Thread: Volunteer Work and the Application Process

Greetings,

I have been reading the board for a few months now; figured it was time to start posting. This board has been a great resource and I appreciate everyone's willingness to help.

I have a general special agent application question. For those who have in the past, and are currently applying for special agent positions, what amount of church volunteer activity have you drawn on for the actual applications and also for panel interviews?

The reason I ask this, is, because I have been heavily involved with church support work, am on the board of church directors, etc. Should a ton of specific information be given in the same way information about a job would be, or is this not appropriate? I know certain applications (such as a Fed Resume) have room for volunteer work. Any insight/experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

~E

Originally Posted by Epictetus

Greetings,

I have been reading the board for a few months now; figured it was time to start posting. This board has been a great resource and I appreciate everyone's willingness to help.

I have a general special agent application question. For those who have in the past, and are currently applying for special agent positions, what amount of church volunteer activity have you drawn on for the actual applications and also for panel interviews?

The reason I ask this, is, because I have been heavily involved with church support work, am on the board of church directors, etc. Should a ton of specific information be given in the same way information about a job would be, or is this not appropriate? I know certain applications (such as a Fed Resume) have room for volunteer work. Any insight/experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

~E

I would say none unless your works in the church really makes you marketable.

The application is your resume. Seems like AC makes a decision regarding Phase II recommendation based on your application. The question you have to ask is what is the relationship between your works in the church and the critical skills the bureau is looking for. I am not saying that the volunteer works per se does not benefit your application but, you have to think about why it is related to your qualification. I put down lots of volunteer works in my application, but I emphasized how it is related to the job I am seeking for.

Especially, I read a post that you don't want to bring up sensitive issues such as politics or religion especially during the panel interview.

I think I may have a slightly different twist to "boldlygo"s response.....

On all my applications, I've put the volunteer work with my church on there. However, I was selective in choosing. Here's some non-realistic examples:

DO: I would put volunteer work in which shows community support, like feeding the homeless or working in a shelter. I think it shows well-roundedness. One example I put on there was how I got to march in the 2001 Presidential Inaugural Parade (it wasn't with a religious group - it was with the military). It was a great opportunity, and it didn't show political support, despite the fact it could be viewed as a political event.

DON'T: I would avoid putting work on a resume that specifically shows religion. For example, I wouldn't mention the hours you've spent on the street corner "bible-bashing the heathens" (remember non-realistic example). There are a number of churches here in Pensacola that have members stand on street corners shouting damnation to everyone who drives by.

The key is to use discretion (which is a tool I would imagine is quite important in the FLE line of work).

I'm going to disagree with you Boldlygo. You seem to be cutting out every agency other than the FBI with your response. Epictetus asked about FLE (1811) in general. I know for a fact that on the 156 question electronic question and answer session that OPM requires for alot of its 1811 announcements, it specifically asks about volunteer positions INCLUDING ones where you served on the board of directors or in a leadership role. I think this experience, whether church or otherwise, fits perfectly with questions such as those. If you can relate it to solving problems and resolving disputes, you are in even better shape.

Thank you all for the practical/insightful advice. And yes, I am speaking of 1811 applications in general. navy03 and LongTermGoal, you are addressing specifically what I'm after...how to draw on volunteer work and not push any political/religious agenda.

How would you recommend this kind of information be put on a resume? Often times simply listing the name of the church or volunteer organization implies a certain religious association – is this inappropriate or simply nothing to worry about?

~E

When I mentioned my volunteer experiences on the resume, I put the date of the volunteer work, the locations (10th Street Shelter), and type of work.

On another application, I just stated that I participated in volunteer work on a number of occasions with my church (no church name stated).

Originally Posted by navy03

When I mentioned my volunteer experiences on the resume, I put the date of the volunteer work, the locations (10th Street Shelter), and type of work.

On another application, I just stated that I participated in volunteer work on a number of occasions with my church (no church name stated).

Thats how I would do it myself.

Coming out of college, I have seen friends who think LE/Govt people will be incredibly impressed with volunteer work for the local Republican/Democrat candidate or other sort of organization with a particular political viewpoint.

... they sometimes get lectured on the Hatch Act and how any campaigning or overt political activity in uniform/in office is cause for dismissal.

With so many political issues tied to the various churches in 2005, I would make it a generic statement of church involvement or even "faith-based charity."