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Does “volunteer” dilute senior-level scope on a CV

Sheila

 Good afternoon,

I would value views on how this is interpreted in practice.

I am currently establishing an organisation-wide Learning and Development function within a branch of a national charity. The remit includes designing the learning architecture, leading rollout across 70+ staff, introducing evaluation frameworks, and implementing centralised tracking and governance processes. The scope operates at senior leadership level. The role is undertaken on an unpaid basis.

When presenting this on my CV under the role title and dates, does including the word “volunteer” risk unintentionally reducing the perceived seniority of the work at shortlisting stage?

Alternatively, would describing it as a pro-bono leadership role more accurately reflect the level of responsibility, or does the scope and impact of the work tend to carry more weight?

I am interested in how this is typically read at first sift.

Thank you,


Sheila

  • Not at all, you can gain a great deal from being a trustee, or helping a charity or CIC/CIO. I'm a Director of a CIC.

  • I have been a Trustee/Non-Ex for a Community Benefit Society/NfP for over 18 years now and I wouldn't use the title 'volunteer'. I have also been a CIC director. I think pro-bono leadership role captures it well.  When shortlisting someone I would see it as an attribute and a quality. 

    Having said that my pro-bono experience has, on occasions, been diminished by others and I am told that helping an organisation running a public space can't be compared to a serious position - replying that the 'public space' is in fact over 100 spaces and the turnover is over £100M per annum tends to give me large satisfaction from a 'Dilbert' point of view (whatever did happen to Dilbert?). 

  • in reply to Tania

    Sadly Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert died a few weeks ago :(

  • in reply to Tania

    Scott Adams, writer of Dilbert, got into a lot of trouble for some controversial views & the strip was cancelled by many outlets.  Sadly he died of prostate cancer early this year.

    The strips first became big around the time I entered the corporate world.  Kept me sane!

  • Pro Bono seems to be a lot sexier than volunteer

  • Thank you all — this has genuinely helped me think it through.

    The distinction around framing senior unpaid work has been particularly useful. I am leaning towards using “Learning and Development Lead (Pro-Bono Leadership)” rather than “Volunteer” so that the scope of the role is clearer at first glance.

    And I have now looked up Dilbert — thank you for that!

    Appreciate everyone’s input.  Have a lovely Thursday.  

    Sheila 

  • in reply to Sheila

    It should not disadvantage you at all. It’s demostrates activity beyond your day job experience and I would encourage you to make the most of this,  by thinking in a skills context and what transferable skills you can bring to your organisation.