Advice On Volunteering As A Pathway To A Job
posted on 07/05/2009
It may be a bit odd to think about, but volunteering for a worthy cause or charitable organization can be a great pathway to a job, especially if you're currently unemployed. Although you may think that the idea of working without compensation is crazy, it isn't as crazy as you may think.
Why Volunteer?
Why not volunteer? Volunteering can be a great way to fill up some of the extra hours you have each week while giving something back to your community. Although having a few weeks off may be a much needed break from the workplace, you shouldn't get too used to sitting on your laurels.
Volunteering allows you to keep up your skills
No matter what you did in the "real world" of work, it won't be hard to find an organization that can use your skills. If you were in marketing or public relations, there will be dozens of places that would be happy to have you help with their outreach efforts. If you were in some area of accounting, you can lend your expertise to small non-profit groups who might need some help with the budgets or books. There's a place for everyone to lend their skills and keep them fresh at the same time.
Volunteering allows you to learn new skills
If you've wanted to branch out into a new field, this is the time to find out if it really is a career path for you -- volunteering in a new area allows you to "test drive" new skills and learn new techniques that could parlay into a whole new career field. So if you're a numbers person and now feel like it would be a change of pace to work in customer service, then find an organization that can give you that opportunity as a volunteer.
Volunteering looks good on your resume
Doing something worthwhile with your time helps you fill that gap on your resume while you're between jobs. It provides a seamless bridge on your resume from your former position and shows continuity.
So don't discount a volunteer job while you're looking for a full time paying position. The value of volunteering may end up being worth far more than you realize, since it shows your commitment to keeping up work skills while helping a good cause.
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Previous Comments
jtrombetti says:
(139d 10h 34min ago)
John, love the article and from experience know it is true. Volunteering in the Tomorrow Fund Clinic for a while landed me a job as Executive director at one point in my career.
amused says:
(115d 9h 40min ago)
That's especially true in this economy. Just yesterday there was a story about someone who lost their job, but volunteered at a new company and was eventually hired.