Conform to the instructions on the application before attempting to decide on your own whether to include voluntary activities in the work experience section. Some employers create a separate section on application forms for job-relevant volunteer and unpaid work experience and clearly want differentiation between paid and unpaid work. However, some employment agencies, such as the California Employment Development Department's WorkSmart program, encourage job seekers to include volunteerism related to the job opening in the work experience section. When listing volunteer work in the work experience section, make sure you have complete contact information for the organization, as well as dates of participation. In addition, in the "Reason for Leaving" space next to a former employer, you can use volunteer work as a respectable reason.
