Voluntary/Charity PM work on CV.
Voluntary/Charity PM work on CV.
Author
Discussion

TotalControl

Original Poster:

8,298 posts

227 months

Wednesday 6th April 2016
quotequote all
Not as simple as the title suggests but I'll try explaining as best as I can. I'm looking for some guidance in respect to this dilemma.

I have been fortunate enough to have worked on a project (in my own time on weekends etc) over the last 19 months as the PM for a rather large community building constructed in a different country. This involved the usual tasks of waiting for finances to be raised and then allocating said finances to the next stage of the build, organising work required etc.

Problem is, the area involved is quite remote and being in a different country, I'm not sure if putting this on my CV would work to show my genuine involvement in case this potential future employer may just think I am lying. Bar pictures and actually taking the person to the site, there isn't really any other way of proving this project took place.

Should I put this down on my CV under my General Work experience or create a different heading for Voluntary work?

Am I over thinking this?

anothernameitist

1,500 posts

164 months

Wednesday 6th April 2016
quotequote all
Put it on, its good for a number of things, shows you will volunteer, shows initiative, name the project in detail, can it be verified by google search?

Alos in an interview situation that should weed out the liars.

Not sure where to put it, but volunteering sound a good heading

TIGA84

5,584 posts

260 months

Wednesday 6th April 2016
quotequote all
Put it on, have a separate section for it outside of your main skills and experience.

Also - LinkedIN have a specific bit for charity/voluntary work etc, so if you've got a profile on there, put it on as well.

Davel

8,982 posts

287 months

Wednesday 6th April 2016
quotequote all
Yep -show it !

TotalControl

Original Poster:

8,298 posts

227 months

Wednesday 6th April 2016
quotequote all
Excellent. Thank you for the feedback chaps.

To go into a little more detail, Google won't show it at all. It's in a village town based in Pakistan. Most of the funders work abroad so liaising was a difficult one via Skype sometimes because of different time zones and availability. It's taken this long to get to the final stage.

I'll pop it on in a separate heading for volunteer work. But fear my CV will end up being over the 2 page standard.

rog007

5,828 posts

253 months

Wednesday 6th April 2016
quotequote all
I think you are over thinking it. A CV is simply a brochure highlighting your competencies and suitability for the role you're applying for at that moment in time. If you have no employment gaps that need explaining then that's good. If the outcomes you achieved on that project are relevant to the role you're next applying for then include it as a standard entry just like any other role. If they want to know more they'll ask at interview. Hope that helps.

Troubleatmill

10,210 posts

188 months

Wednesday 6th April 2016
quotequote all
Put it on the CV.

Have a contact number for someone else who can verify if questioned.

Employers like people who volunteer their skills for good causes.

TotalControl

Original Poster:

8,298 posts

227 months

Thursday 7th April 2016
quotequote all
ROG & TAM, thank you for your advice (as with most of my threads on this forum smile ). I do think I'm over thinking it so have put it on without going into too much depth and just explaining in a simple manner.

Trying to find someone who is able to clarify and confirm the work will be tricky, but I guess all part of the process. I may try to find someone who was involved in financing from this country to confirm, if I can.


TIGA84

5,584 posts

260 months

Friday 8th April 2016
quotequote all
TotalControl said:
ROG & TAM, thank you for your advice (as with most of my threads on this forum smile ). I do think I'm over thinking it so have put it on without going into too much depth and just explaining in a simple manner.

Trying to find someone who is able to clarify and confirm the work will be tricky, but I guess all part of the process. I may try to find someone who was involved in financing from this country to confirm, if I can.
No one will ever bother to check it I promise you, there is no reason to, so stop worrying.