How can you showcase your community engagement activities on your resume or portfolio?

One of the most gratifying aspects of my community engagement journey has been caring for the senior citizens living in my building. These individuals have a wealth of life experiences and wisdom to share, and it's our responsibility to ensure that their twilight years are filled with respect, comfort, and companionship. To achieve this, I have initiated several activities aimed at enriching their lives. Firstly, I organize regular social gatherings that provide seniors with an opportunity to connect with their peers, share stories, and engage in recreational activities. These gatherings not only alleviate their sense of loneliness but also foster a sense of belonging within the community.

Just be yourself and don’t worry about anything else You can always make a new friend or family member and make them feel better and happy and be there for them and make sure they are doing well and that they can get through the stress they are in And that is all that matters

If your community engagement is aligned with your work, it is double impact. In 2020, I started Pivot with Talent, a social initiative that supports career people to pivot forward. That was the peak of the pandemic and many people were down and out. Concern was the common denominator for most communities. Thought it was a 1-person effort, the social impact was visibly felt and it was an activity I included in my LinkedIn profile because it resonates with my professional work and also my passion to help others.

My involvement in community engagements has proven to be highly beneficial in numerous ways. These activities consistently align with my personal interests, namely technology, women empowerment, and finance. This strategic alignment ensures that my contributions are not only meaningful but also complement my corporate role, creating a symbiotic cycle of learning and growth.

Remember, your LinkedIn presence isn't just a resume; it's a living, evolving story of your professional journey. The community activities you select should be the characters in this narrative, reflecting your values and personality authentically. So, while evaluating your options, don't merely ponder if it's a 'yes' or 'no.' Instead, ask, 'How will this activity help me craft a compelling and unforgettable LinkedIn profile, one that resonates with my target audience and opens doors to exciting opportunities?' If the answer is an enthusiastic 'yes,' then you've found a gem to include. If not, perhaps there are other community endeavors more aligned with your LinkedIn brand waiting to be discovered."

In your resume/CV or portfolio, succinctly highlight your community engagement activities by specifying roles, impacts, and skills acquired. Divide the section into: "Role", "Organization", "Duration", and "Impact/Achievements". For each activity, start with a powerful action verb and quantify impacts when possible (e.g., "Led a team of 10 in a community clean-up, collecting 500+ lbs of waste"). Include any recognition or awards received. If space allows, incorporate testimonials or pictures in portfolios to visualize your contribution. Lastly, connect the acquired skills (e.g., leadership, project management) to the job you're applying for, showcasing applicable experience.

Two points to consider when it comes to including community or volunteer work on your resume: 1) Relevance. Is the work relevant to your target job and/or company? Perhaps it isn't necessarily relevant to the job, but you know that an organization you volunteer/ed for is held in high esteem by the company. Then it might be worth mentioning. 2) Outcome. Is/Was your work with the organization quantifiable? If you didn't achieve anything measurable, no matter how important the organization may be to the target company, it might be best to omit mentioning it. Being part of something, yet having nothing to show for it is nothing to brag about. Instead, use that space on your resume to talk about something you accomplished.

The format that you use is less important vs showing the results. Find a way to showcase your results and make it stand out. More and more companies realize the importance and it helps to stand out against other applicants. Make it part of your resume in a way that stands out against everything else on your resume.

Perspective: Highlighting Impact Through Community Engagement 👉Example: Transformative Literacy Project • Position: Project Coordinator | XYZ Literacy Foundation • Incorporate your community engagement seamlessly into your resume. For instance, if you were a Project Coordinator for a literacy initiative, integrate it within your work experience. 👉Project Coordinator | XYZ Literacy Foundation | 2018-2020 • Managed a transformative literacy project reaching 500+ underprivileged children. • Developed tailored curriculum, resulting in a 30% improvement in reading proficiency. • Mobilized community volunteers, enhancing local involvement by 40%.

Create a dedicated section titled "Community Involvement." and use keywords like "led," "organized," and "impactful." at the being of sentence as much as possible and tell stories using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Don't forget to highlight relevant skills and quantify your contributions that tailor your descriptions to the job or opportunity.

Embracing Unconventional Community Engagement: The Power of Authentic Connection In the realm of community engagement, authenticity is often overlooked but immensely impactful. Instead of focusing solely on buzzwords, consider the genuine connections you establish. Authenticity builds trust and fuels lasting change, creating a ripple effect far beyond conventional outreach. Remember, it's not just about the keywords; it's about the stories behind them, weaving a tapestry of real impact.

Consistency is key! Make sure to continuously share engagement activities, community accomplishments, events attended, etc. through digital storytelling. Create posts to showcase your involvement by sharing pictures, key takeaways, etc. and then feature that content as media on your profile. This portrays your credibility, purpose, commitment, and authenticity which will lead to more opportunities, positive brand affinity, and impact overall.

Your community engagement is changing all the time. Make sure you update the number of followers, engagement numbers, and reach. Your personal brand is changing all the time, and so should your resume. The more up-to-date, the more results you will get out of it.

Unique Perspective: "Beyond tangible achievements, focus on the transformative impact of community engagement. Highlight the stories and experiences that shaped your perspective and how they align with the values of the organization you're applying to. Employers today seek not just skill sets but individuals who bring empathy and a genuine connection to their communities." By incorporating this unique perspective and example, you add depth and authenticity to your community engagement activities, making your resume or portfolio more compelling to potential employers.

One thing that cannot be overemphasized is to keeps doing what you are doing, don't just jump into different activities at the same time, focus on either Livelihoods or resilient for an example and be consistent with it.

Demonstrating that the work is being done is critical. Posting events on social media or having local press attend events can let the community know things are happening. Putting your stamp on the event by introducing vendors to important guest, leadership, or local politicians puts one's name on the radar. Knowing your work has an impact speaks volumes.

Provide Some Context: Give context to your community involvement by briefly explaining the organizations or causes you've been a part of. This part is easily overlooked as people feel it is not necessary. For example, you could highlight some key learnings and achievements in any leadership roles, committees, or projects you've undertaken.

Don't get me wrong. Transferable skills are key. And it does help to see engagements that ARE applicable to whatever job I may have that you're applying for. But I also want to see the engagements that don't necessarily align or offer transferable skills to my business or organization. I would think organizations would want someone that isn't molded exactly to their mission, industry, or specialization. Someone who has a varied background and can reach across various environments with ease. Between what you see on the resume and what you can glean from the interview, you'll understand how much of a well-rounded and curious person you have in front of you as a prospect. Innovative thinking begins with that open mind and curiosity.

Resume Title: "Community Catalyst & Impact Architect" Summary Statement: "As a Community Catalyst, I turn engagement into empowerment. My mission? To rewrite the story of community involvement. Let my experience be your guide." Portfolio Section: Street Art of Change: Showcase vibrant street art projects in the community that I led or participated in. Describe the impact of each project, such as increased foot traffic, media coverage, or social media buzz. Include photographs, graffiti-style fonts, and even augmented reality markers for an interactive experience (scan to learn more). Skills Section: "Community Alchemist" Highlight your unique ability to transform ordinary spaces and causes into extraordinary community movements.

You can consider adding a dedicated section on your resume called volunteer experience and list some of the community involvement or engagement you have had.