Posted by: Darlene Duncan CWDP, JSS, CCC
Training Coordinator
In the workshops I and my colleagues facilitate we often encourage people to volunteer. Many times they look at us as if we’ve lost our minds. It’s like they want to say, “I’m looking for work I’ll get paid to do. I need a paying job.”
In response to that I want to say this, yes, we are aware you need a paying job. However, part of your job search could easily be volunteering. Volunteering does a couple of things for the job searcher.
One, it gets you out of the house where you can meet people. You never know who you’ll meet in a volunteer situation.
Two, it helps you get practical experience and / or keep your skills sharp. Maybe you just recently got your degree in your field but you don’t have any real work experience to go with it. Volunteering could help you get that real world experience.
Three, it shows potential employers that you’re not just sitting home watching television. You’re out meeting people and keeping your skills sharp by continuing to use them.
Four, if that organization you’re volunteering for has an opening for a paid position, you’ll be one of the first to know about it.
So yes, volunteer as part of your job search.
Training Coordinator
In the workshops I and my colleagues facilitate we often encourage people to volunteer. Many times they look at us as if we’ve lost our minds. It’s like they want to say, “I’m looking for work I’ll get paid to do. I need a paying job.”
In response to that I want to say this, yes, we are aware you need a paying job. However, part of your job search could easily be volunteering. Volunteering does a couple of things for the job searcher.
One, it gets you out of the house where you can meet people. You never know who you’ll meet in a volunteer situation.
Two, it helps you get practical experience and / or keep your skills sharp. Maybe you just recently got your degree in your field but you don’t have any real work experience to go with it. Volunteering could help you get that real world experience.
Three, it shows potential employers that you’re not just sitting home watching television. You’re out meeting people and keeping your skills sharp by continuing to use them.
Four, if that organization you’re volunteering for has an opening for a paid position, you’ll be one of the first to know about it.
So yes, volunteer as part of your job search.
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