Resumes tell prospective donors about the qualifications of staff and key volunteers.
Style
Keep in mind when you write a resume that you can do anything with it that is appropriate to inform the prospective donor.
There is no "fill in the blank" way of writing a resume.
Functional Resume Style
This style is one of the most commonly used resume styles, and it works well for people who have had internships or co-operative experiences. This type of resume highlights previous work experience that has given background experience. You might want to try listing an organization’s name first if the individual worked for a particularly prestigious organization.
Otherwise, listing the title first gives the prospective donor a good sense of the individual’s work progress and duties. However, you should be consistent in using either title first or organization first.
Skills Resume Style
The skills style is well suited to volunteers who have gained valuable experience through a number of voluntary jobs and courses. This format is also appropriate for people who are making a significant change in careers. It emphasizes what they can do, not where they have worked.
Applicable skills can be established through any activities that you feel will demonstrate their qualifications: courses, work, volunteer activities, personal life, and so forth. For example, if they counselled clients in a homeless shelter and gave presentations in a psychology course, they have demonstrated communications skills.
Elements
Most resumes have certain things in common because every prospective donor needs information such as name, address, and phone number.
The following is a list of some of the commonly seen resume items along with explanations. Each item is not used on all types of resumes, and they are not listed in any particular order. Use what works best for the needs of your project/program.
Name
Address
Phone Number
Education
This section is very important for most new graduates. It sometimes includes information such as university attended, degrees earned, major, minors, grade point average, date of program completion, and honors.
Work Experience
Work experience refers to positions held which are, in some way, related to the project/program. This area may include information such as job title, organization name and address, dates, and duties performed. Usually job descriptions are broken down into lists of action phrases that itemize the significant details of duties performed.
Skills
If you are using a skills format, this section demonstrates the skills that the individual has mastered which would be useful for project/program.
Activities and Honors
This section gives you a chance to note special activities the individual has participated in or special accolades that you would like the prospective donor to know that they have received.
References and Portfolios
References is a list of professional acquaintances who are willing to talk with prospective donors about the individual’s demonstrated abilities.
Your portfolio is a selection of professional quality work which the individual can give the prospective donor as examples of your capabilities.
