Volunteer Work vs. Job Experience

<p>How can I differentiate the two? I'm asking because I have some extracurriculars that could fit into both categories.</p>

<p>Basically, does "job experience" mean that you have to receive a paycheck?</p>

<p>And does serving on the board of nonprofit/advocacy groups count as volunteer work or job experience? I'm not getting any pay, but I'm gaining hands-on learning that could later apply in a job.</p>

<p>Also, how about aiding a college professor with various projects (not related to the classroom)? I mean, it's kind of an unofficial research position/internship, so does that fall under job experience?</p>

<p>Thanks all.</p>

<p>Whether it’s a job or an activity in which you are regularly involved, you should tell employers about it if it helps make you look any better. Even though you get paid for cleaning the bathrooms at a gas station, you probably shouldn’t put that on a serious resume. Likewise, even though you might not get paid for starting a volunteer organization that writes software for non-profit groups, something like that might cast you in a very favorable light.</p>

<p>Regarding the professor thing… contact the professor first. This person may not want it getting out (e.g. to the administration) that he has “unofficial” help, for financial and/or legal reasons.</p>