How to write a compelling refugee volunteer resume?

Any volunteering role supporting a good cause is extremely important for making the world a better place. However, there are some that can literally help rebuild one’s life, and one such role is a refugee volunteer.

You contribute in many different ways, from organizing medical visits to providing language classes or guidance.

You certainly need to adapt to different conditions and levels of difficulty based on a specific job, but the mere fact that you can significantly improve someone's life situation is worth it.

In order to land this life-changing job you will first need to craft an effective refugee volunteer resume. How? Keep reading and tailor your sections to the job you are seeking.

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1. How to properly format your refugee volunteer resume?

Besides many character traits that make you a great candidate for this position, you will also need some practical skills. Being well-organized is one of them, as you may be asked to put together social activities or public events for children and adults. 

And what’s a better way to demonstrate how structured you are if not by giving your resume the best possible design?

Get your formatting right with the following tips:

• Keep your page count low, opting for a two-column layout.
• Include your must-have contact details in the header. Your full name, email address, telephone number and related social media links will definitely suffice.
• Use a classic font such as Garamond, Cambria, or Calibri.
• Make your resume easy to read and easy to navigate using white space between individual segments.
• Ensure that your headings are clear and big enough.

 Choose your preferred template and make your resume shine.

2. How to make your refugee volunteer professional summary section shine?

A professional summary is a short blurb that should encompass your relevant work experience, impressive accomplishments and brilliant volunteering skills in 3-5 lines.

Its purpose is clear — appeal to a hiring manager so that they keep on reading the rest of the resume.

Not that easy? It surely will be a walk in the park after you read our handy tips. Remember that although your professional summary appears right below the header, you should write it only after you’ve crafted all your other resume sections.

• Use impactful attributes, such as dependable, enthusiastic, self-driven, etc., to describe yourself as a professional.
• Mention how many years of experience you’ve had in a relevant position. If you are applying for such a role for the first time, focus more on your objective and passion for volunteering.
• Highlight your most compelling achievements, and link them with keywords from the job posting you are replying to.
• Emphasize your best skills that are integral for volunteering.

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3. How to accentuate the right skills in your refugee volunteer resume?

Depending on responsibilities you will fulfill in a specific volunteering role, you will be required to have a particular skill-set. You may need to be able to fundraise, mend things or even cook.

There are, however, certain soft skills that any refugee volunteer should definitely possess. Perhaps the most important ones are enormous empathy, professional approach and ability to work under pressure and in difficult conditions.

Always tailor your skill-set to the job ad in question.

4. How to effectively describe your refugee volunteer work experience?

There is no doubt that your work history is an integral part of your resume. It is, indeed, a great opportunity to show your strengths, talents, skills and preparedness for such a transformative role as a refugee volunteer.

Many candidates merely list their previous duties, and are not result oriented. Could it ruin their chances to land the job they want? It surely could.

Here’s how to avoid this mistake and effectively describe your past work experience with a focus on a specific job ad:

• List your work history reverse-chronologically, and mention first your most recent position.
• State the company name, location, your job title and dates. Remember to be transparent about the time you spent in each position.
• Tailor your work section to a specific job ad. How to make it happen? Focus on the requirements, look for the right keywords in the job posting in question, and incorporate them in your section.
• Focus on mentioning your accomplishments rather than naming your daily duties.
• Quantify your achievements whenever it’s possible.
• Keep the number of bullet points below 7, selecting only the most relevant achievements.
• Use impactful verbs, such as coordinated, facilitated, managed, etc.
   

5. How to make your education section stand out a mile?

Although not every refugee volunteer role requires a background in formal education, this certainly does not mean that you should neglect it. 

The way you present your highest education level can become decisive in the hiring process. How so? Including your related academic achievements or areas of interest can surely help you outstrip other candidates.
 

6. What are the best extra sections to put on your refugee volunteer resume?

Additional sections serve perfectly for taking your resume to the next level. 

They give the hiring manager a better idea of your character traits, language competence, social engagement, skills needed for work with people in difficult life situations, and many other factors that can make you a perfect candidate.

Pick the sections that are best related to the job ad in question, and make your refuge volunteer resume shine:

• Volunteering Activities
• Qualifications
• Extracurricular Activities
• Publications
• Certifications
• Awards
• Projects
• Interests
• Accomplishments
• Languages
• Training Courses