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Including volunteer work on your CV can feel tricky, especially if it seems unrelated to the role you’re applying for. Many jobseekers, particularly those early in their careers, often assume that only part-time jobs, internships, or formal placements are considered relevant to employers. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Volunteering can significantly boost your employability!
When included on a CV, volunteer work can offer clear evidence of your transferable and soft skills, initiative, and potential; sometimes even more effectively than traditional full-time roles. With the right approach, this experience can become a compelling part of your application, showing employers exactly what you bring to the table.
What’s in this article?
Why volunteering looks great on your CV
What to include (and avoid) in your volunteer experience CV section
How to list and describe your volunteer experience on a CV
Expert tips for graduates, career changers and experienced professionals
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Is volunteering good for your CV?
Volunteer work is a highly valuable extracurricular activity on a CV because it can demonstrate commitment, initiative, and transferable skills, especially when relevant to the role you're applying for. Employers often view volunteering as evidence of a proactive attitude and social responsibility.
It’s particularly beneficial for:
Graduates with limited work experience.
Career changers transitioning into a new industry.
Jobseekers with employment gaps, showing continued skill development.
Experienced professionals who want to showcase adaptability, sector-specific expertise, commitment to giving back, interests outside of work, and ongoing growth as individuals.
Pro Tip
Including volunteer experience on your CV is also great to have talking points for interviews, helping you stand out by illustrating real-world application of skills like teamwork, communication, organisation, and problem-solving.
If you want to explore this topic further and craft a professional resume that showcases your volunteering experience, check out our volunteer CV example for more insights and expert tips.
How to mention volunteer work on a CV
If you don’t know how to put volunteer work on a CV, try presenting it with the same professionalism as a paid role. Highlight your responsibilities, achievements, and soft skills in a well-structured format, and use clear, action-oriented language to showcase your impact.
Here's how to structure your volunteering descriptions effectively:
Include a heading with the name, location and time frame of your volunteer experience.
Begin with a concise paragraph outlining your main responsibilities and duties, while incorporating relevant keywords from the job description for the role you’re pursuing.
Write your achievements in a bulleted format, using action verbs and quantifying results whenever possible.
Good examples of volunteer work on a CV
Volunteer Events Assistant - Cancer Research UK, Cardiff, 2023 - 2024
Supported the planning and delivery of community fundraising events, working closely with donors, sponsors, and participants to ensure successful outcomes. Assisted with event logistics, including venue setup, scheduling, and materials preparation. Managed online registration systems, tracked attendance, and provided on-site support to ensure a smooth event experience. Played a key role in fostering positive relationships with stakeholders to enhance community engagement and fundraising efforts.
Helped raise over £6,000 through three major events.
Created email templates that improved volunteer sign-ups by 35%.
Animal Care Volunteer - Woodlands Animal Sanctuary, Lancashire, 2024 - 2025
Assisted with the daily care of various animals, including cats, dogs, rabbits, and injured wildlife. Supported feeding, cleaning, administering basic treatments under supervision, and observing animal behaviour for signs of distress or illness. Worked closely with veterinary staff during check-ups and rehabilitation routines.
Helped care for over 80 animals weekly, contributing to a 15% increase in successful rehousing rates.
Assisted with the early diagnosis of injured animals and collaborated with the on-site veterinary team to provide effective treatment.
Mistakes to avoid when listing volunteer work on a CV
Do
Use keywords from the job description
Volunteer Project Coordinator - FoodCycle, Manchester, 2025
Led a team of volunteers in planning and executing weekly food distribution events.
Managed logistics, created timelines, and liaised with local suppliers.
Delivered projects on time and within resource limits.
Don't
Label it as “unpaid work” or minimise its value
Unpaid job at the community centre, 2025
Helped with event planning, setup and logistics.
Assisted in making phone calls to suppliers.
Handed out flyers to increase the number of assistants.
Do
Quantify achievements when possible
Increased community newsletter reach by 45% through targeted email campaigns and social media scheduling.
Don't
List every small activity
Set up and organised all the chairs for a school contest event.
Helped with decorations.
Assisted in sending emails with invitations.
Do
Focus on specific skills gained
Volunteer Digital Marketer, FareShare, London, 2022
Led community engagement initiatives by leveraging email marketing tools, audience segmentation, content strategy, and social media management.
Increased website traffic by implementing targeted and effective digital marketing strategies.
Boosted visibility and engagement by maintaining a consistent social media posting schedule.
Don't
List unrelated volunteer work without context
Volunteer Project Assistant - Animal Rescue Shelter, Manchester, February 2023 - Present
Assisted with daily operations and helped match animals with prospective owners.
Walked dogs daily.
Provided basic training for new arrivals.
How to describe a volunteer position on a CV
When describing volunteer experience on your CV, it is essential to strategically create a compelling story. The goal is to present your work in a way that makes a lasting impression and helps you stand out, even without direct experience in the field.
Here, you have a breakdown of what you can include according to different job roles:
For a care role: focus on empathy, communication, and safeguarding.
For a project management role: emphasise organisation and leadership experience.
For a tech role: highlight data analysis and troubleshooting skills.
For a customer service role: showcase problem-solving, patience, and conflict resolution.
For graduates or career changers: emphasise transferable skills, proactiveness and initiative.
Examples of how to describe volunteer experience on a CV
Volunteer Befriender - Age UK, Birmingham, 2023 - Present
Provide weekly companionship and emotional support to elderly clients experiencing isolation. Coordinate with staff to monitor wellbeing and ensure appropriate referrals were made for additional services.
Built meaningful relationships with five long-term clients, helping reduce reported feelings of loneliness.
Completed safeguarding and dementia awareness training to ensure high-quality, sensitive support.
Events Volunteer - Macmillan Cancer Support, Manchester, 2024
Assisted in planning and executing fundraising events, including community runs and awareness days. Managed logistics such as venue booking, equipment hire, and volunteer coordination, ensuring events ran smoothly and on budget.
Helped deliver 5 events attended by over 1,000 people, raising a combined total of £15,000.
Developed a new volunteer rota system that reduced scheduling conflicts by 80%.
Volunteer Digital Game Designer - CodeYourFuture, Remote, 2024 - Present
Design educational mini-games for a coding curriculum aimed at underrepresented groups. Responsible for game mechanics, level design, and prototyping. Collaborate with UX designers and educators to ensure age-appropriate gameplay and inclusive design.
Designed two playable game prototypes used by over 300 students in beginner coding workshops.
Introduced a modular scoring system that improved game feedback and learner engagement, as reported in post-course surveys.
What volunteer jobs should you put on your resume?
Include volunteer roles on your CV that are meaningful, impactful, skill-based and substantial in duration or impact. Volunteering isn’t just about giving back, it’s about growing as an individual and showcasing your potential. By choosing roles thoughtfully and highlighting your achievements clearly, you’ll create a CV that inspires confidence in your abilities. Remember, every experience contributes to your journey!
For UK school leavers stepping into the workforce, alongside those highlighted earlier in the article, these volunteering opportunities can be valuable additions to their CVs:
Development programs, like the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, help young people build skills and take on challenges. It’s a great way to showcase initiative and motivation.
Charity shops: Organisations such as Age UK, Cancer Research UK, and Oxfam offer opportunities to support good causes. Tasks like sorting donations or assisting customers provide hands-on experience in teamwork, organisation, and customer service.
Short-term volunteering: In high school, gaining experience through one-week work placements is common, and they provide great insights into areas like marketing, HR, and finance.
Pro Tip
Listing these opportunities on your CV is a smart way for graduates with little to no experience to stand out. So, try to use your volunteer work section to tell a story of growth and readiness for the role ahead!
Examples of volunteer roles you can include on your CV
Youth Group Leader - St John’s Youth Centre, Sheffield, 2023 - 2024
Led weekly sessions for 11-15 year-olds focused on confidence-building, wellbeing, and teamwork. Designed activity plans, managed safeguarding procedures, and liaised with parents and community leaders.
Improved weekly attendance by 40% through engaging new session formats and peer mentoring.
Trained and supervised 3 new volunteers, enhancing team capacity and youth engagement.
Volunteer Tax Advisor - TaxAid UK, Birmingham, 2024 - 2025
Provided tax support to clients under supervision, helping individuals on low incomes understand PAYE, self-assessment, and tax reliefs. Documented cases, managed appointments, and ensured GDPR compliance.
Assisted over 75 individuals with their 2023 tax queries, leading to more than £20,000 in resolved errors and rebates.
Received commendation from senior advisor for clarity in client communication and case accuracy.
Fundraising Volunteer - NSPCC, Birmingham, 2022
Organised community fundraising activities, coordinated with local businesses for sponsorships, provided administrative support, and prepared reports for the head office.
Helped raise £12,000 through a series of regional fundraising events.
Secured 5 new local sponsors by building long-term relationships with small businesses.
Tech Support Volunteer - Local Library IT Helpdesk, Bristol, 2024 - Present
Provide one-on-one digital support for library users, helping with basic troubleshooting, email setup, and accessing online services. Assist in maintaining public access computers and software updates.
Reduced support ticket volume by 30% by creating a digital user guide.
Helped over 100 users improve their digital confidence through patient, tailored assistance.
Key takeaways
Treat volunteer roles like paid jobs by including a professional and structured description of duties and achievements.
Highlight relevance and transferable skills, especially if you're a graduate, career changer, or have gaps in your employment history.
Use strong action verbs and quantify accomplishments to demonstrate real impact.
Tailor your volunteer experience to the job description by incorporating keywords and aligning the skills demonstrated with the role's requirements.
Avoid vague or informal language, and don’t undervalue your contributions.
Next steps?
Once your CV is ready, take the time to craft a good, tailored cover letter that highlights how your volunteer experience aligns with the role and how you want to grow in a specific area. Then, start preparing for interviews and reflecting on the skills and achievements you've listed. You can also explore more career advice, check out CV examples for inspiration, or build your professional presence with a strong LinkedIn profile. Each step brings you closer to turning your volunteer work into real career opportunities.
FAQs
Should I include volunteer work on my CV if I also have paid experience?
Yes, including volunteer work on your CV is highly recommended, even if you have paid experience. Volunteer roles relevant to the job or highlighting transferable skills can enhance your application. They demonstrate initiative, leadership, and sector-specific expertise, and making it more impactful.
Where should I place volunteer work on my CV?
The placement of volunteer work on your CV depends on its relevance. For recent graduates, include it under a Work Experience CV section if it closely aligns with the job. Seasoned professionals and career changers should create a separate section titled Volunteer Work or Volunteering Experience.
Can I include short-term or one-off volunteering?
Include one-time volunteering only if it was especially impactful or directly relevant to the role. For instance, coordinating a large event or delivering a public talk may be worth mentioning, but casual or one-day activities usually aren’t necessary unless you lack other experience.
How do I explain skills gained through volunteering in interviews?
Use the ‘tell me about yourself’ question as an opportunity to share your career journey and provide insights on your volunteering experience beyond what's listed on your CV. Approach it like any professional experience, highlight key challenges you've faced, how you addressed them, the skills you applied, and the results you achieved. The STAR interview technique can be especially helpful for structuring your response.
Do employers in the UK really value volunteer work?
Absolutely. UK employers, particularly in the public, non-profit, healthcare, and education sectors, often view volunteer work as a strong indicator of character, commitment, and initiative. It can help your CV stand out, especially if you're early in your career or changing industries.
