Does volunteer work count as employment history?

[EngineeringStudent]

I volunteered at a soup kitchen for a long period of time in High School.

Right now, I'm applying to work at a couple of places. I don't have any actual employment history, and it doesn't look good to leave that section blank on the application. If I make it clear that it was a volunteer position, could I use it as a substitute for actual work experience?

[selfishstars]

Definitely include any volunteer work you've done on your resume. It's not necessarily a substitute for actual work experience, but it does make your resume look better. Keep in mind that everyone has to start somewhere, so employers do get resumes from people without any work experience and they do hire these people. Including things like volunteer experience, education, and even hobbies/interests will allow the employer to get to know more about you and can indicate that you're hardworking, responsible, committed, and additional skills you might have (i.e. think about the skills you learned/used while volunteering at the soup kitchen---food preparation, interpersonal skills, etc.).

[queenofpeen]

As mangageek said, put it on your resume and include your resume with your application. I think if I were a manager, I'd rather see the "employment history" section blank than see someone trying to make their volunteer work count as actual employment. :P It's admirable, but it doesn't count, and putting it down as work experience might show that you don't understand that there's a huge difference between volunteering and being employed (although I know that it's often just as much work).

Find another way to include it!

[mangageek]

It is not work experience so don't put it in that box. Add it to your resume and use whoever supervised you as a reference. I did some community service and put it in my resume, got hired one of the first 4 places I applied. Don't annoy the manager by bending things to make them "fit" in the work experience box. Only paid jobs for a workplace count, babysitting etc doesn't belong there either. Hope this helps! Try applying to host at restaurants if you have good people skills too :) good luck!

[BlackBear18]

I don't see why not. Employers generally want any and all of your work experience, especially at any companies or organizations where you have worked at for a long period of time. Besides volunteer work shows that you are a very hard worker and that you work to make a difference and not just work for financial benefit. You enjoy working genuinely. So go ahead and count it as employment history. Good luck and hope you get the job! Keep me posted!

[Shaun]

I'd definitely cite it. It will account for your time and give you an opportunity to list skills you've learn and used.

[italykam]

Either that, or it can have a heading of its own possibly? But I think it would work just fine if there isn't room.

[Anonymous]

It will look good on your resume and you can use your supervisor as a reference which will make you look good in the eyes of your future employee. Don`t put it in your employment section though.

[Hyped_up_on_coffee]

no but include it as it makes you look good and makes you more hireable if that even is a word

[slipslender]

i don't know if it counts as a substitute, but I'd definitely put it down anyways.

[Anonymous]

It's better than employment history. You are working for no profit. It shows you care. BUT, on your resume, use it as experience, but make sure you put volunteer and not employer.

[SnackG]

Most job applications ask for employment and/or volunteer history. It won't count as a job, but it counts for something.

[Anonymous]

it only counts if it's related to your chosen career