Crafting a CV for a volunteer position requires a unique approach to highlight your passion and dedication to making a difference. In this article, you’ll find insights on developing a standout volunteer CV, complete with tips and examples to guide you through each section.

Create an effective CV in minutes. Choose a professional CV template and fill in every section of your CV in a flash using ready-made content and expert tips.

Create your CV now

Create a professional CV now!

Volunteer CV example

NO

Volunteer CV example

YES

Create your CV now

We created the sample on the left using our builder. See other good CV examples like this one.

Here’s a volunteer CV sample in a text version:

Volunteer CV sample

Example

Mia King

Animal Care Specialist

[Phone no.] 123-456-7890 

Email – mia.king@email.com 

Linkedin – linkedin.com/in/mia-king4382 

Personal statement

Compassionate and dedicated Animal Care Specialist with over 3 years of experience in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Eager to support Paws & Claws Urban Sanctuary (PCUS) in enhancing the well-being of urban wildlife and educating the community on coexistence strategies. Raised over £5,000 in donations for the British Wildlife Rescue Network through community engagement initiatives. 

Experience

Animal Care Volunteer

British Wildlife Rescue Network (BWRN), London

July 2020–Present 

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

  • Assisted in the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife, including badgers, foxes, and birds of prey. 
  • Conducted public awareness campaigns on wildlife protection and conservation, reaching over 10,000 residents. 
  • Coordinated with local communities to implement wildlife-friendly practices in urban areas. 
  • Maintained accurate records of animal care, treatments, and releases. 

Key Achievement:

  • Successfully raised over £5,000 in donations for the British Wildlife Rescue Network through a series of engaging community initiatives

Education

BSc Zoology

University of Manchester, Manchester 

September 2017–June 2020 

Relevant extracurricular activities 

  • Volunteered at local animal shelters, providing care and supporting adoption events. 
  • Led a fundraising event for wildlife conservation, raising over £2,000. 

Academic achievements 

  • Graduated with First Class Honours. 
  • Awarded Best Undergraduate Research Project on Urban Wildlife Adaptations. 

Skills

  • Proficient in wildlife first aid and rehabilitation 
  • Effective communication and public speaking 
  • Strong organisational and record-keeping abilities 
  • Compassionate animal handling and care 
  • Skilled in community engagement and education 
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data entry 
  • Collaboration and teamwork 
  • Ability to work under pressure 

Certifications

  • Wildlife First Aid, British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, 2021 

Awards

  • 2020, Community Engagement Leader of the Year, British Wildlife Rescue Network 

Memberships

Member of the British Ecological Society since 2019 

  • Presented research on urban wildlife corridors at the 2020 Annual Meeting 

Languages

  • English—Native 

Interests

  • Organizing community clean-up events to create safer habitats for urban wildlife 
  • Writing articles for a wildlife conservation blog to educate the public on local wildlife issues

How to write a volunteer CV

Crafting a standout CV for volunteer work is all about showcasing your passion and the impact of your activities. Here’s a roadmap to creating a volunteering CV that not only reflects your commitment to service but also catches the eye of prospective organisations.

  • Personal statement:

Craft a compelling volunteer CV summary or a career objective that showcases your passion, key experiences, notable accomplishments, and aspirations in volunteering, tailored to meet the needs of the organisations you’re applying to.

  • Job description:

Adapt your work experience section to spotlight your volunteer initiatives, successes, and relevant experiences. Include 3 to 7 bullet points under significant headings to present your roles and the names of the organisations. If freelance work or a career transition is in your story, a skills-based CV might be more appropriate.

  • Education:

Bolster your volunteer CV with an education section that highlights qualifications relevant to volunteering. Format it as [Degree Class] [Degree Name] (Year Graduated) at [University Name]. Use a bullet-point list to underline achievements, extracurricular activities, and standout skills if work experience is sparse.

  • Skills:

Construct a skills section that lists soft skills and any technical expertise vital to the roles you’re applying for. If you feel that you’re lacking in the interpersonal skills area, volunteering can be a great way to develop these qualities!

  • Additional sections:

Augment your CV for volunteer work with extra sections that offer more depth. Consider including awards, certifications, or language skills to underscore your versatility and appeal. Conversely, it’s wise to leave out unrelated hobbies or interests to keep recruiters focused on your most pertinent attributes.

  • Cover letter:

Pair your volunteer CV with a tailored cover letter that displays your unique qualifications and genuine enthusiasm for the role. Start with a brief intro to underline your experience and why you’re a perfect fit, then proceed with a detailed paragraph about your strengths and contributions. Conclude your cover letter with a statement of interest in the organization and a confident call to action.

  • Format:

Play around with your volunteer CV format, ensuring clear readability by choosing the right font and leaving plenty of white space. Also, flexibly accommodate applicant tracking systems—PDF formats can be problematic, so adapt if necessary.

Remember, a well-crafted volunteer CV is your ticket to making a difference where it counts the most.

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

Create your CV now
cv builder

Considering other positions? See CV examples for different jobs:

Thank you for taking the time to read through our tips on piecing together an impactful volunteer CV. We hope you found this information helpful, and we would love to hear your thoughts or answer any questions you might have in the comment section below.

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with LiveCareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.