How to Write a Volunteer CV

In the UK, volunteering continues to be a popular way for people to give back to causes they care about, build new skills, and gain valuable experience. A good volunteering CV, along with a cover letter or letter of interest in some cases, can make a real difference when applying for volunteer opportunities. This guide provides helpful tips on creating compelling CV that highlights your skills and experience for potential volunteer roles.

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Volunteer CV example 

Download this sample volunteer CV in PDF.

In this volunteer CV sample, Anna showcases her skills in organising projects to foster community engagement and social change. The volunteering CV template used is Edinburgh, which is well-formatted and presents her expertise in a concise and professional layout. Check out the matching volunteer cover letter example.

What to include in a volunteer CV? 

To create a good volunteer CV, you must first ensure it is optimised for application tracking systems (ATS) so recruiters can scan and find your application quickly. Discover the essential tips for securing a volunteer role.

1. Make sure to include essential personal details, such as your current contact information, including phone number and email address.

2. Write a brief CV personal profile or objective that outlines your career goals, expertise, and passion for helping others.

3. Highlight relevant work experience, emphasising key responsibilities, achievements, and transferable skills. Be sure to include any volunteer work in this section to further demonstrate your commitment.

4. Add a dedicated skills section to showcase your strengths and key competencies.

5. Include your educational background or any certifications that are relevant to the role you're applying for.

6. You may also want to add an extra section for hobbies, personal projects, or references, which can help make your CV more engaging and credible.

For additional writing guidance and how to create a job-specific CV, read our article on the CV writing process. 

1. Create a compelling personal profile

Your personal profile is the opening statement of your volunteer CV. It's your chance to reveal your enthusiasm for making a difference and your commitment to a cause or values of an organisation. Aim to showcase your unique qualities and how you can have a meaningful impact on communities or an organisation in your target role.

2. Key skills to include on a volunteer CV

Your CV volunteer skills section should demonstrate your qualifications and ability to effectively collaborate, share ideas, and collectively work towards a shared objective or mission of an organisation. For school leavers or those still studying with little to no work experience, consider writing a skills-based CV format to highlight transferable skills and prioritise your qualifications.

Refer to our article on how to list skills on a CV for more ideas. 

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3. Showcase your experience on a volunteer CV

Your work experience is the foundation of your CV, as it provides prospective employers with insights into your professional background and accomplishments. 

List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent or current job title, company name, location, and employment dates. Write a brief paragraph summarising your responsibilities and achievements, then use bullet points to list achievements on your CV.

Volunteering in customer service and hospitality can help you excel in customer-focused and communicative roles such as charity, retail, or teaching. Working in other sectors, such as sales and marketing, can also help you gain transferable communication skills to add to your work experience in the volunteer CV section. For example, you can add "utilised persuasive marketing techniques to promote featured items and encourage charity shop sales, resulting in a 15% increase in promoted products."

Volunteer Teaching Assistant, ABC Primary School, Birmingham, 2021 - 2022

Collaborated with teachers to support classroom activities, providing one-on-one and group assistance to students. Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills in fostering a positive learning environment. Assisted in developing educational materials, organising school events, and mentoring students.

•  Contributed to a 15% improvement in students' reading comprehension through personalised tutoring.

• Assisted in organising a successful school fair, attracting 500+ attendees and raising £5,000 for educational resources.

Youth Volunteer, Youth Empowerment Foundation, Manchester, 2019 - 2020

Engaged with at-risk youth, providing mentorship and emotional support. Conducted leadership workshops that enhanced participants' communication skills and self-assurance. Collaborated with young individuals to design and execute community development initiatives, empowering them to engage in these projects actively.

• Guided 20+ at-risk youth towards higher education, resulting in a 15% increase in university admissions.

• Led a team to create a youth-led community garden project, teaching life skills and fostering environmental stewardship.

Charity Shop Volunteer, Save a Paw Charity Shop, Edinburgh, 2018 - 2019

Managed shop operations, including customer service, inventory management, and visual merchandising. Effectively communicated with customers, team members, and beneficiaries. Assisted in organising charity events and maintained a welcoming and positive atmosphere on the shop floor.

• Organised a successful charity event, raising £2,000 for animal welfare.

• Improved the shop's layout and visual displays, leading to a 15% increase in sales.

Community Volunteer, GreenEarth Initiatives, Glasgow, 2020 - 2021

Collaborated with a diverse team to plan community projects, such as environmental clean-ups and cultural festivals. Effectively engaged with local organisations and stakeholders, tailoring initiatives to community needs and ensuring inclusivity.

• Organised and led cultural festivals, promoting diversity and inclusion, attracting 500+ attendees, and fostering a sense of community.

• Safely managed and transported construction materials, reducing material-related delays by 20%.

Check out our comprehensive list of CV examples which offer entry-level roles with transferable skills to include on your volunteer work CV, especially for those with little to no experience:

• Shop Assistant CV 

• Supermarket CV 

• Waiter and Waitress CV.  

4. Highlight education or qualifications on your volunteer CV

While a volunteer work CV is often about passion and dedication, including your educational background is beneficial. List your highest qualification, including the institution's name and graduation date. Mention any relevant training, workshops, or courses and certificates to support your application.

Volunteering can lead to internships or paid positions within your chosen organisation or industry of interest. If you’re passionate or knowledgeable about a sector, you can explore part-time work opportunities such as assisting startup companies. This trend not only provides a new challenge but also supports the growth of innovative businesses.  Refer to our blog and learn if working for a startup is your next career move.

Key takeaways

Your volunteer CV is a versatile tool to highlight your passions and interests, irrespective of education or qualifications. Writing a good CV is now easier with this guide and helps you take a step towards more extensive opportunities, such as internships or paid work. Ensure you create a job-specific volunteer work CV that includes these key sections. Read how to improve your CV with practical tips and examples if you need more tips.

Next Steps? 

If you're new to CV writing and need support, explore our CV Writing Service. Our team of experts can assist you in creating a compelling and polished CV. Plus, we have more than 20 professional templates, making it easy to find one that suits your needs. For more career advice, head to our blog or read CV tips for seasonal work opportunities in the UK. 

FAQs 

What counts as volunteering in the UK?

Volunteering in the UK includes any unpaid work or activities where people give their time to help individuals, organisations, or communities, often through charities, non-profits, or public services.

What is the most common volunteer work?

The most common volunteer work includes helping at a charity shop, providing community support, organising events, mentoring, and working on environmental projects.

What are volunteer work examples?

Examples include working at food banks, helping in hospitals, tutoring, organising community events, conservation efforts, and supporting homeless shelters.

What is the best volunteer CV template?

The ideal volunteer CV template should include a personal summary, relevant skills, volunteer experience, achievements, and education. Templates should emphasise transferable skills and dedication to community service.

How big is the voluntary sector in the UK?

The UK voluntary sector is substantial, with over 170,000 registered charities and millions of people volunteering annually.

Is volunteer work paid in the UK?

Volunteer work is generally unpaid in the UK, but volunteers may receive reimbursement for certain expenses, such as travel or meals.

Can foreigners volunteer in the UK?

Yes, foreigners can volunteer in the UK, but depending on their nationality and length of stay, they may need an appropriate visa.

How long should my volunteer CV be?

A volunteer CV should ideally be one to two pages, focusing on relevant experience and skills. For more tips on structuring your CV, read our guide on how long a CV should be.

What is the best CV format in the UK for a volunteer CV?

The most widely accepted format in the UK is a chronological CV. This format lists your work and educational history in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent experience. It's popular because it provides a clear, easy-to-follow overview of your career progression.