Volunteering is a Great Way to Find Job Opportunities.
There are a lot of valid reasons why you should consider volunteering for an organization or cause you are passionate about, especially when you are trying to land a job. Here are some of them.
Volunteering can help you hone your skills and gain new ones. Volunteering gives you the perfect opportunity to apply your talents in new areas outside of your traditional work. It can also keep you from becoming rusty if you are currently unemployed, and may help you gain new skills and experience along the way. Needless to say, these things can prove to be extremely vital in your job search.
It can say so much about you as a person. Doing volunteer work proves that you are passionate about a cause you believe in, and are willing to go beyond what is expected of you ? traits that are highly valued by most hiring managers.
It can help enhance your resume. Adding your volunteer position to your resume can help you stand out from the rest of the competition, and impress your hiring managers.
It can expand your network. By volunteering, you may build personal relationships with people who share the same passion. It increases your chance of being introduced to people whom you would otherwise never possibly meet. For all you know, proper networking may be all you need to land the job of your dreams.
Volunteering can help you maintain a positive frame of mind. Studies indicate that people who are dealing with prolonged job searches are more prone to depression. However, since volunteering is known to boost a person’s sense of self-worth and self-esteem, doing volunteer work will certainly lift your spirits and help you maintain a positive attitude toward your job search and life, in general.
It can lead to full-time work. Volunteering can help you build a track record of work and commitment to a specific cause. It gives you the chance to build a relationship with the people in the organization and gain the advantage of being considered for paid opportunities as they arise. In fact, according to the results of a 2013 survey of organizations and job seekers in the US, 76% of non-profit hiring managers look for relevant experience when selecting the ideal candidate for the job.
As you can see, finding the right volunteer job can help you develop your network, gain new skills and, hopefully, help you find your next job as well.
