Adding church-based volunteer work to Linkedin/Resume

[Anonymous]

I'm considering adding volunteer work to my Linkedin profile and resume. However, much of it is church-based and I'm concerned that this may prejudice some potential employers against me. Should I add it or leave it off? Context: have been a SAHM and have part-time work; looking to move into full-time.

[Anonymous]

I'd leave it off.

It adds nothing material but adds risk

[Anonymous]

It would turn me off.

[Anonymous]

It depends what the volunteer work is.

For example, if you did some accounting for your church or organized a database or produced published materials, that might merit inclusion on a resume/LinkedIn.

If you volunteered at a bake sale fundraiser, then, no, that doesn't merit inclusion.

Only include volunteer work if it shows applicable skills to the jobs you are trying to reach and if you can list an accomplishment, were in a leadership position with a decent level of responsibility, or had a longstanding position of importance (e.g., managed the accounts for 5 years).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends what the volunteer work is.

For example, if you did some accounting for your church or organized a database or produced published materials, that might merit inclusion on a resume/LinkedIn.

If you volunteered at a bake sale fundraiser, then, no, that doesn't merit inclusion.

Only include volunteer work if it shows applicable skills to the jobs you are trying to reach and if you can list an accomplishment, were in a leadership position with a decent level of responsibility, or had a longstanding position of importance (e.g., managed the accounts for 5 years).

Exactly. If it is relevant to the position, include it. I was a church administrator before we moved. One of our members listed me as a professional reference and used her volunteer experience at the church on her resume. She was the chair of our marketing team and the position she was seeking was in marketing at a small non-profit. She did a lot of work for me in creating and developing ads for the newspaper. She was great at using photoshop and Lucid to create fantastic flyers. She handled all the marketing for special events. She organized our marketing team volunteers. She created and proposed a new budget to our Board of Trustees. All relevant to the job she was seeking.

And yes. She got the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends what the volunteer work is.

For example, if you did some accounting for your church or organized a database or produced published materials, that might merit inclusion on a resume/LinkedIn.

If you volunteered at a bake sale fundraiser, then, no, that doesn't merit inclusion.

Only include volunteer work if it shows applicable skills to the jobs you are trying to reach and if you can list an accomplishment, were in a leadership position with a decent level of responsibility, or had a longstanding position of importance (e.g., managed the accounts for 5 years).

I'd take this approach, too.

[Anonymous]

I dunno. I can see maybe including it if it like what pp 11:54 and 11:55 mention. But many people, such as myself, see religious behavior in the workplace as toxic and intrusive. I would pass over a candidate with any type of religious reference in their resume or LinkedIn for fear of them being a zealot.

[Anonymous]

OP here - good points about relevancy and level of responsibility. Yes, I'm a bit worried about the zealot impression. Maybe I'll leave it off Linkedin and add it to my resume when it makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I dunno. I can see maybe including it if it like what pp 11:54 and 11:55 mention. But many people, such as myself, see religious behavior in the workplace as toxic and intrusive. I would pass over a candidate with any type of religious reference in their resume or LinkedIn for fear of them being a zealot.

You sound like a bigot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - good points about relevancy and level of responsibility. Yes, I'm a bit worried about the zealot impression. Maybe I'll leave it off Linkedin and add it to my resume when it makes sense.

I think this is a good plan, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I dunno. I can see maybe including it if it like what pp 11:54 and 11:55 mention. But many people, such as myself, see religious behavior in the workplace as toxic and intrusive. I would pass over a candidate with any type of religious reference in their resume or LinkedIn for fear of them being a zealot.

Anecdotal only, but I'm 49 years old, have been working since I was 15, and have only seen one person in my life bring their religious "behavior" into the workplace. She tried to get donations for one of those pregnancy centers that gives out incorrect medical information about abortions. I've seen many, many employees who are active members of their churches or other houses of worship, but none (other than that one person) who blur the line. I wouldn't hold someone's religious affiliations against them. That is true prejudice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dunno. I can see maybe including it if it like what pp 11:54 and 11:55 mention. But many people, such as myself, see religious behavior in the workplace as toxic and intrusive. I would pass over a candidate with any type of religious reference in their resume or LinkedIn for fear of them being a zealot.

Anecdotal only, but I'm 49 years old, have been working since I was 15, and have only seen one person in my life bring their religious "behavior" into the workplace. She tried to get donations for one of those pregnancy centers that gives out incorrect medical information about abortions. I've seen many, many employees who are active members of their churches or other houses of worship, but none (other than that one person) who blur the line. I wouldn't hold someone's religious affiliations against them. That is true prejudice.

Yikes. Did she get fired?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dunno. I can see maybe including it if it like what pp 11:54 and 11:55 mention. But many people, such as myself, see religious behavior in the workplace as toxic and intrusive. I would pass over a candidate with any type of religious reference in their resume or LinkedIn for fear of them being a zealot.

You sound like a bigot.

+1. I don't see how "kept books for X Church" is being a zealot. And I'm not religious at all. Good grief.

[Anonymous]

Not OP, but I have a similar question:

I worked at a church a year after college. I am a 3L whose other work, internships, etc. have been in pretty progressive civil rights positions. I don't think having a progressive career and being a Christian are mutually exclusive, but I am sure some resume readers would be skeptical. Would you drop the church work off the resume and let there be a 1 year gap after college, or would you leave it on?