Volunteering is great for your community, but it’s also a great way to land a job. Why does volunteering help you find work faster?
- Volunteering helps you sharpen current skills or learn new ones
- It can be used as experience on your resume or job applications
- It expands your network and increases the number of people who can help you find a job
There’s almost no instance where volunteering can’t help you get hired in some way, but here are some specific circumstances where it can help:
Employment Gaps: Whether due to long-term unemployment, family responsibilities or returning to work after a criminal charge, volunteering fills up that blank resume page and shows you’re committed to the community. It can also earn you references, which are key to getting back to work after an absence.
First Job: The big hurdle with first-time job hunts is that often you have no marketable skills, experience or references. Volunteering doesn’t just look good on job applications, either. If you’re a student thinking about applying to college, you can list your volunteer experience on many college applications, which is looked upon favorably.
Changing Fields: If you’re trying to change careers and having a hard time, see if you can volunteer for a position related to the one you want. Not only will you get valuable experience, you will find out in advance if the grass is really greener in the new field you’re dreaming about, or whether you’d rather consider different options.
Joyce asked on Snagajob’s Facebook: “That’s a nice idea, but where do you find the gas money to volunteer on a minus-zero budget?”
Hi Joyce! That’s a good question, and if you’re not able to access a place to volunteer close by, there are some great online resources to find volunteer jobs you can do from home.
About Amy White
Great idea! But no ones willing to hire me even for free!!! I meanim dying to volunteer and there are no takers!!!
Have you tried checking out the link from the post? Also, if there are no takers in your area, find an independent way to volunteer! help an elderly neighbor, tutor a student, etc.
I help a young girl for apt cleaning before like my next door neibor
Shveta,
I have had the same problems. I even tried to volunteer at churches that I once went to, and they made it so cumbersome an difficult I just left the church all together. In my case I am a skilled and experienced photographer with a lot of costly equipment and years of experience I bring and to be turned down as a member of a church was a slap in my face.
Company’s often don’t want volunteer photographers because they don’t see the value, yes it’s free but then because the actual photography is free they also want the photos you took for free. It cost me money to produce photos so I don’t see how that is a win-win situation.
Hi Tim! Coming from the non-profit world, we used volunteer photographers to photograph our major fundraising events. It was a win-win, they could use us as a reference and we could get amazing photos for nothing! Have you looked into national non-profits that have a local office in your area?
I have been tryin so hard to get a job in the past months and have not heard from anyone.
Hi Nicole, I think this article can help you: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/why-am-i-not-getting-interviews/. Good luck!
I don’t have that much job experience,But I need a job.retail sales position,or cashier,I’m available,for any hours,I’m punctual,I hope there is a Hiring Manager on here to hear my cry in need,if you are willing to train,I’m willing to give you my all in my work.Im a people Person.I put in alot of applications and nobody calling back.Somebody help me with a job, Im a honest,well respected young lady looking for a job,to build up my experience. Thank You.