sort of love the concept. It could an experiment to see how many people really are that dumb.

[Melissa W.]

I include it.

[alleinesein]

I've been applying with NGOs and my most recent job was a volunteer position with an NGO. Its still work experience even if it was unpaid. I have all my experience listed under Work and Volunteer experience on my resume and on linkedin.

[tres3]

Gaps aren't an issue if you can explain in a cover letter.

Volunteer work can be good especially if you are trying to change careers, but I wouldn't use it to cover that you have been living abroad because of your husband's job. That's a reasonable reason not to be working.

[pescalita]

I saw quite a few gaps filled with volunteer work. They're obviously not pretending to be something they're not, but I liked the initiative.

My old clerk asked me for advice about a gap when he left to travel. I told him no longer than a year w/o some kind of something - volunteer work, etc. But he obv wasn't caring for kids or living in a foreign country.

[redheadbaker]

I just had a meeting with my schools' s alumni relations job search counselor. She suggested including volunteer work if it related to the job to which I was applying.

[erbear]

I have volunteer work that is related to my job on my resume. I've been asked about it a lot at interviews because it's more interesting than my actual job sometimes.

[pamela]

In my case I see it as keeping your brain engaged and problem solving skills sharp. Specific field isn't as important. My top candidate right now is returning to the workforce after caring for elderly parents. I just needed an explanation of what she had been doing. Plus if you do go into anything that needs a background check, volunteer work with a contact really helps validate where you were.

[sushi]

I do because I have so many gaps that I need all the help I can get. It's somewhat relevant to my field(s).

I don't think I'm fooling anyone. It's obvious I have a mil spouse resume, so I'm doing what I can to compete against that subsection.

[sugarglider]

I think you can always put it on your resume, but where you put it depends on how related the volunteer work is to the job you're applying for. If they're related, I'd put it in with your work experience. if not, I'd put it down in an "interests & activities " section.