Can you use volunteer work on a resume?

Question

I have a petty theft record and an agency that I have applied for to help me find a job, has informed me that I need at least a years worth of job experience at the same place, after the conviction or they cannot work with me. I was honest about it and told them about my background, so I wouldn't have to be paranoid about getting fired later on down the line. Alot of people already working with them, lied about their backgrounds and are currently working, so it makes me a little angry that they are taking me through all this. The l petty theft conviction occurred in January of this year and I am currently on probation for another 2 years. It's hard as hell to find a job and I was wondering, if I could use a friend who is a supervisor for a home care facility to be a reference, stating that I "volunteered" for them for a few years, but didn't get paid much to make a living. He is an employee and all they could do is call. What other proof, could they ask for? No check stubs volunteering

Answer 1

Yes! Volunteer work is great to have on your resume! Not only is it 'work' experience, but it shows that you can stick with something even if it doesn't pay well (or at all!).
Volunteer work just looks really great all around on a resume.

Answer 2

Did you really volunteer there? From your question it sounded like maybe you didn't, but were just using him as a reference and asking him to back up some false info. They would probably ask you a lot of questions about exactly what you did there and how many hours you worked a week and for how long, and might ask to talk to your friend's supervisor or manager to verify your service there, If you didn't really volunteer a lot there, you could be getting into a deep hole if you try to claim that you did. You are in this fix due to dishonesty - don't make it worse by lying. You are under extra scrutiny because of your background, so they'll probably check things out fairly thoroughtly.

But if you really did volunteer there, at least half time for the years you mentioned, then definitely you can use that.

That said, I wish you luck in finding a job.

Answer 3

Yup, I agree with the answers above. You need to include it on your resume...you can put it under Employment and specify next to it - "Volunteer work" or under another subheading like Education, Employment, Volunteer work. Either way, you have to include it to explain the gap in the timeline when you werent "working". And even though it is volunteering, you still utilize skills like goal setting, time management, interpersonal skills, conflict management- those are all transferable skills to any job that you take up afterward. In future interviews, you get to talk about all that as part of your "professional development", PLUS you get bonus points for doing volunteer work. Good luck!

Answer 4

A resume is just that, a portfolio of your experiences, paid or non-paid. Make a section with Profesional experience, work you've done related to the field your applying for, and volunteer section, with any volunteer items you have done.

As for a reference, you can use anyone that knows you, but sometimes people ask for references from people you have worked for.

Answer 5

I wouldn't recommend using a false reference as that can go on your employment credit report. If you have to, just go get a job wherever you can. Even McDonald's. It doesn't matter what job it is that you have, only that you have 1 year of working history with one company. I know this probably isn't the response you're looking for, but I sincerely wish you luck for a better future.

Answer 6

Yes you can. volunteer work actually looks great on a resume. Make sure this person is okay with you using him as a reference first though.

Good Luck:)

Answer 7

yes..work experience is work experience
as long as your not asking your friend to LIE for you...because it could bite you in the butt later on.
IF YOU VOLUNTEERED YOUR TIME....YOU DON'T GET PAID..THAT'S WHY IT CALLED VOLUNTEERING....
Some place keep records of volunteers. I don't know what information they could gather.
Best of luck....

Answer 8

Always a plus to use your volunteer work in your resume. It shows initiative and drive. :)

Answer 9

Just lie. Approximately 53% of all resumes contain at least one lie. If they catch you so what, you wouldn't have had a chance at all if you told the truth, so you've got nothing to lose by lying. It's sort of like stealing, which you already know how to do anyway.

Answer 10

have the volunteer coordinator write you a letter of recommendation to send to the agency.