Volunteering
Volunteer work can lead to paid employment. The worst thing to see in a resume is a gap in employment. If those gaps in employment are filled with volunteer activity, raising a family or elder care, there is less anxiety or reason for the potential employer to reject it out of hand.
Any amount of stress or glitch in a resume can get one rejected without a second glance. This is also why one needs to show up for interviews on time and well groomed.
Even if the volunteer work is during off hours while working a paying job, it counts. All anyone has to go on when they look at a potential employee is what that person does. Mind readers don’t tend to blossom too freely in personnel departments when the world is their oyster. And while some people volunteer just to pad their resume, their falsehoods are eventually discovered through subsequent acts (or lack of).
Doing volunteer work has its perks. It is said, “Do what you love and the money will follow”. So, firstly, choose a volunteer project that is actually of interest to you (or at least, in one’s skill range). It’s easier to stay true to that which is of some relevance to one’s interests. Finding paying work is a bit like finding love. You often find it while looking for something else or not looking at all.
Staying active through volunteer work keeps one abreast of new developments or trends, provides a unique perspective, is often a rehearsal of a variety of skills, can provide training in needed skills, gives experience, provides exposure and opportunity.
Volunteering gives exposure and opportunity by making ourselves visible, available and by establishing contacts. One can’t usually catch a fish if a line is never cast.
Not all volunteer work will provide this. But, all volunteer work has the potential to do so by virtue of exposure. One never knows where or when opportunity will knock. One thing is for certain, however. Staying at home rarely provides that exposure. The Internet might be an exception to that. Social networks and some web sites are also useful tools in small ways.
Many of us have heard the words, “Practice, practice, practice”. That applies in everything we do. “Use it or loose it” is another applicable phrase. Keeping abreast of developments and trends, and practicing one’s skills are often satisfied with volunteer work.
Some volunteers receive training or introduction to skill sets. For example, learning to be a seasonal Naturalist at a State Park (in the U.S.) is a volunteer position that pays living expenses only, when one is lucky. It generally comes with a one day or one week training process at no direct financial investment by the person receiving it.
Volunteering can also lend a new or different perspective to those who generally do it for a living. One gets to see the underbelly or side view of that chosen field. This increased understanding can lead to changes and innovations that result in better service, product or process in that field.
It’s not just the area or filed that one volunteers in that can be of use. What one ‘does’ in a volunteer project can be useful as well. An English major in college who becomes a seasonal Naturalist for a summer might learn teaching and leadership skills. Volunteering to aid an activity director in a nursing home might also provide an opportunity to learn those same skills.
Areas that often need volunteer work can include: Grade school teachers, nursing homes, local pantries, hospitals, pet shelters, church thrift stores, peace corps (for college graduates usually), orphanages, Habitat for Humanity, community theatre, libraries (shelf reading, story hour, cleaning, etc.), museums, monuments, State Parks, National forest services, youth or church organizations, senior centers, Lion’s or Rotary clubs/lodges, big brothers/sisters, Red Cross, Special Olympics programs, Meals on Wheels.
In specific locations, one may be required to be a resident or citizen.
In the United States, tryguidestar.
In Canada, tryvolunteer.caor do a search with the word volunteer followed by the location (like Toronto, Saskatoon, Ontario, British Columbia, etc.).
For U.K. work, do a search with the word “volunteering….” Followed by the location (such as Scotland, Wales, England, Ireland…). Another site isdo-it.
For Australia, use the same search word “volunteering” followed by location name (Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, etc.).
For France, there’sfrancebenevolat(this web site is in French language).
For the Philippines, there’spnvsca.
For other locations, check outiave.
Treat a volunteer position the same as a job. Be punctual, willing to learn and take orders, know ahead of time what specific times you’ll have available to work, plan transportation and uniform needs along with childcare, apply for and schedule the work (don’t just show up and say “I’m yours for the day”). Keep a journal of hours, costs and work done in case it is ever needed.
Volunteer work can lead to a paid job because it keeps a person engaged, involved and visible. The most success, however, comes from enjoying what you do. Make it count.
