Can I list volunteer experience on my resume to close skill gaps?

Dear Sam: I have more than 10 years of experience as an IT programmer and recently earned my college degree. My career goal is to obtain an IT management position, and I was wondering how I could, or if I should, put my experience as Trustee Chairman at my local church on my resume to highlight my experience with budgeting and management. If so, where would it appear?

– Anonymous

Dear Anonymous: There is often confusion over whether engagements of a more personal nature should be included on a resume. The rule I use to evaluate whether these positions make it on a resume is to examine whether they add “value” to your candidacy. For example, suppose you are a salesperson and have extensive involvement in your local community, the same community where you would be selling. In that case, your personal engagements will reinforce your likeliness to succeed based on your extensive network.

As you are trying to break into management, yes, this position will likely add validity to your general and financial management capabilities. To incorporate this into your resume, I would be sure to note the skills you possess— based on this engagement—within the qualifications summary on page one of your resume. Then, add a section at the end of your resume titled “Professional Involvement” or something similar, and detail this position as you have those appearing within the professional experience section. Remember, if you give this section some weight, then the hiring manager is also more likely to do so; hence it is key that you showcase the value of this opportunity and the skills it has allowed you to develop.

Dear Sam: What impact does an absence on Linkedin have on employment? Is it a sign of covering up your employment history or a lack of knowledge? Or do employers care?

– Peg

Dear Peg: It depends. If you are in a professional position where networking and some level of technical aptitude are expected, the lack of a Linkedin profile could harm you. Not only is Linkedin a professional networking site, but it is also a prominent recruitment tool used by recruiters and employers to source candidates, so the ramification of you not having a profile extends far beyond your ability or lack thereof to “push” information to your target audience. On the “pull” side of a job search—where employers and recruiters actively search for you versus the other way around—if you do not have a profile, you not only won’t be putting your best virtual foot forward, but you will have a lesser chance of being found during profile searches.

Now, having said that, I believe the absence of a profile is a better option than having a lackluster profile. If you are going to have a profile, be sure it is worth the reader’s time to review it. I’d say for it to be worth your time investment on Linkedin, you should virtualize the majority of your contacts, add targeted content from your resume to engage searchers and connections, join groups and associations to reinforce your brand, seek recommendations to attach to your roles, and accept skill endorsements from your connections. You’ll see there is much more to Linkedin than just having a profile or not having a profile. To make it effective, you must put some time and effort into it, but I promise it will be well worth your investment if you do so.