Volunteering is a great way to fill gaps on your resume or build work experience for a first-time job seeker.
If you can't think of anything at all to put on your resume under experience — maybe you're looking for your first job or maybe you've been out of work for a little while, either raising a family or you've been unemployed for an extended amount of time — and you need some things to fill those employment gaps, volunteering can be a really great resource for you.
Volunteering does three important things:
1) It builds work experience. You learn a lot of things on the job and they're all valuable.
2) It builds references. The people who you can add to an application or resume who will speak about your work skills and work ethic.
3) It builds your job search network. People who you can call on when you're looking for a job who have different connections throughout the community and might be able to give you a lead on a job opening.
If you're a student, your school guidance counselor should be able to point you in the direction of some volunteer opportunities. Otherwise, check local nonprofits in your area that will probably be needing volunteers to help run operations.
It is always a good idea to volunteer in an area that interests you. For example, Gayle reached out to us on our Facebook page and asked how she could gain experience in something other than retail. After realizing her love of history, she is now volunteering at a local museum. This will help her out with all three points listed in this post!
Don't forget to include your volunteer experience on your resume. And don't forget to ask your fellow volunteers or your volunteer supervisor to provide a reference for your job search.
Have a question? Head over to the Snagajob YouTube channel and leave us a video response with the question you want answered. If your question is selected, we will send you a gift card and include your video in our response!
About Kim Costa
I tried it. I was told, “That doesn’t count. It wasn’t part of a REAL job.”
Of course I was rejected.
Hi Gary – I am sorry you are frustrated. While it may not seem like a “real” job, employers do want to see what you’ve been up to during your time of unemployment. By volunteering, you will show that you have been productive and have been polishing your work skills.
What if your livin in a town that takes college kids rather they are graduated or not
Over somebody that ACTUALLY wants a job. The town i live in is that way
They say that they dont want college kids but then when i get the job 2days later they let me go
So they can hire a buncb of college kids. Its not fair at all and disappointing including
FAST Food. They say they are hiring but when u apply or ask if they are they say not really
But they have a sign saying accrpting applications.
Volunteering is a great idea, but doing so will result in a loss of UE benefits should you still be collecting. The only volunteering allowed by NYS must be associated with a religious purpose. You can NOT volunteer in a field related to your line of work, this is considered ‘work’ albeit unpaid and jeopardizes your UE benefit.
So then the real question is, if you’ve been out of work for 99 weeks and haven’t been able to find a job or volunteer cause you’ll lose your UE, how do you explain the 99wk gap on your resume?
Hi my name is denise im a high school graduate and im looking for a daycare job well expierenced for what is required. Thankyou
Hi Denise! Try using our keyword search tool to find daycare jobs in your area: http://www.snagajob.com/job-search. Also, if you know of some local daycare centers in your area, walk in and ask if they are hiring: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/approach-a-manager-for-a-job/. Be sure when filling out applications that you double and triple check for typos and spelling errors. Employers tell us that this is the number one mistake job seekers make and it can really hurt your chances of getting an interview! Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions
.
Hi my name is Ashley. I was just wondering what I would put in my resume, if I’ve never worked. I graduated in 2005 from highschool. I walked across the stage pregnant. I had my first child in 2006 and then in 2009 i had my other child. So basically I have been a stay at home mother. So what do I do for a resume??
Hi Ashley! We have a few articles that I think can really help you: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/stay-at-home-mom-going-back-to-work/ and http://www.snagajob.com/resources/finding-work-when-youre-a-teen-parent/. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!
Hi i sended my application to pizza hut but i didn’t add a resume or a coverletter, im worried and i really need this job, i need some advice please. thank you very much
Hi, my name’s Kaitlyn and I’m looking for my first job. My parents want me to work somewhere other than in the food industry. In highschool I am in a vocational class learning to be a teacher. I would love to do something with that knowledge, but I can’t seem to find a job that fits. I have been told I have amazing people skills. I was wondering if there is any extra steps I could take to find a job that combines everything that I know and where I could excercise those people skills.
Thanks.
After you submit your application, your next step would be to follow up on your application. Check out this video: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/video-how-to-follow-up/ where we break it down for you
. When you go in to follow up, bring copies of your resume and coverletter with you and hand it to them then. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!